Friday’s Headlines Transform and Roll Out
Will autonomous vehicles really make us safer? Maybe in the long run, but maybe not in the short run.
By
Blake Aued
12:11 AM EDT on May 23, 2025
Sponsored
- The Brookings Institute makes the case that autonomous vehicles will be safer and reduce congestion. But there are likely to be some growing pains. Andrew Miller at Changing Lanes predicts that, as autonomous vehicles become more widespread, safety issues will get worse before they get better, because computers and humans won’t know how to predict each others’ actions.
- With U.S. population growth slowing, renovating existing spaces is looking like a more attractive alternative to sprawl (CleanTechnica). Such an extravagant use of resources may no longer be tenable in Australia, either (Architecture AU).
- Since cars were banned from Central Park, now the New York Times wants to foment a war between cyclists and pedestrians.
- Low-income Los Angeles residents who received a $150 monthly debit card for transportation costs reported that it was a relief for both their checkbooks and their mental health. Once the program ended, their stress returned. (KTLA)
- After the Trump administration put the kibosh on Amtrak taking over a high-speed rail project between Dallas and Houston, a hedge fund might be the last resort. (Fast Company)
- Chicago transit workers rallied Wednesday as their three agencies face a combined $770 million budget shortfall. (CBS News)
- Seattle residents who bike to work are much happier with their commutes than those who drive alone. (The Urbanist)
- Atlanta drivers killed two pedestrians in the past three months on Peachtree Street, where the city previously implemented safety improvements, then took them away when drivers complained. (AJC)
- Two-way service on a Valley Metro light rail line in Phoenix starts June 7. (ABC 15)
- The Kansas City streetcar is preparing for a surge in ridership during the 2026 World Cup. (KSHB)
- Cameras at one Richmond elementary school alone caught 7,000 speeding drivers in just six months. (Richmond Magazine)
- If only cities didn’t have so many tall buildings, or people. (McSweeney’s)
Blake Aued has been doing Streetsblog's daily national news digest for years. He's also an Atlanta Braves fan, which enrages his editor in New York.
Read More:
Sponsored
Support Streetsblog
More from Streetsblog USA
Motorist Careens onto North Beach Sidewalk, Killing Pedestrian
Driver kills pedestrian at another location where a safety project festered
The post Motorist Careens onto North Beach Sidewalk, Killing Pedestrian appeared first on Streetsblog San Francisco.
March 6, 2026
Friday Video: The H.A.R.D. Fight Against Hit-and-Runs
Streetsblog USA senior editor Kea Wilson sits down with Tiffanie Stanfield of Fighting H.A.R.D.
December 12, 2025
Wednesday’ Headlines Are on Autopilot
Don't be afraid of regulating driverless cars out of existence, writes Angie Schmitt. The industry needs guardrails.
December 10, 2025
City Shuts Down Volunteer Crosswalk Painting Event in Los Angeles
LAPD cited People's Vision Zero volunteer organizer Jonathan Hale for misdemeanor "vandalism on city property."
December 9, 2025
Tuesday’s Headlines Set the Record Straight
Folks who think dirtier cars will be cheaper to drive are in for a rude awakening.
December 9, 2025
Comments Are Temporarily Disabled
Streetsblog is in the process of migrating our commenting system. During this transition, commenting is temporarily unavailable.
Once the migration is complete, you will be able to log back in and will have full access to your comment history. We appreciate your patience and look forward to having you back in the conversation soon.