FutureStructure
Coverage of efforts to develop smart, connected and integrated infrastructure that makes more efficient use of resources and improves citizen quality of life. This includes topics like connected infrastructure and self-driving cars, as well as the policies that surround them.
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Traveling across the West in an electric car turned out to have unexpected thrills, and occasional frustrations. Our reporter found that the chargers were out there — but connecting with them sometimes meant taking the long way around. -
The 20-year contract will enable the purchase of solar photovoltaic energy and battery storage from Bonanza Solar. It moves the city closer to sourcing electricity from carbon-free sources by the end of 2030 and replacing coal-fired energy.
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The new trains, which will run during off-peak times, consist of two rail cars that can hold up to 112 passengers. Metra touted the trains as more economical and environmentally friendly than their diesel counterparts.
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"Gita," a $3,200 robot, is now carrying food orders to passengers at their gates within the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The fee for the service is $2.99, and a human worker escorts the robot.
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Schachter formerly served as the chief technology officer for the New York City Department of Transportation. He brings more than 26 years of local public-sector experience to the federal government.
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Pittsburgh has proposed an ordinance to change the city’s traffic rules for those who opt to utilize electric scooters. The rules include an age limit for riding as well as parking restrictions.
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U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown highlighted the roughly $39 billion that would fund public transit nationwide if the U.S. House approves a $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill passed by the Senate nearly a month ago.
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Due to concerns about self-driving accidents, the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration has told Tesla to provide a significant amount of data on every car the company has sold over the last seven years.
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The Legislature approved SB 500, which would require that autonomous vehicles be emissions free by 2030, nudging an industry that has been clearly trending toward electric. The bill awaits the governor’s signature.
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The Federal Railroad Administration has paused its review of the high-speed maglev train that’s proposed to link Baltimore and Washington with a 15-minute ride and eventually extend to New York.
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On Sept. 7, the Lowcountry Regional Transport Authority is kicking off the first year-round public transit option in Beaufourt County, S.C. This service was made possible by a $1.2 million grant.
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The Natural Resources Defense Council has announced three cities will receive grants as part of the Delivering Zero Emissions Communities program — a move toward 100 percent zero emissions commercial vehicles by 2030.
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After a deal between Tuscaloosa and My Goat Inc., maker and distributor of the autonomous grass-cutting devices, the city’s public projects committee has unanimously endorsed a three-year contract with the technology.
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The Capital District Transportation Authority in New York is marketing Flex, a ride-hailing service similar to Uber, in an attempt to recover from what public transit experts believe is a permanent loss of ridership.
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Transit systems in New Orleans, San Diego, Miami and other cities have responded to the COVID-19 pandemic with a variety of new approaches, ranging from reduced fares to redesigned networks.
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Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers has announced that he will dedicate $25 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to public transit in both Madison and Milwaukee. The money is intended to counterbalance recent budget cuts.
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Los Angeles, Calif., will soon see a test fleet of robotaxis, but no passengers will be picked up until the proper approvals are made. The cars, made by Hyundai, will be equipped with driverless tech from Motional.
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Pay-by-the-minute electric and hybrid car-share operations are becoming a regular part of the transportation mix in large cities as they seek to expand mobility options and reduce the need for car ownership.
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Food delivery robots from Grubhub made their debut on the campus of Ohio State University more than a week ago. Students will benefit from a total of 50 robots, with more on the way.
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SWITCH Maritime is set to launch the Sea Change, a hydrogen fuel cell-powered electric ferry in the San Francisco Bay. The zero-emission vessel is designed to accommodate around 75 passengers.
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The Biden administration says it plans to speed up its use of offshore wind energy, aiming to use 30 gigawatts by 2030. Offshore wind farms often outproduce their land-based counterparts because of onshore winds.
