InfoHive – Transportation

What is happening? Washington State Governor proposed $100 million in EV incentives, and the supplemental budget passed but he Legislature approved $25 million with no plan for who and how the incentives would be awarded.

Why is this important? The Legislature wanted to focus on EV public infrastructure and charging not vehicle incentives. Plus, the Legislature has appropriated previously, $207 million for charging infrastructure & $120 million for electric-vehicle incentives through June 2025.

How will this be important? All the details are being left to the regulatory agency in charge, the state’s Department of Commerce

Governing | Washington State Legislature Fails to Pass $7,500 EV Rebates

What is happening? Connecticut Governor is proposing suspending 25 cents of the state’s gas tax to curb high fuel prices.

Why is this important? The Governor says the suspension of the gas tax is a way to provide immediate relief to the people.

How will this be important? His relief plan also includes suspending the state sales tax in April for clothing, in addition to the August sales tax suspension. Republicans in the Legislature are also calling for the suspension of the state’s petroleum gross receipts tax until June 30.

AP via Beaumont Enterprise | Lamont, lawmakers eying suspension of 25-cent state gas tax

What is happening? Connecticut is considering Raised Bill Number 5117 (2022 | CT) that would renters the right to install chargers. It would also prohibit Home Owner Associations from preventing EV charger installations.

Why is this important? It is a method to expand the EV charger footprint in the state.

How will this be important? This is the first time this legislation has been on our radar. It’s coming to your state too.

Energy News Network | Connecticut ‘right-to-charge’ bill paves path for renters to install their own EV chargers

What is happening? National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration issued first of its kind final rule for autonomous vehicles this week. The rule will makes changes to terminology, exclude those vehicles that are only for delivery and do not transport humans, and reflects how the industry is progressing.

Why is this important? There are many ways a autonomous vehicle can operate, with no human driver, with a human driver, and old terminology and safety standards don’t fit.

How will this be important? Provides a framework for state legislation.

Tech Crunch | Buckle Up Autonomous Vehicles Finally Get Safety Standards

What’s happening? States are procuring road sensors that can sense climate issues, when truck tires are unsafe and near blowout, detours, road closures, and alert EMS.

Why is this important? We’ve chatted about roads that can charge EVs, these sensors are safety oriented.

How will this be important? Other tire safety checks at weigh stations have been shown to save lives. Sensors also have the potential to save lives.

Pew Charitable Trusts via Governing | States Hope Road Sensors Will Prevent Truck Crashes

What is happening? The Texas House is looking into how to support the trucking industry to strengthen the supply chain system.

Why is this important? Here’s the laundry list of options that are to be examined:

• utilizing state property and right-of-way for natural gas fueling stations and truck parking
• the potential shortage of drivers and sellers of commercial trucks
• the shortage of truck parking options to accommodate hours of service regulations
• ways to reduce border crossing wait times
• Examine regulatory and statutory impediments to connected vehicle and autonomous technologies aimed at improving the safety and efficiency of trucking in Texas.

How will this be important? The movement of goods from the border and from the ports in Texas, make Texas poised to blaze new ground.

What’s happening? We’ve talked about L.A. working on ordinances to give the taxi industry a boost by sharing data and loosening medallion restrictions. Welcome Austin, Texas to this mindset. From 2017 to 2021, taxi rides decreased 91%

Why is this important? Austin is considering an operating authority licensing model in lieu of the old way, a franchise licensing model

How will this be important? This means taxis will be regulated like vehicle-for-hire companies. e.g. limousines, charter vans, charter buses, touring and sight-seeing coaches, pedicabs and low-speed electric vehicles.

Austin American Statesman | Austin’s taxicab industry is suffering; the city is ready to throw a lifeline

What is happening? The Perryman Group is out for economic value of the US space industry.

Why is this important? 350,000 direct jobs. $204.0 Billion in Gross Product. 1.7 million jobs supported.

How will this be important? Texas is home to  6.75% of Space Economy jobs,  $11.7 billion in annual gross product, and over 102,000 jobs (including multiplier effects). Estimates that Texas Space Economy will expand 120% faster than in the US.

@PerrymanGroup

What is happening? Some say federal indecision has stalled V2X which would have created a radio wave system on every vehicle to transmit radio waves to other vehicles, traffic signals and road amenities.

Why is this important? Feds encourages manufacturers to develop the technology for 20 years. They didn’t. And now radio bandwidth is being diverted & cellular communications are being encouraged.

How will this be important?  The “5G Automotive Association, which includes Ford, Jaguar, Audi and Land Rover, petitioned federal officials in December for permission to develop cellular technology.”

Pittsburgh Post Gazette via Governing | Is Lifesaving Car Communication Delayed by Federal Indecision?

What is happening? In 2019 Oregon passed HB 2834 (2019 | OR) and now Oregon legislators are considering HB 4130 (2022 | OR) that would fund the bridges.

Why is this important? HB 4130 will invest $7 million in strategic projects that reduce wildlife collisions across the state. 

How will this be important? More people means more displaced wildlife that would benefit from wildlife bridges.

Statesman Journal | Bring to life Wildlife Crossings Investment Act