Category Archives: 2017 issue

New Cost Overrun Projections. High Speed Rail in California.

A project estimate for a 119 mile spanof California’s high speed rail released this week included:

  • increase by $1.8 billion
    • the new cost increases relate to bridges, viaducts, trenches and roadbed costs
  • total cost estiamte of $12.4 billion
  • completetion projection: between 2026 and 2030

Governing | Costs for California’s High-Speed Rail Project May Rise by $1.8 Billion

Legislation TREND begets Business TREND. Rideshare Adopts Safety Measures

In light of the influx of recent safety bills after a student was killed when she mistook a car for a ride share driver’s car, ride share companies are adopting safety measures.

What safety measures are ride sahre companies adopting in response?

  •  Uber is launching the Campus Safety Initiative
    • This reminds riders to check the license plate, make and model of the car, as well as the driver’s name and picture, before ever entering into a vehicle
  •  Uber is building out dedicated pickup zones…

New Study. Congestion Pricing & Ride Share Safety

The researchers: University of Chicago School of Business and Rice University researchers

The study conclusions: 

  • 3 % rise in serious and deadly accidents in major American cities once ride-hail platforms are introduced
  • $10 Billion cost to the economy

Opponents say:

  • deeply flawed study
  • problematic methodology
  • unjustified conclusions

Efficient Government | Lyft & Uber Reject Transportation Safety Study, Researchers Support Congestion Pricing

Market Watch  | Study: Cities with ride-shares…

Lege TREND. What Legislative reactions have hit ride share after a ride share driver murdered a student?

In South Carolina, legisltors are considering the Samantha L. Josephson Ridesharing Safety Act which would requrie ride share drivers have lighted signs indicating their ride share company.

CBS News | Student’s death sparks bill requiring Uber and Lyft drivers to display illuminated signs

REgulatory TREND. How one State his tackling EVs with an Innovation Start Up Competition. Who. Where. How.

Where: New York

How:

  • New York Created The NYPA Innovation Challenge to spur commericalization for energy storage
  • Supported by  NYPA’s $250 million EVolveNY electric vehicle adoption initiative
  • To meet New York’s goal to add 3 GW of battery storage by 2030.

Who: partnership between the New York Power Authority and New York University Tandon’s Urban Future Lab

Utility Dive | NYPA initiative targets quicker commercialization path for storage, EV startups

Ways States Are Overcoming the EV Gap. Regulation. Legislation.

  • Utility Commissions  implement EV infrastructure programs
  • Partnerships with utilities to roll out EV charging infrastructure programs
    • Utilities can also recoup their investment in EV charging infrastructure
    • Utilities could have rules to allow selling electricity and using the chargers as responsive demand to balance the power grid
  • Which state utility commissions are actively implmenting plans?
    • CA
    • MN
    • OR
    • NY

Forbes | How States Can Overcome The Looming Electric Vehicle Charging…

Reg. TREND. $76 M Proposal in North Carolina to Doubt EV. What your need to know:

Company: Duke Energy

The proposals nuts and bolts:

  • $76 million initiative
  • 2,500 more in-state EV charging stations
  • electric school buses
  • electric public transportation
  •  $1,000 rebate for qualifying Level II charging stations for up to 800 residential customers
  • 800 public charging stations across North Carolina, including DC Fast Charging
  •  $2,500 rebate for 900 qualifying charging stations for commercial and industrial customers who operate fleets
  • financial support to eligible customers…

New Kid on the Block. Opposition to Texas High Speed Rail

The new kid on the block: ‘ReRoute the Route’

ReRoute the Route message:safer, smarter rail options in Texas

Who is in the coalition? land owners, elected officials and business leaders

What do they say the high speed rail route should look like?

  • endpoint closer to downtown Houston
  • follow established right-of-way such as the I-45 corridor
  • minimize eminent domain and private property concerns
  • minimize environmental impact concerns
  • alleviate safety concerns of the curved track design
  • foun…

TREND. Move over renewable goals, Bonjour EV goals

California Assembly Bill 1411(2019 | CA) would require  200,000 zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles and off-road vehicles and equipment in the state fleet by 2030.

It also gives rulemaking authority to increase the number.

Sacramento Bee | Predicting homelessness + Zero-emission vehicles + Medi-Cal bill heads to committee