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What is old is new again. Transportation planning it seems is just like fashion- trends repeat cyclically. The old trend that is new again- 15 minute cities. More cities are planning on the 15 minute city concept in that you can traverse your city within 15 minutes. We can see examples in London, Paris, Philadelphia and Savannah.
Governing | An Old Idea That’s New Again: The 15-Minute City
California Legislature is considering SB 915 (2024 | CA) that would give cities the authority to pass stronger rules for robotaxis than state regulators establish. Regulation is complex on this issues. In California’s DMV oversees vehicles, the PUC oversees passenger safety, and Department of Transportation oversees roadways. After recent robotaxi safety incidents expect to see states address safety.
Governing | Reining in the Risks of Robotaxis
ABC 7 News | Here’s how SB 915 aims to make autonomous vehicle regulation safer at the local level
Electric air taxis, like helicopters but with more propellers, are appearing in the NYC sky. Commercial flights are set to begin in 2025. @reuters
Connecticut is considering reducing the .08 limit to .05 to improve traffic safety. In the first 22 days of 2024, Connecticut saw 17 traffic fatalities.
Governing | Connecticut Proposes Lowering Alcohol Limit to Prevent Traffic Deaths
During the pandemic we saw a lot of free fare transit policies. This week, New Jersey Transit board proposal would increase fares 15%. If approved, it would be the first fare increase in more than a decade.
AP | New Jersey Transit is seeking a 15% fare hike that would be first increase in nearly a decade
Virgin Airways has made the word’s first Trans Atlantic flight with sustainable fuel. The SAF, sustainable aviation fuel, was comprised of cooking oil and waste animal fat. @globalpositivenews
Brightline high speed rail from Las Vegas to Los Angeles received federal approval for $2.5 billion in private activity bonds for the purpose of laying tracks, creating jobs, and connecting American cities. Brightline has received authority for a total of $6.5 billion worth of bonds, including $3 billion in grants to the Nevada Department of Transportation to build the rail line, and $1 billion in private activity bonds for development in 2020.
Route Fifty | Brightline gets another big boost from Biden to build Vegas line
California is considering SB 961 (2024 | CA) which would require speed limiters on vehicles to prevent cars from going above 10 mph faster than the posted speed limit. Exceptions will be made for law enforcement and emergency services vehicles. If enacted, it would be 1st of its kind legislation.
The Hill | California bill would make state the first to require in-vehicle speed limiting devices
Oklahoma Department of Transportation Report recommends the state adopt a per mile driven fee for cars to address gas tax revenue declines. The Road User Charge Task Force recommends that the state adopt a per mile voluntary fee system that could charge different rates based on vehicle size. One undecided issue is how to handle out of state drivers. In 2023, roughly 1/3 of states have a pay per mile pilot program.
Governing | Oklahoma Task Force Recommends Implementing Per-Mile Road Tax
Walmart, partnering with Zipline & Wing, will allow Walmart customers to receive delivery by drone in 75% of the DFW Metroplex. That’s 1.8 million households with 30 minute delivery, and 3/4 of the 120,000 items will be deliverable by drone. “This will mark the first time a U.S. retailer has offered drone delivery to this many households.”
Governing | Walmart Will Drone Deliver to 1.8M Dallas-Fort Worth Households