September Must-Reads: Top 10 Articles From Last Month

A federal program that let states create programs to incentivize EV use by allowing EV drivers to use carpool lanes alone has lapsed, ending California’s  successful carpool lane program. In Washington, D.C., the Trump administration is once again taking aim at public lands, while some Congresspeople are pushing to get rid of the District’s speed cameras and right-on-red ban. California almost rejected the Bay Area’s bid for a $750 million transit loan, but the loan was approved at the last minute. Maryland is taking steps to build housing on state-owned land, while Delaware’s governor is considering state-level zoning reform. And a plan to turn office buildings into vertical farms could put fresh food within reach of more urban dwellers.

The full list of September’s most-read stories:

1. EVs Now Barred From Freeway HOV Lanes

Congress did not renew a federal program that allowed states to let EV drivers use carpool lanes even when driving alone, dealing a blow to California, where over one million drivers have used the program since it was launched in 1999.

2. A Multimillion Dollar Virginia Company is Turning Empty Office Buildings Into Farms

A company specializing in indoor farms wants to expand their operations to unused office buildings and reduce the need to drive produce long distances from rural farms.

3. Florida’s Successful Commuter Rail Could Cease Operations in Two Years

The Florida Department of Transportation cut its subsidy to the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority’s (SFRTA) Tri-Rail commuter rail, putting the system, which surpassed pre-pandemic ridership numbers last year, in danger of closing in two years. 

4. Trump Administration Wants to Remove Conservation From Approved 'Uses' of Public Land

The Trump administration is taking steps to reverse a 2024 Public Lands Rule that puts conservation on the same level as other uses of public land such as extraction or recreation.

5. LA Mall Garage Converted to 200 Housing Units

The parking structure of a Los Angeles mall once featured in Clueless will become 201 luxury housing units while the rest of the property will house a UCLA biomedical research center.

6. Delaware Governor Could Force Cities to Upzone

Delaware Governor Matt Meyer cautioned cities that he would consider taking state-level action on zoning reform if local jurisdictions don’t do more to increase their housing supply.

7. Republicans Aim to Kill DC’s Traffic Cameras, Reverse Right-on-Red Ban

Congressional Republicans are pushing to reverse some Washington, D.C. road safety measures including traffic cameras and a ban on right turns on red. 

8. California Rejects Loan to Save Bay Area Transit

California Governor Gavin Newsom indicated the state would not sign off on a $750 million loan for Bay Area transit agencies, saying the deal would be finalized next year. However, the state later reversed course, approving the loan. 

9. Maryland Issues Executive Order to Create Affordable Housing on State-Owned Properties

Maryland Governor Wes Moore’s executive order calls for identifying state-owned properties appropriate for housing development with a focus on transit-adjacent areas.

10. In Defence of Vision Zero — a Traffic Engineer’s Perspective

A traffic engineer argues that the profession, long maligned as too car-oriented, is changing fast.