United States

Transportation Rx: Treating Traffic Glut Like Doctors Treat Sinus Congestion
To cure chronic traffic congestion, U.S. cities should consider a prescribed treatment approach, using technology and road pricing strategies to target the root cause instead of just managing the symptoms.

Proposed US DOT Rule Would Adopt Pedestrian Accessibility Standards
Under the new rule, state and local governments would be required to adhere to a specific set of accessibility guidelines when designing, constructing, or altering pedestrian facilities in the public right-of-way, including transit stops.

PDX International Airport’s New Terminal Is a Mass-Timber Marvel
Needing to expand to accommodate 35 million annual passengers by 2045 but constrained by Portland’s urban growth boundary, PDX had to think outside the box when planning its expansion. The result is a case study in sustainability.

Are We There Yet? AV Shuttles Not Ready for Transit Service, Report Says
According to an assessment of two North Carolina pilot projects, low-speed autonomous shuttles have too many limitations to deploy as a public transit option.

Los Angeles Reaches $38.2 Million Settlement over Allegations of Defrauding HUD
The City of Los Angeles has settled in a case filed by a whistleblower alleging that it falsely certified homes in its HUD-funded affordable multifamily housing program as accessible by people with disabilities.

Study: Half of Uber, Lyft Rides Replace More Sustainable Options
A new study out of UC Davis details how ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft impact more sustainable modes of transportation like transit, cycling, and walking from the perspective of user behavior.

Are FEMA’s Disaster Assistance Calculations Biased Against Rural Communities?
The federal tool used to inform flood protection spending calculates communities' risk by multiplying expected annual loss in dollars by their risk factor. As a result, many rural areas are classified as “low” risk, despite frequent, severe flooding.

Solar Panels Coming to a Self-Storage Facility Rooftop Near You
The sixth-largest self-storage company in the United States will add solar panels to 8.5 million square feet of its facilities’ rooftops to produce community solar power.

Urban Trees Are Vital in an Era of Extreme Heat
Urban trees are essential for cooling public spaces, promoting physical activity, and protecting vulnerable populations from extreme heat.

Beverly Hills Put On Blast for High-Rise Approval Delay
The Newsom administration sent a letter warning Beverly Hills that their failure to process an application for a residential high-rise is a violation of state housing law

Lack of Eviction Data Obscures Extent of Affordable Housing Crisis
Court records on eviction filings vary widely and don’t include the outcome and miss informal actions. Without this data, officials don't have a clear picture of displacement of low-income renters and its effect on housing stability.

Texas Approves Plan that Calls for $104B for Roads and Highways
The latest iteration of Texas’s 10-year unified transportation plan sets a record for highway spending in the state.

Could Permeable Pavement Ease Flooding in New York City?
It can’t help cities control the weather, but by slowing the flow of stormwater, permeable pavement can lessen flooding from big storms.

Michigan Court Green-Lights State Regulation of Livestock Manure
A recent court decision has granted Michigan regulators full authority to hold animal agriculture accountable for manure runoff into waterways.

New Plan for Lake Okeechobee Targets Toxic Algae
The new Everglades strategy marks a “cultural shift” for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: rather than focusing primarily on flood control, the new plan seeks to balance the needs of the entire watershed, including limiting the spread of toxic algae.

Oregon Motel Converted into Housing for People Transitioning from Incarceration
Klamath County, Oregon, has converted an old motel and RV park into a sober-supportive housing complex for justice-involved persons — the first of its kind in the state.

Book Excerpt: Rochester, New York’s Forgotten Subway
Did you know Rochester, New York, once had a subway? This book excerpt tells the story, complete with a custom map, of the only city in the world to build a subway and then close it.

US Department of Energy Announces 10 New Climate Resilience Centers
The Biden administration has awarded $10 million for an additional 10 climate resilience centers as part of the Justice40 Initiative.

New Jersey to Cash in $2.4 Billion of Transportation Bonds
The $2.4 billion in New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Authority bonds will fund infrastructure upgrades, including potential improvements for NJ Transit, which has had a summer of service disruptions, fare and tax hikes, and budget woes.

When States Hinder Local Efforts to Cut Down on Cars
Reducing car dependency is a vital climate goal. Many U.S. cities want to shift trips to other modes, but they're often held back by state governments.
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Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont