Monday’s Headlines Are Stuck Behind a Robot
Cities will soon be inundated with autonomous vehicles that will create even more traffic congestion. Are cities prepared?
By
Blake Aued
12:01 AM EDT on March 23, 2026
- Cities should start preparing now for increased traffic from autonomous vehicles, David Zipper writes. On top of “deadheading,” or driving around empty rather than parking, AVs are likely to encourage longer commutes, with the ensuing gridlock impeding buses and bikes. (CityLab)
- In related news, Uber struck a deal with electric carmaker Rivian to build 50,000 robotaxis that Uber plans to deploy in 25 cities. (Autoweek)
- Congress could cut transit funding down to zero, and the highway trust fund would still be headed for insolvency. The only options, according to the Eno Center for Transportation, are cutting highway spending in half, raising the gas tax or instituting a tax on vehicle-miles driven.
- There’s not much new here, but the New York Times‘ “Headway” newsletter had a good overview of why U.S. traffic deaths are so high.
- The Chicago Transit Authority sued the U.S. DOT for withholding $3.1 billion in funding for the Red Line extension and other projects. (Block Club)
- The Trump administration is breaking up one of Washington, D.C.’s longest bike lanes on 15th Street over concerns that it will impede car traffic when tourists want to look at cherry blossoms. (The 51st)
- Seattle is planning to use AI-powered traffic cameras to warn Lime e-scooter users to stay off the sidewalks. (Seattle Times)
- Downtown Miami residents are fed up with drivers parking in bike lanes. (CBS News)
- Sacramento has a $3 billion backlog of road safety projects. (Bee)
- Preliminary data shows that traffic deaths in Kansas City fell by 9 percent last year after rising 21 percent since 2021. (Axios)
- Pittsburgh Regional Transit is expanding service for the April NFL Draft. (CBS News)
- A study of 19 global cities found that they’ve substantially cut air pollution through a combination of electric vehicles and bike infrastructure. (The Guardian)
- Adoption of EVs worldwide is saving 2.3 million barrels of oil per day. (Transport Topics)
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
Friday’s Headlines Got Charlie Brown Again
Why won't Democrats punt and then try a field goal if and when they take more power next year?
August 14, 2026
Friday Video: How Red Curbs and Bike Racks Can Save Lives
What is daylighting, and how can cities use it to increase street safety?
August 14, 2026
Trump’s New ‘Roadway Safety Strategy’ Leaves Out The Good Parts
The Trump administration’s new blueprint for improving the nation’s poor road-safety record ignores well-established safety measures and leaves vulnerable road users completely out of the picture — a roadmap that advocates said would not change the ongoing road death crisis that is increasingly unique to the United States.
August 14, 2026
Talking Headways Podcast: The Bikeable Forest Of Texas (Yes, Texas!)
Who knew that there was a town in Texas that even the Dutch would love?
August 13, 2026
Waymo Speaks: We Have More In Common With Urbanists Than You Might Think
The robo-taxi company wants to push back on some recent coverage, so let's have it.
August 13, 2026
