InfoHive – Transportation

What is happening? We’ve talked about flying taxi companies. Pilot tests in Florida for flying taxis. Now, let’s talk about United Airlines snapping up flying taxis. It’s happening, people…it is really happening.

Why is this important? United Airlines paid a $10 million deposit for 100 electric flying taxis. They have an agreement with Archer Aviation to buy up to 200 flying taxis.

How will this be important? Some say airlines see flying taxis as a means to reduce their carbon foot print. Just think if Kylie Kardashian took a flying taxi instead of her private jet in lieu of the 30 minute drive she wanted to avoid. Would the headlines have changed? Who knows the media has a perpetual fascination with the Kardashians.

Wall Street Journal | United Airlines Puts Down Deposit on Flying Taxis

What is happening? County Commissioners in Lee County, FL have to cover the cost of unpaid, out of state tolls. It accounts for 10% of the tolls on the county’s 3 tolled bridges.

Why is this important? The state has no enforcement mechanism to collect unpaid tolls from out of state drivers

How will this be important? Because of the unpaid tolls, the county has to pay to either collect or cover the revenue that is lost.

Fox4 SW FL | County approves $300k to collect unpaid out-of-state toll fees

What is happening? Illinois is joining the partnership between Michigan, Indiana, and Wisconsin to create a series of EV charging stations. The goal is to create a scenic Lake Michigan tourism route.

Why is this important? “The Lake Michigan EV Circuit Tour will incorporate existing charging infrastructure with strategically located new chargers at key coastal communities, lighthouses, state parks, breweries and other popular tourist attractions along the shoreline route” Plus, the 4 states are behind the curve on EV adoption.

How will this be important? Move over Route 66, meet Electric Route 66.

Chicago Tribune via Governing | Illinois Joins in Creation of Multistate EV Charging Network

What is happening? We talked about the roadways near Arlanda airport in Sweden that allow EVs to charge while driving on the roadway, and now similar roads are coming to Detroit.

Why is this important?  Detroit will welcome a one-mile stretch of roadway in the area known as Michigan Central, a transportation innovation hub in downtown Detroit.

How will this be important? “MDOT and the Michigan Office of Future Mobility and Electrification hope it becomes a nationwide model for how we can continue accelerating electric vehicle adoption and usher in a new generation of transportation technologies.”-Michael Frezell, communications manager for the Office of Communications at the Michigan Department of Transportation 

Government Technology | Wireless, In-Road Vehicle Charging Coming to Detroit

What is happening? 17 states, D.C., & Quebec have produced a bold Action Plan for accelerating a transition to zero-emission trucks and buses.

Why is this important? They have recommendations for identifying barriers and opportunities for rapid and equitable truck and bus electrification and actionable policy and program recommendations for state policymakers, utilities, and utility regulators

How will this be important? The states involved are California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, the District of Columbia, and Quebec.

NESCAUM | Multi State Medium-and-heavy Zero Emission Vehicle Action Plan

What is happening? Fare capping is generally structured around a maximum fare a rider pays over the course of a day or month. Once the cap is met, the remaining rides are free for the given time period.

Why is this important? Fare capping make transit more affordable and equitable.

How will this be important? The key to fare capping is software which is now available to track fares and implement the cap.  Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan, New York and California are exploring fare capping.

Governing | One Way to Make Transit More Equitable: Fare Capping

What is happening? Researchers have identified the most common cyber threats to transportation systems. The cyber threats include unsupported (not updated) third party software, inadequate enterprise risk management strategies, and the need for 3rd party vendors to conduct security audits.

Why is this important? The industry needs a 21st Century upgrade, with many working on antiquated systems.

How will this be important? Transportation officials will begin considering cyber threats foundational in the procurement process.

Route Fifty | Transit Agencies Vulnerable to Cyber Threats, Researchers Warn

What is happening? The Port of Corpus Christi is setting new records including:

• In Q2 2022, the port moved a record 46.4 million tons
• Up 4.8% from Q1 of 2022
• First 6 months of 2022,  the port moved 90.1 million tons of commodities through its waterway, up 11.9% from 1H 2021
• Crude oil shipments for 1H 2022 totaled 52.4 million tons,

Why is this important? The Port attributes the increase to developing the requisite maritime infrastructure to accommodate the growing demand for American energy commodities

How will this be important? Charles W. Zahn Jr., Port of Corpus Christi Commission Chairman, said “With additional initiatives in hydrogen production and Carbon Capture Utilization and Sequestration also in the development stages, the future continues to look bright for the South Texas Coastal Bend and beyond.”

Maritime Logistics Professional | Port of Corpus Christi Sets New Tonnage Records

What is happening? Houston Port is breaking all sorts of records. Let’s look:

• 5th month this year with double-digit growth over 2021
• Year to Date,  2 million TEU, specifically 1,897,065 TEU
• Year to Date an 18% increase compared to 2021
• 106 % more container TEU than last June
• 25 % more year-to-date moved through the general cargo terminals

Why is this important? Port of Houston has implemented Saturday gate hours

How will this be important? “We don’t expect this surge in containers to slow down anytime soon, and we are actively pursuing multiple initiatives to maintain a fluid, high-velocity environment during this time of incredible demand for containerized cargo,” said Guenther.

Port Technology | Port Houston continues record-breaking container volume run

What is happening? Michigan is exploring using drones for commercial delivery beyond visual line of sight or what operators can see by creating a drone delivery corridor with FAA approval.

Why is this important? Data. Airspace Link, a provider of data, software and managed services associated with drone flight, will analyze air traffic and ground infrastructure to enable drone flights in shared air mobility corridors.

How will this be important? Ultimately these corridors will allow drones to travel, for delivery 20, 30 or 40 miles.

Route Fifty | State Explores Commercial Drone Deliveries via Shared Airways