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Monthly archive for January, 2011
Is a Vehicle Mileage Tax Coming to a State Near You?
Monday, January 31st, 2011
There are plenty of reasons to be excited about the sudden, meteoric rise of EVs and ultra-fuel-efficient hybrids — with gas prices showing no sign of decreasing, fuel supplies showing equally no sign of increasing, and carbon emissions showing the Read more ›
New Study: Suburbs Can Pollute More than Cities
Monday, January 31st, 2011
When blame is assigned for greenhouse gas emissions, big cities typically receive more of it than smaller cities and suburbs. But a new report in a recent issue from of Environment & Urbanization suggests casting a more nuanced net of Read more ›
The Morning Dig: Foreign Travelers Stranded Amid Egypt Crisis
Monday, January 31st, 2011
• Many foreigners are stuck at the airport in Cairo, awaiting evacuation flights as Egypt’s government teeters on the brink. (AP) (NYT) • Egypt’s economy will be hurt as tourists avoid the country and other Middle-Eastern nations. (AP) • Egyptians Read more ›
Six Ideas for the Future of Transportation [Gallery]
Friday, January 28th, 2011
During his State of the Union address on Tuesday, President Obama declared his intention to “win the future” — a plan that included some lofty goals for America’s infrastructure and transportation. This gallery looks at six concepts for the travel Read more ›
The Morning Dig: An Inside Look at the Closing of a Detroit Stamping Plant
Friday, January 28th, 2011
The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c Paul Clemens www.thedailyshow.com Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog</a> The Daily Show on Facebook • Jon Stewart has a good interview (above) with Paul Clemens, Read more ›
Why Cutting Rail Funding Would Hurt America’s Transportation Future
Thursday, January 27th, 2011
The Republican Study Committee recently recommended $2.5 trillion in federal spending cuts over the next ten years (pdf). The committee brought the axe down hard on rail funding — seeking to eliminate Amtrak subsidies (roughly $1.6 billion a year), New Read more ›
The Morning Dig: Northeast Hit by Snow…Again
Thursday, January 27th, 2011
• Much of the Northeast and the mid-Atlantic have been slammed by another major snow-storm, leading to school snow days, power outages, and air, subway, bus, car and train disruptions. (AP) (NYT) (WashPost) • Some policymakers are pushing for a Read more ›
Obama Outlines Infrastructure Goals, But Not How To Finance Them
Wednesday, January 26th, 2011
As expected, President Obama devoted a lot of attention to infrastructure during last night’s State of the Union address. “Our infrastructure used to be the best,” he said before lamenting its current condition and acknowledging that other countries, like China, Read more ›
The Morning Dig: A New Documentary on the Future of Mobility
Wednesday, January 26th, 2011
• A cool series from BMW Documentary Films gives a taste of what viewers can expect from four documentary videos coming in February about the future of mobility in a variety of transportation fields. (BMW) • Last night in his Read more ›
Rush Hour Read: State of the Union to Pitch Infrastructure
Tuesday, January 25th, 2011
The last time President Obama made a big push for infrastructure, the response was overwhelmingly positive — and then nothing happened. Tonight he’s going to try again during the State of the Union address, urging America to “outbuild” other nations: Read more ›
Should We Sell Naming Rights to Infrastructure?
Tuesday, January 25th, 2011
The Washington, D.C., Metro system is facing a potential $72 million budget shortfall. To keep the trains running without resorting to fare hikes (forget about the escalators), Metro is actively seeking way to shrink the deficit. One idea receiving legitimate Read more ›
The Morning Dig: Russia Ramps Up Security After Airport Bombing
Tuesday, January 25th, 2011
• President Dmitry Medvedev pledged to enhance security at Russia’s airports and rail stations after the bombing Monday that killed more than 30 people. The blast struck a blow at the country’s image as a safe location, particularly ahead of Read more ›
New Report Ranks Congestion in America’s Cities
Monday, January 24th, 2011
After two years of congestion decline — likely attributable to the economic crisis and the reduction in overall driving — commuters in 439 American cities experienced a rise in traffic in 2009. That’s according to this year’s Urban Mobility Report Read more ›
The Morning Dig: Making Light of City Budget Cutbacks
Monday, January 24th, 2011
The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c Main St. Anytown U.S.A. www.thedailyshow.com Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog The Daily Show on Facebook • In the video above, Jon Stewart has a Read more ›
Hating on the California High-Speed Rail Haters
Friday, January 21st, 2011
California has secured billions in federal funding for its statewide network of high-speed rail corridors. Late last year it scooped up an extra $624 million from the unwanted rail projects in Ohio and Wisconsin. By next year construction will begin Read more ›
The Morning Dig: D.C. and Chicago Top New Traffic Congestion Study
Friday, January 21st, 2011
• Residents of Washington, D.C. will not be surprised that their city is leading the rankings for traffic jams, according to a new study from the Texas Transportation Institute. (WashPost) (AP) • Related: Chicago is the other city topping the Read more ›
Rush Hour Read: Will Paris Ban SUVs?
Thursday, January 20th, 2011
From the New York Times Wheels blog, we learn that Paris officials are considering legislation that would make driving a sport utility vehicle in the city very costly — or even illegal: Government officials in Paris are considering putting in Read more ›
New Report: Buses Are ‘America’s Fastest Growing Transportation Mode’
Thursday, January 20th, 2011
As we discussed yesterday, many potential high-speed rail riders in China are opting instead for intercity buses. Long-distance bus services are thriving in the United States too. As in China, America’s intercity buses seem to do best along corridors also Read more ›
The Morning Dig: Hu’s Visit Brings $45 Billion in Deals for U.S. Exporters
Thursday, January 20th, 2011
• The visit of Chinese President Hu Jintao has brought the announcement of $45 billion in business deals for U.S. manufacturers and exporters, particularly in infrastructure-related industries. This will help support 235,000 jobs in America; one major winner is Boeing, Read more ›
Is China’s High-Speed Rail Pricing Out Passengers?
Wednesday, January 19th, 2011
As Chinese President Hu Jintao visits Washington for the first time, it seems appropriate to check on the status of his country’s expansive high-speed rail program (which just expanded a bit farther, with word of a new line toward Singapore). Read more ›
