Friday’s Headlines to Cap the Week
Some good news in local transit, plus all the other headlines.
By
Blake Aued
12:01 AM EDT on October 16, 2020
- A new report from Transportation for America lists five ways to cut vehicle emissions: Build denser housing, make less driving a goal, encourage shorter trips, invest in other modes and prioritize access to destinations.
- The pandemic has shown that transit agencies must refocus from hub-and-spoke systems bringing commuters in from distant suburbs to basic transit access for disadvantaged groups, as well as better coverage within suburbs. (The Conversation)
- Rush hour might be in the rear-view mirror during the pandemic, but traffic has gotten worse at other times of day. (Forbes, Streetsblog)
- Branding them as “anarchist,” the Federal Transit Administration is excluding New York, Portland and Seattle from accessing grant funds to fight COVID-19 (Portland Tribune, Streetsblog). The National Association of City Transportation Officials says the move is politically motivated and puts riders and operators at risk.
- The Southeast is a leader in electric vehicle manufacturing, but lags behind on EV sales and charging stations, according to a new report from the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy.
- A new autonomous shuttle launches in Tampa on Monday. It lacks a steering wheel but does have a backup driver who can take over using a video-game controller. (Tampa Bay Times)
- Metro Detroit police are cracking down on people on foot as well as the drivers who kill them during “pedestrian enforcement week.” (WXYZ)
- The Twin Cities’ new 20-mile-per-hour speed limit is now in effect. (Pioneer Press)
- New quick-build bus and bike lanes are popping up in a Boston suburb. (Somerville Times)
- A new bus rapid transit line is now running in Montgomery County, Md. (WAMU)
- If the ‘rona doesn’t get you, a runaway vehicle might: An SUV driver plowed into an outdoor café in San Jose, killing one person and injuring seven others. The crash raises questions about the safety of al fresco dining in car-centric areas. (Planetizen)
- A British Uber passenger assaulted the driver’s sense of smell, then assaulted him physically when the driver raised a stink. (New York Post)
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
The Last Straw: Duffy Asks Senate To ‘Restrict’ Funding For Bike Lanes
The U.S. Transportation Secretary wrongly believes that bike lanes cause traffic and therefore should not be funded.
July 23, 2026
Talking Headways Podcast: Our Roads Will Remain ‘Dangerous by Design’ Until We Hold States Accountable
Why don't we penalize states that don't cut pedestrian deaths?
July 23, 2026
Thursday’s Headlines Turn Cameras into Pillboxes
People hate getting caught speeding so much that they're shooting up cameras. Now the cameras are fighting back.
July 23, 2026
Report: Waymo Cars Mean Way Mo’ Traffic
Are Waymo cars safer? Maybe. But will they make our streets and neighborhoods more livable? Way no.
July 23, 2026
Milwaukee Mayor Abandons Highway Teardown To Calm Irrational Fears Of Driver Class
Mayor Cavalier Johnson has set aside years of findings that highway removals help revitalize Rust Belt downtowns for the 21st century.
July 23, 2026
