Transportation

When Microtransit Works as Public Transit, Explained
How to make Microtransit work. Hint: it's about coverage, not ridership.

How Transportation Technology Determines the Footprint of Cities
The Marchetti Constant, the willingness of people to travel for about a half an hour to get to and from work, explains the size of cities in history, and the metropolitan areas of today.

Nevada to Embark on 7-Year Program to Record Mileage of Motorists
Nevada is one of 15 states in the Western Road Usage Charge Consortium that are considering a transition from funding their transportation budgets largely by taxing the gallons of fuel that vehicles burn to charging drivers for miles driven.

$225 Million in Federal Funding for Rural Bridge and Highway Projects Announced
The U.S. Department of Transportation this week announced the recipients of $225 million in project funding under the Competitive Highway Bridge Program. The program is reserved for projects located in mostly rural states.

Gender Bias in Urban Systems
A list of all the ways cities and infrastructure are designed for men, and at the expense of women.

Bus Ridership Declines Challenge Los Angeles
The Wall Street Journal reports that bus riders on the Los Angeles County Transportation Authority system has declined significantly in recent years.

Smart Congestion Costing: A Critical Evaluation of the 'Urban Mobility Report'
The new "Urban Mobility Report" provides widely-cited congestion cost estimates. However, its analysis is neither comprehensive nor objective. Anybody using these estimates should understand its omissions and biases.

Message to Candidates: Don't Forget Car Dependence When Tackling Fossil Fuels
Car dependence will have to end for the most ambitious climate plans put forward by Democratic candidates for president to have the desired effect.

A Car-Free Street Dream in Northern Virginia
The city of Alexandria has begun to explore the idea of transforming sections of King Street into a car-free pedestrian zone.

Reports: Full Environmental Review Likely for Portland Freeway Widening Project
An initial environmental assessment for a project to widen I-5 in Portland claimed the project would improve air quality, congestion, and traffic safety. Critics of the project weren't convinced.

California Lawmaker Wants to Triple Electric Vehicle Rebates
Assemblyman Phil Ting seeks to dramatically increase the state electric vehicle sales rebate of $2,500, motivated in part by the phasing-out of the federal EV tax credit of $7,500. The bill rules out significant revenue sources.

Flying Taxi Skepticism
A ride-hailing company that lost $5.2 billion in one quarter wants to launch a flying taxi service. According to this op-ed, cities should concentrate on expanding existing public transit systems instead of wasting time and money on pipe dreams.

Light Rail Plans Survive Election Challenge in Phoenix
An election to decide the fate of public transit planning in the city of Phoenix captured national attention as a bellwether for public opinion. Unofficial results have public transit winning with plenty of votes to spare.

Potential Routes for New Bridge Across the Chesapeake Winnowed From 14 to 3
The Maryland Transportation Authority has been studying the potential of a new bridge across the Chesapeake Bay, connecting Annapolis to Queen Anne's County to the East.

New York MTA Looks to Suburban TODs as Funding Source
The agency is selling land outside of the city on a commuter rail line in a move that could become more common as a revenue-generating strategy.

A Tale of Two Estimates
While transit agency data shows ridership going down, Census data shows ridership going up. Why?

It's Time To Reframe The Bike/Scooter Debate
We keep having one-off, divisive debates about bikes and scooters. But the real issue is how to accommodate "intermediate modes" (vehicles that go 10-15 mph for a mile or two) in a system that's not designed for them.

Study Promotes 'Better Biofuels' by Focusing on Waste Sources
There are many environmental benefits to bioenergy, particularly when the feedstock comes from waste, as opposed to agricultural products that could be used for food. A new study applies life cycle analysis to four types of waste matter.

Horrific Cyclist's Death in Brooklyn Prompts Calls for New Thinking on Cars
José Alzorriz was killed while waiting on a bike at a red light. An SUV, T-boned by a red light-runner, literally flew into him.

Chicago Dockless Scooters Used Across the City, New Study Shows
Data from the city's e-scooter pilot program show that they might be filling in the first-mile/last-mile gap for riders at all income levels.
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