Officials: Federal AV law should not stop cities from regulating tech

At a House hearing, speakers opposed new federal AV legislation that would preempt state and local AV laws, with many sharing concerns regarding safety provisions.

By Chris Teale • Feb. 12, 2020

How hyperloop could stand apart from existing transit modes

Hyperloop has the potential to naturally compete in the marketplace while offering something new — as long as companies can overcome regulatory and financing challenges.

By Chris Teale • Feb. 12, 2020

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Top 5 stories from Smart Cities Dive

From worsening climate change to a shifting transportation landscape and the housing affordability crisis, cities have their work cut out for them.

By Smart Cities Dive staff

Inaccurate maps cost logistics companies $6B: survey

Even small problems can result in major losses for logistics companies, especially as e-commerce puts more delivery trucks on city streets.

By Jason Plautz • Feb. 11, 2020

Austin, TX traffic fatalities nearly triple in January

The city's already-high rate of traffic deaths point to many of the same Vision Zero challenges that cities are grappling with as they start the new year. 

By Cailin Crowe • Feb. 11, 2020

Uber Transit adds feature to ease train commutes

"Make My Train" is the latest in a series of Uber offerings that connects users with public transit, situating the app as a one-stop-shop for mobility needs. 

By Cailin Crowe • Feb. 10, 2020

Dallas should embrace scooters and reject arbitrary regulations

To make Dallas more accessible and clean, city council should increase the number of scooters allowed on the streets and steer clear from unreasonable ordinances.

By Chris Marchese • Feb. 10, 2020

NHTSA grants first driverless vehicle exemption

Autonomous vehicle company Nuro received the exemption for R2, a low-speed, zero-occupant delivery vehicle designed to carry consumer products.

By Kristin Musulin • Feb. 7, 2020

Smart Columbus introduces self-driving shuttles to opportunity zone

Two electric shuttles will operate for free in the city's Linden neighborhood through what's said to be the country's first self-driving shuttle service in a residential area. 

By Cailin Crowe • Feb. 7, 2020

Lime pledges zero-emission operations fleet by 2030

The company is looking to further its sustainability efforts following a 2019 study that called out operators' use of gas-powered re-distribution vans.

By Chris Teale • Feb. 7, 2020

Shell calls for transit 'revolution,' invests in mobile ticketing platform

The latest move from the oil and gas company, which has come under fire for environmental abuses in the past, aims to boost transit ridership to reach a "net zero" world.  

By Chris Teale • Feb. 6, 2020

NYC pilot would aid late-shift workers' commutes

Late-shift workers make up 17% of cities’ overall workforce, but are 40% less likely to take public transit. The New York MTA is hoping to change that. 

By Jason Plautz • Feb. 6, 2020

The exit of NYC's transit chief is a loss of visionary leadership

In a world where governments let systems crumble under growing financial and political pressures, Andy Byford's people-focused leadership often felt kismet. It shouldn't have.

By Micah Kotch • Feb. 6, 2020

Reimagining the grid: How utilities are prepping for transportation electrification

There's no question that electric vehicles can provide a net benefit to the system, according to Portland General Electric President and CEO Maria Pope.

By Kavya Balaraman • Feb. 5, 2020

Los Angeles, London team on 'Innovator Cities' network

The partnership aims to identify common transportation problems faced around the world and develop solutions that can work in any market.

By Chris Teale • Feb. 5, 2020

If we want smart cities, we need to double down on rail transit

A robust, rail-centric network should remain the backbone into which other transportation modes, like autonomous shuttles, ride-sharing and scooters, can feed.

By Marc Buncher • Feb. 3, 2020

Waymo, UPS partner on self-driving parcel pickup

Waymo's autonomous vans will pick up parcels from UPS stores in the Phoenix metro area and deliver them to nearby UPS sorting facilities.

By Morgan Forde • Feb. 3, 2020

The 2028 Olympics has sparked a transportation revamp in LA

When hundreds of thousands of visitors descend on Los Angeles for the Games, the city hopes they will be met with swift, accommodating and clean transportation.

By Chris Teale • Feb. 3, 2020

A breakdown of Chicago's scooter pilot, by the numbers

An analysis found racial and economic disparities in use, 192 probable emergency room visits and 116 tons of CO2 potentially reduced. 

By Kristin Musulin • Jan. 31, 2020

Uber wants Boston customers to ride more transit

Boston is the first U.S. city to get an app update that automatically displays transit options "from the get-go," enhancing Uber's role as a one-stop transportation shop.

By Kristin Musulin • Jan. 31, 2020

Cities can achieve Vision Zero goals through basic design: study

New research suggest cities, especially those that are developing, must be set up "right in the first place" to avoid transportation-related injuries.

By Jason Plautz • Jan. 30, 2020

House Dems put climate at center of $760B infrastructure plan

The Moving Forward Framework would invest heavily in roads, transit and water systems, with efforts to cut emissions woven throughout.

By Chris Teale • Jan. 30, 2020

LA Metro pushes plan to get residents back on the bus

Following a nearly 25% drop in riders since 2014, Metro is overhauling its bus system by increasing arrival frequency and considering specific travel needs of women with children.

By Katie Pyzyk • Jan. 29, 2020

LA commits to 100% electric sanitation fleet by 2035. Other cities aren't ready to follow

LASAN Director Enrique Zaldivar pledged to procure only electric vehicles in two years and gradually convert the fleet. While the market evolves, adoption is far from widespread.

By E.A. Crunden • Jan. 29, 2020

Bird strengthens European foothold with Circ acquisition

The acquisition points to growing consolidation across the micromobility industry as scooter companies seek profits and sustainability.

By Cailin Crowe • Jan. 29, 2020

Carmel, IN's secret to reducing traffic fatalities? Roundabouts

The city's more than 120 roundabouts have helped bring Carmel's traffic fatality rate to about six times below the national average.

By Chris Teale • Jan. 28, 2020