Transportation: Page 50


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    John Moore via Getty Images
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    Amazon partners with three transit agencies to invest $300M in affordable housing

    Through its new Housing Equity Fund, the company will fund an estimated 3,000 affordable housing units near transit in its U.S. hubs in the suburbs of Seattle and Washington, D.C., and in Nashville, Tennessee. 

    By Katie Pyzyk • June 23, 2021
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    Courtesy of Bird
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    Bird adds electric bikes to its fleet

    The micromobility giant plans to expand its offerings beyond dockless scooters later this year, following a pledge to explore other transportation modes as it prepares to go public.

    By Chris Teale • June 23, 2021
  • Bipartisan $973B infrastructure proposal alarms EV advocates with annual surcharge on vehicles

    Ten Democratic and 11 Republican senators support an annual surcharge on the vehicles, but industry advocates warn it could dampen enthusiasm for the transition away from gasoline-powered cars and trucks.

    By Robert Walton • June 22, 2021
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    Permission granted by Smart Columbus
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    Autonomous shuttles still face tech, regulatory barriers to permanent adoption

    Low-speed shuttle pilot projects have had some success, including innovative adaptations during the pandemic, but AVs are still years from wide adoption.

    By Chris Teale • June 22, 2021
  • Texas Central
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    Permission granted by Texas Central
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    $20B Dallas-Houston high-speed rail project moves forward

    The project is based on Central Japan Railway's Tokaido Shinkansen system. It aims to travel at up to 200 mph, faster than any other rail service in the U.S., according to Texas Central Railroad.

    By Jennifer Goodman • June 21, 2021
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    Pixabay
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    Pittsburgh unveils its first pedestrian safety action plan

    Objectives range from preventing serious injuries or deaths on city streets to ensuring short trips are easy and enjoyable by non-auto travel.

    By Katie Pyzyk • June 18, 2021
  • What's the ROI for passenger rail? New tool seeks to quantify broader benefits

    As the White House advocates for more passenger rail, including high-speed options, a new report says developers can better demonstrate how trains improve the communities they serve.

    By Jason Plautz • June 17, 2021
  • FedEx announced a partnership signed April 2021 to pilot the use of Nuro vehicles for packages, starting in Houston.
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    Courtesy of FedEx
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    FedEx, Nuro sign multi-year deal to test autonomous last-mile delivery

    Testing began in Houston and may expand to additional cities over time, according to a spokesperson for robotics company Nuro.

    By Edwin Lopez • June 17, 2021
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    Permission granted by Smart Columbus
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    At challenge's conclusion, Smart Columbus to continue its work

    With the four-year federal grant funding period at an end, the Ohio organization said it will stay focused on how technology can address societal issues and maintain many of its initiatives.

    By Chris Teale • June 15, 2021
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Houston to Fort Worth route poised for autonomous truck pilot

    J.B. Hunt and Waymo plan to test autonomous Class 8 trucks hauling freight between the Texas cities along Interstate 45, as many driverless operations focus on middle mile routes.

    By S.L. Fuller • June 14, 2021
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    LA moves closer to offering zero-fare transit

    If approved, L.A. Metro's $321 million zero-fare pilot for students and low-income riders would join other U.S. cities exploring similar programs following the pandemic.

    By Jason Plautz • June 10, 2021
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    Getty Images
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    Transit funding a flashpoint in surface transportation debate

    Should the U.S. government fund more public transportation or less? FAST Act reauthorization proposals take opposing positions on the issue.

    By Chris Teale • June 8, 2021
  • Miami scooters
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    Permission granted by Jason Plautz
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    E-scooter fees help fund protected bike lanes in downtown Miami

    Miami will add about three miles of protected micromobility lanes on busy downtown corridors as part of a $2 million program, partially funded by the city's micromobility fund.

    By Jason Plautz • June 8, 2021
  • Tampa, Florida, creates resilience plan to prepare for next crisis

    The road map, which officials say is the first to be released during or after the coronavirus pandemic, calls for more affordable housing and broadband access in addition to climate-ready infrastructure.

    By Chris Teale • June 3, 2021
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    Stephen Maturen via Getty Images
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    Cities consider taking police out of traffic stops

    Localities like Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, and Berkeley, California, are re-imagining traffic enforcement amid national calls for police reform. 

    By Cailin Crowe • June 3, 2021
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    Courtesy of Qualcomm
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    Atlanta suburb deploys new tech to tame traffic

    Peachtree Corners, Georgia, will use cellular vehicle-to-everything technology to help improve safety and alleviate "one of the biggest headaches" residents face every day.

    By Chris Teale • June 2, 2021
  • A sparse amount of people linger on an underground platform, reachable by stairs, next to two sets of train tracks.
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    A $10B federal proposal to improve transit station accessibility

    According to recent data, 20% of U.S. transit stations are not fully accessible. The All Stations Accessibility Program Act of 2021 aims to support upgrades at stations to meet or exceed Americans with Disabilities Act standards.

    By Jason Plautz • May 27, 2021
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Brooklyn neighborhood tackles perception that bikeshare is just for white New Yorkers

    The NYC Better Bike Share Partnership has helped the Citi Bike program through community engagement and diverse leadership in its bid to become more equitable, a potential model for other city micromobility programs.

    By Jason Plautz • May 24, 2021
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    Permission granted by Maria Rachal
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    Experts aim to dispel low-speed zone myths, a key hurdle to safer cities

    Low-speed zones curb traffic deaths and offer proven economic benefits, advocates argue. "The number of lives that can be saved with relatively small reductions in speed is just mind boggling," said one World Bank official.

    By Katie Pyzyk • May 21, 2021
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    Alexander Koerner via Getty Images
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    The debate over federal autonomous vehicle legislation

    Increased road deaths prompt calls for improved vehicle tech

    While some in Congress continue to talk up the promise of autonomous vehicles, others said existing technologies can help bring fatalities down now — and they warned of AVs' risks to safety and jobs.

    By Chris Teale • May 19, 2021
  • Spin scooters micromobility
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    Courtesy of Spin
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    Chicago's second e-scooter pilot signals persisting interest

    While the four-month pilot in 2020 drew 75% fewer complaints than 2019's, some affordability and racial equity shortcomings remained. 

    By Jason Plautz • May 19, 2021
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    The image by GPA Photo Archive is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    'Safe System' infrastructure approach could cut traffic deaths, experts say

    Academics and engineers recommend the U.S. shift the burden of traffic safety from drivers to the system itself. "The objective is to make the system tolerant of routine human errors," a report states.

    By Jason Plautz • May 17, 2021
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    Permission granted by Bird
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    Bird announces plans to go public, tees up expansion beyond scooters

    The micromobility company will list by year's end through a merger with Switchback II, a special purpose acquisition company. It follows Skip buyer Helbiz in taking the SPAC route.

    By Chris Teale • May 13, 2021
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    Ford Media Center
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    NJ lawmakers threaten new driving tax to fight NYC congestion pricing

    A proposal would charge out-of-state drivers state sales tax on top of any tolls they pay traveling between the two states and use the revenue to alleviate costs for New Jersey commuters. "We'll fight fire with fire," said Rep. Josh Gottheimer.

    By Chris Teale • May 12, 2021
  • electric bus
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    Metropolitan Transportation Authority of the State of New York. (2020). "New MTA Articulated Electric Bus Comes to M60" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
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    Charlotte, NC, models public-private approach for electrifying bus fleet

    The city council recently approved a partnership to pilot 18 battery electric bus vehicles, while much of the U.S. has been slow to electrify transit.

    By Jason Plautz • May 12, 2021