Technology

Fuel Cell Vehicles Get Surprising Boost from Uncle Sam
The petroleum industry-friendly Trump Administration has awarded $15.8 million to 30 projects that are intended to substantially reduce oil consumption from passenger vehicles.
A Next Generation Kerfuffle for Telecommunications Infrastructure
The rollout of "5G" wireless Internet technology was already creating political controversy in local cities and communities. Then the California State Legislature proposed a bill that would streamline the approval process for 5G installations.
Volvo Makes History in Embrace of Electric Vehicle Technology
In a major announcement that could shake-up the auto industry, Volvo Cars declared it will initiate a gradual divorce from autos solely powered by internal combustion in two years. The Chinese-owned company wants to reduce its environmental impact.
Charging Anxiety, Not Price Anxiety, the Biggest Impediment to Electric Vehicle Adoption
California legislators hoping to entice motorists to purchase electric vehicles with more generous rebates or other perks are missing the real obstacle for many consumers, according to a new study on electric vehicle charging.

Autonomous Vehicles: Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out?
The implications of autonomous vehicles for social interactions are potentially vast.

One Developer's Idea for Regional Housing Solutions in Southern California
New housing development is off to a slow start in Los Angeles in 2017. Although the city defeated an anti-growth ballot measure, LA is still faced with a number of policy and legal challenges to building an adequate supply of affordable housing.

U.S. Conference of Mayors Sets Target for 100 Percent Renewable Energy
The Annual Meeting of the United States Conference of Mayors wrapped up in Miami Beach earlier this week, culminating with a display of climate change solidarity.

L.A. Metro CEO Challenges Trump on Infrastructure Funding
President Trump’s most recent transportation budget is projected to cut transportation spending by 13 percent, potentially undercutting many of Los Angeles' ambitious projects to continue the build-out of a full public transportation system.

London Mayor Wants Emissions Free Transportation Fleets by 2040
London's draft Mayor's Transport Strategy (MTS) is available for public review. Mayor Sadiq Khan says transportation is "at the heart" of his vision for a city for all Londoners.

Beware the Utopian Visions of Transportation Technology Boosters
At the dawn of automated vehicle technology, humans, and Americans in particular, should recall the shortcomings of past utopian visions.

Seattle Tackling Equity Challenges With Global Lens
Seattle is faced with an affordable housing crisis that has led the new Planning & Community Development Director Sam Assefa to look globally for solutions.

Who's Mapping Gentrification, and Where?
In these cities, data on gentrification has been compiled to build mapping tools documenting the process. The hope is to identify neighborhoods where low-income residents are at risk of displacement.
Subsidized Carpool Rides: There's an App for That
Contra Costa County, California, located in the East Bay Area, is looking for new incentives to get commuters to carpool through the congestion region. If only there were an app for that.

Cities Seeking New Weapons in the Battle Against Waze-Induced Traffic
Los Altos, California has erected a new roadblock in its ongoing effort to keep drivers from cutting through residential neighborhoods, beckoned by the popular navigation app Waze.

Southeast Michigan Testing the Cutting Edge of Connected Car Technology
The Internet of Things is quickly taking over roads, even before cars start driving themselves en masse around the world.

Urine Trouble: MARTA Station Elevators to Get Pee Alarms
To discourage users from peeing on elevators at Atlanta MARTA stations, new urine detection technology is being installed as part of rehab plans.

Los Angeles Metro to Go Fully Electric by 2030
The move is risky. The agency has no electric buses now, and the last ones it operated performed so badly they had to be returned. The plan is to make the transition in phases, and hope that battery technology improves.

The Urban-Rural Internet Divide
Access to high-speed Internet makes a huge difference in day-to-day life. The digital divide between urban and rural communities means some rural communities could be left behind.

When the Level of the Architecture Discussion Resembles the Level of the Political Discussion
Fancy renderings of fanciful ideas might make for "internet catnip," but they don't push the built environment toward healthier and more prosperous outcomes. Where have all the good ideas gone?
NYC Planning Department Launches New In-House Digital Services Unit
Introducing the new NYC Planning Labs.
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