Wednesday’s Headlines Would Like to Downsize

• David Zipper in Slate traced the long history of ever-bigger and deadlier pickups and SUVs, from the marketing schemes that convinced the public to ditch station wagons for a more “manly” — and profitable — option to the federal government’s disastrous decision to classify them as commercial trucks for fuel efficiency purposes.
  • The Boston Globe sounded a similar theme: That we should be rewarding cyclists and pedestrians by slimming down our streets and vehicles alike.
• Europe is light years ahead of the U.S. in terms of discouraging driving, and The Guardian delved into the various strategies cities like Paris, Barcelona and Brussels are using.
• Bus and train operators are facing quite a few challenges, from new technology (Government Tech) to increased violence (Los Angeles Daily News).
• A robust public transportation system is important for many reasons, but especially for people who are physically unable to drive. (Salon)
• Can AI help cities get people out of their cars by modeling driver behavior? (Reuters)
• NBC Washington interviewed the D.C. Metro’s general manager about the need for a permanent funding source to fill an anticipated $750 million budget shortfall.
• The Pacific Coast Highway literally has a “Dead Man’s Curve,” and four Pepperdine students were just the latest to die there. (CNN)
• Developers of a car-free Tempe community are looking to bring their model to other cities, starting with Mesa and perhaps Atlanta next. (City Lab)
• A small Federal Railroad Administration grant has brought new hope for passenger rail connecting Houston and Dallas. (Texas Monthly)
• Billionaire Dan Gilbert could be the one to lead Detroit to the transit promised land. (Michigan Advance)
• The Maryland Transit Administration is tapping Baltimore high school students who rely on public transportation to serve as advisors. (Fishbowl)
• In case you were wondering, some Austin sidewalks are red to indicate that they’re shared with bikes and scooters. (KUT)
• John Oliver spent half an hour dunking on Elon Musk. (AV Club)

source https://usa.streetsblog.org/2023/12/20/wednesdays-headlines-would-like-to-downsize