‘COP28 must be the COP of cities’: Local leaders want fossil fuel phaseout, collaboration

Financing for local climate action is top of mind for some city leaders at the summit. C40 Cities’ cochairs demanded in a letter that nations redirect fossil fuel subsidies toward the clean energy transition. 

By Ysabelle Kempe • Dec. 1, 2023

US DOT announces $1.5B round of RAISE grants for 2024

The Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity program supports road, rail, transit and port projects, and is open to a wide range of applicants.

By Dan Zukowski • Dec. 1, 2023

House Republicans support high-speed rail but not California’s project

Members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee largely supported passenger and high-speed rail in a Wednesday hearing but split along party lines about California's $128 billion project.

By Dan Zukowski • Nov. 30, 2023

Biden administration sets new rule for monitoring on-road GHG emissions

The Federal Highway Administration rule requires states and metropolitan planning organizations to establish CO2 emissions reductions targets, setting up a fight with congressional Republicans.

By Dan Zukowski • Nov. 29, 2023

What’s top of mind for New York’s first customer experience officer

About a month into the job, Tonya Webster discussed her priorities and how she plans to overcome siloed agency processes.

By Kristen Doerer • Nov. 22, 2023

FTA proposes tighter rules for state oversight of rail transit systems

The proposal would give state safety oversight agencies new authority and responsibilities to ensure the safety of public rail transportation.

By Dan Zukowski • Nov. 20, 2023

Generative AI is here. This is how 5 cities plan to manage its use.

Guidelines aim to help government employees navigate the use of generative artificial intelligence tools while maintaining privacy, ethics and city values.

By Paige Gross • Nov. 16, 2023

3 steps for getting urban innovation pilots out of ‘purgatory’

A road map for New York City recommends taking a “challenge-based” approach to procurement and beefing up startup infrastructure.

By Paige Gross • Nov. 15, 2023

Meet Houston’s first emergency preparedness manager for vulnerable communities

Houstonians with disabilities have previously been unable to access emergency shelters and evacuation plans due to limited emergency preparedness outreach, a city official said.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Nov. 10, 2023

Lack of funding still stands in the way of California’s local climate policy

This finding in a report released Thursday is “very surprising” considering recent historic federal and state investments, said a co-author at the University of California Berkeley’s Center for Law, Energy and the Environment.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Nov. 9, 2023

Cities tackle rising pedestrian deaths

Experts cite risky, distracted and impaired driving — as well as less traffic enforcement — as factors sending pedestrian fatalities to new highs. Can new funding reverse the tide?

By Dan Zukowski • Nov. 6, 2023

Advocates hope federal funding will help stem the tide of pedestrian deaths

Complete Streets, Vision Zero and the safe system approach all aim to improve pedestrian safety. The federal government is finally putting big dollars behind the effort, too.

By Dan Zukowski , Julia Himmel , Shaun Lucas • Nov. 3, 2023

Can Sun Belt cities go from danger zones to pedestrian-friendly?

Tucson, Jacksonville, Los Angeles and other fast-growing, car-centric cities are focusing on street design and other strategies to slow drivers.

By Dan Zukowski , Julia Himmel , Shaun Lucas • Nov. 2, 2023

US drivers kill 20 pedestrians a day. Here’s what cities are doing about it.

Targeted interventions aim to reduce the higher pedestrian death rates in communities of color and low-income communities and make cities more walkable for all.

By Dan Zukowski , Julia Himmel , Shaun Lucas • Nov. 1, 2023

Why payments to government agencies should be easier

“Increasingly, government agencies — and the people they serve — need a payments system that is connected across departments and jurisdictions,” writes one payments executive.

By Sloane Wright • Oct. 25, 2023

Congress grapples with how to pay for highways, transit

As the Highway Trust Fund, which relies mainly on fuel taxes, sees diminishing revenue from a growing number of EVs and more fuel-efficient vehicles, state and federal officials look to alternatives.

By Dan Zukowski • Oct. 19, 2023

Why Los Angeles’ climate plan has ‘outlived its usefulness’: city controller

The new report says the plan has the same shortcoming as those in many other cities: a lack of meaningful metrics. What should the California city do now? 

By Ysabelle Kempe • Oct. 16, 2023

Notable 2024 conferences for smart city leaders

Newly added events focus on traffic safety, technology and green infrastructure.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Updated Aug. 2, 2024

New York’s traffic congestion pricing plan: What we know so far

A review board discussed toll fees, credits and charges for taxi and ride-hailing passengers as it prepares to issue recommendations for the first-in-the-nation program.

By Dan Zukowski • Oct. 3, 2023

FMCSA awards over $125 million in grants to increase roadway safety

FMCSA awards $128 million in grants. Is your organization eligible for future funding?  

Oct. 2, 2023

Federal government shutdown: Here’s how it could impact cities, states and transportation

While most transit programs will be unaffected, some funding for Amtrak and state law enforcement initiatives could be delayed.

By Dan Zukowski • Sept. 29, 2023

Buttigieg grilled over rollout of infrastructure funds by House committee

Some Republican committee members questioned the pace of funding and its climate and equity aims while Democrats were largely supportive of the Biden administration's goals.

By Dan Zukowski • Sept. 21, 2023

Local leaders to have formal role in COP28 for the first time

"For the world to tackle climate change effectively, mayors and governors need a bigger seat at the table,” said UN special envoy Michael Bloomberg.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Sept. 20, 2023

NYC Council approves safety-focused e-bike and e-scooter trade-in program

The program would help owners upgrade to electric bikes and e-scooters that meet UL certification requirements set by a New York City law that took effect Sept. 16.

By Dan Zukowski • Updated Sept. 21, 2023

EPA seeks advisers on ‘critical’ local government issues

The Environmental Protection Agency will pick up to five officials who represent local, state, tribal or territorial governments to serve one-year terms.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Sept. 8, 2023