Transportation

California Bill Requiring Speeding Warnings Heads to Governor’s Desk
The law would require all vehicle models 2030 and later to include technology that warns drivers when they exceed the speed limit.

Texas High-Speed Rail Awarded $63.9M Federal Grant
In August, Amtrak received a $63.9 million grant from the FRA to continue its work to identify a high-speed rail corridor between Dallas and Houston.

Army Corps Recommends $77M Floodwall to Protect Baltimore Tunnels
In the face of growing flooding risk and increased traffic following the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, federal and state officials say protecting two of Baltimore's major transportation corridors from flooding is vital.

Sound Transit’s $3 Billion Lynnwood Link Extension Opens
After five years, Sound Transit’s light rail connection linking south Snohomish County to downtown Seattle and Sea-Tac Airport is now open.

Transportation Rx: Treating Traffic Glut Like Doctors Treat Sinus Congestion
To cure chronic traffic congestion, U.S. cities should consider a prescribed treatment approach, using technology and road pricing strategies to target the root cause instead of just managing the symptoms.

Proposed US DOT Rule Would Adopt Pedestrian Accessibility Standards
Under the new rule, state and local governments would be required to adhere to a specific set of accessibility guidelines when designing, constructing, or altering pedestrian facilities in the public right-of-way, including transit stops.

PDX International Airport’s New Terminal Is a Mass-Timber Marvel
Needing to expand to accommodate 35 million annual passengers by 2045 but constrained by Portland’s urban growth boundary, PDX had to think outside the box when planning its expansion. The result is a case study in sustainability.

Are We There Yet? AV Shuttles Not Ready for Transit Service, Report Says
According to an assessment of two North Carolina pilot projects, low-speed autonomous shuttles have too many limitations to deploy as a public transit option.

California Secures $150 Million for Expanding Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure
The Golden State has received almost $150 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation to build over 9,200 EV charging ports, bolstering the state’s efforts to expand zero-emission vehicle infrastructure and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Study: Half of Uber, Lyft Rides Replace More Sustainable Options
A new study out of UC Davis details how ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft impact more sustainable modes of transportation like transit, cycling, and walking from the perspective of user behavior.

Research: Bike Rolling-Stop Laws Don’t Lead to Unsafe Behavior
Rolling stops by bicyclists get a bad rap, particularly among motorists who perceive them to be breaking the law. But new research shows laws that allow for rolling stops for cyclists do not lead to unsafe behavior by either group.

Texas Approves Plan that Calls for $104B for Roads and Highways
The latest iteration of Texas’s 10-year unified transportation plan sets a record for highway spending in the state.

Book Excerpt: Rochester, New York’s Forgotten Subway
Did you know Rochester, New York, once had a subway? This book excerpt tells the story, complete with a custom map, of the only city in the world to build a subway and then close it.

New Jersey to Cash in $2.4 Billion of Transportation Bonds
The $2.4 billion in New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Authority bonds will fund infrastructure upgrades, including potential improvements for NJ Transit, which has had a summer of service disruptions, fare and tax hikes, and budget woes.

When States Hinder Local Efforts to Cut Down on Cars
Reducing car dependency is a vital climate goal. Many U.S. cities want to shift trips to other modes, but they're often held back by state governments.

Feds Allocate $150 Million to Fix and Upgrade EV Charging Ports
Funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Electric Vehicle Charger Reliability and Accessibility grant program will help advance the Biden Administration’s goal to have 500,000 public EV chargers in operation by 2030.

Congress Introduces Bill to Limit Size of SUVs and Trucks
Lawmakers want the federal government to set standards for vehicle height and visibility to combat the sharp rise in pedestrian deaths over the past decade.

New Multimodal Regional Transportation Center Opens in Virginia
Amtrak, CSX, and local, state, and federal agencies partnered on a new $53 million multimodal transit center that connects Newport News and the regional bus system to Amtrak Virginia and Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor.

Austin Left Turn Improvements Cut Serious Crashes by Half
Changes to left turn infrastructure and signal timing led to a 47 to 72 percent drop in fatal and serious injury crashes.

Fairfax to Consider 'Parking Reimagined' Amendment to Increase Accessible Spaces
Parking reform went into effect in Fairfax County, Virginia, in January, but county officials are considering tweaks to make sure the new regulations don’t lead to a decrease in accessible spaces.
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