• Personal Rapid Transit frees you of the burden of driving and gets remarkable fuel efficiency. But does it make any sense? In theory, it’s non-stop and on-demand, but it’s not really “mass” transit and it requires, you know, tracks. (NPR)

• High-speed rail isn’t as efficient as car or air travel, says a (questionable) study that compares emissions produced by 11 modes of transportation. The problems are supposedly pollution and the energy needed to build trains, stations, parking lots, etc. (Examiner)

• Only 51% of road funding comes from actual road users, says a study analyzing federal highway data. The likely culprits are a stagnant gas tax and the issue of bonds to pay for road projects. (StreetsBlogNY)

• Northern Canada faces an enormous threat from climate change, as much of its infrastructure is built on permafrost. A report recommends urgent action before roads and buildings collapse. (CBC)

• Ten years ago, a survey of truckers ranked California’s road the third-worst in the country. This year, a report placed it 49th in the U.S. for pavement quality, yet the state fails to adopt a “Fix-it-First” policy. (StreetsBlogLA)

• It’s about time for that deluge of year-end round-ups. An overview of 2009’s best transportation feuds includes Cash for Clunkers, which nearly everyone hated, and GM’s sale/non-sale of Opel. (Wired)