Topics
Transportation
Transportation
Post COVID. Local Opposition to High Speed Rail.
What’s happening? Baltimore raised 3 reasons to oppose the proposed high-speed Northeast Maglev between Baltimore and DC. (1)economic equity that negates affordable transportation (2) environmental justice (3)community impacts
Why is this important? The terms have changed since COVID. Now we’re hearing about environmental justice and economic equity.
How will this be important? Setting the post-COVID tone for future project standards.
Baltimore Sun via Governing | Baltimore Opposes Maglev Train Due to Equity, Environment
Gas Tax Alternative: Beneficiaries Pay
What’s happening? The former head of the Maryland Secretary of Transportation proposes a beneficiaries pay system that would impose an 8% federal surcharge on all commercial activity occurring on U.S. streets and highways. Costs would be built into our end consumer prices.
Why is this important? Because pay as your drive tax systems are costly to run and implment
How will this be important? The gas tax isn’t keeping pace, and eventually a replacement will be necessary. This tax is based on commercial activity and would be sensitive to inflation and economic trends.
Politico | Opinion | The Gas Tax is Obsolete. Here’s a Better Idea.
Electric Taxis. No Vote in NYC
What’s happening? New York City’s Taxi and Limousine Commission voted to block the issuance of new for-hire vehicle licenses for electric vehicles
Why is this important? EVs are currently exempted from existing caps in NYC rules. This vote knocks that exemption out.
How will this be important? The board members took aim at Revel, for wanting to disrupt, the industry. A board member said, ” “This is one of the moments for which the cap was created — to provide a check and balance for businesses whose strategy is to disrupt the system, adding to congestion and putting profits and growth before the City’s welfare,”
Legislation: Justice for Cats
What’s happening? Apparently a lot of people inNew Hampshire hit cats with their cars. So many that a bill has been filed to bring justice for the cats. The bill would require you to report the collision to either the animal’s owner or to police
Why is this important? Texas Governor this week vetoed a bill about standards for drinking water for dogs left outside in the Texas heat.
How will this be important? An excellent barometer for how bills that require self reporting function.
Route Fifty |. Me-OW: One State’s Plan to Demand Justice for Run-Over Cats
#1 EV Friendly State
What’s happening? MyEV.com has named Oklahoma the #1 EV state.
How is this important? Oklahoma landed on #1 with its unique tax for EVs and that their charging network ensures a charger every 50 miles. The tax is levied based on the size of the vehicle and how much it is driven each year.
Why will this be important? The Oklahoma tax is lower for EVs because OK levies a tax on charging. 3-cent tax per kilowatt hour to charge an electric vehicle (EV). There is no tax for EVs that charge at home.
Governing | Oklahoma Hopes to Be Newest Hub for Electric Vehicles
Private Incentives to Move to EV
What’s happening? Consumer Energy has a new incentive program that incentivizes businesses to install charging stations. Consumers has $3 million for its PowerMIFLeet plan to power 200 fast charging locations and more than 2,000 charging stations at homes and businesses in Michigan.
Why is this important? It’s an EV charger plan in the birth place of the US auto industry. If it works there….it works….anywhere.
How will this be important? The plan includes consultations to help planning resources, expert guidance and financial incentive. Basically, they’ll hold your hand through the entire process.
Business | Consumers Energy Launches $3M Program to Add EV Charging Stations in Michigan
Gas Tax Plan. Increase. Then Replace.
What’s happening? Pennsylvania is doing a deep dive on transportation funding with its 46-member Pennsylvania Transportation Revenue Options Commission, consisting of lawmakers, transportation leaders and others in the transportation industry.
Why is this important? The hype is focused on a 4.2 cent increase and then a repeal of the entire gas tax within a decade.
How will this be important? the laundry list of options is interesting: move police funding to roads, pay as you drive fees, a delivery service tax, increase vehicle registration fees, increase vehicle taxes…
Reading Eagle | Plan would raise, then replace, the gas tax to fund transportation in Pa.
Renaming Roads. A path of Self Correction.
What’s happening? The 2020 resurgence of Black Lives Matters and increased awareness of civil justice issues has towns and states taking actions to make things better. Dumfries Virginia is renaming a road into a historic freed slave community.
Why is this important? Local governments are digging into their histories. These council members discovered that a Dumfries is one of a handful of African-American communities in Northern Virginia prior to the Civil War. The new name, Batestown honors one of the first settlers.
How will this be important? Look at the names of local parks, buildings, roads and get ready for new names.
Inside Nova | Mine Road in Dumfries to be renamed Batestown after freed slave community
Transportation Fees + Social Inequity
What’s happening? When the pandemic began, Kansas City, KS waived all mass transit costs.
Why is this important? The pandemic highlighted the impact of transportation costs on essential workers like grocery store cashiers. The policy question became whether that essential worker should use her limited resources for mass transit fees or to put food on the table.
How will this be important? Cities are considering continuing free mass transit, at minimum, for low income riders, veterans, students, communities hit hard by COVID.
Route Fifty | Tackling Social Inequity, Some Cities May Ditch Bus, Subway Fares
Meet Hitch. Not that one. This one.
What’s happening? Meet this 22 year old Texas Company- Hitch. Hitch is solving a transportation issue that isn’t currently covered- long-haul ride share and same-day courier service
Why is this important? Hitch is growing 50% month over month this year. Same day delivery services in Texas largest 11 cities is 50% of the usual suspects. Ride Share with Hitch for 50- mile + trips is 5 times less than with the usual ride share suspects.
How will this be important? There isn’t much action in the 50 – 350 mile transportation space so here we go!
New Truck VC Funding
What’s happening? Meet Trucks Venture Capital, a fund that focuses on early-stage entrepreneurs in transportation. Its new follow-on fund, Trucks Growth Fund, will provide later-stage capital.
Why is this important? Follow the money to funding safer, cleaner and more accessible transportation. We’re talking automated vehicles, microtransit and delivery services too.
How will this be important? Tracking the future of transportation, watch the funding here.
Tech Crunch | Trucks VC launches two new funds for early and late-stage transportation startups
Port Exempts Natural Gas Trucks from Emissions Fees
What’s happening? The Port of Long Beach is not imposing its emissions tax on trucks that are fueled by natural gas.
Why is this important? The emissions fee is expected to generate $80 million in year 1.
How will this be important? The Long Beach Port has a Clean Air Action plan that calls for emission free by 2035.
Transport Dive | Port of Long Beach exempts natural gas trucks from impending emissions fee
Ride Share Reduces Drunk Driving
What’s happening? New data from Houston, Texas shows that after ride share companies entered Houston, injuries from drunk driving decreased according to a new study by Dr. Christopher Conner, a neurosurgery resident at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth in Houston and lead author of the report, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association’s surgery periodical.
Why is this important? Vehicle crash visits to Trauma Level 1 facilities by 23.8% during the peak Friday and Saturday night periods after Uber arrived in February 2014
How will this be important? The researchers are considering additional studies to consider how ride share impacts transit system dependent metro areas, unlike Houston which is car dependent, and social economics.
Houston Chronicle | Drunk driving injuries dropped after Uber debut in Houston, study finds
Meet the Hybrid Ride Share Making a Mark
What’s happening? Meet Kaptyn Inc., a a reservation-based premium transportation option, that acquired in 2019 a large group of Las Vegas taxicab companies
Why is this important? The timing shift from on demand to reservation is key to its concierge transportation business model. Additionally, it employs 150 full-time drivers who receive benefits.
How will this be important? A new transportation segment emerges that isn’t a cab and isn’t a limo and isn’t a ride share…hello regulation.
Las Vegas Review Journal | Tesla-based transportation service expands in Las Vegas
2020 Effect. NV Ditches Ride Share Surge Pricing.
What’s happening? During the Pandemic, NV Governor Executive order limited surge pricing by ride share to provide some stability for tourism.
Why is this important? NV learned from its experience. Drivers are hesitant to return in Las Vegas increasing waiting times to 30 minutes. NV could again impose a ban on surge pricing but any future ban would have to be renewed every 30 days.
How will this be important? Some state and local governments are considering legislation to cap surge pricing.
Casino.org | Nevada Eliminates Ban on Surge Pricing for Rideshare Services, Fewer Delays Likely
The 2020 Effect: 15 Highways that Displaced BIPOC Communities
What’s happening? Congress for the New Urbanism released its report “Freeways Without Futures” that identifies 15 highways that were built by taking BIPOC land and by their removal could make the cities the highways serve more healthy, vibrant, and prosperous.
Last week in remembrance of the Tulsa massacre we heard about I-244. But, in Austin, TX we have I-35 making the list as well as I-345 in Dallas, I-980 in Oakland and I-5 in Seattle.
Why is this important? California has a new statewide commission looking at these issues. So do other states and cities throughout the country. It’s not limited to a party.
How will this be important? How we build highways will change as sates pass bills or adopt rules that require study on the impact of the project to a community before eminent domain can be used.
Co Transit Plan Addresses Inequality + Marginalization
What’s happening? Since Black Lives Matters captured the ethos a year ago, government planning has included addressing historic inequalities and marginalization. Enter Colorado’s SB21-260 (2021 | CO) that would create a $209 million fund that would pay for pollution- and traffic-reduction initiatives.
Why is this important? The bill supporters say its time for community-impact considerations to be included in transportation planning.
How will this be important? The authors are funding it with fees on ride share & delivery services.
Denver Post via Governing | Colorado Transit Bill Brings Focus and Funding to Inequality
New Rules. Delivery Services in Texas
What’s happening? The Texas Legislature passed SB 911 (2021 | TX) about alcohol to go, and low and behold, there are rules for food delivery too.
Why is this important? The limits on delivery services preempt any local regulations. It also has requirements for restaurant removal from delivery services, signage, fees, and a clear way for customers to provide feedback.
How will this be important? Want a people to focus on something else about your bill? simply add it to an alcohol to go bill, because that will preoccupy the conversation.
Culture Map Austin | New legislation regulates third-party delivery apps in Texas
Austin’s EV Auto Dealership Engagement Initiative wins Smart Cities award
What’s happening? Austin Energy team created an EV Buyer’s Guide. A new app simplified vehicle charging to improve the customer experience.
Why is this important? Partnerships brought the program to life. Austin partnered with the City of Austin’s Sustainability Office, Bloomberg Philanthropies American Cities Climate Challenge, local auto dealerships and technology partners.
How will this be important? Build a similar partnership for your client, your city, or your business.
Local Government: Cap Ride Share Surge Pricing
What’s happening? A Chicago Alderman is proposing capping ride share surge pricing at 150% of the normal fare during times of “peak demand.”
Why is this important? Surge pricing is getting more attention.
How will this be important? Cities and states are going to figure out how to regulate the price surging just like the regulate price gouging during emergencies.
Chicago Tribune | Chicago alderman wants to cap ride-share surge pricing
Veto of Gas Vehicle Ban in Blue State
What’s happening? Washington State Governor Inslee, who when a Presidential candidate promoted banning gas vehicles, vetoed a measure that would prohibit the sale of gas powered vehicles beginning in 2030.
Why is this important? The veto came because of the the provision requiring a statewide legislative framework for a pay as your drive program to fund roads.
How will this be important? Road funding is complicated. Check that all the i’s are dotted and all the t’s are crossed. ” Inslee said the goal of 100% electric vehicles is “too important to tie to the implementation of a separate policy like the road usage charge.”
Counterpoint. EV Startup Says No to Bitcoin
What’s happening? EV manufacturer Fisker is a hard no on bitcoin because of the environmental concerns around bitcoin.
Why is this important? Tesla has been clear on its intent to support and participate in bitcoin transactions.
How will this be important? Aligning bitcoin, with perceived unsustainable energy use, with EV manufacturers will be one to watch.
CNBC | EV start-up Fisker will not accept or invest in bitcoin, CEO says
More Electric Buses Heading Our Way
What’s happening? Ohio has announced two sets of electric buses. The buses have to “Run 140 miles on a single charge in all weather conditions.”
Why is this important? The Center for Transportation and the Environment says less than 2% of the nation’s transit vehicles, buses, are electric.
How will this be important? Charging will occur in short bursts of rapid charging as route drivers take leg-stretching breaks every couple of hours.
Texas EV Driver Fees
What’s happening? The gas tax isn’t keeping up, an influx of Californians who according to the soothsayers all drive EVs, every single one of them, and thus- EV fees. Let’s be real, the gas tax isn’t keeping up and EV sales are increasing. Californians are only added to make stories scarier or sexier.
Why is this important? Fees in the ball park of $200 annually are close in Texas. SB 1728 (2021 | TX)
How will this be important? Every state is trying to solve this conundrum
Trucking Only Tax for Transportation Funding
What’s happening? A US Senate proposal calls for a 25 cent per mile fee on trucking to fund transportation. Trucks would have a tracking device that logs miles and reports data back to the IRS.
Why is this important? States are considering pay as you drive options to fund transportation as the gas tax doesn’t keep up. If your state has interstates and lots of trucks, maybe you’ve found your thing.
How will this be important? States will try this. Why recreate the wheel when you an just borrow it…
CCJ | Truck-only mileage tax put back on the table by Texas senator
Small Autonomous Delivery Vehicles in Oklahoma
What’s happening? Oklahoma Governor signed a bill allowing ground based delivery drones. SB 706 (2021 | OK)
Why is this important? delivery drones are coming to streets, sidewalks and crosswalks near you
How will this be important? there are going to be accidents and liability issues that emerge. follow the legislation to and re-write it for your part of the world.
Governing | Oklahoma Approves Autonomous Sidewalk Delivery Vehicles
Legislating Liability & Autonomous Vehicles
What’s happening? States are trying to figure out who is liable as the driver in autonomous vehicles. Is it the owner? the manufacturer? The software developer?
Why is this important? Regulating Autonomous Vehicles isn’t just about traffic accidents but also insurance policies.
How will this be important? The self-driving automobile industry is a “global market opportunity worth an estimated $8 trillion,” wrote Sens. Gary Peters, D-Mich., and John Thune, R-S.D.
Governing | Liability Questions Loom Over Autonomous Vehicle Rollout
$1.98B CalTrain Electric Trains
What’s happening? CalTrains modernization program will add 19, 7 car electric trains with a mix of funding including 2008 bond proposition proceeds. The largest funding share will be federal.
Why is this important? CalTrain says it will increase ridership and revenue will decreasing costs.
How will this be important? Lather, rinse, repeat. Electric trains are not high speed rail trains.
Testing Electric Trains for Mass Transit
What’s happening? New Jersey is testing electric trains.
Why is this important? Electric trains are seen as an offset for rebuilding infrastructure and as a viable replacement to diesel trains.
How will this be important? Replacing infrastructure or building infrastructure for electric trains, could be a costly endeavor. If this pilot plays out as cost efficient, its a program to be replicated.
NJ.com via Governing | NJ Transit Begins Testing Viability of Electric Trains
New Issue for EV Chargers: Equity
What’s happening? The ACEEE, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, says 6 of 36 states consider social equity in its EV charger plans.
Why is this important? California statutorily requires at least 35% of utilities’ funding for EV charging equipment go toward underserved communities & New York’s Public Service Commission ordered utilities to invest in charging with special considerations for LMI and environmental justice communities
How will this be important? States are still crafting EV charging policies.
T&D World | ACEEE Study: Few States, Utilities Ensure Equity in EV Charging Investments
Study Says EV Owners Switch to Gas Cars
What is happening? A new study from the University of California, Davis, published in the journal Nature Energy last week, says 18% of EV owners from 2015-2019 switched back to gas vehicles.
Why is this important? It also held for hybrid owners with 20% switching back.
How will this be important? The key factor for EV users giving up the ghost- lack of reliable Level 2 charging at home. EV charging is a hot topic for regulatory agencies with players at every level from utilities to car manufacturers to tech who run the software or machines to construction regulations, to actual construction.
Road Show by CNET | Surprising number of EV owners switch back to gas power, study says
Ride Share Moves Away from Autonomous Cars
What is happening? Both Lyft and Uber have sold off their self driving car businesses.
Why is this important? Cited factors for the sale included the challenge for autonomous vehicles in urban areas.
How will this be important? Autonomous vehicles and urban areas remain challenging and autonomous delivery services are emerging. Its all first impression stuff and open for business.
Parking Regulations. Meet EVs.
What’s happening? There is a brewing movement to limit the number of parking spaces or “vehicle storage.” We’ve seen it in Austin where hotels are permitted without any parking.
Why is this important? The pandemic changed how sidewalks, roadways, parking lots are utilized. The advocates that want to remove parking space limitations believe that parking lot policy is EV charging policy.
How will this be important? Determining where to situate EV chargers is complex- 80% of charing occurs at home, but some homes aren’t in areas that are pre-disposed to buy an EV. The challenge for law makers is how to make charger policy equitable.
Greater Greater Washington | How EV chargers intersect with parking reform
Decriminalize Jaywalking
What is happening? California is moving a jay walking repeal in the Freedom to Walk Act
Why is this important? Has the support of statewide bike association which called jaywalking laws, “regressive and oppressive laws in the dustbin of history”
How will this be important? Repealing Jaywalking is gaining ground.
HoW EV Software Partners Add Value
What is happening? EV Connect philosophy focuses on sustainability and it partners with local businesses and schools in the Southern California Edison Charge Ready pilot program
Why is this important? The company talks about support for like-minded local businesses that are building a sustainable future
How will this be important?EV Connect platform works seamlessly with all charger types and manufacturers leveraging open standards
AJOT | EV Connect to help expand California charging infrastructure under $436M EV program
Meet GoFor. EV Delivery Service.
What is happening? GoFor says EVs reduce emissions, drivers to make more money, and lower total cost of ownership is less as is there less frequent maintenance and lower fuel costs.
Why is this important? EV isn’t limiting itself to personal vehicles, it is delivery robots, local
How will this be important? It is happening. Don’t miss it. Amazon has made commitments. UPS has invested heavily. USPS is plugged in.
Industry Week | What’s Driving EV Push Within Delivery Space? And Can It Deliver?
Anatomy of a Bipartisan Coalition Supporting Gas Tax Increases
What is happening? A bipartisan coalition in DC, the Problem Solvers Caucus, have endorsed a gas tax increase to fund infrastructure
Why is this important? “The time is now for Congress and the administration to reach across the aisle, unite and boost investments in our surface transportation network that will move our transportation systems into the 21st century,” said Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R., Pa.), the co-chairman of the Problem Solvers Caucus.
How will this be important? As political divide in Capitol Houses remain slim by margins, it leads to effective bipartisan solutions.
Wall Street Journal | Bipartisan Group Backs Gas-Tax Increase as Option to Fund Infrastructure
New Research. Tracing Scooter Accidents
What’s happening? 80% of scooter fatalities involve a car. Local empirical data from city emergency departments like Los Angeles and Austin do not track how the accidents happened. April 2021 Journal of Safety Research published the first scooter safety study. 80% occur during daylight and 70% at intersections. The research finds alcohol is not a factor in the accidents.
Why is this important? As cities come back to life, traveling alone in fresh air, on scooters will be attractive. States and cities have laws/rules/ordinances on scooter safety and with new data comes a refresher.
How will this be important? The research said the solution is that bike lanes should continue across intersections to keep bikes and scooters out of crosswalks and sidewalks.
Look at Pay as You Drive Legislation
What’s happening? Oregon is touted as the go-to for pay as you go legislation after having piloted the program. InfoHive has highlighted the key points of the pilot program from its inception. HB 2342 (2021 | OR) will codify the pay as you drive program.
Why is this important? Here’s looking at model legislation that will be replicated as other states grapple with declining gas tax revenues. Oregon will apply to new 2027 vehicles that don’t use gas or get 30 miles or more per gallon of gasoline, and allows an opt out for a $400 annual fee.
How will this be important? States are going to replicate and adapt this Oregon model.
Oregon Live via Governing | Oregon Considers Miles Traveled Tax to Replace Gas Tax
Can Stimulus Funds be Used for Public Transit?
What’s happening? Worcester, MA is considering using federal stimulus funds for transportation. Worcester’s Congressperson says that the city has discretion over much of the funding.
Why is this important? The city is considering public transit options that include more on-demand options as well as zero cost options.
How will this be important? All cities will be grappling with how to best use stimulus funds be it for broadband, transit, healthcare or other funding needs.
MassLive via Governing | Worcester Considers Using Stimulus Funds for Public Transit
City Fee for EV Charging
What is happening? Longmont Colorado is considering a $1 hourly fee from people who charge their electric vehicles at publicly accessible city EV charging stations. The city says the annual revenue of $12,000 will cover the cost of operations.
Why is this important? Cities are looking for revenue. EV chargers fit that bill.
How will this be important? EV chargers and what types of fees can be associated with them are new and novel for local governments that are considering new fees.
Daily Times Caller via Governing | Fee May Be Required to Use Longmont’s EV Charging Stations
Sample Sidewalk Robot Delivery Legislation
What’s happening? Virginia SB 758 (2020 | VA) allows robots up to 500 lbs, gives the robots the same rights as pedestrians & requires cities to allow the robots on roads when there is no sidewalk. Pennsylvania SB 1199 (2020 | PA) considered a similar regulatory framework.
Why is this important? The use of delivery services increased with the pandemic.
How will this be important? It is the wild Wild West when it comes to whether delivery robots can operate on sidewalks. We’re going to start seeing these robots more and yet the rules are far and few.
Government Technology | Lawmakers Should Allow Sidewalk Delivery Robots to Stay
Regulating Sidewalk Delivery Robots
What’s happening? Most states have no regulations for sidewalk delivery robots. In 2017 San Francisco essentially banned the robots except in limited circumstances.
Why is this important? Opposition is typically workers who believe they will be replaced by these sidewalk delivery robots
How will this be important? In the last 6 months a sidewalk delivery robot company completed 500,000 deliveries.
Governing | Lawmakers Should Allow Sidewalk Delivery Robots to Stay
Transportation Partnership for COVID vaccines.
What’s happening? Uber, Walgreens and PayPal have partnered to launch an $11 million fund to provide free ride-hail trips to U.S. COVID-19 vaccination sites. The Vaccine Access Fund will be managed by U.S. non-profit Local Initiatives Support Corporation.
Why is this important? Partnerships in the post COVID are tackling big issues.
How will this be important? The pandemic brought us a new economy where partnerships like these are gaining traction and accomplishing goals quicker than the individual entities.
Reuters | Uber, PayPal, Walgreens launch $11 million vaccine rides fund
CO Auctioning Cannabis Themed License Plates.
What’s happening? The Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles is auctioning cannabis related license plates like ISIT420 and GANGA to fund the Colorado Disability Funding Committee. The auction will occur at 4:20pm on 4/20 (April 20th).
Why is this important? It’s clever. Thinking outside the box to raise funds for an underfunded committee.
How will this be important? Pick a topic and replicate in your state. Or snap up those license plates if you see fit.
Largest Robo Taxi Service
What’s happening?Lyft and Motional have signed “the world’s largest robotaxi deployment partnership” Motional has a close collaboration with Hyundai. Service to begin under the Motional brand in 2023.
Why is this important? Partnerships grow businesses
How will this be important? Autonomous transportation is where we are headed, buckle up buttercup.
Robotics & Automation News | Motional and Lyft agree ‘world’s largest’ robotaxi partnership
COVID Effect. Rising Ride Share Numbers Track Vaccine Rates
What’s happening? Miami tourism is increasing as vaccine rates increase. A noted increase in ride share activity, a 5% increase, has occurred since the beginning of the year.
Why is this important? Ride Share pivoted like they ere dancing and no one was watching. it was a glorious vision. They moved to delivery services. They moved to vaccine and health care related transportation. They connected food pantries with donors and recipients.
How will this be important? Tracking transportation trends fuels transportation planning. or at least policy makers think so, so add it to your pitch.
Miami Today | Demand for Uber, Lyft rises in tandem with vaccination rate
Governor Executive Order to Speed Up Electrification
What’s happening? Maine Governor by Executive Order calls for the development of the “Clean Transportation Roadmap to 2030” to identify policies, programs and regulatory changes needed to meet Maine’s electric vehicles (EV) and emissions reduction goals. Potential strategies include incentive programs and utility rate policies. The deadline- end of this year.
Why is this important? There’s more than one way to get your foot in the door. Sometimes it doesn’t take laws or rules.
How will this be important? Allow this Executive Order to be your blueprint…
Executive Order 36: An Order to Advance Clean Transportation Solutions for Maine (PDF)
The Reach of Black Lives Matter Legislation. Highway Edition.
What’s happening? In what sounds a lot like Season 2 of True Detective- the highways system was built by taking land from people who were Black or minorities or disadvantaged.
Why is this important? The new Biden infrastructure building plan looks to correct the wrongs of the past.
How will this be important? Some say “Our transportation systems have really led to racial disparities and discrimination” local governments, state governments and the federal government are all identifying ways to change that.
NPR | A Brief History Of How Racism Shaped Interstate Highways
Florida Bill Raising Fees on EVs
What is happening? Florida is raising fees on EVs if it passes Senate Bill 140 (2021 | FL) The annual fee on an average EV would be $135.
Why is this important? As EVs and hybrids rise, and gas prices stay low, state gas tax revenues will be in decline. Fees on vehicles that don’t pay gas taxes will that void.
How will this be important? EV sales are projected to only increase, thereby exacerbating issues with the gas tax not keeping up with the times.
Florida Politics | One bill raises registration fees on electric cars to make up for lost gas tax
COVID related Transportation Policies. Bonjour, Congestion Pricing
What’s happening? In a search for revenue, some cities are adopting congestion pricing that puts a toll on entering downtown areas.
Why is this important? It’s bicoastal. NYC is considering up to $25 for trucks. San Francisco is considering a toll that could go as high as $14. LA and Oregon Department of Transportation are working ways to offer reduce costs for low income.
How will this be important? Congestion pricing has been used for years in London and Stockholm. It works for them.
Innovation in Ride Share. There is always room for more at the table
What’s happening? A startup in South Carolina is innovating in ride share by making rides safer and more inclusive. HOPIN includes an SOS safety feature, allows women to select women drivers & accepts prepaid cards which expands the customer base to the unbanked.
Why is this important? The gig economy isn’t static, ever expanding and innovative. Regulations and laws have to be adaptable.
How will this be important? To quote a restaurant review of a James Beard award winning restaurant, several years after it received the award- “cannot rest on your laurels” innovate, innovate, innovate
The State | Need a ride? A new ride-booking app launches in Columbia, created by SC entrepreneur
EVs Incentives that Aren’t Tax Credits
What’s happening? Let’s deep dive.
- California’s 2 decade of giving EV owners access to the car pool lane.
- Paris and San Jose give electric vehicle owners free parking at thousands of metered spaces
- Wuhan, Oslo and other cities give electric vehicles free passage on highways, bridges and tunnels
Why is this important? Some say EV owners would have purchased their vehicles even without the tax credits, so why bother with other incentives. Others say EV sales are still around 1%.
How will this be important? Virtually US manufacturers have announced greater EV rollouts in the future. Build it and they shall come….
Governing | Carpool Lanes Encourage EV Sales but Increase Inequity
What’s an electric vehicle fuel tax?
What’s happening? Minnesota is looking at a proposal to charge an electric vehicle fuel tax on KW charging. SF 1602 (2021 | MN)
Why is this important? States are looking to replace declining gas tax revenues. Taxing charging at “electric fuel dealers,” under the bill would add a tax of 5.1 cents per kwh
How will this be important? states need revenue. EV charging is new and thus creative taxing ideas abound.
Green Car Reports | Could an electric fuel tax for EV help states salve the gas tax dilemma?
The Parks Department & The EV Partnership
What’s happening? The Colorado Parks Department has partnered with Rivian to install chargers in all 42 state parks.
Why is this important? State agencies are ripe for partnerships for EV chargers- especially at well placed state agencies or agency lands where people spend a lot of time- like state parks.
How will this be important? EV charger installation partnerships are all the rage.
Denver 7 | Electric vehicle charging stations are coming to every Colorado state park
New EV battery materials
What’s happening? GM is partnering with MIT alums for a battery to made from lithium metals and not lithium ions.
Why is this important? New battery technology is expected to cut costs by 60%.
How will this be important? When drafting regulations and legislation consider innovation. Lithium Ion would be a limitation, whereas EV battery is open to innovation.
CNBC | Deal with MIT-spinout to reduce electric vehicle battery costs by 60%
State Approval for P3 projects with User Fees
What is happening? Pennsylvania Legislature looks to stop 9 new P3 bridge tolls and require legislative approval before a P3 can add a toll to a project.
Why is this important? Opponents say it stifles P3s, & politicizes a process set up to foster innovation. PA’s DOT is opposed.
How will this be important? It is a forewarning for other entities that add user fees, Legislatures and tolls are like oil and water.
The Patriot News via Governing | Pennsylvania Lawmaker Wants to Limit Tolls on State Bridges
Ride Share Partnership for Safety
What’s happening? Uber and Lyft are partnering to create a database of abusive drivers. That would allow the companies to share information about drivers that have had sexual assault complaints, and other complaints related to customer safety.
Why is this important? Companies taking action to root out the bad actors before legislative action is taken is model corporate behavior.
How will this be important? This database partnership can be helpful for other companies to model.
AP | Uber, Lyft tram up on database to expose abusive drivers
Sidewalk Delivery Drone Legislation
What’s happening? Pennsylvania is open for legalized autonomous delivery robots.
Why is this important? The opposition is an interesting mix. Democrats and unions call it a job killer. Pedestrian and accessibility advocates are concerned about sidewalk safety.
How will this be important? last mile delivery methods are going to get more sustainable, and adaptable. Virginia, Idaho, Florida, Wisconsin and Washington, D.C. have all passed legislation for robotic last mile legislation.
Transitioning a Government Fleet to EV
What’s happening? President Biden announced a transitioning of the federal fleets to EV. In that, the USPS entered into a $482 million contract that will include EV and traditional vehicles. Making the fleet 10% electric. To reach 90% EV fleet, the USPS would spend $3 billion to $4 billion.
Why is this important? Fleets are adopting EV from law enforcement to local government fleets. When not in use, some local governments are utilizing the EV fleets to power lights or act as back up power for facilities.
How will this be important? With BP’s announcement that it was transitioning away from fossil fuels to continued adoption of clean air objectives, EV adoption is viewed as a way to gain reliable transportation.
NPR | When It Comes To Clean Energy, USPS Delivery Trucks Don’t Yet Answer The Mail
OK legalized vehicular homicide?
What’s happening? Oklahoma Legislature is considering HB 1674 (2021 | OK) that would make it a misdemeanor to protest and block a roadway and also provide liability protection if your car hits a protestor and you were exercising due care while trying to remove your car from the area.
Why is this important? Legislative bodies across the country are trying to legislate their way through the protests and riots of 2020.
How will this be important? Even if politeness returned to political discourse, there will always be cycles fo protests and riots.
Esquire | The Conservative Commitment to Government ‘Closest to the People’ Is a Texas-Sized Scam
Publicly Traded Charging Company
What’s happening? Charging Point went public this week. Its been in the EV charging game for 14 years.
Why is this important? Wall Street is paying attention to charging companies. There’s a major federal infrastructure bill forthcoming with an EV charging angle. EVgo is anticipated as the next publicly traded charging company.
How will this be important? More attention will be paid to home charging. EV owners do the vast majority of their charging at home using Level 2 chargers, which are slow (several hours) to use and pretty inexpensive to install. EV owners are fueling up their EVs as they charge their cell phones. A lot of home charging is overnight topping off batteries.
The new Opposition Argument for High Speed Rial in Texas
What’s happening? After Texas record setting blackouts, the proposition of rail that requires electricity to function, gets caught in the mix.
Why is this important? Opponents to high speed rail are saying “We don’t want to see more homes and lives be put at risk, increased frequency or duration of brown outs and black outs, in order to run a train.”
How will this be important? This argument of whether adequate electricity exists in Texas will continue. Just this week, InfoHive has how it impacts economic development and high speed rail and this is just the beginning.
KTRH | Proposed High-Speed Train May Be Less Likely After Statewide Power Outages
Meet the New Exclusive Ride Share Coming to 20 Cities
What’s happening? Luxury ride-hailing firm Blacklane is introducing an on-demand chauffeur service in 20 cities worldwide.
Why is this important? It’s old school meets new school. Blacklane customers want the amenities and service of a chauffeured car along with the practicality of a ride-hailing app.
How will this be important? Competition to Uber Black & Lyft Lux.
Record Breaking EV Bus Purchase
What’s happening? Montgomery County, Md., Public Schools Board of Education has ordered 326 new EV buses. The largest single order.
Why is this important? Funding was a package deal with the Maryland Energy Administration awarding an $817,000 grant to help offset the costs of electrification.
How will this be important?The school is looking to offset the costs, as the buses will be used as vehicle-to-grid energy storage when not ferrying children around.
Ars Technica | Maryland school district places largest-ever order for electric buses
1st California. Next Virginia? EV Standards.
What’s happening? Virginia passed California’s emissions standards, creating more aggressive fuel-efficiency targets for vehicles sold in the state.
Why is this important? Virginia Auto Dealers Association supports this legislation that did not include California’s zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate.
How will this be important? New York, Massachusetts, Vermont, Maine, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Washington, Oregon, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, and Colorado have adopted California’s standards. Nevada is considering it.
Anatomy of a Ride Share Safety Bill
What’s happening? Congress is considering Sami’s Law HR 1082 (117th Congress) that would require a digital access system to allow passengers to verify the ride-sharing car in advance.
Why is this important? Several states have passed safety bills after a series of assaults and homicides.
How will this be important? Safety is and always will be a legislative and regulatory opening.
NJ.com | Ride-sharing bill named for N.J. woman killed by fake Uber driver gets new chance to pass
Cost/Benefit Electrifying City Buses
What’s happening? New Jersey is spending $100 Million to electrify garbage trucks, school buses and passenger buses. Funding sources include proceeds the state realized from a greenhouse gas initiative and the Volkswagen settlement.
Why is this important? Funding for electrification goes beyond public transit and includes $36 million for the state’s industrial areas and ports to begin using electric equipment.
How will this be important? An electrification transit bill is an avenue for industrial electrification too.
AP | NJ earmarks $100M to build up electric truck, bus fleets
EV Chargers Lure Foot Traffic
What’s happening? San Fernando, CA is installing Tesla superchargers in city parking lots to encourage visitors.
Why is this important? The private-public partnership to bring charging to San Fernando has brought lawsuits from Environmental Justice Groups and a real estate developer calling the chargers potentially disruptive.
How will this be important? Revitalization packages include an EV charger angle.
Daily News Los Angeles | City to Install Tesla Superchargers to Bring Foot Traffic
Anatomy of Transportation Tax Proposal
What’s happening? Washington State is trying to figure out how to fund its transportation system by raising the gas tax 3 cents a gallon; imposing a 2 cent sales taxes on bicycles and bike parts; 20-cents-per-trip surcharge and ferry passengers would pay an extra 25 cents per crossing for transit riders; & Uber and Lyft would pay an additional 50 cents per ride
Why is this important? Supporters also want to levy a carbon fee as well as a tax on luxury aircraft and yachts; $15 per ton fee on carbon emissions
How will this be important? The tax discussion shows issues like climate change and the sharing economy factor into transportation taxes in the new economy.
The Seattle Times | Washington Proposal Would Impose Wide Transportation Tax
Flying Taxis. Round 2.
What’s the deal? First, North Carolina had the first pilotless flying taxi and now United is going to buy up to 200 flying taxis from an electric aircraft startup.
Why is this important? The purchase is to lift United’s clean air footprint.
How will this be important? Regulatory approval and any local and state approvals are still forthcoming.
Wall Street Journal | United Airlines to Buy 200 Flying Electric Taxis to Take You to the Airport
Checking in on the TX Attorney General Opinion. Big Truck Fines.
What’s the deal? The Texas Attorney general is answering the burning question, the potential punishment for a violation of the maximum vehicle weight limit established by the executive director of the Texas Department of Transportation under Transportation Code section 621.102.
Why should I care? The Opinions quotes precedent that says if the Legislature was silent, we have to assume that silence was intentional. But, the statute has a catch all section for punishments, and that applies here. Because no statute specifies the penalty for violating section 621.102, operating a vehicle in excess of the maximum weight set by the executive director under that section is subject to the catch-all penalties in section 621.507.
How can this impact me? If the Legislature made an oops daisy, then they’ll amend Section 621.102 with specific penalty provisions.
Texas Attorney General Opinion KP-0354
Where we were in Ausgust 2020:
Burning Questions About Fines for Overweight Vehicles
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton will be answering whether overweight vehicle fines apply to vehicles that would have been in compliance except for the fact that the roadway on which they are traveling have been re-designated for a lower weight capacity?
Why should we care about this? Because it will impact the amount of fines that can be collected by local governments during a time when transportation related fine and tax revenue are low.
Where do states stand on EV policies?
What’s the deal? American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy is ranking state policies that promote electric transportation. They created 6 categories. Like Defcon, Defcon 1 is the highest exalted level, and 6 is oh, yeah, those guys, pay no mind, it’s no biggie.
Why should we care? California and New York lead Tier 1. Texas, Georgia andMichigan roundup Tier 6.
How can this impact me? The categories that ACEEE looks at cover a lot of ground that impacts us all. They considered planning & goal setting, incentives, transportation system efficiency, electric grid optimization, equity & outcomes.
Governing | States Show Limited Progress With Electric Vehicle Policies
Lege Trend: No New Gas Cars after 2030
What’s the deal? Washington State is considering legislation to prohibit the sale of gas vehicles after 2030. HB 124 (2021 | WA) & SB 5256 (2021 | WA)
Why should we care? The State Attorney General Office noted that legislation would bring legal action challenging the state’s authority to prohibit the sale of gas cars under the Clean Air Act.
How can this impact me? The roadmap to EV vehicles is being written in building codes that require charger infrastructure or plans for infrastructure, regulatory decisions on ownership, pricing, and installation of chargers, and the plethora of partnerships that are emerging. partnerships include tech companies that deploy the software, developers who are building with chargers in mind, EV manufacturers, utilities, and more.
Seattle Times via Governing | Washington State Proposes Banning New Gas Vehicles in 2030
Ride Share Embraces Alcohol Delivery
What’s the deal? Uber bought Drizly, the alcohol delivery service, for $1.1. Billion. Some say it is ” a gamechanger that could “turbocharge” the growth of online-enabled alcohol delivery. ” Alcohol delivery grew by 80% in 2020.
Why should we care? There’s a host of issues involved here. (1) the roll back of regulations on businesses that were deemed burdensome (2) will pandemic regulatory roll backs stick? (3) Can third parties deliver alcohol? (4) If 3rd parties can deliver alcohol can they deliver sealed bottles? does it include cocktails from bars and restaurants?
How can this impact me? We’ve all opened up to delivery more. It’s like the 1930s delivery of eggs or milk or ice, without as much of the racism and sexism. Delivery of goods and services is here to stay and our prohibition era rules don’t match current economic forces.
Governing | A Chance to Liberate Booze Delivery — if Government Allows It
UTSA Sustainability Grant for Improved Walkability
What’s the deal? UTSA received a grant from TxDOT to promote modes of non-motorized transportation that reduce the use of single-occupant vehicles through increased use of buses, walking, biking, scooters, skateboards, and electric vehicles.
Why should we care? UTSA says the time is right to improve sustainability since COVID has people avoiding transit. UTSA will expand its Tito Bradshaw Bike Repair Shop ,with a mobile bike repair shop.
How can this impact me? Partnerships, study them, learn from them. Emulate the successful partnerships. Especially look to how EV fits in the UTSA plan.
UTSA Today | Sustainability grant will help improve campus walkability, air quality
CT Steps into Pay as You Go Mileage Tax
What’s the deal? CT is considering Assembly Bill 6080 that would bring back the mileage tax. The CT legislature voted it down in 2017, and public opinion in 2015 wasn’t favorable.
Why should we care? States have low revenue because of COVID, the gas tax has been under performing. Solutions are needed. States from WA to MO are pilot testing mileage tax.
How can this impact me? If you drive, ride in a car, have clients who drive or ride in cars, or are driven, we should all pay attention. Plus,t here is the data security element on whether the sensors track your movements.
Climate Change Bill Hits Ride Share.
What’s the deal? in Washington State’s HB 1075 (2021 | WA), a provision requires the state Department of Ecology to set mandatory emission reduction targets for ride-hailing services. It’s the California system from 2018.
Why should we care? Studies have shown that ride share increases emissions. The bill will require companies to report annually on emissions reductions.
How can this impact me? Requiring private companies to report on compliance is popular in the state quest for information and the cleansing power of sunlight.
CrossCut | Uber, Lyft would need to cut emissions under WA state plan
New EV Partnership. Houston + Uber + BP
What’s the deal? This week Houston’s mayor announced the partnership to forward the deployment of BP’s rapid electric vehicle (EV) charging hubs & help the city’s Uber drivers make the transition to EVs.
Why should we care? EV is a replete with partnerships and opportunities. So many moving parts, the infrastructure, the electric distribution, the vehicles, the drivers, the transportation stakeholders, the environmental aspect. Let’s not forget the Texas Medical Center and the healthcare stakeholders who say that if Houston were to electrify its transportation system by 2050, it would save 148 lives; prevent 3,333 asthma attacks; and spare $1.7 billion annually.
How can this impact me? There’s no going backwards as more companies announce moves to EV only and announce their own carbon neutral policies and goals.
Smart Cities Dive | Houston, Uber and BP partner to aid EV transition for drivers
GM all EV by 2035
What’s the deal? GM announced that it will move to all EV vehicles by 2035. BY 2040 GM looks to have all global products and plants to be carbon neutral.
There’s a snazzy Super Bowl ad with Will Farrell. He wants to take his American indignation to Norway who is has gone all EV. In the commercial Will Farrell ends up in Sweden and not Norway. Geographically closer than the usual Sweden – Switzerland mixup. GM signed the UN’s signed the Business Ambition Pledge for 1.5-degree Celsius.
Why should we care? BP has announced its move from fossil fuels. GM is leaving gas cars in the dust. Times are changing. We either stay still and let it pass us by or we move forward.
How does this impact me? Unless you can fly, which would be super cool, then you’re going to need access to a car.
Governing | General Motors Aims for All Zero Emission Vehicles by 2035
Net Zero Carbon Fuels
What’s the deal? Amazon is investing big in a startup, Infinium, that is all about net zero carbon fuels for transportation for long hauls of big trucks or air travel. Its part of Amazon’s $2 Billion Climate Pledge Fund
Why should we care? Amazon created the $2 Billion Climate Pledge Fund in June. It’s moving fast to each the goal of net-zero by 2040.
Why does this matter to me? Every major company is either writing a sustainability report annually, being asked to talk about, or their investors are asking them to act.
Geek Wire | Amazon invests in startup producing ‘net-zero carbon fuels’ for transportation
Which Came First the EV or the Charging Network?
What’s the deal? Harvard Business Review is deep diving into the 2 methods of EV manufacturers. There’s the Tesla style, slow rollout of models that simultaneously built a network of charging stations. The other style is every other manufacturer that is solely focused on building a better EV.
Why should we care? Two parts of an industry are playing 2 different games. And to paraphrase Picasso, you’ve got to know the rules of the game to play it well.
Why does this matter to me? Whether EVs are about platform of charging stations or building the best EV, the stakeholder pool is deep and wide: utilities, local governments, generators, manufacturers, batter makers, charging station platforms, construction…
HBR | How Tesla’s Charging Stations Left Other Manufacturers in the Dust
AI meets EV. Artificial Intelligence Saves Charging.
What’s the deal? Google announced the use of Artificial Intelligence to give EVs the best routes to limit charging needs.
Why should we care? Streamlining EV use means less charging. Utilities, charging station owners, charging station manufacturers and more benefit from EV charging.
Why does this matter to me? EV use is growing. EV innovation is growing. EV regulations and legislation are at their nascent. Opportunity abounds.
The Verge | Google’s using AI to plan electric car trips because EV charging is still a nightmare
Recycling EV Batteries. New Frontier
What’s the deal? As the number of electric vehicles grows, so does the need to recycle electric vehicle batteries.
Why should we care? There could be an incentive program attached to recycling EV batteries. Environmental concerns of contaminating water and soil, if EV batteries are not recycled. Less than 5% are currently recycled.
Why does this matter to me? Opportunities. Innovation. New Rules. New Incentive Programs. 3 states have extended producer responsibility laws mandating that manufacturers take back lithium-ion batteries.
Anatomy of an Electric Bus Fleet Infrastructure Upgrade
What’s the deal? NYC Port Authority is welcoming electric buses. Electric buses means stations need room for charging stations.
Why should we care? Electric fleets are expanding. Cost effective rationale is that electric vehicles have a lower cost to maintain.
Why does this matter to me? Maybe you represent a company the offers electric fleets, construction, utilities or charging stations. Lots of stakeholders in the land of electric buses.
NY Daily News via Governing | N.Y.C. to Upgrade Bus Terminal for Space, Electric Chargers
Ranking. Public EV Chargers by State
Highest number of public EV chargers per capita : Vermont
Lowest number of public EV chargers per capita : Alaska
The big states:
- 33rd TX
- 3rd CA
- 39th OH
- 21st FL
- 30th IL
- 34th PA
- 20th AZ
- 19th NY
Clean Technica | Vermont — Highest Number Of Public Electric Vehicle Chargers Per Capita
Trucking Regulations and Warehouses
Where: California
The proposal: Warehouse Actions and Investments to Reduce Emissions hold warehouses accountable for the use of zero- or net-zero-emissions trucks at their facilities
Who would it apply to?
- operators of warehouses
- warehouse size at least 100,000 square feet of indoor space, contained in a single building
Examples of how warehouses would earn points?
- Own a truck fleet= 126 WAIRE points by acquiring at least one zero-emissions (or net-zero-emissions) Class 8 truck
- 51 points = annual number of truck trips taken to and from its facility by those trucks, even if the truck belongs to another party
- Point awards will vary for different truck classes, and the warehouse would be responsible for tracking all truck trips.
Transport Dive | California proposes points system to track zero-emissions trucks at warehouses
What’s happening to California’s clean air automotive regulations?
A brief history:
- The Trump Administration sought to repeal California’s clean air automotive standards
- California’s clean air automotive standards were sought by the major car manufacturers seeking regulatory certainty
- Day 1 Executive Order by President Biden directed revision of fuel economy standards
Sacramento Bee | Biden moves to end Trump’s attack on California car, air quality regulations
Compare & Contrast TX v. CA: Digital License Plates
Texas HB 1105 (2021 | TX) is expanding digital license plates beyond fleets & government cars to include passenger cars.
Refreshing our Recollection | READ THE BILLl | Procurement for Electric License Plates
- November 8, 2018
Where are digital license plates being tested? Sacramento city cars are pilot testing digital license plates.
Are other locations on the horizon? Yes, Texas & Florida
The company pushing digital license plates: The
What else can digital license plates do?
- track mileage
- set geofence notifications
Cost of a digital license plate: $699 for individual consumers, plus installation, as well as a monthly fee of about $7.
The 2013 California legislation: A DMV bill calling for a study of “alternatives to stickers, tabs, license plates, and registration cards.” SB 806 (2013 | CA)
Meet the EV Delivery Service
Who is the new EV delivery van manufacturer? BrightDrop
Is BrightDrop brought to us by a parent manufacturer? Yes, GM
Anything we should think about when we think about GM? Yes, GM has a woman CEO, Mary Barra
How EV will these delivery vans be?
- Not only are the vehicles EV
- They will also have electric pallets that move parcels from the warehouse to the van and from the van to the lobby
BrightDrop is headed to FedEx like Rivian’s EV delivery vehicle is headed to Amazon.
Motor Trend | Meet BrightDrop, the EV-Based Delivery Business From GM
Add a new self driving vehicle to your legislative & regulatory list
Welcome to the 1st in the world, self driving water taxi
Who is home to this gem? Knoxville, TN
The company behind self driving water taxis? Buffalo Automation
How does it work? By an app, Mayday, which functions like ride share apps.
What’s the power source for this water taxi? Solar
COVID Vaccine Rollout + Transportation Companies
Transportation Network Companies like Uber, Lyft etc. are finding their way into vaccine access in these ways:
- Uber has partnered with Moderna to help get people to vaccines, plus to get Uber drivers vaccinated. Here’s their press release.
- Lyft’s healthcare unit has been working with the Biden administration to solve the logistics problem of vaccination
- Lyft partnered with J.P. Morgan, United Way and Anthem late last year to offer high-risk, low-income, uninsured people transportation to vaccine sites
- Uber offered to assist the Biden administration and to share data with the administration
PYMNTS.com | Uber Teams With Moderna, Joins Lyft In Asking Biden For Part In Vaccine Push
Local Revenue Hunt: Trolling Penalties
What would be penalized? Empty ride share vehicles “trolling” for riders during rush hour
What is the estimated revenue? $80M per year
Any other touted benefits of trolling penalties?Reduce congestion
Crains Business New York | Trolling penalties for Uber and Lyft could add $80M to city budget
Anatomy of a High Speed Rail Project Slowdown
Where: California
What did the one of California’s built train contractors tell California high-speed rail officials was slowing down the project?
- rapid turnover of state officials
- delays in obtaining land for the rail,
- state’s failure to secure agreements with outside parties, including utilities and freight railroads
What does the high speed rail authority say? Disagrees.
Los Angeles Times | Contradicting State, Bullet Train Contractor Reveals Delays
TNC Niche. Meet the New Kid who found a Ride Share- COVID Solution
Who: Helping Hands Community
What does Helping Hands Community offer? streamlines how food banks and social service organizations deliver food, medicine and other necessities to senior citizens and those who are immunocompromised
Who is delivering to those in need?
- Volunteers sign up in the app to deliver goods to people in their local communities.
- The APP also connects service providers to drivers with ride-sharing applications such as Uber and Lyft
How is the app structured? It is a nonprofit platform is completely volunteer-run with about 150 people from companies such as Google, Apple and Amazon
The Bulletin | Bend man creates online platform for those in need during pandemic
Largest Wildlife OverPass Opens in Texas
San Antonio, TX is home to the largest U.S. wildlife overpass. Studies say wildlife bridges can reduce animal- car accidents by 80%.
The overpass connects 2 sections of the Phil Hardberger Park.
Funding sources for the wildlife bridge:
- $10 million in private funding
- City voters approved a $13 million bond
Similar bridges are planned for Houston and Los Angeles.
Wildlife bridges originated in France in the 1950s .
Route Fifty | The Largest Wildlife Bridge in the U.S. Opens in San Antonio
+1 Local Government to Move Police Fleet to EV
The city: Spokane, WA
Initial Step: Pilot EV Program for 4 patrol cars plus EV replacements for 2 K-9 units and 2 tahoes
The EV benefits: lower maintenance costs and longer life spans for EVs
Spokesman Review via Governing | Spokane Wants to Switch to Electric Police Vehicles
Anatomy of a Local Transit Plan to Combat Racism
Where: San Francisco
How will San Francisco Transit Authority transportation plan combat racism?
90 action steps to root out racism in seven areas — hiring, promotion, discipline, leadership, professional development, organizational culture and boards
Why is the transit agency working to combat racism? A review of agency employee sanctions, it was discovered that harsher sanctions were imposted against black employees for committing the same acts as white employees.
San Francisco Chronicle via Governing | San Francisco Transit Agency Adopts Plan to Combat Racism
2020 Recap: Smarties.
If there was a transportation program in 2020, it was a smart something. Smart cities. Smart lamp posts. Smart traffic lights. Bikes that power street lights. Electric Vehicles that could power buildings. Smart roads that generate solar energy.
Smart cars. Smart Concrete that can power EVs or store solar energy. Smart funding choices showed that cities save money by switching to EV fleets, especially their police cars. Fewer repairs. Lower fuel costs. To make incentives for EVs smarter, the UK came up with a green license plate. A very smart and savvy partnership in Asia between ride share and telecoms.
The amount of new technology is transportation is mind boggling. This year we talked about flying pod cars, driverless trucks, hyperloops, electric dirt bikes, solar truck beds, and a University Consortium for Applied Hypersonics at Texas A&M.
New Study. Reasons why Pacific Northwest Should Plan for High Speed Rail.
Where: Washington, Oregon & British Columbia
Step 1: Creating a coordinating entity between the 3 governments
Step 2: Choose the high speed option: high speed rail, magnetic levitation trains or a hyperloop
Step 3: Funding with a mix of state, federal, & private contributions from train operators or beneficiaries
Step 4: broader coalition of support and “ensure deep and equitable local engagement across the corridor.”
Astorian | Study says Northwest states, Canada should formalize interest in bullet train
Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter.
Great things are just around the corner!