Thursday’s Headlines Walk on the Wild Side
Federal regulators may soon consider how safe cars are for people outside the vehicle as well as inside. Imagine that!
By
Blake Aued
1:14 AM EDT on September 12, 2024
- For the first time, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is proposing rules requiring cars to undergo testing for preventing pedestrian head injuries, which is particularly important as trucks and SUVs keep getting taller and heavier (Associated Press, Streetsblog). What’s stopped them from doing this earlier? Well, as Streetsblog alum Angie Schmitt explains, a lot of it has to do with styling, and regulators didn’t want to stop automakers from designing macho-looking trucks.
- The electric vehicle market has stalled because, at an average price of $44,000, consumers simply can’t afford them. (Inside EVs)
- Siemens is building the first bullet train factory in the U.S. (Forbes)
- Smart Cities Dive has a roundup of articles about the ups and downs of the intercity bus industry.
- From mayoral candidates racking up dozens of traffic tickets to a host of recent reckless driving incidents, BikePortland editor and publisher Jonathan Maus writes that Portland’s “dysfunctional driving culture” is getting out of control.
- Nebraska’s state auditor is questioning whether Omaha can use an economic development tool called tax increment finance to fund its streetcar project. (KETV)
- Ridership on Tampa’s TECO streetcar has tripled since it went fare-free in 2019, but a state grant expired, so now it needs a new source of funding. (Trains)
- MinnPost details the long, slow death of St. Paul’s Riverview streetcar project.
- Dallas is making slow progress on its Vision Zero plan. (Express)
- Des Moines received a $13 million federal grant for Vision Zero. (KCCI)
- A $10 million federal grant will help Kansas City overhaul Prospect Avenue, one of its most dangerous streets. (KCUR)
- Seattle’s new Lynwood light rail extension is useful for getting to a Seahawks game, and a lot cheaper than parking. (MyNorthwest)
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
Talking Headways Podcast: Architecture’s Role in Population Decline
Good design is great, but if you can't afford it, you can't have babies. A very special edition of the podcast.
October 1, 2026
Steal This Idea: ‘Emergency Streets’ Strategy Gets First Real-World Pilot
The city of Spokane moved quickly to close a lane at the site where an 18-year-old motorcyclist died in a single-vehicle collision just a few days prior.
October 1, 2026
How to Use the ‘Emergency Streets’ Strategy to Move From ‘Crash Response’ to System Change
A deeper look at the inner workings of the 'Emergency Streets' process, and how it could lead to lasting change.
October 1, 2026
Thursday’s Headlines Pollute the Air and Pay for the Privilege
President Trump wants to accelerate climate change and force motorists to spend more on gas all at the same time.
October 1, 2026
NYC Amazon Delivery Drivers Routinely Speed, Block Bus And Bike Lanes
Amazon delivery drivers have violated traffic laws for years, with little accountability.
September 30, 2026
