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☆ Opinion: Why ‘black swans’ are behind the Key Bridge and other shipping disasters
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-28 | by ( Opinion Salvatore R. Mercogliano | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

CNN —The allision between the container ship MV Dali and the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore on Tuesday has prompted numerous questions — not only about how this tragedy occurred, but also about our global shipping processes. This marked the start of a campaign by the Houthis, in support of Hamas in their attack on Israel, against global shipping transiting the Red Sea, Bab-el-Mandeb and the Gulf of Aden. Now, two years later, Baltimore is closed with remains of the Key Bridge athwart the main shipping channel. No one agency has oversight of or coordinates global shipping or ports in the US. There is also no overall maritime strategy for the nation, although the US Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration has been tasked to develop one.

Persons: Salvatore R, Mercogliano, Francis Scott Key, —, Sal Mercogliano Bennett Scarborough, Dali, ”, Jennifer Homendy, Transportation Pete Buttigieg, John Garamendi of, Dusty Johnson of Organizations: Campbell University, Shipping, YouTube, CNN, MV Galaxy Leader, Baltimore, Federal Highway Administration, Transportation, Bethlehem Steel, Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration, US Coast Guard, Army Corps of Engineers, Maryland Department of Transportation, US Department of Transportation, Federal Maritime Commission, Democratic, Republican, Dusty Johnson of South Dakota, Ocean Shipping Reform Locations: Baltimore, Asia, Suez, Los Angeles, Long, Yemen, Israel, Bab, Aden, China, Argentina, Largo, Dali, Sparrows, United States, John Garamendi of California, Dusty Johnson of South

“There’s no strong infrastructure for safety in maritime," said Jim Hall, who led the National Transportation Safety Board from 1994 to 2001. The Dali was flagged in Singapore, which has one of the best safety records of any country where ships are based. It's not listed as one of the 42 countries identified as “flags of convenience” by the International Transport Workers Federation. He said that with maritime shipping being the oldest transportation industry, with its international regulations that rely on many different countries for enforcement, it may have the most problems. “When I talk about those other transportation industries, the maritime industry is the worst offender of safety violations, of labor violations than any other industry,” Rexha said.

Persons: “, Jim Hall, Peter DeFazio of, ”, ” DeFazio, it's, Dali —, Peter Gautier, Dali, It's, Grace Ocean, Douglas Hales, ” Hales, Roland Rexha, midflight, ” Rexha, Michael Kunzelman, Seung Min Kim Organizations: International Maritime Organization, National Transportation, Guard, Former U.S . Rep, Transportation, U.S . Coast Guard, International Chamber of Shipping coalition, Allianz Global, International Transport Workers Federation . Authorities, Synergy Marine, University of Rhode, Port, Marine Engineers, Boeing, Max, Associated Press Locations: Baltimore, London, Former, Peter DeFazio of Oregon, West, New York, United States, U.S, Singapore, Chile, Belgium, Antwerp, Callao, Western Callao, Port of Baltimore, Ohio

More than two years later, only four states — Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania and Hawaii — have opened stations funded by the program. The Biden administration says the federal charging program is on track. The grants will fund 47 EV charging stations and related projects in 22 states and Puerto Rico, including 7,500 charging ports. But even some of the government’s own experts say 500,000 public chargers won’t be enough to meet Biden’s ambitious climate goals. The availability of charging stations is key to persuading Americans to buy EVs.

Persons: Liam Sawyer, Sawyer, ”, Joe Biden, Biden, Shailen Bhatt, “, ” Bhatt, “ We’re, ″, Gabe Klein, Bhatt, Tesla, Mike DeWine, DeWine, Preeti Choudhary, Loren McDonald, you’re, ” ___ Daly, John Organizations: —, Ford, Allegheny National Forest, Pilot Travel, Electric Vehicle Infrastructure, Democrat, Transportation, Walmart, Joint Office of Energy, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Alternative Fuels Data, Energy Department, Associated Press, NORC, for Public Affairs Research, Energy, Institute, University of Chicago ., Republican Gov, Ohio, Department of Transportation, Public Utilities Commission, “ Locations: Ohio, Indianapolis, Pennsylvania, Columbus , Ohio, London , Ohio, — Ohio, New York , Pennsylvania, Hawaii, U.S, Maine , Vermont, Colorado, Puerto Rico, America, California, Washington, St, Detroit, AP.org

☆ Baltimore port bridge collapse: Global ocean carriers declare 'force majeure,' leaving U.S. companies on hook for urgent cargo pickup
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Lori Ann Larocco | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +10 min

"The impact of the Baltimore port stoppage on construction and contractor supply chains may be significant," said William George, director of research for ImportGenius. "For cargo already on water, we will omit the port, and will discharge cargo set for Baltimore, in nearby ports. COSCO announced Wednesday morning that its services would "be concluded" once the diverted container arrives at the alternate port. Out of the diverted ports, New York/New Jersey and Savannah, are included. One of the biggest concerns among logistics companies is availability of chassis for both truck and rail to handle the diverted cargo.

Persons: Dali, Francis Scott Key, William George, ImportGenius, Maersk, COSCO, majeure, CGM, Paul Brashier, Brashier, Matt Castle, Robinson, Val Noel, Mike Wilson, Noel, Alan Baer, Baer, Stephen Edwards, Edwards Organizations: Francis Scott Key Bridge, Logistics, CNBC, Baltimore, Evergreen, CMA, ITS Logistics, U.S Department of Transportation, Home Depot, Nike, Walmart, Union Pacific, BNSF, Robinson, DHL, FedEx, Port, DOT's, Rail, TRAC, Freight, Consolidated Chassis Management, USA, Norfolk . Our Midwest Locations: Baltimore , Maryland, Baltimore, The Port, U.S, Port of Baltimore, Target, East, , New York, New Jersey, Savannah, Chicago, Brunswick, Virginia, Charleston, New York, Philadelphia, Norfolk, Wilmington , Savannah, Jacksonville, UAE, Saudi, Doha, India, Bangladesh, NY, Montreal, Port of Virginia, Port

☆ Lessons for Baltimore: How Minneapolis recovered from its 1-35W bridge collapse 17 years ago
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Alicia Wallace | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Minneapolis CNN —The collapse of the the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore on Tuesday is unfortunately not the first deadly collapse of a major interstate bridge in the US. About 140,000 cars a day traversed the I-35W bridge that once stood more than 100 feet above the Mighty Mississippi. Steve Helber/APIt’s not a complete apples to apples comparison between the I-35W bridge and the Key Bridge. The Key Bridge had about 22% of the daily traffic of the I-35W Mississippi River Bridge; however, the Minneapolis bridge was about 22% the length of the truss bridge in Baltimore. In the immediate aftermath of the Key Bridge collapse, Levinson told CNN that this event should hopefully bring attention to vulnerabilities of critical pieces of infrastructure.

Persons: Francis Scott Key, ” Christopher Phelan, Minneapolis , Minnesota Mandel Ngan, MnDOT, Nancy Daubenberger, George W, Bush, ” Phelan, Tim Walz, Steve Helber, ” Ryan Petersen, David Levinson, ”, Levinson, Feng Xie, Xie, ” Levinson Organizations: Minneapolis CNN, Twin, University of Minnesota, CNN, Getty, Minnesota Department of Transportation, NPR, US, Minnesota, Minnesota Gov, Coast Guard, Port, University of Sydney, Minneapolis Star, Transportation Planning, Technology Locations: Minneapolis, Baltimore, Mississippi, Twin Cities, Mighty Mississippi, Minnesota, Minneapolis , Minnesota, AFP, City, Lakes, Anthony Falls, Maryland, Baltimore , Maryland, Port of Baltimore, Australia

☆ Car insurance rates are at a 50-year high. Here's 3 ways you can keep your costs low, according to an expert
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Allie Kelly | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

American car insurance rates have reached a 50-year high, outpacing inflation. "All of these work together to create a situation where car insurance is a lot more expensive," she said. Additionally, the state drivers live in — and the local impact of the climate crisis — has a significant effect on car insurance rates. According to personal finance company NerdWallet, full coverage car insurance premiums nearly double if a driver is at fault for a crash. Car insurance rates are higher for families with teenagers, with rates going up 70% to 150% once someone under 18 is added to a family car insurance policy.

Persons: Laura Longero, Longero, What's Organizations: Service, Insurance, US Bureau of Labor Statistics, . Insurance, US Department of Transportation Locations: —

☆ Baltimore bridge collapse would have been much worse if the ship hadn't called in 'mayday'
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-26 | by ( Grace Eliza Goodwin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The cargo ship that crashed into the Baltimore bridge called in a 'mayday' moments before. Wes Moore said. AdvertisementThe Baltimore bridge collapse could have been deadlier had the crew of the swerving cargo ship not called in a "mayday" before hitting the bridge's support. Maryland Governor Wes Moore told reporters at a news conference Tuesday morning that before the Singapore-tagged Dali cargo ship crashed into Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge, crew members called in a distress signal. The crew told authorities that they had lost power on the ship and were in trouble, Moore told reporters.

Persons: Wes Moore, Moore, —, deadlier, Francis Scott Key, " Moore, Chris Van Hollen, Paul Wiedefeld Organizations: Maryland Gov, Service, Maryland, Amazon, Fedex Locations: Baltimore, Maryland, Singapore, Patapsco

☆ Baltimore’s Port Handled a Record Amount of Cargo Last Year
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-26 | by ( Jenny Gross | More About Jenny Gross | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

The port handled a record amount of cargo last year, making it the 20th biggest port in the nation ranked by total tons, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Around the world, about 40 ships, including 34 cargo vessels, have Baltimore listed as a destination, including 10 commercial ships with anchors dropped in nearby waters, according to MarineTraffic, which tracks ships. The arrival of large container ships to the port “continues to demonstrate Baltimore’s capabilities of handling supersized vessels,” Governor Moore said in the statement. The port handled nearly 850,000 cars and light trucks last year, more than in any other U.S. port for the past 13 years. It was the ninth-busiest port in the nation last year for receiving foreign cargo, in terms of volume and value.

Persons: Francis Scott Key, Wes Moore, Georgios Hatzimanolis, ”, Dali, Governor Moore Organizations: Port, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Gov, Maryland Port Administration, Cruise Line Locations: Port of Baltimore, United States, Maryland, Baltimore, New Jersey, North Carolina, Baltimore’s, State

☆ The bridge collapse shut down shipping traffic at Baltimore's port 'until further notice'
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-26 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The bridge's collapse led to all shipping traffic in and out of the port being suspended. Maersk, the shipping giant, is transporting cargo set for Baltimore by road instead. AdvertisementThe bridge collapse in Baltimore is having a significant impact on the city's port, one of the nation's busiest. It added that for ships already on the water, cargo set for Baltimore would be taken to other ports and then moved on land. "Please note that for cargo set to discharge in Baltimore, delays may occur, as they will need to discharge in other ports.

Persons: —, Francis Scott Key, Paul Wiedefeld, Maersk Organizations: Maersk, Service, Baltimore Locations: Baltimore, Patapsco, Maryland, Danish

Six people are presumed dead and two have been rescued from the Patapsco River, according to The New York Times. What Happened to Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge? Around 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday, a Singapore-flagged cargo ship called Dali struck a column of the bridge, according to reporting by The Baltimore Banner. Where Is the Francis Scott Key Bridge and How Long Is It? The Francis Scott Key Bridge was assessed as being in “fair” condition in 2023, according to the Federal Highway Administration’s National Bridge Inventory.

Persons: Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key, Wes Moore, Dali, Maryland Sen, Chris Van Hollen, Francis Scott Key, Helen Delich Bentley, Banner ”, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, Moore, ”, Joe Biden, We're, “, Pete Buttigieg, Scott, Buttigieg, Joseph Schofer Organizations: The New York Times, Maryland Gov, Biden Administration, White, Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Banner, ABC News, Maryland, New York Times, Times, ” Synergy Marine Group, Baltimore Mayor, Transportation, Department of, World Association, Transport Infrastructure, U.S . News, Northwestern University’s McCormick School of Engineering, ” Engineers Locations: Patapsco, Maryland’s, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Maryland, Baltimore, Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore, Fort McHenry, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, U.S

☆ A trucking and rail strategy that boomed during pandemic shocks is heating up again
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-25 | by ( Lori Ann Larocco | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +10 min

The shift in the volume of freight being moved from the East Coast to the West Coast was first highlighted in February in the ITS Port Rail Ramp Freight Index. He said the disruptions from the Suez Canal and Panama Canal have contributed to an almost 20% increase into the West Coast ports. "For our ports, transloading containers is always going to happen and we have the capacity to do more." The West Coast container volume rebound will also have a ceiling. "We probably don't get to the historical 10-year levels of West Coast market share versus East Coast share," Chan said.

Persons: Michael Aldwell, Kuehne + Nagel, Chris Sikora, CH Robinson, Sikora, Tim Robertson, transloading, Paul Brashier, We're, Brashier, Bryan Kempisty, Matt Schrap, Bruce Chan, Chan, CH, Bascome Majors, J.B, Hunt, Schneider, JB Hunt, Jason Seidl, Knight, Swift, Seidl, Larry Organizations: Getty, U.S, Logistics, CNBC, Kuehne, Transportation Intelligence, . Logistics, DHL Global, ITS, Rail, ITS Logistics, Department of Transportation's, PortX Logistics, Harbor Trucking, J.B, Susquehanna International Group, Hub Group, Schneider, Union Pacific, Cowen Group, Universal Logistics Holdings, East, International Longshoremen's Association, Surface Transportation, Canadian Pacific, Kansas City Southern, Uber, Uber Technologies Locations: West Coast, East Coast, Panama, East, Red, Gulf, transload, transloading, West, Suez, Hunt, CH Robinson, Sea, Mexico, Kansas, Mobile , Alabama, Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz, Gulf of Mexico

☆ What is transloading? Supply chain experts explain
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-25 | by ( Lori Ann Larocco | Sara Lindsay | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailWhat is transloading? Supply chain experts explainTransloading is a method of moving imported goods across the country using multiple modes of transportation which, according to supply chain experts, may be here to stay.

☆ What Would Make the Subway Feel Safer? Experts Have 5 Suggestions.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-24 | by ( Ana Ley | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

A string of frightening attacks in the subway amid a broader increase in crime in the system so far this year has put some New Yorkers on edge. Kathy Hochul deployed National Guard members and State Police troopers to the transit system this month, she said her goal was twofold: to fight crime and to make riders feel safe. The subway is crucial to New York’s vitality, and passengers’ needs are a top priority for her and other public officials as they navigate the city’s post-pandemic recovery. But just days after the reinforcements arrived, a shooting on an A train in Brooklyn underscored how fragile any sense of security can be and undermined officials’ message, supported by data, that the subway is safe. Leaders in the fields of transportation, criminal justice and social services often disagree about the best way to make the subway safer, with some calling for more police and others suggesting a softer approach.

Persons: Kathy Hochul Organizations: National Guard, State Police Locations: Brooklyn

☆ The Roadblocks to Biden’s Electric Vehicles Plan
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-21 | by ( David Gelles | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The Biden administration rolled out new rules on Wednesday designed to thrust the United States — the greatest car culture the world has ever known — into the era of electric vehicles. With new tailpipe pollution limits from the Environmental Protection Agency, automakers will effectively be forced to make a majority of new passenger cars and light trucks sold in the United States all-electric or hybrids by 2032. To meet the new standards, 56 percent of new cars sold by 2032 would be zero-emissions and another 16 percent would be hybrid, according to the E.P.A.’s analysis. E.V.s account for only 7.6 percent of new car sales today, so the targets represent an ambitious attempt to overhaul one of the country’s biggest industries in a remarkably short amount of time. A successful phaseout of gas-powered cars and trucks would also make a big dent in the fight against climate change; cars and other forms of transportation are the biggest source of planet warming emissions generated by the United States.

Organizations: Biden, Environmental Protection Agency Locations: States, United States

☆ EV charging for the U.S. freight trucking market is starting to scale
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-21 | by ( Eric Rosenbaum | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Einride plans to open many EV charging stations for freight trucking on the West and East coasts, though California is the only state in which there are any EV freight charging stations of scale today. Voltera, which develops, owns and operates EV infrastructure, said the site was permitted, built, electrified and operational in under 18 months. "In the world of charging infrastructure, that's pretty remarkable," its CEO Matt Horton said in a statement. One of the first EV charging stations of scale for freight trucks is opening near the major ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, California, as the trucking market takes some limited, but significant steps to build the infrastructure required for a long-term transition to EV trucking and net-zero shipping. Additional EV charging projects at ports in New York and New Jersey, as well as the Pacific Northwest, are planned.

Persons: NFI, Matt Horton, Robert Falck, Einride, Moller, Erik Neandross, —, Neandross Organizations: EV, West, Volvo, Southern California Edison, Maersk, CNBC, Pepsi, Walmart, U.S, California Air Resources Board, Department of Energy, Environmental Protection Agency, EPA Locations: East, California, Lynwood, America, Southern California, Ontario , California, U.S, Sweden, Einride, Los Angeles, Long Beach , California, Government, New York, New Jersey, Pacific Northwest, Shanghai, Chicago

☆ A part-time Uber and Lyft driver who primarily works around Disney in Florida said spring break is very profitable, but making enough year-round is difficult
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-16 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Jorge, 56, said driving for Uber and Lyft amid the big Florida spring break rush during the last few weeks has been profitable. The rideshare driver, who asked to only use his first name for fear of professional repercussions, said spring break is not like the rest of the year. AdvertisementHe said he's driving more hours during spring break to maximize his earnings, working all day on weekends in addition to his normal weekday schedule. Rides in South Beach were profitable during spring break, and he would drive around casinos and other tourist destinations. He estimates some days during spring break, he's making more money from tips than from fares.

Persons: Jorge, Uber, he's, it's, He's, we've Organizations: Service, Walt Disney World, Disney, City Council Locations: Florida, Orlando, Miami, South Beach, Disney, Minneapolis

☆ Alaska's ice road oil truckers are in a boom, and causing a backlash
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-15 | by ( Kevin Williams | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +11 min

With various North Slope oil production projects just ramping up, the years ahead look very promising for trucking in Alaska. Among the new North Slope activities is the ConocoPhillips Willow Project, which the Biden administration approved last year. A Doyon Drilling Inc. oil rig stands on the North Slope in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, U.S., on Friday, Feb. 17, 2017. Daniel Acker | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesMeanwhile, the Pikka oil project by Australian company Santos is also taking shape on the North Slope, 50 miles west of Deadhorse. Most of the North Slope oil infrastructure (supplies, machinery, parts) is supplied by trucks that have to traverse the 414-mile Dalton Highway (Alaska Route 11).

Persons: Daniel Acker, Jeremy Miller, Carlile, Biden, Willow, Santos, Miller, Matt Jolly, Jolly, Joe Michel, Michel, Dalton, Jomo Stewart, axel, Stewart, Scott Kawasaki, Ashley Carrick, Kawaski, Kawasaki Organizations: Parker, Trans, Trans Alaska Pipeline System, Bloomberg, Getty, Transportation Systems, ConocoPhillips Willow Project, ConocoPhillips, Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Alaska West Express, Alaska Trucking Association, Caelus Energy, Fairbanks Economic Development Corp, Kinross, Food, Getty Images Bloomberg, Getty Images, Fairbanks, Kawasaki, Alaska Department of Transportation, Anchorage Daily News Locations: Prudhoe Bay , Alaska, U.S, Trans Alaska, United States, Alaska, Anchorage, Australian, Deadhorse, Prudhoe Bay, Dalton, Alaska West, North, Wawa, Harrison Bay , Alaska, Fairbanks, Fort Knox Alaska, Kinross, Tetlin , Alaska, Tetlin, Kinross Alaska, Getty Images Alaska

☆ Angela Chao's death comes after years of complaints to federal regulators about Tesla's reverse gear shift
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-13 | by ( Katherine Long | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

She told a friend she often accidentally put the car in reverse instead of drive. But instead of putting the car into drive, she accidentally put it in reverse. Business Insider found 12 complaints related to the Tesla reverse function in a database of automobile consumer complaints kept by the US Department of Transportation. The other five complaints were from people who said their cars appeared to switch between drive and reverse without warning. The federal database where BI located 12 concerns about reverse shifting contained 4,228 total complaints related to Teslas.

Persons: Angela Chao, Tesla, —, Chao, they'd, Teslas, It's Organizations: Service, Street Journal, Business, US Department of Transportation, Regulators, Traffic Safety Administration, Department of Transportation, Tesla, Drivers Locations: Austin, Teslas

☆ Biden's laws are pouring billions into new infrastructure and it could be a rare opportunity to make communities safer and more sustainable
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-11 | by ( Eliza Relman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

The American Society of Civil Engineers gave it a C-minus in 2021 and said the US needed about $2.6 trillion in infrastructure investment over a decade. These include nonvehicle transportation projects such as pedestrian bridges and urban bike paths and neighborhood-level projects like park improvements. Inflation, worker shortages, and other obstaclesAcross the country, there are some key practical challenges to implementing infrastructure projects. Overcoming barriersLocal governments and employers across the country recognize many of the challenges to building and maintaining major projects. Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act alone, 72 programs "emphasize or allow some type of workforce development activity," a Brookings report found.

Persons: —, Joe Biden, Joseph Kane, Charles Marohn, Marohn, Kane, Drew Angerer, it's, Biden, It's, Greg Gianforte Organizations: Service, American Society of Civil Engineers, Infrastructure Investment, Jobs, Business, Transportation, Brookings Institution, Rail, Potomac, White House, Texas Department, US Department of Transportation, Michigan's, Grant, they're, Biden, Builders and Contractors, Congress, Jobs Act, Brookings Locations: Washington, Strong, Baltimore, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Long, New York, Austin, Austinites, America, Detroit, Brookings, Montana

That's the message from politicians who are closing in on the required number of votes needed to pass federal legislation that requires AM radios in every new car. The prevalence of AM broadcast radio has dipped in recent decades as more listeners turn to options such as satellite radio and podcasts during drivetime. “The emergency alert system works on the AM spectrum - that's where people get information about emergencies,” said independent Sen. Angus King of Maine. Photos You Should See View All 60 ImagesThe drive to save AM radio comes as some carmakers are phasing the format out. AM radio is also important for highway safety information and storm and weather updates, Collins said.

Persons: ”, Sen, Angus King of Maine, “, King, Republican Maine Sen, Susan Collins, Democratic Sen, Ed Markey, Collins, ” Collins Organizations: Republican Maine, Lawmakers, U.S . House, Representatives, Senate, U.S . Department of Transportation, Democratic, Massachusetts, National Association of Farm Broadcasters Locations: PORTLAND, Maine, America, U.S

Tina Kotek wants to scrap a plan to implement tolls on large sections of two Portland-area interstates, she said Monday. Kotek sent a letter to the Oregon Transportation Commission on Monday saying the Regional Mobility Pricing Project for Interstate 5 and Interstate 205 should be halted, KGW-TV reported. Kotek’s letter came a few weeks after a survey found a majority of Oregon voters opposed the Regional Mobility Pricing Project tolls, KOIN-TV reported. Photos You Should See View All 60 ImagesThe move also came after the Oregon Department of Transportation produced a report on the equity impacts of tolling and the agency’s plan to mitigate the impacts on low-income Portlanders. Beyer said “metro leadership views on tolling have changed” and “local and regional opposition to tolling makes clear that Oregon is not ready for regional tolling."

Persons: Tina Kotek, Kotek, ”, Julie Brown, Lee Beyer, Kris Strickler, Beyer, Strickler, ” Brown, ” Kotek, Washington that’s Organizations: —, Oregon Transportation, Oregon Department of Transportation, ” Oregon Transportation, Washington Locations: PORTLAND, — Oregon, Portland, Oregon, ” Oregon

Those more concerned with the climate crisis are asking a bigger question: what does this all mean for the planet? Gas-powered cars, hybrids and EVs all emit roughly the same amount of pollution to manufacture, until you get to producing the battery. Fully electric cars use large batteries made of materials that require heavy mining. And that would still mean less climate pollution on the road overall. And fully electric cars won’t be truly “green” until the energy that charges them comes from renewable sources, like wind and solar.

Persons: Akio Toyoda, EVs, Joe Biden’s, Toyota’s, Daniel Sperling, —, ”, Sam Abuelsamid, Abuelsamid, InfluenceMap, Biden, Kelley, Albert Gore, Gore, I’m, “, ” Monica Nagashima, Lia, Kena, Stephen Ciccone, ” Ciccone, BEV, ” UC’s Sperling Organizations: CNN, Toyota, Auto, US, Toyota Prius Prime, Toyota Toyota, Institute of Transportation Studies, University of California, Ford, EPA, Gas, American Council for, Prius, EV, InfluenceMap, United, Lexus, Cox Automotive, Zero Emission Transportation Association, Getty, Toyota Motor North America, ” Toyota Locations: California, West Virginia, Canada, Australia, United States, EVs, InfluenceMap’s, Japan, Rockland, Blauvelt , New York

☆ Even some Republicans panned Sen. Katie Britt's disastrous State of the Union response
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-08 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

"Katie Britt passionately made the case on the need for a new direction and is being criticized by the liberal media. The State of the Union response is incredibly difficult. No State of the Union response could live up to that. Democrats, in particular, mocked how Britt delivered her lines with the passion of actor in search of an elusive Oscar. Tonight's response will be delivered by Sen. Katie Britt, who is 42. https://t.co/llQgQu8iX9 — Grace Segers (@Grace_Segers) March 8, 2024Biden is doing quite well for himself.

Persons: —, Sen, Katie Britt, Joe Biden's, Britt, Katie Boyd Britt, Olivia Perez, Cubas, Nikki Haley's, Alyssa Farah Griffin, I've, Griffin, CNN's Alyssa Farah Griffin, 41Fi6GKAQy, Justin Baragona, Joe Biden, Sean Ross, it's, Ronald Reagan's, Mr, Gorbachev, Heck, Bill Clinton's, Britt wasn't, Oscar, Pete Buttigieg, Britt shouldn't, Biden, Reagan, Grace Segers Organizations: Service, Alabama Republican, Republican Party's, Business, Trump White House, CNN, New York Times, Union, Republican, Daily, White House Locations: Alabama, Joe Biden's State, Washington

☆ Bike lanes are good for business
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-07 | by ( Adam Rogers | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

Freaked-out business owners have been fighting bike lanes coast to coast, in cities from San Diego to Cambridge, Massachusetts. Rowe compared sales taxes in these “Neighborhood Business Districts” with those in similar districts in the city that didn’t get bike lanes. In one NBD, which replaced car lanes and three parking spots with two bike lanes, sales closely tracked those in the bike-less areas, both in peaks and troughs. Sometimes nothing changed, but more often the areas near bike lanes wound up with more employees and more revenue. It’s the new normal.” All the data in the world may prove that bike lanes are good for business.

Persons: —, ”, Joseph Poirier, Nelson Nygaard, “, It’s, I’ve, Kyle Rowe, Rowe, it’s, Poirer, Jenny Liu, Wei Shi, Liu, Poirier, Shi, ” Liu, downtowns, who’s, Larisa Ortiz, ” Poirier, Adam Rogers Organizations: —, University of Washington, New York City Department of Transportation, ”, San, Portland State University, Center for Urban Studies, Portland State, Boston Globe, Automobile, Getty, Business Locations: San Diego, Cambridge , Massachusetts, Los Angeles, Seattle, New York, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Bronx, ”, San Francisco, there’s, Oregon, Portland, San Francisco , Minneapolis, Memphis, Minneapolis, America’s, downtowns, United States, Chicago ; New York City, Angeles

☆ Why Bicycle Deaths in New York City Are at a 23-Year High
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( Keith Collins | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Historically, most people who have died riding bicycles in New York City were killed in collisions with cars and trucks on streets that did not have bike lanes, and that was the case last year as well. According to a New York Times analysis of preliminary police reports about the 30 deaths, most of the cyclists who died in 2023 collided with automobiles in areas without bike infrastructure, regardless of the type of bike they were riding. The rise in electric bike deaths does not appear to be the result of an increase in e-bike ridership, at least not entirely, according to the Department of Transportation. And although the most visible e-bike users in New York may be delivery workers and Citi Bike riders, the majority of people who died on e-bikes last year were neither. Only one delivery worker died from an e-bike crash, according to the department, and four people died using electric Citi Bikes, according to Lyft, which owns the bike share program.

Organizations: New York Times, Department of Transportation, Citi Locations: New York City, New York

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