The Shweeb is a person-powered monorail that currently only exists as an amusement park attraction in New Zealand. But with a $1 million Google grant, the creator may yet see his dream of a commuter Shweeb system. Planetizen
Florida Voters Enter Battle on Growth
Amendment 4, as it is officially called, would give Floridians a vote on changes to state-mandated plans for growth in every county and municipality. Much of the potential impact of the measure is up for debate, with important details most likely to be decided by the courts. But if it is added to the state’s Constitution -- which would require 60 percent approval on Election Day -- critics and supporters envision revolutionary change. New York Times
Chicago Sponsors "Fix Your Mortgage" Events
Lawsuits to Undo Key Parts of Health-Care Law Move Forward
President Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act on March 23. Within minutes, 14 state attorneys general filed lawsuits in federal courts in Virginia and Florida challenging the constitutionality of the law's "individual mandate," which will require nearly every American to buy health insurance or face annual fines. Christian Science Monitor
Hundreds of Italian Towns Make Money From Wind-Generated Energy
More than 800 Italian communities now make more energy than they use because of the recent addition of renewable energy plants, according to a survey this year by the Italian environmental group Legambiente. New York Times
Body Panels Become Car Batteries
Green Gadgets for Guys
Great green design for guys has to hit a sweet spot between efficiency, utility, and classic charm. Inhabitat
Motorists on N.J. Highways to get Traffic Forecasts
Motorists on the state’s two biggest highways will be provided high-tech traffic "forecasts" to alert them about potential bottlenecks before they happen. Using complex computer models that have been said to predict traffic flows with up to 93 percent accuracy, the Turnpike Authority plans to put its new "Traffic Prediction Tool" into use early next year. New Jersey Star-Ledger
Survey: Car is a Necessity
As has been the case since the question was first asked in the 1970s, an overwhelmingly number of Americans consider a car a necessity in life. Fully 86% say a car is a necessity, compared with just 14% who say a car is a luxury you could live without. In fact, asked to describe a list of 12 everyday consumer products as luxuries or necessities, more Americans describe a car as a necessity than any other item. Pew Research
New Subway Emergency System in NYC (Video)
The future of subway security — a new, hi-tech intercom system — the help point intercom, or HPI — could soon become an emergency fixture in the city’s subway system. CBS New York
