Wednesday’s Headlines Feel Insecure
One in four U.S. adults lack access to reliable transportation. The problem affects half of those who live below the poverty line, but also nearly a fifth of car owners.
By
Blake Aued
12:00 AM EDT on September 21, 2022
- One in four U.S. adults suffers from “transportation security,” meaning they can’t always freely move around to work, school or other destinations. While those with low incomes or who rely on transit are affected the most, including Black and Hispanic residents, owning a car is no guarantee of security, either. (Washington Center for Equitable Growth)
- Almost three-quarters of transit agencies say they’ve had to cut back service because they can’t hire enough operators. A new union report suggests raising pay and dealing with workplace issues like riders’ aggressive behavior. (Smart Cities Dive)
- The U.S. DOT is awarding $500 million in grants for innovative transportation technology projects. (Route Fifty)
- The Hummer EV may lack tailpipe emissions, but the 9,000 behemoth is still deadly to pedestrians and disastrous for the environment, just like its gas-guzzling ancestors. (Fast Company)
- Former EPA administrator Gina McCarthy, now the first-ever national climate advisor, says she’s seen a sea change in climate policy under the Biden administration. (New York Times)
- Streetsblog is exploring the benefits of roundabouts during National Roundabout Week Sept. 19-23.
- Boston’s Orange Line will reopen on schedule, and the head of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority sees it as a turning point for the embattled agency. (CommonWealth)
- Washington, D.C. lowered speed limits on some major corridors, but neighborhood advocates say streets also need redesigned infrastructure to slow down drivers (Post). Other proposed legislation would restrict right turns on red and allow cyclists to treat red lights like yield signs (Washingtonian).
- Pedestrian deaths in Kansas City rose 37 percent from 2010-2020, in large part because of crumbling or nonexistent infrastructure. The city has $150 million to fix sidewalks, but won’t complete the initial list until 2025 and needs $1 billion to fix them all. (Beacon)
- New articulated buses that run on renewable diesel fuel are now in service in Portland on a new TriMet bus rapid transit line. (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
- Sportscaster Erin Andrews said her Uber driver fell asleep on the highway while she was on the phone with Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. (Daily Beast)
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.
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