Today’s Headlines
Basics
Thursday’s Headlines
Pedestrian deaths are at a 30-year high because drivers are more distracted than ever. Almost half of drivers are “phone addicts” who are more dangerous on the road than drunk drivers. (Fast Company) Self-driving vehicles are a delusion that, in 50 years, will be looked upon as a “futile, antisocial endeavor,” an expert on artificial … Continued
April 11, 2019
Wednesday’s Headlines
A California law that would aim to fix the state’s housing crisis by banning single-family zoning near transit, job centers and schools is getting bashed by suburbanites and low-income city dwellers who fear displacement. But the bill still has stronger support than a previous effort to encourage high-density development around transit. (City Lab) Houston Metro … Continued
April 10, 2019
Tuesday’s Headlines
Highways are dangerous in more ways than one. A new study found that children who live near major roads are twice as likely to experience developmental delays, most likely because of exposure to air pollution. (CNN) In a lengthy Q&A, two TechCrunch reporters dissect what the Lyft IPO means for the future of mobility. And … Continued
April 9, 2019
Monday’s Headlines
Friends and family of a South Carolina college student who was allegedly murdered by a man she mistakenly thought was an Uber driver want ride-hailing companies to use QR codes to verify the identities of drivers and passengers and take other steps to ensure safety. (Buzzfeed) Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkin’s staff says the administration is … Continued
April 8, 2019
Friday’s Headlines
The U.S. has an 80-year backlog of bridge repairs, according to a new report from a road-builders’ group that could ratchet up pressure on President Trump and Congress to finally produce a bipartisan infrastructure bill. (USA Today) Lyft’s already underpaid drivers who took advantage of a chance to buy company stock are now losing money … Continued
April 5, 2019
Thursday’s Headlines
Cities are looking to technology to help them manage increasingly in-demand curb space. (City Lab) A South Carolina woman was recently found murdered after getting into what she mistakenly thought was an Uber. USA Today has some safety tips for ride-hailing. The San Francisco Chronicle issues a call to action on bringing sanity back to … Continued
April 4, 2019
Wednesday’s Headlines
Lyft and Uber are racing to cash in in the stock market before someone holds them accountable for evading labor laws (The Intercept). But is Lyft even really cashing in? Two days after its IPO, its stock started to tank as analysts’ skepticism grew (CNBC). Seattle is not living up to its promises for more … Continued
April 3, 2019
Tuesday’s Headlines
Outside of a few urban areas, it’s tough for Americans to live without a car. Lyft makes it possible, largely because venture capitalists are subsidizing rides, but can the now-public company continue to do so once it has to turn a profit? (MarketWatch) Its survival may depend on working with city transit systems to provide … Continued
April 2, 2019
Monday’s Headlines
Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar is the first Democratic presidential contender out of the gate with an infrastructure plan. The somewhat vague $650-billion proposal — paid for by raising corporate taxes — includes expanding public transit in low-income neighborhoods. (Politico) Lyft went public on Friday, with stock trading at $72 per share, valuing the company at … Continued
April 1, 2019
Friday’s Headlines
Instead of relying on the rush-hour level of service for cars when weighing transportation projects — which induces demand and creates sprawl — cities need a broader metric that takes safety, walkability and sustainability into account. (Brookings) Federal infrastructure funding isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, and maybe it’s best off left to state … Continued
March 29, 2019