Monday’s Headlines Come From the Land Down Under

As relatively sparsely populated nations that also don't have centralized transportation policies, the U.S. and Australia have a lot in common. So why do Aussies drive half as much as Americans?

By Blake Aued

12:16 AM EDT on August 28, 2023

Trains in Queensland.

|pytomelon87

Geography is often cited as a reason why Americans don't embrace transit. But in Australia — which is even more spread out than the U.S. — people drive much less. One reason is Australia's cities are denser; another is its provinces don't restrict gas-tax spending to roads. (Transportation for America)
Bikeshare and e-scooter ridership has fully recovered from the pandemic. (Government Technology)
Uber's goal of going all-electric may have as much to do with its dream of driverless cars as it does meeting climate goals. (CNBC)
Commuters were largely unaffected by the I-95 bridge collapse in Philadelphia because they worked from home, found other routes or switched modes. (Washington Post)
Seattle residents overwhelmingly support ambitious changes to transportation, but does the city have the political will to follow through? (The Urbanist)
The Houston Metro approved a route for a planned bus rapid transit extension to Gulfton. (Chronicle)
Washington, D.C.'s Vision Zero efforts are hampered by the city throwing up roadblocks in front of neighborhood traffic-calming projects. (Greater Greater Washington)
An Albuquerque architect has proposed a seven-mile rails-to-trails project connecting various downtown landmarks. (Arch Daily)
Meeting with disgruntled riders, Memphis Area Transit Authority officials blamed service cuts on a lack of funding and employees. (WREG)
A Texas teen arrested for "walking while Black" spurred lawmakers to pass a law allowing people to walk in the road when sidewalks are impassable, such as after ice storms. (Texas Tribune)
A parking garage collapsed at a Cleveland apartment complex, injuring two people. (Plain Dealer)
Like in many cities, biking exploded in Manila during the pandemic. But with the city cutting funding for active transportation, will the boom persist? (Grist)
Momentum showcases the world's most awe-inspiring bike infrastructure.

Blake Aued

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