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How AI can advance, harm transportation equity

As artificial intelligence technology gains prominence, new ways to deploy it could help or hamper progress toward equity in city transportation. 
Kalena Thomhave, May 29, 2023, Smart Cities Dive

Bike and hike on National Trails Day, Saturday June 3

FABB encourages local riders to celebrate National Trails Day, which is held each year on the first Saturday in June. 
May 29, 2023, Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling

Long-range plan contemplates nearly $4 billion for Baltimore region transit corridors

The proposed expansion is part of a 25-year regional transportation plan released by the Baltimore Metropolitan Council. The plan also includes a multibillion transit corridor connecting Towson to Baltimore City.
Bryan P. Sears, May 29, 2023, Maryland Matters

FHWA awards more than $52 million to improve travel experiences

The program promotes advanced technologies to improve safety and reduce travel times for drivers and transit riders that can serve as national examples of innovation to improve access to transportation for all communities.
Mischa Wanek-Libman, May 26, 2023, Mass Transit Magazine

Testing 'difficulties' delay launch of faster Acela trains, Amtrak says

Amtrak’s plan to roll out higher-speed trains in the Northeast Corridor this year has been derailed amid complications in completing testing of the new train sets along the route’s decrepit infrastructure.
Luz Lazo, May 27, 2023, The Washington Post

MARC considers expansions to Delaware, Virginia

Creating a seamless continuation of MARC Train service both north and south of Maryland is a critical component to transforming MARC Train from a local, commuter rail to a regional rail provider. 
May 26, 2023, Trains.com

Rail Problem: House GOP wants to undermine trains exactly when we need them most

The future of interstate rail travel is in jeopardy if the White House caves to House Republican spending cuts as part of the ongoing debt ceiling negotiations, advocates say.
Aaron Short, May 26, 2023, Streetsblog USA

Metro service information for Memorial Day, Monday, May 29

On Memorial Day, Monday, May 29, Metrorail will open at 7 a.m. and close at midnight, providing normal Sunday service on all lines. Metrobus will operate on a Sunday schedule. 
May 25, 2023, WMATA

WMATA's new visionary bus network design could add Tysons-to-Bethesda route, among others

Metro is drafting a re-design of the D.C. Metrobus system with the potential for 24-hour routes, including a connection between Tysons and Bethesda.
Elina Shirazi, May 24, 2023, WJLA

Electeds, DC advocates ride together for policy change

A recent ride through the nation’s capital brought advocates and politicos together to experience life behind a set of handlebars — and rally support for new policies that could make that experience less deadly.
George Kevin Jordan, May 25, 2023, Streetsblog USA

Opinion: Could you go a week without driving? (Yes — and here's why you should)

The Week Without Driving challenge is simple: Participants can get around however they want, but can’t drive themselves. This applies to all activities — not just work commutes.
Anna Zivarts, May 25, 2023, Streetsblog USA

Montgomery County's University Blvd to get a temporary bus/bike lane, awaiting BRT

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) plans to install temporary combined bus and bicycle lanes on University Boulevard to speed riders and cyclists along and enable data collection for a future redesign.
Ethan Goffman, May 24, 2023, Greater Greater Washington

Major Blue Line projects aim to transform Prince George's County. Residents hope it's for the better

The loss of much of the retail at the Boulevard — as well as other shopping centers like Landover Mall, which peaked in the 80s and 90s and closed in 2002 — left a void in the communities along the Blue Line, say Edwards and other residents. 
Aja Drain, May 24, 2023, DCist

Record 42 million Americans expected to travel Memorial Day Weekend: AAA

Nationally, AAA is projecting this will be the third busiest Memorial Day holiday on record since they started tracking this data in 2000.
Joy Wang, May 24, 2023, WJLA

Opinion: Feds must give transit the support (and flexibility) it needs right now

TTD calls on Congress to provide all public transit agencies with the ability to use federal funding for operations costs to ensure the long-term well-being of our public transportation systems.
Greg Regan, May 24, 2023, USA Streetsblog

When is a bus stop not a bus stop? When a new stop is nearby.

WMATA spokesman Ian Jannetta said there had been a sign directing riders to the new bus stop, but it had been removed. 
John Kelly, May 23, 2023, The Washington Post

Transit Services of Frederick County launch 'Adopt-a-Stop' program

The program enlists volunteers to aid the county in maintaining transit stops.
Mikayla Newton, May 22, 2023, DC News Now

Fairfax Connector proposes new bus service in I-66 corridor using future parking garages

The Fairfax County Department of Transportation has proposed adding or revising almost 30 routes in Tysons, Vienna, Springfield, Chantilly and Centreville, as it seeks to incorporate the upcoming Springfield and Monument Drive garges into its bus system.
Angela Woolsey, May 22, 2023, FFXNow

VRE to offer free Friday rides this summer

The VRE’s Operations Board voted to approve the measure on Friday. With ridership still drastically below pre-pandemic levels, VRE is looking for ways to entice more people to ride the commuter trains.
Scott Shenk, May 22, 2023, The Free Lance-Star

What will Metro rail cars look like in the future?

The new color scheme is still mostly blue inside, stainless steel outside, with more squared-off corners. The new 8000 Series trains have a new seating configuration.
Kyle Cooper, May 22, 2023, WTOP

'We heard you': Richmond Highway speed limit permanently reduced to 35 mph in Alexandria

Police will be keeping a close eye on drivers on Richmond Highway between Jeff Todd Way/Mount Vernon Memorial Highway in Fort Belvoir and the southern Alexandria city limits at the capital beltway, it’s about a 7-mile stretch.
John Gonzalez, May 22, 2023, ABC7 News

Orange Line service returns to normal tomorrow following completion of 10-day construction project

Metro will resume normal service on the Orange Line tomorrow, May 22, following a 10-day construction project during which crews worked around the clock at the Minnesota Ave. and Deanwood stations to make roofing repairs. 
May 21, 2023, WMATA

Montgomery County partners for renewable energy-powered transit depot

The project is one of three transit bus depots in Ride-On Montgomery’s network and the fifth largest County owned energy consumer. By 2035, the site is projected to accommodate over 200 mixed-fleet vehicles.
Staff and News Reports, May 18, 2023, Metro Magazine

What causes those 'unexplainable' traffic jams?

Nationally, the study found U.S. drivers “lost” an average of 51 hours sitting in traffic in 2022.
Addy Bink, May 20, 2023, DC News Now

New Tysons-Bethesda route among possible changes to Metrobus system

Local transportation officials are dreaming of a better future for Metrobus, including a 24-hour route connecting Tysons and Bethesda.
Melanie Pincus, May 19, 2023, FFX Now

How will the new Potomac Yard Metro stop impact Alexandria's economy?

Development has already begun to pop up in the immediate area around the stop. There are several massive building projects being constructed just blocks away from both of the station’s entrances.
John Henry, May 19, 2023, WUSA9

When it comes to public transportation, there is no free ride

Scheduled to begin on July 1, as per a law enacted by the D.C. Council earlier this year, the zero-fare policy will instead by delayed until July 1, 2024, city officials announced recently.
Charles Lane, May 19, 2023, The Washington Post

Study evaluates how to kill bacteria on public transportation

The study evaluated the efficacy of three copper-based solutions for reducing the transmission of bacteria and viruses on high-touch surfaces on public transportation.
News Media/Release, May 18, 2023, Metro Magazine

WMATA Inspector General brings attention to WMATA's cybersecurity vulnerabilities

In a new report, the inspector general’s office details what it believes to be ‘unsound IT practices’ and makes recommendations on how the authority can mitigate cyber risk.
Mischa Wanek-Libman, May 18, 2023, Mass Transit Magazine

COVID rebound brings drivers, revenue back to Dulles Toll Road

Toll Road revenues for the first four months of 2023 stood at $66.5 million, up 33 percent from a year before and 7.6 percent above budget, according to figures reported May 17 by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. 
May 18, 2023, Gazette Leader

Metro's Potomac Yard Station is open: here's what you need to know

Potomac Yard, Metro’s newest and 98th station overall, will be open as of 5 a.m. Friday morning. Alexandria residents have waited decades for this moment.
Jordan Pascale, May 19, 2023, DCist

VRE to consider offering free rides on Fridays

A staff report says Fridays traditionally are low ridership days and offering free rides could entice commuters and non-commuters alike, as well as large groups.
Scott Shenk, May 18, 2023, The Free Lance-Star

Can America go car-free? Gen Z hopes so.

In recent years, studies have shown that young people are driving less. While roughly 62 percent of 17-year-olds had their license in 1997, only 42 percent in 2021 were legally allowed to drive.
Hannah Reynolds, May 17, 2023, The Nation

First 4 miles of I-66 'parallel trail' now open to cyclists, pedestrians

The first section of the 66 Parallel Trail is available for people to enjoy. Once complete, the new shared-use path will span 11 miles in Fairfax County, Virginia.
Matt Small, May 18, 2023, WTOP

Faced with bike lane delays, D.C. bikers pedal on

City officials recently shelved both a proposed bike-friendly overhaul of Connecticut Avenue and a planned makeover of K Street that originally included bike lanes.
Courtland Milloy, May 16, 2023, The Washington Post

Study: DC area ranked No. 3 for top 2023 summer destination

The D.C. area also ranked high in weather and travel costs. Gonzalez pointed to ease of access with three major airports in the area.
Luke Lukert, May 16, 2023, WTOP

New trail to Herndon Metro Station finished ahead of schedule

The Town of Herndon has completed construction of an 800-foot trail for pedestrians and bicyclists that connects the Metro station to Van Buren Street by Worldgate Centre.
Fatimah Waseem, May 16, 2023, FFX Now

Access to Telegraph Road ramp would change under Alexandria pilot program

In Virginia, the City of Alexandria has plans to improve traffic flow along busy Duke Street, near the ramp onto Telegraph Road, but some in the surrounding neighborhood are concerned solving one problem will cause other problems.
Neal Augenstein, July 27, 2022, WTOP