This spring, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released a policy statement on automated vehicles, which offers guidance for states that are considering authorizing tests of driverless vehicles. Three states—California, Florida, and Nevada—now explicitly authorize self-driving cars to operate on public roads for testing purposes. Michigan is expected to become the fourth state by the end of the year. Although not explicitly authorized, driverless cars are not specifically prohibited anywhere in the nation and are assumed to be legal throughout the U.S.
CA
California’s Zero Emission Vehicle credit program boosts Tesla Motors’ profit
Tesla Motors, Inc., the Palo Alto based electric vehicle maker, has taken full advantage of the credit system through California’s Zero Emission Vehicle program to help post its first-ever profit at the start of this year.
Freight rail traffic is growing, but urban conflicts hinder infrastructure expansion
While passenger rail has been on the front page, freight railroads have been thriving. However a new truck-to-rail transfer facility to serve the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach has caused a fierce debate on the thorny question of how to weigh the value of regional economic and environmental benefits against local environmental impacts and environmental justice concerns.
Devil’s Slide dangers soon to be bypassed by tunnels
There hasn’t been a new highway tunnel built in California in 50 years, but new tunnels that will provide an alternative to a slide-prone stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway will be very impressive when they open.
Increasing bicycle mode share leads to growing need for bicycle-specific traffic signals
As the popularity of transportation bicycling continues to grow, traffic engineers, planners, and lawmakers are recognizing the need to incorporate bicycle-specific infrastructure into intersection designs. Bicycle-specific signals are being used in 16 U.S. cities, and the signals are being included in traffic control manuals. NACTO has excellent guidance for how and where to install these signals.
Private firms eyeing passenger rail in Florida, Texas, Nevada, and California
While most attention has been focused on public efforts to improve U.S. passenger rail, private firms are also developing at least three intercity rail projects.
Private firms eyeing passenger rail in Florida, Texas, Nevada, and California
While most attention has been focused on public efforts to improve U.S. passenger rail, private firms are also developing at least three intercity rail projects.
Private firms eyeing passenger rail in Florida, Texas, Nevada, and California
While most attention has been focused on public efforts to improve U.S. passenger rail, private firms are also developing at least three intercity rail projects.
With continued testing success, governments are embracing connected and self-driving vehicles
New legislation in California, a large-scale test in Michigan, and an on-road demonstration in Barcelona, Spain, bring the era of connected and autonomous vehicles closer to reality. Auto makers and NHTSA are partnering to assure interoperability, and the federal government weighs requiring emerging technology on new cars.
Accelerated Bridge Construction offers less hassle for drivers and faster implementation for DOTs
Accelerated bridge construction (ABC) techniques are transforming the replacement and construction of bridges across the country, and commuters are benefiting from shorter construction schedules. The central component of accelerated bridge construction is the use of prefabrication technologies which allow the production of bridge components off-site.