The Hub 2/11/2022:Clean Air Council’s Weekly Round-up of Transportation News
“The Hub” is a weekly round-up of transportation related news in the Philadelphia area and beyond. Check back weekly to keep up-to-date on the issues Clean Air Council’s transportation staff finds important.
The Inquirer: Washington Ave Will Be Changing – For nearly two decades Washington Ave has not been fully repaved. Safety is a major problem on this street. Back in 2020, a final design plan was selected to improve the street, but construction was delayed due to the pandemic. In a surprise decision last weekend, OTIS announced that plans have changed on the previously selected design plan, and the previously chosen safest option is no longer on the table. An open house is scheduled for March 1st at 6 pm.
StreetsBlog USA: Automatic Braking Doesn’t Work Well On Dark Streets – A recent study found that automatic braking systems are less reliable on dark streets and during extreme speeding. 34% of pedestrian deaths occur at night which is another indicator that drivers should not rely only on the automatic brake system.
The Guardian: Americans Are Using Public Transit Less But Car Crashes Increases – During the pandemic two major trends emerge, a reduction of public transit ridership and an increase in traffic deaths. Public transit in America needs more funding to improve infrastructure and safety on our roadways. Speeding and driving impaired are two of the reasons car crashes are increasing.
School Transportation News: EPA Releases Initial Report on Clean Bus Program – The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its initial report to Congress about the $5 billion Clean Bus Program. The first cycle of funding is expected in April in the form of a rebate. This Clean Bus Program will provide a $5 billion funding split evenly over 5 years for the replacement of zero-and-low-emission school buses.
TRIBLIVE: Pittsburgh To Receive $30 Million For Public Transit – From the infrastructure law that was passed in November, Pennsylvania will receive $234 million. Pittsburgh will receive over $30 million for public transit funding. It is still unclear how Pittsburgh Port Authority will spend the funding but it will definitely help to improve public transit in Western PA.
Image Source: The Guardian
