Recent Streetsblog USA posts about Today’s Headlines

The problem with autonomous cars is that operators either pay attention or they don’t — and if they don’t, they won’t be ready to take the wheel if needed. (Fast Company) Case in point: Researchers stuck a piece of tape on a speed-limit sign and convinced Teslas on autopilot to drive 85 miles per hour […]

Presidential candidates Joe Biden, Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar highlighted their support for passenger rail while campaigning in Nevada. (Roll Call) Axios (late to the party!) says that there’s more evidence that ride-hailing services are making traffic congestion worse. Uber is further disrupting the taxi industry by … letting people call an Uber like they […]

The number of annual trips made on foot or by bike in the U.S. didn’t change between 2001 and 2017. That’s because our streets continue to be unsafe for everyone. Yes, more adults are taking the risk, but they’re increasingly less likely to let their children walk or ride a bike, contributing to an obesity […]

There are an estimated two billion parking spaces in the United States. Cities should be converting them into sidewalks, bike lanes, pickup/drop-off zones or even new housing. (Green Biz) Most drivers would teleport to work if they could, but people who walk or bike would still walk or bike (State Smart Transportation Initiative). Related: Traffic […]

Sustainable transportation like walking, biking and taking transit is likely to overtake private car trips in the world’s largest cities within the next decade, according to a Mobility Futures study. (Reuters) After more hearings on autonomous vehicles this week, Congress remains at an impasse over how to regulate them. (The Verge) Sure, humans are crappy […]

Michael Bloomberg and Pete Buttigieg have the best among a sad lot of presidential candidates’ transportation plans, according to Transportation for America. The Federal Transit Administration announced its New Starts grants for 2021. Among the projects rated highly are a Kansas City streetcar extension (KSHB), double-tracking a rail line between Gary and Michigan City (Northwest […]