Wednesday’s Headlines

By Blake Aued

1:27 AM EDT on October 16, 2019

The National Association of City Transportation Officials envisions a bleak future of single-occupant autonomous cars increasing congestion and exacerbating inequality. It’s released a blueprint for cities to avoid that fate by prioritizing “walking, biking, rolling and resting.” Other recommendations include a surcharge of $10 or more on Uber and Lyft rides, charging fees for use of the curb and reducing speed limits to 25 miles per hour or less. (Autoblog)
Urban congestion stayed about the same nationwide in 2018, but it got worse in 20 cities and only got better in eight, according to a Federal Highway Administration report. (Land Line)
Imagine if every bus in the U.S. had its own dedicated lane. “The impact would be stupendous,” says former Streetsblog editor and TransitCenter spokesman Ben Fried. (Curbed)
The Texas DOT has apparently learned nothing from the past 60 years and continues to target minority neighborhoods for destruction to make way for more freeway lanes. (Texas Tribune)
A person who’s hit by a car going 20 miles per hour is three times more likely to survive and escape serious injury than a person hit by a car going 30, which is why Bicycle Colorado has started a “20 is Plenty” campaign to lower speed limits. And Denver officials are listening. (Westword)
California Gov. Gavin Newsom is shifting gas-tax revenue from highways to transit, which the Los Angeles Times calls a “bait and switch,” but Streetsblog calls an important step toward aligning transportation policy with California’s stance on climate.
The Seattle Times talks to planner and author Christof Spieler, who says Sound Transit is a mixed bag but overall rates highly compared to other U.S. cities.
Tucson is spending $600 million to renovate its transit center, which will include not just buses but a streetcar, ride-hailing, bike shares, a hotel, apartments and a market. (KGUN)
An Emory University official argues that Atlanta’s planned Clifton Corridor light rail line would connect workers with jobs at Emory, the CDC and other major employers. (Saporta Report)
Plans for a 26-mile light rail line to the Charlotte airport have reached the city council. (WSOC)
The new chairman of San Diego’s Metropolitan Transit System tells the Voice of San Diego podcast about the urgent need to improve transit.
See? People will ride the Cincinnati streetcar. With free fares and a police escort to speed up rides, the streetcar had 43,000 riders during the four-day Blink festival — as many as it typically sees in a month. (Enquirer)
Uber’s acquisition of the Chilean grocery delivery startup Cornershop continues the company’s ongoing effort to dominate urban life. (Observer)
Besides being an eight-lane highway severing Chicago from its beautiful waterfront, Lakeshore Drive is about to get swallowed by Lake Michigan, so maybe it’s time to tear it up and put a park there. (Chicago Mag)
A Des Moines driver drove down a downtown sidewalk to avoid paying $200 in parking fines. “Please call the City Clerk’s Office, Barbara,” police urged the driver on Facebook. “NOW.” (KCCI)

Blake Aued

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