Today’s Headlines
Still grappling with last month’s crash, D.C. Metro finds track circuits failing across the train system (WaPo) We have the technology to get creative with transportation revenue-raising — why not use it? (Globe) In a new interview, Oberstar suggests phasing in a gas-tax hike after two consecutive quarters of economic growth (Living on Earth) Sen. … Continued
July 22, 2009
Government Still Taking Hands-Off Approach to Cell Phoning While Driving
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) was prepared six years ago to seek broad limits on cell phone use by drivers -- with or without a hands-free device -- but shelved its plans for fear of alienating Congress and chat-loving voters, the New York Times reported today.
July 21, 2009
New Report on Transpo-Health Dynamic Makes Case for National Targets
The link between transportation and public health, explored on this page days ago, is plumbed further in a report released today by PolicyLink and the Prevention Institute with an introduction by Jim Oberstar (D-MN), chairman of the House transport committee.
July 21, 2009
Senate Agrees on $26.8 Billion Highway Trust Fund Rescue
The Senate took a major step forward last night in its battle with the House over transportation funding, releasing a plan to give $26.8 billion to the dwindling highway trust fund and -- perhaps most importantly, for the long term -- to restore the fund's ability to keep the interest it earns.
July 21, 2009
Today’s Headlines
Federal highway safety regulators knew that cell phone use while driving — even on a hands-free device — was a massive safety risk, but they hid it from Congress (NYT) LaHood’s stimulus tour stops in Sarasota, Florida (Herald-Trib) Don’t fret, New Yorkers: The $8 billion Hudson transit tunnel is on track for federal money whether … Continued
July 21, 2009
House to Take Up Transportation Spending Bill This Week
The House's transportation and housing spending bill for 2010 is slated for a vote in the full chamber this week, setting the stage for possible showdowns over the measure's $4 billion for high-speed rail and $150 million for the Washington D.C. Metro system.
July 20, 2009
Know Your Road Lobbyists: The American Highway Users Alliance
For a 77-year-old nonprofit group with substantial Washington clout, the American Highway Users Alliance keeps a pretty low profile.
July 20, 2009
Today’s Headlines
Another analysis reveals that U.S. DOT road money isn’t being routed first to economically distressed areas (AP) Why not institute a National Design Policy for housing? (NYT) Between D.C. suburbs and Baltimore, Maryland governor is pulling double shifts in the transit aid hunt (WaPo) Brookings’ Robert Puentes and Adie Tomer explore how current road funding … Continued
July 20, 2009
An Orszag-ian Principle: Transportation Reform is Health Reform
During the Washington budget debate earlier this year, a phrase widely attributed to White House budget director Peter Orszag was rolling off many a reporter's keyboard: "Health reform is entitlement reform."
July 17, 2009
5 Down, 5 to Go: Plan Linking Transit to Climate Bill Wins Sponsors
Streetsblog Capitol Hill reported this week that the Obama administration -- which often talks about reducing transportation-based emissions -- is staying mum on a bill that would devote a guaranteed share of revenues from carbon regulation to transit, bike paths, and other green modes of transport.
July 17, 2009