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This week the The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced it would begin development of rules to limit speed for trucks weighing more than 26,000 pounds to 68mph. The speed limiting technology that this would require was first considered by federal regulators in 1995. Supporters include some trucking companies and organizations support speed limiters.
Governing | Transportation Officials Hope Limiting Truck Speeds Will Reduce Deaths
How is Colorado funding a new passenger rail line to connect those on the East and West side of the Rockies? Probably with a sales tax. 61% of locals support a sales tax increase to fund the rail, and will be on the ballot in 2024 or 2025. The Legislature stepped in and established a Front Range Passenger Rail District with significant independent powers to help the process along. Development funding came from a grant from the Federal Railroad Administration.
Governing | New Colorado Rail Service Could Come Down to Politics and Timing
Imagine a bike lane that is covered by a solar roof. The solar panel structure creates a safety barrier for cyclists. The roof protects cyclists from rain, and on sunny days, it generates solar power. A 20 mile solar covered bike lane is a reality in South Korea. The Netherlands created a bike path of solar panels.
Fast Company | This South Korean Bike Highway Has A 20-Mile Solar Roof
Rail… where I dreamily reminisce about being on trains in Sweden. I digress. Back to the good ole USA. US passenger rail is having a bit of a renaissance. Upcoming rail projects include: the September 22, 2023 launch of the private brightline rail between Orlando and Miami; rail proposals in Texas connecting its major cities, and there’s a private rail planned between Las Vegas and Los Angeles. What’s a driving economic force for these projects? Orlando and Las Vegas are ” top destinations for discount airlines.”
Route Fifty | Can the future of passenger rail be found between Miami and Orlando?
September 22, 2023 will bring to life Brightline, a private rail service between Miami and Orlando. The trains will reach 125 mph, for the 3 hour trip. The rail line looks to expand to Tampa and the Gulf Coast. Could this work elsewhere? Probably, it utilized public financing options. But, keep in mind that Brightline was created by the company that built the tracks that the rail services uses more than a century ago. Talk about a long game and a pivot.
Route Fifty | Can the future of passenger rail be found between Miami and Orlando?
A Houston based start up, Cemvita, is said to have an agreement with United Airlines to purchase 50 million gallons of sustainable jet fuel. The agreement could reach a billion gallons and cover 20,000 flights between Chicago and Houston each year. The startup utilizes microbes to convert waste into sustainable source of jet fuel.
Houston Chronicle | United agrees to buy sustainable aviation fuel from Houston biotech startup
AB316 (2013 | CA) will require drivers behind the wheel of autonomous big trucks. Effectively the bill bans truly autonomous driving big trucks. It awaits Governor Newsom’s signature. Last month the Governor’s staff sent a letter to the bill’s author explaining that “restrictions on autonomous trucking would not only undermine existing regulations, but could also limit supply chain innovation and effectiveness and hamper California’s economic competitiveness.”
Tech Crunch | California bill to ban driverless autonomous trucks goes to Newsom’s desk
Wind power is being harnessed for cargo ships to reduce cost and emissions. These “wind wings” are said to cut fuel costs by 30%. The EU estimates that can be 1.5 million metric tons of fuel cut each day. @nowthisearth
@Newscientist data shows that recycled coffee grounds can make concrete 29% stronger. Are you seeing the new partnerships that I’m seeing? Also interested in coffee concrete @popularmechanics
LaGuardia’s Terminal B is the first location in the United States to achieve RHFAC Gold which is “a rating and recognition program that measures the meaningful accessibility of a site based on the holistic user experience of people with varying disabilities.” This involves not only physical accessibility but also addressing auditory accessibility and making navigation easier with color coding. Who doesn’t love color coding? Never have I wanted to fly into LaGuardia more.
Rick hansen Foundation | LaGuardia Airport’s Terminal B Soars to America’s First RHFAC Gold