Thursday’s Headlines
The problem with autonomous cars is that operators either pay attention or they don’t — and if they don’t, they won’t be ready to take the wheel if needed. (Fast Company) Case in point: Researchers stuck a piece of tape on a speed-limit sign and convinced Teslas on autopilot to drive 85 miles per hour … Continued
By
Blake Aued
7:15 AM EST on February 20, 2020
- The problem with autonomous cars is that operators either pay attention or they don’t — and if they don’t, they won’t be ready to take the wheel if needed. (Fast Company)
- Case in point: Researchers stuck a piece of tape on a speed-limit sign and convinced Teslas on autopilot to drive 85 miles per hour in a 35. (Business Insider)
- Uber used to be able to bully cities, but it’s unlikely to win its fight with Los Angeles over access to data. (Smart Cities Dive)
- The mayor of traffic-choked San Francisco, London Breed, is proposing congestion pricing and charging for on-street parking on nights and Sundays to free up valuable curb space (Chronicle). In New York City, though, the nation’s first congestion pricing scheme could be delayed because the federal DOT is dragging its feet on deciding how extensive of an environmental review should be conducted (Politico).
- In 2011, Dallas promised to build 1,300 miles of bike routes by 2021. With less than a year to go, it’s only one-tenth of the way there. (Observer)
- Miami-Dade’s South Corridor bus rapid transit line looks likely to receive a Federal Transit Administration grant. (Miami Today)
- The upcoming T shutdown in Boston will be BRT’s time to shine. (Commonwealth)
- Denver’s Regional Transportation District is taking public input on proposed transit service cuts over the next two weeks. (Colorado Public Radio)
- A Virginia gas tax hike will pump more money into transit, but it will probably lead to more sprawl and wider roads, as well. (Virginia Mercury)
- Developers broke ground on a mixed-use building near an Atlanta transit stop that includes affordable housing and relatively little parking. (Curbed)
- New Orleans is taking a second look at a transit hub in the central business district, where thousands of riders board buses every day but don’t have shelter or a place to sit. (Times-Picayune)
- Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas is considering appointing a “pothole czar.” (Star)
- Rochester is eyeing late 2020 to launch an electric car-share service. (Democrat & Chronicle)
- A viral video had Facebook users wondering why a woman vacuuming her sidewalk? Turns out, a drunk driver crashed into her parked van, glass got everywhere, and she was worried someone would get hurt. (WIFR)
Blake Aued has been doing Streetsblog's daily national news digest for years. He's also an Atlanta Braves fan, which enrages his editor in New York.
Read More:
Streetsblog has migrated to a new comment system. New commenters can register directly in the comments section of any article. Returning commenters: your previous comments and display name have been preserved, but you'll need to reclaim your account by clicking "Forgot your password?" on the sign-in form, entering your email, and following the verification link to set a new password — this is required because passwords could not be carried over during the migration. For questions, contact tips@streetsblog.org.
More from Streetsblog USA
Thursday’s Headlines Shout, Shout, Let It All Out
A public input process that engages all stakeholders early on but doesn't drag out is the key to holding down costs for transit projects, according to the Urban Institute.
April 23, 2026
Judge Blocks Trump Admin’s Attempt to Demolish D.C. Bike Lane
But advocates across America aren't letting their guard down about the future of sustainable infrastructure in their own communities.
April 23, 2026
For Earth Day, the Trump Administration Wants To Expand Highways Across America
US DOT wants states to build more roads and take space away from bikes and give it to cars. It's foolish on so many levels.
April 22, 2026
Wednesday’s Headlines Are Fare in Love and War
Henry Grabar argues in favor of fare gates in The Atlantic.
April 22, 2026
Op/Ed: Oil Shocks Will Keep Coming. High-Speed Rail Can Boost Our Resilience.
California is creating a blueprint for how America can prepare for a volatile geopolitical future that will not end with the war with Iran.
April 21, 2026