Chris McCahill
@chrismccahill.bsky.social
đ€ 1116
đ„ 445
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Managing Director at ssti.us | Transportation Commission & Plan Commission for
#MadisonWI
| he/him
Thanks to federal funding from Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) and changes to the MUTCD,
#MadisonWI
is moving forward with a series of asphalt art projects. The first one will hit the streets in September.
about 2 months ago
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States are rethinking a long-held rule that often calls for speed limits to be *raised* on roads with excessive speeding.
#MadisonWI
is one community taking a different approach, says
@apnews.com
.
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States rethink a long-held practice of setting speed limits based on how fast drivers travel
Road safety activists and some states are pushing to depart from a longstanding rule that sets speed limits in the United States based largely on how fast drivers actually travel.
https://apnews.com/article/speed-limits-85-rule-safety-ohio-0bcc07bd9bd0c9cae2cffc11512cd95f
2 months ago
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Angie Schmitt reminds us, over a five-year period, 150 elderly folks (over age 75) apparently "darted" or "dashed" into the road before being killed by a driverâa finding by
@kenmcld.bsky.social
.
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Why are pedestrians always "darting" (i.e. at fault)? - Streetsblog Chicago
How accusatory descriptions for pedestrian victims are baked into national policy.
https://chi.streetsblog.org/2025/08/13/why-are-pedestrians-always-darting-i-e-at-fault
2 months ago
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reposted by
Chris McCahill
David Zipper
3 months ago
A bit of news:
@wesmars.bsky.social
& I are launching Look Both Ways, a new podcast where weâll debate everything transportation â from street design to robotaxis to fare-free transit. First episode will be recorded live on Thurs, July 17th at 6p ET. Join us then (and subscribe) â€”ïž đ§”
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Look Both Ways Podcast: Episode 1
YouTube video by Look Both Ways with David & Wes
https://www.youtube.com/live/gRH4h3X9xzE
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reposted by
Chris McCahill
David Zipper
4 months ago
Summary from the always interesting
@chrismccahill.bsky.social
:
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For better mental health, researchers recommend walking and biking
Staying grounded and mentally fit can be challenging these days. While some people turn to meditation or self-medication, a large and growing body of research points to a simpler solution: walkable ne...
https://ssti.us/2025/06/30/for-better-mental-health-researchers-recommend-walking-and-biking/
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Eno reports the following changes in staffing since January 20: - Federal Transit Administration: -30% - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: -25% - Federal Highway Administration: -25% That's 1,200 people, not counting another 854 at the Federal Aviation Administration.
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DOT Job Cuts Already Over 30% at FTA; 25% at FHWA, NHTSA - The Eno Center for Transportation
May 2, 2025 - The Federal Transit Administration has already lost 30 percent of its staff since January 20, with the Federal Highway Administration not far behind at 25 percent.
https://enotrans.org/article/dot-job-cuts-already-over-30-at-fta-25-at-fhwa-nhtsa/
5 months ago
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USDOT seems to be withdrawing requirements for a Safe Systems Approach and "all road users" from the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP). Curious what others make of it. Proposed rule:
www.federalregister.gov/public-inspe...
Rule from 2/21/24:
www.federalregister.gov/documents/20...
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Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Slashes Red Tape Across FHWA, NHTSA, and FMCSA to Unburden Americans of Costly Regulations
More than 50 burdensome regulations were axed from the Code of Federal Regulations
https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/transportation-secretary-sean-p-duffy-slashes-red-tape-across-fhwa-nhtsa-and-fmcsa
5 months ago
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Last week I received notice that FHWAâs INVEST toolâa resource launched in 2012 to help transportation agencies evaluate the sustainability of their programs and projectsâwill no longer be available starting this June.
www.sustainablehighways.org
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Welcome to INVEST Version 1.3! | INVEST - Sustainable Highways Self-Evaluation Tool | Federal Highway Administration
https://www.sustainablehighways.org
6 months ago
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Madison's Common Council spends half its time on two things: "discussing internal council structure, and rezoning or development requests that almost always are approved and had already been studied and endorsed by city staff and commissions."
madison.com/news/local/g...
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Here's what the Madison City Council spends most of its time talking about
Disputes over developments and council policy occupied more than half of the councilâs time. Property taxes and homelessness? Not so much.
https://madison.com/news/local/government-politics/article_c83f10ed-70e7-4929-9134-fced47a02b03.html
6 months ago
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reposted by
Chris McCahill
The Overhead Wire
6 months ago
Wednesday's Most Read # 2 - Complex urban streets encourage safer driving
link.theoverheadwire.com/h78mc
SSTI
@chrismccahill.bsky.social
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Complex urban streets encourage safer driving
Reducing excessive speeding is one of the most effective ways to improve road safetyâespecially where people are walking or biking. While lowering speed limits and adding traffic calming measures help...
https://link.theoverheadwire.com/h78mc
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My staff at
@innovativedot.bsky.social
was just discussing this study earlier in the week. One noteworthy detail: the typical community that benefited under the previous Justice40 initiative was around 52% Trump supporter. Under the proposed new policy, that moves to 73%.
add a skeleton here at some point
7 months ago
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reposted by
Chris McCahill
David Zipper
7 months ago
A groundbreaking new study found that the surge in SUVs from 1995 to 2019 reduced Minnesota's highway lane capacity by 9.5%. Less lane capacity --> More congestion Me, in CityLab đ§”
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How SUVs Are Making Traffic Worse
As larger, taller sport utility vehicles took over US roads, they also aggravated highway congestion, according to a new study. Itâs yet another ill effect of âcar bloat.â
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-03-25/bigger-heavier-suvs-worsen-traffic-congestion-in-us
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Many states are counting on strong electric vehicle sales to meet ambitious climate goals. Without federal incentives, reaching those targets will require much more local effort. WaPo: The electric-vehicle revolution may be on shakier ground than you think
wapo.st/4iGvNlq
7 months ago
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I just learned about Lunatrain from
@hsrail.bsky.social
. They plan to launch overnight train service along the East Coast and throughout the Midwest.
www.trains.com/trn/news-rev...
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Start-up Lunatrain plans private night trains in East, Midwest - Trains
PHILADELPHIA â A new company has announced plans to develop a private sleeper-train service connecting major destinations, and says it aims to have a demonstration unit in the second half of 2026. Lun...
https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/start-up-lunatrain-plans-private-night-trains-in-east-midwest/
7 months ago
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Travel times on certain routes dropped 6% to 10% after NYC launched congestion pricing, according to StreetLight Data. Most other routes stayed about the same.
www.streetlightdata.com/is-congestio...
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Before & After Congestion Pricing: From Staten Island to NJ to Manhattan, How Travel Times Look Now
Is NYC's congestion pricing working? StreetLight analyzed travel times on ten key routes to see how traffic conditions have changed during rush hour and beyond.
https://www.streetlightdata.com/is-congestion-pricing-working-in-nyc/
7 months ago
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reposted by
Chris McCahill
Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway
8 months ago
This is Madisonâs most recent ordinance change package to address housing issues.
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Mayor Rhodes-Conway, city alders introduce housing package
Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, alongside a group of the cityâs alders, has introduced a package of changes to be made in hopes of diversifying and creating more types of housing, according to a City of Ma...
https://badgerherald.com/news/madison/2025/02/11/madison-rhodes-conway-city-alders-introduce-housing-package/
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As
#MadisonWI
celebrates women in construction, here's Renee Callawayâthe city's Assistant Director for Traffic Engineering. She's great, and she's retiring đ
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City of Madison Women in Construction Week 2025 Profile: Renee Callaway
YouTube video by City of Madison Engineering Division
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9IqUAV96v8&t=48s
8 months ago
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Pedestrian deaths dropped by around 2.6% in the first half of 2024, according to
@ghsahq.bsky.social
. But that number is still 48% higher than a decade earlier.
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Early 2024 U.S. Pedestrian Fatalities Up 48% From a Decade Ago
Drivers hit and killed 3,304 people walking in the United States in the first half of 2024, down 2.6% from the year before but a staggering 48% above a decade ago, according to a new analysis from GHS...
https://ghsa.org/news/early-2024-us-pedestrian-fatalities-48-decade-ago
8 months ago
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Madison's former Police Chief is settling into his new role in Seattle.
add a skeleton here at some point
8 months ago
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"In Madison, an official with knowledge of the situation confirmed that a lease had been terminated for the Federal Highway Administration office, which employs about 30 people." 16 federal offices across the state appear to be closing.
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DOGE Terminates Leases for 16 Federal Offices in Wisconsin
Many in Milwaukee and Madison, but also in Green Bay and Ashland.
https://urbanmilwaukee.com/2025/03/04/doge-terminates-leases-for-16-federal-offices-in-wisconsin/?fbclid=IwY2xjawI0EOJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHQJDSGyNRQV2egihBXFaK8rJlRw5q9FiYkzlGw5qP8rG5wGiPl1Q5UOpjQ_aem_CQSo1O-2pXM_17igE1Vm7w
8 months ago
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With the federal government abandoning its commitment to sustainability and equity, state transportation agencies have a larger role to play. My team produced a framework to guide them through.
nextcity.org/urbanist-new...
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State Transportation Agencies Can Still Lead on Sustainability and Equity. Hereâs How.
Op-ed: Federal policy has become hostile to sustainability and equity. A new framework shows how state and local DOTs can take up the baton.
https://nextcity.org/urbanist-news/dot-state-transportation-agencies-can-still-sustainability-equity
8 months ago
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reposted by
Chris McCahill
Alex Karner
8 months ago
A deeply reported piece on the state of transportation research. My tl;dr - it's quite bad and it's not clear how we come out the other side without building up alternative means of support and dissemination.
add a skeleton here at some point
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"Last Friday, we noticed that the main Complete Streets page on the Federal Highway Administrationâs website had been removedâerasing decades of research, case studies, and proven solutions." via
@smartgrowthusa.bsky.social
@eicova.bsky.social
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Federal actions threaten roadway safety efforts: Whatâs at stake - Smart Growth America
This post was written by Heidi Simon and Eric Cova. The Complete Streets movement was started more than twenty years ago to build shared energy and strategy for making our streets safer. As the conven...
https://smartgrowthamerica.org/federal-actions-threaten-roadway-safety-efforts-whats-at-stake/
9 months ago
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reposted by
Chris McCahill
Brendon Slotterback
9 months ago
SSTI is here!
add a skeleton here at some point
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New research suggests congestion pricing and transit investments are probably the only practical way of reducing traffic congestion. New York City is the perfect test case. I wrote about it for
@innovativedot.bsky.social
.
ssti.us/2025/02/03/c...
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Congestion pricing could be the only path to managing gridlock
Transportation agencies in the U.S. spend billions of dollars each year expanding highways to ease gridlock. Yet commute times have increased 20% over the last 50 years and traffic congestion is still...
https://ssti.us/2025/02/03/congestion-pricing-could-be-the-only-path-to-managing-gridlock/
9 months ago
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reposted by
Chris McCahill
State Smart Transportation Initiative
9 months ago
SSTI is helping shape our transportation system to be more sustainable, equitable, safe, and efficient. We share the latest research, highlight innovative practices from state DOTs, and connect transportation professionals across the country to exchange solutions. Stay up to date:
ssti.us/blog/
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Farewell to Denver's car-free Larimer Street. đą
www.denver7.com/news/local-n...
9 months ago
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Wes Marshall's new book, Killed by a Traffic Engineer, has residents, advocates, and city staff talking in
#MadisonWI
.
www.wortfm.org/bicycle-book...
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Bicycle Book Club invites Madisonians to participate in traffic planning conversations - WORT-FM 89.9
A new book club is taking on issues surrounding bike infrastructure in Madison. On Sunday, the club invited Department of Transportation officials and several City of Madison traffic engineers to disc...
https://www.wortfm.org/bicycle-book-club-invites-madisonians-to-participate-in-traffic-planning-conversations/
9 months ago
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Some of USDOT's recent climate and equity resources have disappeared from its website. If you're looking for something, try starting here:
eelp.law.harvard.edu/tracker-type...
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Federal Environmental Justice Tracker â Environmental and Energy Law Program
https://eelp.law.harvard.edu/tracker-type/environmental-justice-tracker/
9 months ago
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Transportation agencies often promote engineers to leadership roles, but Madison DOT (like some state agencies) is taking a different approach. By promoting non-engineers, they're rewarding diverse expertise and freeing up engineers to focus on design work.
media.cityofmadison.com/Mediasite/Sh...
9 months ago
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reposted by
Chris McCahill
David Zipper
9 months ago
Induced demand applies to parking, too: "An increase in parking provision from 0.1 to 0.5 parking space per person was associated with an increase in automobile mode share of roughly 30 percentage points." Paper by
@riocobre.bsky.social
,
@chrismccahill.bsky.social
et al.
doi.org/10.3141/2543...
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Good news for anyone who enjoyed the Reply All podcast: Alex Goldman is back with
@hyperfixedpod.bsky.social
. Better yet! The first episode features Peter Norton, the author of Fighting Traffic, to talk about how cars took over New York City.
10 months ago
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If the federal government slashes EV incentives, as some outlets are reporting, state and local agencies will have to work harder to cut transportation emissions. That means not just moving to electric, but also making it easier to drive less.
ssti.us/2024/04/29/s...
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States must step up efforts to reduce harmful carbon emissions
As of last September, 16 states and Puerto Rico approved legislation requiring reductions in greenhouse emissions. The White House also set ambitious goals of cutting emissions by at least 50% below 2...
https://ssti.us/2024/04/29/states-must-step-up-efforts-to-reduce-harmful-carbon-emissions/
10 months ago
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La Crosse, Wisconsin, eliminated parking mandates last Thursday. Add it to the list,
@parkingreform.org
!
lacrossetribune.com/news/local/g...
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La Crosse city council nixes off-street parking requirements
Off-street parking requirements for La Crosse developers are gone after the city council voted to repeal the requirements Thursday evening.
https://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/government-politics/la-crosse-city-council-nixes-off-street-parking-requirements/article_def72310-b810-11ef-bf77-bf293291ca98.html#tracking-source=home-top-story
10 months ago
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Madison, Wisconsin, is the "best up-and-coming U.S. city," according to Real Estate Watch.
www.realestatewitch.com/up-and-comin...
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The 15 Best Up-and-Coming U.S. Cities in 2025
Ready to move but not sure where to go? A new study reveals the best up-and-coming cities that are worth moving to before they rise to fame.
https://www.realestatewitch.com/up-and-coming-cities-in-the-us/
10 months ago
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Wow! It feels nice to be included in such an interesting collection.
add a skeleton here at some point
10 months ago
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reposted by
Chris McCahill
11 months ago
Madison alders censured one of their own last night - for the first time in city history. The vote came after a long and contentious meeting revolving around allegations against north side alder Charles Myadze.
@fayeparks.bsky.social
has the details.
www.wortfm.org/city-council...
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City council censures alder Charles Myadze - WORT-FM 89.9
Alders approved the censure after a long and contentious meeting revolving around allegations of harassment and abuse against Myadze.
https://www.wortfm.org/city-council-censures-alder-charles-myadze/
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The City of Madison will be scaling up its '20 is Plenty' program this winter, as part of its Vision Zero Action Plan.
www.cityofmadison.com/news/2024-12...
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Vision Zeroâs '20 is Plenty' Program to Roll Out This Winter
Madison joins other progressive cities across the country â including Minneapolis, New York City, Portland, and Seattle â in lowering speed limits on local streets
https://www.cityofmadison.com/news/2024-12-05/vision-zeros-20-is-plenty-program-to-roll-out-this-winter
11 months ago
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reposted by
Chris McCahill
Ryan Fonseca
11 months ago
đđŒ If youâre interested in transportation and mobility news, I have a starter pack for you! Youâll find all-star journalists, plus agencies, orgs + advocates focused on making it easier and safer to move around their communities.
go.bsky.app/KTamPSQ
add a skeleton here at some point
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âWe havenât got the mental space to be recalculating transportation options,â said one researcherâexcept during major life changes, like a new job or home, or disruptive events like COVID or major route closures.
slate.com/technology/2...
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Driving to Work Is the Worst. So Why Canât We Quit It?
Even when better options are available, switching modes is tough.
https://slate.com/technology/2024/12/car-commute-public-transit-behavioral-science.html
11 months ago
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When you work at a university, student journalists often reach out for interviews. You always have to decide whether it's worth your time. This was 30 minutes well spent. What a neat project!
msnstudentcommutingtroubles.wordpress.com/bigger-pictu...
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The Bigger Picture
Students Struggle to Commute out of Madison, How the City Plans to Fix It How flight prices and parking availability impact students departing from Madison, and how the city is addressing the issueâŠ
https://msnstudentcommutingtroubles.wordpress.com/bigger-picture/
11 months ago
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reposted by
Chris McCahill
Carter Rubin
11 months ago
âTransportation Vision 2035 sets a goal to nearly double the number of trips taken by walking, public transportation, or biking by 2035âor 19 percent of tripsâ
www.nrdc.org/bio/alana-mi...
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Coloradoâs New Transportation Vision Raises the Bar for State Leadership
Colorado's governor has released a new vision for reducing emissions from transportation, with a focus on expanding transportation options for all residents.
https://www.nrdc.org/bio/alana-miller/colorados-new-transportation-vision-raises-bar-state-leadership
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On Friday, USDOT announced more than 250 new grants under the Safe Streets and Roads for All program.
www.transportation.gov/grants/ss4a/...
Here in
#MadisonWI
, the MPO was awarded $1M to support local governments in developing safety action plans.
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https://www.transportation.gov/grants/ss4a/2024-awards
11 months ago
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reposted by
Chris McCahill
David Zipper
11 months ago
IMO, the most important takeaway: With the feds sitting on their hands re: transit service, transportation emissions, and road safety, the onus is on states and cities to act. The cavalry is not coming. Local leaders must step up.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
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Under Trump, Prepare for New US Transportation Priorities
The Biden administration made high-profile commitments to cutting emissions, boosting urban transit and improving traffic safety. Now the road ahead looks very different.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-11-12/what-trump-s-win-means-for-us-transportation-priorities
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I still don't have perfect work-life balance, but this much I know: Set boundaries and don't apologize for it. I emailed someone at 7:30 this morning (9:30 for me). It wasn't urgent. And they answered an hour later: "Sorry for the delayed response, Veteran's Day is a holiday for us." đ„
12 months ago
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The Plan Commission in
#MadisonWI
approved two developments last night. One pretty close to downtown; another on the far edge of the city. I voted for both, because we need the housing, but I feel like we can do better.
12 months ago
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On the Code Switch podcast, Adonia Lugo answers the question: Do bike lanes cause gentrification?
www.npr.org/2026/01/01/1...
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Ask Code Switch: Do bike lanes cause gentrification? : Code Switch
Today on Ask Code Switch, we tackle a question about race, bike lanes and gentrification. Who are bike lanes serving? Are these safety measures protecting everyone equally, or are bike advocates on the wrong side of progress?
https://www.npr.org/2026/01/01/1249795973/ask-code-switch-bike-lanes
about 1 year ago
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Here's my latest piece for SSTI: "The cost of a typical auto policy will jump 22% this year to an average annual premium of $2,469, following a 24% increase in 2023." California, Missouri, and Minnesota could see prices rise more than 50%, due to extreme weather.
ssti.us/2024/09/03/s...
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Severe weather is pushing up the costs of car ownership
Fordâs Model T was a groundbreaking feat of mass productionâcutting car costs by more than half over the course of a decade and spurring the massive rise in automobile use across the U.S. Those days s...
https://ssti.us/2024/09/03/severe-weather-is-pushing-up-the-costs-of-car-ownership/
about 1 year ago
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Traffic deaths in the U.S. have continued their slow decline since the pandemic, according to NHTSA. But we haven't seen rates this high since around 2008.
www.nhtsa.gov/press-releas...
about 1 year ago
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Here's a quick fix for
#bike
safety in
#MadisonWI
. The city closed one lane after several crashes where one driver stopped but a second driver did not.
youtu.be/_L1XHn9tCLw
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Lane closure on West Washington Ave
YouTube video by Chris McCahill
https://youtu.be/_L1XHn9tCLw
about 1 year ago
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