Transportation

The recipe for a happy commute isn't just about length. Whether in a car or on mass transit, predictability and productivity are among the key attributes.

October 10, 2013 - The Wall Street Journal

Mayor Bloomberg's plan to mandate a standardized taxi for the streets of New York was given a potentially fatal blow this week by a State Supreme Court judge. With his successors unlikely to take up the legal battle, the plan appears doomed.

October 9, 2013 - The New York Times

Amid heavy political pressure, a plan to build a new expressway between Chicago's suburbs and Indiana backed by Gov. Pat Quinn and the Illinois Department of Transportation was dealt a significant defeat by Chicago's regional MPO this week.

October 9, 2013 - Daily Herald

Thanks to a Calif. law implemented in 2008 requiring ocean-going ships to switch from high-sulfur bunker fuel to cleaner fuels within 24 miles of the coast, Bay Area air quality significantly improved by reducing deadly particulate emissions.

October 9, 2013 - BAAQMD News Release

Debates rages on in response to the City Centre Access Strategy as it's revealed that the CBD could loose around 20% of its parking places and loading zones on two key streets to make way for the expanded cycle path scheme.

October 9, 2013 - Sydney Morning Herald

It may be hard to image fleets of cargo bikes replacing the large polluting trucks that tear up our city streets. But a European Union project estimates that the majority of freight in 322 cities studied could be moved by cargo bike.

October 8, 2013 - Treehugger

Unless these states come to an agreement with Amtrak by Oct. 16 to help subsidize regional rail service, required by the Passenger Rail Investment & Improvement Act of 2008, Amtrak will cease operating them. Agreements were reached with 16 states.

October 8, 2013 - Governing

After spending $820 million over fifteen years to rebuild 423 lane-miles along Interstate 80 from Auburn to the Nevada state border, Caltrans is finally done with the road project.

October 7, 2013 - Sacramento Bee

The NAACP is probably not the first advocacy group you think of when it comes to supporting walking and biking. But the civil rights organization encourages increasing physical activity in minority communities to help reduce childhood obesity.

October 7, 2013 - DC.Streetsblog

The Port Authority of Allegheny County is moving forward with plans to remove buses and bus stops from Downtown Pittsburgh in an effort to decrease congestion on the streets and sidewalks. The plan is supported by the presumptive next mayor.

October 7, 2013 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

As cost estimates for California's high-speed rail system have risen, public support for the project has dropped. But desire for the project's predicted benefits remains strong.

October 6, 2013 - WNYC: Transportation Nation

Andy Singer is an alternative transportation advocate that uses cartoons, rather than written diatribes or combative slideshows, to argue against America's auto-oriented environments and policies.

October 5, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

Three groups review the final bill (also known as Kings Arena bill) that reformed California's landmark, but controversial 1970 environmental law known as CEQA: CA Economic Summit, NRDC and Climate Plan. All credit the author, Sen. Darrell Steinberg.

October 5, 2013 - NRDC Switchboard

A new study by TRIP, the Washington, D.C.-based transportation nonprofit, has concluded that drivers in the Los Angeles region ply the most deteriorated roads in the country, based on 2011 data from the Federal Highway Administration.

October 4, 2013 - Los Angeles Times

Toyota Motor Corp. Chairman Takeshi Uchiyamada, who helped develop the world's most popular hybrid-electric vehicle, questioned the ability of pure electric vehicles to supplant petroleum-fueled vehicles because of battery and charging challenges.

October 4, 2013 - The Washington Post

A $1.5 billion project to provide a passenger rail link between Miami and Orlando was given a boost this week by an agreement to connect to Orlando International Airport, reached after 17 months of negotiations.

October 3, 2013 - WMFE

Mahatma Gandhi's utilization of non-violent civil disobedience to fight for civil rights is taught to school children around the world, but his views on the importance of biking and walking are less well known. Navdeep Asija investigates.

October 3, 2013 - The City Fix

While many big city bike-share systems hit potholes, one Czech city has experienced success with an entirely different – and more DIY – ‘micro-scheme’ approach fostered by a network of cafés.

October 3, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

Gov. Jerry Brown showed his support for electric vehicles (EVs), clean air, and reducing carbon emissions with the signing of six bills. In addition to EVs, all clean cars will benefit, including plug-in hybrids, FCVs and natural gas-powered.

October 3, 2013 - San Francisco Chronicle

Over the past two decades, grand schemes have advanced and receded for replacing New York's dreadful Penn Station. Robert W. Previdi offers four simpler, and achievable, solutions for improving the station's operations for its 440,000 daily users.

October 2, 2013 - The New York Times