Transportation

The Federal Aviation Administration has selected eight proposals to participate in a nationwide pilot program to determine if air taxis can be used at short-range in major metropolitan areas.

Pasadena, Calif., will soon let its electric fleet use standard, publicly available chargers. In Texas, Austin Energy, a city-operated utility, is developing a charging strategy for its fleets.

Starting this week, people riding fixed route city buses can pay without actual money changing hands. Decatur Transit Pay enables contactless payment via a smart card or smartphone app.

The Capital District Transportation Authority, which serves six New York state counties, is looking to integrate green energy buses, and is exploring AI-enabled cameras to identify maintenance needs.

The public has come to expect autonomous vehicles to be perfect drivers. But if that safety bar is too high, where should it be set, experts considered at a recent national safety forum.

The state's digital wallet will be able to hold its Mobile Driver License and documents including vehicle registration. An update expected to arrive before summer will also alert holders to upcoming expirations.

With much construction finished on the project, which will use sensors and ramp meters to regulate eight miles of northbound traffic, a 90-day traffic count is underway ahead of its May debut.

The state’s new governor has outlined her spending proposals for the upcoming fiscal year. Tech innovation and the impact of digital platforms on mental health also gain financial support in the new document.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation demonstration project, one of eight selected by the FAA, will test using electric drones and aircraft to shuttle medical supplies to and from rural facilities.

The state has already deployed roadside devices and onboard units in state maintenance vehicles. Next, the North Carolina Turnpike Authority will work with a hand-selected 100-person test group.

Streets’ many users, their large amount of potential data and the complexity of standing up digital curb systems can pose challenges. A digital map or street inventory can be a first step for local government.

The Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles has released a series of instructional videos to aid online users. Meanwhile, Alaska has debuted the Alaska Mobile ID, a mobile driver’s license and identity credential.

The company, one of the few publicly traded gov tech suppliers, reports revenue growth and gains from AI and an acquisition in its latest financials. More such deals seem almost certain as Via vies for more market share.

The taxis’ first day of operations in the city also yielded their first collision, a minor accident uptown. A human trainer was in the vehicle and the incident was not Waymo’s fault, a spokesperson said.

Authorities at Newark Liberty International Airport are scrutinizing three small electric shuttles. Testing will commence in earnest next month with an eye for weather conditions but sans actual passengers.

Miami is still a long way from fixing its traffic and public transportation woes, but there may be a credible solution on the horizon that sounds like it’s from the future — electric flying taxis.

Starting next week, people who park illegally in Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority trolley lanes and at stops could be spotted by AI-powered cameras. Fines are coming April 1.

The first violation fine for unsafe usage of an electric bicycle is part of an update to the city’s bicycle ordinance. It provides, generally, clearer standards for riders and follows an educational campaign.