Wednesday’s Headlines Color Inside the Lines

Intersections with colorful crosswalks reduce crashes involving cyclists and pedestrians by 50%, and now the U.S. DOT is finally letting cities get creative.

By Blake Aued

12:01 AM EST on January 31, 2024

An asphalt art installation in Columbus, Indiana.

|Bloomberg Philanthropies

Former New York City transportation commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan co-authored a Washington Post column celebrating the U.S. DOT's decision to allow colorful artist crosswalks that promote safety by drawing drivers' attention.
The Federal Transit Administration released data and grant money to help agencies combat a spike in violence on trains and buses. (Smart Cities Dive)
Despite a lawsuit from 21 states seeking to overturn a (relatively toothless) Biden administration law requiring them to report transportation emissions, 14 states publicly favored the requirement, and at least 22 governors are on record supporting climate action. (Clean Technica)
Gig work showed promise for some people with disabilities, but for others, driving for Uber and Lyft is a dead end. (Business Insider)
A Popular Science podcast tackles the psychology behind road rage and parking envy.
Opponents of widening I-35 through Austin have filed a federal lawsuit and a civil rights complaint seeking to halt the project. (KUT)
Meet Charlotte's new regional transit plan. Same as the old regional transit plan. (WFAE)
SEPTA bus delays are making Philadelphia kids late for school and stressing them out. (Billy Penn)
The Philadelphia Inquirer not only endorsed Gov. Josh Shapiro's plan to raise Pennsylvania transit funding by $288 million, but called for more.
Minneapolis officials are asking the state legislature to legalize red-light and speed enforcement cameras. (Minnesota Public Radio)
Kansas City does a poor job of plowing sidewalks and bike lanes, making it even harder for pedestrians and cyclists to get around the car-centric city in winter weather. (KCUR)
Cincinnati streetcar supporters are set to release nine possible routes for an expansion. (Local 12)
Pittsburgh Regional Transit is installing new traffic lights in preparation for its first bus rapid transit line. (Union Progress)
Valley Metro security guards are cracking down on fare-dodgers in Phoenix. (New Times)
A laid-off writer details for the New York Times how having too much time on your hands can turn you into the neighborhood crank — for better or for worse.

Blake Aued

Promoted

Stay in touch

More from Streetsblog USA

Opinion

Opinion: One Less Lane Ought To Fix It

Federal inaction means states must lead on reducing emissions — but their reluctance to reallocate road space for cars may doom climate goals.

Alex Burns

December 2, 2025

President Trump's Second Term

Investigation: How Trump’s U.S. DOT Is Loosening Safety Rules Meant to Protect the Public

In Trump’s second term, the agency opened 50-percent fewer investigations into vehicle safety defects, concluded 83-percent fewer enforcement cases against trucking and bus companies and started 58-percent fewer pipeline enforcement cases compared with the same period in the Biden administration.