To reduce transportation emissions, make it realistic for people to ditch cars

Building walkable communities with easy access to public transit is key to reducing our reliance on cars and achieving environmental goals, writes the CEO of Keolis North America.

By David Scorey • May 2, 2022

'Hyperlocalized' service benefits micromobility users, regulators and the public, industry exec says

Responsiveness to safety, access and other concerns is essential for shared bikes and scooters to grow as part of a community's transit mix, according to speakers from Tier Mobility and Joyride at a webinar hosted by Mavenoid.

By Rachel H. Pollack • May 2, 2022

Los Angeles launches $17.8M universal basic mobility pilot

“We have to change the conversation about transportation investments and how they benefit cities if we hope to shake ourselves awake from zombie conversation about how much it all costs,” said one LADOT official.

By Austyn Gaffney • April 29, 2022

Michigan awards grants to spur EV equity and economic development

The grant program aims to increase access to electric vehicles and charging stations in underserved communities while also creating EV-related jobs through public-private partnerships.

By Dan Zukowski • April 29, 2022

The race to add more public EV chargers

To meet President Biden's goal for half of all U.S. vehicles sold to be zero-emission by 2030, the country will need 20 times more EV chargers. To support those ambitions, companies are developing innovative charging technologies.

By Dan Zukowski • April 28, 2022

Lessons from California: Tips to keep transit projects on time, on budget

Local agencies tend to poorly plan infrastructure work and don’t have enough capacity to manage megaprojects, and common procurement methods create a management bottleneck, a new study from UC Berkeley found. 

By Julie Strupp • April 28, 2022

Pittsburgh 'smart loading zones' aim to reduce curbside delivery woes

The city is partnering with curb management company Automotus for the next year to decrease idling, congestion and other safety and efficiency issues, especially in the central business district.

By Austyn Gaffney • April 26, 2022

California readies regulations for zero-emission truck fleets

Medium- and heavy-duty vehicles are the next big frontier in transportation electrification. The move to EVs has been slower in this segment because of its higher energy needs.

By Dan Zukowski • April 26, 2022

US transportation sector could cut carbon emissions 34% by 2030: analysis

"We've actually made a lot of progress," said one researcher. Separately, the Biden administration announced $6.4 billion for states to use under the infrastructure law's carbon reduction program.

By Dan Zukowski • April 22, 2022

Part boat, part plane, all electric: Entrepreneurs envision a new way to travel between coastal cities

Regent's initial "seaglider" vehicle could carry 12 passengers at 180 mph up to 180 miles, connecting coastal communities with faster, cleaner transportation, CEO Billy Thalheimer said.

By Dan Zukowski • April 21, 2022

Lyft to acquire bike-share equipment and technology supplier PBSC Urban Solutions

The deal with the Canadian-based supplier will roughly double Lyft's micromobility presence, the company said.

By Dan Zukowski • April 20, 2022

As cities redesign bus networks, planners stress community engagement

"A lot of agencies haven't looked at their system holistically in a long time," said one transportation planner, as Baltimore, Dallas, Los Angeles and other major cities undertake complex and potentially more equitable system redesigns. 

By Dan Zukowski • April 19, 2022

Proposed California EV regs could be adopted by other states

In a bid to ramp up zero-emission vehicle sales, the policy move could ultimately enable regulators "to set the national standards that we need to meet our climate goals," said one transportation and clean air policy expert.

By Dan Zukowski • April 18, 2022

Robotic balloons could provide high-res images for numerous urban applications

Flying at 60,000 feet, they can help cities monitor vegetation, power lines, roadways and more and could potentially aid navigation for advanced urban transportation tech like AVs and VTOLs, says the CEO of Near Space Labs.

By Dan Zukowski • April 14, 2022

Bird pilot aims to give NYC wheelchair users reliable and fast transport options

Under New York’s e-scooter pilot program, Bird is providing a first-of-its-kind motorized attachment free to individuals who use wheelchairs.

By Austyn Gaffney • April 13, 2022

California regulators to update vehicle emission requirements as state seeks to spur EV transition

The California Air Resources Board will update regulations for vehicles emissions and zero-emission vehicle requirements, as advocates want automakers mandated to make electric vehicles available to frontline communities. 

By Dan Zukowski • April 13, 2022

Transit data providers join forces as Optibus acquires Trillium

The move will provide transit agency clients with access to transit planning data and real-time operational information, the companies say, to help them address the pandemic's impact on labor and ridership.

By Dan Zukowski • April 12, 2022

City leaders share ideas on how to maximize federal dollars

At the Smart Cities Connect conference last week, local leaders called for a rethink of how cities seek to allocate federal dollars, including through community engagement, data-led decisions and regional collaborations. 

By Cailin Crowe • April 12, 2022

Lime, Spin, Superpedestrian win Chicago scooter permits

The city also announced Thursday that its Lyft-operated bike-share program will integrate 1,000 electric scooters into its downtown docking stations, which it says will create "the first docked bike and scooter system in the nation."

By Maria Rachal • April 8, 2022

Soaring pedestrian deaths in 2021 attributed, in part, to less traffic enforcement

Law enforcement officials say pandemic-related medical issues, budget cuts, difficulties hiring new recruits and retirements have cut into their ability to enforce traffic laws. 

By Dan Zukowski • April 7, 2022

Transportation Department outlines $20B for transit available this year through infrastructure law

Funding is slated to benefit transit projects in all 50 states and nearly 200 communities and go to some 30 programs supporting everything from pavement repair to enhancing mobility options for older adults.

By Dan Zukowski • April 7, 2022

Universal basic mobility program in Oakland, California, provided lessons in achieving equity, leveraging community partnerships

The pilot met its goal of increasing transit use and gave the city insight on the administrative structures needed to distribute benefits via prepaid cards, an Oakland transportation planner said.

By Austyn Gaffney • April 6, 2022

What big cities can learn from the rural US about public transit

Grappling with bare-bones transportation networks, rural communities are implementing new transit innovations, a trend that federal infrastructure dollars could accelerate. 

By Scott James Matheson and Sam Couvillon • April 6, 2022

Latest UN climate change report shines new light on well-documented urban mitigation strategies

Cities must push harder to decarbonize buildings and transform transportation norms, the report suggests, as the next three years are critical if the world is to change the course of global warming.

By Maria Rachal • April 5, 2022

To ease fuel-price pain, subsidies, gas tax holidays, rebates gain momentum across the US

Chicago and California propose giving prepaid gas cards to eligible residents and assistance to public transit users. State and federal efforts to suspend gas taxes face criticism for potential economic and environmental impacts.

By Dan Zukowski • April 5, 2022