The winding road to self-driving cars

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.

Transportation, Mobility, and Older Adults in Rural Michigan (University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute Behavioral Sciences Group, 2012)

This report explores issues related to transportation and mobility in rural areas generally, and in rural areas of Michigan specifically. The information from this report is intended to assist Michigan in meeting the transportation needs of its rural older adult population.

Michigan Odyssey reveals transit realities

In late March, 15 transportation advocates embarked on a cross-state trip of Michigan using only local and regional transit. Along the way they met with local and state officials and transit advocates. Their experiences highlight both where transit is lacking in Michigan as well as how it could become an economic driver and preferred transportation choice in the future.

Michigan-Chicago route gains 110 mph passenger rail, and other Midwest states seem eager to follow

Last week, Amtrak service in western Michigan and northern Indiana reached speeds of 110 miles per hour, marking the first expansion of regional high-speed rail in the U.S. outside of the northeast corridor. Other states seem eager to follow, and more upgrades within Illinois are already planned.