Category Archives: 2019 issue

Local TREND. 60% State of Cities Focus on Infrastructure.

The number of mayors looking to address local infrastructure has doubled in 4 years.

60% of mayors mentioned infrastructure improvements in their State of the Cities speeaches this year.

What’s in the infrastructure umbrella?

  • roads
  • streets
  • signage
  • water infrastructure
  • pedestrians
  • cylcists
  • public transit (25% of mayors)
  • utility systems

Governing | Mayors Appear Increasingly Concerned About Infrastructure

Lege TREND. Bills that Support EV Battery Manufacturing.

Legislation: American Mineral Security Act S.1317 (116th Congress)

How does this help EV battery production?

  • Boosts permitting for mining metals required in EV batteries
  • Requires  a resource assessment of U.S. metal resources
  • Stabilizes the US mining infrastructure and streamline the processing regulations

The News Wheel | Senate Introduces New Bill Which Could Accelerate GM’s EV Battery Production

New TREND. Laws ad Regulations Concerning Ride Share Driver Car Recalls.

Why are we worried about ride share driver car recalls? Consumer Reports says 1 of 6 Uber and Lyft drivers in New York City & Seattle areas are driving vehicles with outstanding recalls

Does this hold true for taxis too?  yes, 1 in 4 taxis

is there a non-legislative or regualtory solutions? Yes, Uber  deactivates drivers with outstanding recall that’s serious enough to prompt a “do not drive” warning

AP via SF Gate | Report: Many Uber, Lyft drivers fail to respond to recalls

3 States Where High Speed Rail Progresses. What you need to know:

California

  • cost: Los Angeles to San Francisco: $77 Billion
  • first service: 2028
  • first open line: Merced to Bakersfield

Florida

  • How did Florida project prove itself? In 2018, the private owners ran frequent service on a short route
  • Project name: Virgin Trains
  • Cost: $3.1 billion for the Miami-to-Orlando segment
  • Expected service for Miami to Orlando: 2022

Texas

  • Cost: $15 Billion
  • First service Dallas to Houston: 2024

Governing | Despite Missteps, High-Speed Rail Lines in 3 States Point to…

4 Lessons from a State Backed High Speed Rail Project

4 lessons for future high speed rail projects from California’s state high speed rail project:

  • Financing First. Work it out. Get it in Line. Finalize it. Then Start
  • Politics. Win or Neutralize the political game.
    • Let the technical experts be in charge of the project narrative
  • Clearly Establish why the High Speed Rail is NECESSARY

Construction Dive | What future high-speed rail developers can learn from the California bullet train