‘Minimobility’ could fill the gap between micromobility and electric cars, analysts say

Three- or four-wheeled electric-powered vehicles, whether shared or privately owned, could become an important option for urban transport, according to a new report from the McKinsey Center for Future Mobility.

By Charles Pekow • Oct. 3, 2022

3 takeaways from the Smart Cities Connect fall conference

Public- and private-sector professionals shared ideas on how to get support for procurement, make progress on open-source and interoperable technologies and more.

By Maria Rachal • Sept. 30, 2022

Explore the Trendline➔

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

New York begins implementation of 2035 ban on new gas-powered cars and trucks, following California lead

Boosting sales of EVs in New York may require changing the law around how vehicles are sold, according to the Alliance for Clean Energy New York.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 30, 2022

BP and Hertz to develop national EV charging network

The move sets the foundation for BP and Hertz to “drive the future of mobility and accelerate EV consumer adoption,” the companies said in a statement.

By Brett Dworski • Sept. 29, 2022

Ridership surpasses 70% of pre-pandemic levels, boosting transit agency finances: APTA

Growing ridership could help transit agencies address their financial problems, avoiding service cuts and fare hikes.

By Michael Brady • Sept. 29, 2022

EV charging network plans approved for all 50 states

The FHWA’s approval unlocks $1.5 billion in NEVI program funds through fiscal years 2022 and 2023 for all jurisdictions across the U.S., allowing the build-out of chargers covering about 75,000 miles of highway.

By Danielle McLean • Sept. 28, 2022

Boston to grow bike lane network

The city aims to add 9.4 miles by the end of 2023, becoming the latest since the pandemic began to substantially expand its bike network.

By Charles Pekow • Sept. 28, 2022

Don’t let flying taxis be the next scooters, city planners warn

Private companies could begin operating air taxi services by 2024, experts said during the ITS World Congress in Los Angeles. Cities need to plan their regulatory approach now.

By Michael Brady • Sept. 27, 2022

Community involvement needed in traffic safety strategies, Vision Zero manager says

A systematic approach to planning that assumes human error was among the strategies urged at a Washington, D.C.-area summit. Meanwhile, U.S. DOT seeks public input on vulnerable individuals and intersection safety.

By Charles Pekow • Sept. 23, 2022

More government monies will help cities and counties improve pedestrian- and traffic safety

Governments are spending more on traffic- and pedestrian-safety products in the U.S., says Michael Long, manager of product management at TAPCO – Traffic and Parking Control Co., Inc., who manufactures and distributes a portfolio of traffic and parking safety solutions designed to increase safe travels for everyone.

By Michael Keating • Sept. 23, 2022

Demand on the rise for electric vehicle charging at multifamily properties

EV adoption will accelerate next year thanks to new tax credits and expanding options from automakers.

By Mary Salmonsen • Sept. 22, 2022

Protected bike lanes in North Kansas City slowed traffic, increased biking: study

Congestion also increased after the barriers protecting cyclists along the busy road were installed, a Streetlight Data study found.

By Charles Pekow • Sept. 22, 2022

Self-driving cars’ benefits, perils outlined in new report

Autonomous vehicles have the potential to improve equity and safety but need regulation at all levels to ensure those outcomes, an Urban Institute report concludes.

By Dan Zukowski • Sept. 22, 2022

Massachusetts, Washington confirm plans to end gas car sales by 2035, following California

State officials detailed their policy plans on Tuesday. Separately, GM announced a big rental EV order and weighed in on federal clean car standards.

By Dan Zukowski • Sept. 21, 2022

Latinos in Transit aims for more people of color in management roles at transportation agencies

Building connections, mentoring and scholarships are among the strategies LIT is using to advance people of color from front-line transit jobs into management, President Alva Carrasco says.

By Dan Zukowski • Sept. 20, 2022

To break an impasse in connected vehicle tech, transportation leaders call for a federal policy framework

A national framework could address the chicken-and-egg problem of who should invest in the technology first, carmakers or communities, transportation experts say. Without such guidance, each is hesitant to move forward.

By Michael Brady • Sept. 19, 2022

Transit agencies can’t hire enough drivers to keep the buses running

Low pay, safety worries and other workplace issues dissuade potential workers, but a recent report from transit advocacy foundation TransitCenter says government and transit operators can address those concerns.

By Dan Zukowski • Sept. 19, 2022

$2.4B for state EV charging infrastructure, other projects, announced by Biden administration

The first 35 state highway EV charging programs have been approved to leverage $900 million, while $1.5 billion in grants for highway, multimodal freight and rail projects also were announced Thursday.

By Dan Zukowski • Sept. 15, 2022

Railroad strike averted, preventing shutdown of commuter rail lines serving major cities

Commuter railroads including Chicago’s Metra and Los Angeles’ Metrolink had already begun planning to suspend service on some or all of their lines because they rely on freight rail tracks a strike would have affected.

By Dan Zukowski • Sept. 15, 2022

With attacks on public transit up, cities struggle to make riders feel safer

Already grappling with depressed ridership, U.S. cities are responding to increased violent crime on public transportation, which recent analyses have reported, with “transit ambassadors” and other approaches.

By Dan Zukowski • Sept. 14, 2022

Cities turn to microtransit to fill gaps in public transportation

Local leaders aim to bolster existing transportation systems to reduce personal car use or fill gaps in traditional bus and rail networks.

By Dan Zukowski • Sept. 13, 2022

Minneapolis light rail extension $9.5M over budget, 9 years behind schedule

A new audit shows the cost of the $2.74 billion Southwest Corridor project is more than double its 2011 estimate.

By Julie Strupp • Sept. 12, 2022

Advanced mobility, mass timber projects chosen in $1B federal regional challenge

The American Rescue Plan’s $1 billion Build Back Better Regional Challenge will support joint efforts to use mass timber to accelerate affordable housing, spur American manufacturing for advanced mobility, and much more.

By Maria Rachal • Sept. 9, 2022

New York City’s first vehicle-to-grid charging installation is live in Brooklyn

Project partners worked through engineering, regulatory and interconnection challenges to get the technology to market, Revel Chief Operating Officer Paul Suhey said.

By Dan Zukowski • Sept. 9, 2022

With autonomous vehicle caucus, Congress members aim to advance technology for self-driving cars

The bipartisan group looks to educate fellow members of Congress and have them experience riding in a self-driving car while pushing legislation intended to spur the development of AVs in the U.S.

By Dan Zukowski • Sept. 8, 2022