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Today's Headlines

Tuesday’s Happy New Year Headlines

The feds' new guide for traffic engineers places a higher priority on safety than in the past, but still focuses too much on drivers moving fast.

Graphic: NACTO

  • The latest version of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices — which state and local engineers use to design roads — places a higher priority on safety, but not enough for many advocates. (NPR)
  • Twenty-one states have joined a lawsuit against the U.S. DOT challenging the Biden administration's requirement that states establish plans to reduce transportation emissions. (MSN)
  • Starting this month, electric vehicle buyers will get an instant rebate rather than having to wait to claim the $7,500 federal credit on their tax returns. (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
  • E-scooter company Superpedestrian went out of business due to a combination of COVID, onerous city requirements, lack of marketing and a flood of venture capital cash that led to staffing bloat. (Tech Crunch)
  • Florida Democrats are urging Gov. Ron DeSantis to accept $320 million from the federal government to reduce carbon emissions. (Transportation Today)
  • New California laws that took effect Jan. 1 set up pilot programs for automated speed programs in six cities and banned parking near crosswalks. (CBS News)
  • Austin has built 56 miles of sidewalks since a 2016 bond issue, but 1,500 miles of gaps remain. (KXAN)
  • Lexington, Kentucky leaders are recognizing that the city has to become car-optional to prevent pedestrian deaths (WKYT). Louisville is also looking for solutions to a spike in traffic fatalities (Louisville Public Media).
  • Allegheny County, Pennsylvania is expanding a discount fare program for low-income residents. (Trib Live)
  • Two new transit lines and 12 light rail stations are opening in Seattle this year. (The Urbanist)
  • Denver "Bike Mayor" June Churchill helped secure $1 million from the city for transportation safety. (Denverite)
  • This Houston constable deputy doesn't even bike, but he's known as the "Bike Whisperer" because of his knack for finding stolen cycles. (Houston Landing)
  • Momentum Mag listed its top cycling gear and bike guide stories of 2023.

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