NY mandates contractor registration for publicly funded projects

Consultant Kathleen Bloss talks about the type of work the law covers and steps that firms must take to comply.

By Sebastian Obando • Jan. 13, 2025

Free incubator and accelerator empowers smart city growth

Smart Futures Lab empowers tech startups: $4.5M raised, 6 patents, 22 jobs—join the next cohort today!

Jan. 13, 2025

California leaders ask for more federal transportation money before Trump takes over

The California Latino Legislative Caucus and a Democratic senator from the state argue for immediate and continued funding of public transit and high-speed rail.

By Dan Zukowski • Jan. 8, 2025

Congestion pricing begins in New York, a US first

Overcoming opposition, the plan to toll drivers entering Manhattan's central business district went into effect Sunday. Revenues will go to the transit authority's capital investments.

By Dan Zukowski • Jan. 6, 2025

Inflation-adjusted transportation spending at all levels fell in the 2010-2022 period, BTS says

Federal funding helps state and local governments, which account for 90% of transportation spending, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

By Dan Zukowski • Jan. 3, 2025

How an Oklahoma City sales tax fuels the city’s ‘renaissance’

Mayor David Holt led the planning process for the fourth voter-approved renewal of a sales tax for public infrastructure focused on human needs.

By Dan Zukowski • Jan. 2, 2025

9 predictions about what 2025 may hold for US cities

“Playground” cities will thrive, innovative housing programs will proliferate and technology will transform transit and municipal services, these sources say.

By Smart Cities Dive staff • Jan. 2, 2025

These two men will lead transportation policy in the Trump administration

The Governors Highway Safety Association this week endorsed Trump nominee Sean Duffy as the next U.S. transportation secretary.

By Dan Zukowski • Updated Jan. 10, 2025

Pittsburgh to transform waterfront industrial site for housing, entertainment and shopping

In addition to the $740 million development, the Steel City is getting a $64 million concert venue expected to attract events that might otherwise bypass the area for places like New York City, Chicago and Philadelphia.

By Matthew Thibault • Nov. 25, 2024

Loosening alcohol laws to revitalize your city’s economy is a mistake

Cities must keep our public spaces alcohol-free to preserve health and safety, warns a policy consultant at the Institute for Public Strategies, a public health organization.

By Daniel Skiles • Nov. 22, 2024

How the IIJA is funding increased transportation carbon emissions

Although the 2021 infrastructure law provided record funding for rail and mass transit, money going to highway expansion projects may lead to a net increase in transportation CO2 emissions by 2040. 

By Dan Zukowski • Nov. 20, 2024

New York congestion pricing to start Jan. 5

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced plans to begin the controversial program with reduced fees, but President-elect Donald Trump, House Republicans and some New Jersey Democrats remain opposed to the plan.

By Dan Zukowski • Updated Nov. 19, 2024

NY Gov. Hochul pressured to reinstate congestion pricing before Trump takes office

President-elect Donald Trump opposes New York's plan to toll drivers entering Manhattan's central business district. Advocates want the plan implemented now.

By Dan Zukowski • Nov. 13, 2024

Trump agenda has states, advocacy groups girding for legal battles

California, New York and Illinois are among states readying to sue the Trump administration over divisive issues such as reproductive rights, climate regulation and immigration.

By Justin Bachman • Nov. 11, 2024

How will a second Trump administration affect transportation policy?

Federal support for public transportation, Amtrak, high-speed rail and electric vehicles may be at risk, experts said.

By Dan Zukowski • Nov. 6, 2024

National Housing Crisis Task Force unveils agenda for next president, Congress

The federal government must “fundamentally restructure” its organization to address the housing crisis, according to recommendations from 28 public, civic and corporate leaders. 

By Ysabelle Kempe • Nov. 5, 2024

Transit agencies must improve rail worker safety under new FTA rule

The Federal Transit Administration seeks to reduce the number of workers killed and injured while working on or around tracks.

By Dan Zukowski • Nov. 4, 2024

FAA sets air taxi pilot training, operations final rule

Powered-lift aircraft like eVTOL, which operate like both helicopters and airplanes, are "the first new category of aircraft in nearly 80 years," the FAA administrator said in announcing the new rule.

By Dan Zukowski • Oct. 25, 2024

NYC comptroller proposes stopping pensions’ private market investments in fossil fuels

The funds would be the first U.S. public pension plans to have exclusions on investing in fossil fuel infrastructure like pipelines and liquefied natural gas terminals.

By Lamar Johnson • Oct. 25, 2024

How transit ballot measures fared in Nov. 5 elections

Many local and state transportation improvements earned bipartisan support even when measures asked to increase taxes, an analyst said.

By Dan Zukowski • Updated Nov. 8, 2024

Massachusetts investing in commuter rail to relieve traffic congestion

“Our roads are at a standstill,” the state’s transportation secretary said at a conference last week, detailing how the state is making passenger rail a priority.

By Dan Zukowski • Oct. 22, 2024

Communities could lose unspent ARPA funds in December if they don’t do this

Governments generally must “obligate” the funds, which requires more than passing a budget or earmarking them for use.

By Tom Kaleko and Lucas Peterson • Oct. 21, 2024

Platform compiles ‘proven solutions’ to urban challenges, from air pollution to homelessness

Bloomberg Philanthropies' Cities Idea Exchange added programs and policies that it says have a track record of stoking stakeholder interest and attracting investment.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Oct. 16, 2024

9 bike-friendly laws signed by California governor

Bicycle advocates cheered laws that spur bike and pedestrian infrastructure construction, but Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed two bills that advocates hoped would rein in driver speeding.

By Dan Zukowski • Oct. 14, 2024

How the White House influences transportation grantmaking

Priorities vary among administrations, an Urban Institute report found. “The president actually has substantial discretion over a lot of these programs,” one researcher said.

By Dan Zukowski • Oct. 9, 2024