No this isn't about a gathering of "Knight Rider" enthusiasts. Rather than speaking to their leather jacket-clad drivers, the cars being tested in Michigan communicate with each other, with the goal of improving safety on the nation’s highways.
Bill Vlasik reports on the roll out of a year-long test of "smart car" technology in Ann Arbor, Michigan, announced this week by federal officials. "Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said 3,000 cars, buses and trucks in
this city near Detroit would be equipped with data recorders and a
technology akin to Wi-Fi that can transmit information about accidents
or hazardous traffic conditions."
According to Vlasik, "Drivers in the connected vehicles will be warned, for example, of sudden
changes in traffic patterns or potential collisions through data
transmitted from similarly equipped cars and roadside devices."
"Mr. LaHood said the $25 million study would yield data useful in
deciding whether the government should require such crash avoidance
technology in future vehicles."
Read the full story: Smart Cars Get a Connection Test in Michigan
Ann Arbor Delays Right Turn on Red Ban, Citing Equity Concerns
The city council wants more information on how a ban on right turns on red would affect the city’s hourly workers and the details of its implementation.
Let’s End Traffic Stops
The technology to make traffic enforcement obsolete is becoming available. But in the U.S. willing to use it?
New USDOT safety strategy highlights enforcement, embraces autonomous cars
The new National Roadway Safety Strategy emphasizes safety technology and enforcement and promises to further crack down on immigrant truck drivers with illicitly obtained licenses.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
Housing is the top priority of Seattle’s sole new councilmember
Jenks campaigned on building 1,000 new units of affordable housing.
New tax cuts may slash $1.5 billion in funding for Miami transit, public parks
Amendment 3 will save Miami-Dade homeowners $2,700 in 2028.
Arizona, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania hope to finally advance climate goals post-midterms
The three states have spent years under Republican or divided control.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority