Recent Streetsblog USA posts about U.S. DOT

$8B for High-Speed Rail, $1.5B in Transport Stimulus Coming This Winter

By Elana Schor | Oct 6, 2009 | No Comments

It’s shaping up to be anything but a quiet winter for the U.S. DOT, with $9.5 billion in grants for clean transportation set for release to the winners of two highly competitive contests for federal aid. (Image: Treehugger) Federal Railroad Administrator Joe Szabo announced today that his agency would release all $8 billion of the […]

The Good Problem With Housing Near Transit: It’s Almost Too Popular

By Elana Schor | Oct 1, 2009 | 2 Comments

Local officials are catching on to the power of transit-oriented development to transform quality of life while decreasing congestion, as my colleague Ryan Avent has explored. But now that the federal government is starting to explore how to expand transit-accessible housing, an intriguing problem is arising: it’s almost too popular. Transit-oriented development in Jersey City, […]

Obama Bans Texting While Driving for Guv Workers — And There’s More

By Elana Schor | Oct 1, 2009 | 1 Comment

The U.S. DOT’s distracted driving summit came to a close today with the unveiling of an executive order from President Obama that prohibits federal employees from texting behind the wheel of a government car or using a government-provided messaging device while driving any vehicle. (Photo: brainlink.org) In addition, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced plans for […]

U.S. DOT’s Distracted Driving Summit: Follow it Live

By Elana Schor | Sep 30, 2009 | No Comments

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood is hosting a summit on the issue of distracted driving — specifically, driving while texting — with an eye to marshaling support for a national ban on the practice. To follow the summit as it unfolds, check out the agency’s live-blog or visit the live webcast of the proceedings. The event […]

Can State DOTs Be Trained to Kick the Sprawl Habit?

By Ben Fried | Sep 25, 2009 | 1 Comment

I had the chance to listen in yesterday to top staffers from USDOT explain their collaboration with HUD and the EPA — the "Partnership for Livable Communities" that was first unveiled in March and touted again by President Obama in July. Three officials, including one of Ray LaHood’s top deputies, Beth Osborne, outlined their plans […]

LaHood Praises NYC But Shrugs at Transport Reform to Empower Cities

By Elana Schor | Sep 24, 2009 | No Comments

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood praised the New York City area’s clean-transportation strategy today in a speech to the region’s metropolitan planning organization (MPO), promising a stronger focus on urban priorities even as he all but ruled out two reforms long sought by the nation’s cities. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood (Photo: Zimbio) LaHood’s speech to the […]

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