A fascinating new report from U.S. PIRG, “Transportation and the New Generation: Why Young People Are Driving Less and What It Means for Transportation Policy” examines a phenomenon many thought we’d never see: A drop in miles driven by those traditionally most eager to drive, young people recently eligible to drive. From the report: From World [...]

How could a new transportation bill revitalize rural and small-town America? That was the focus of a Senate Democratic Steering Committee briefing on “Issues and Innovations for Small Towns and Rural Communities” in the Capitol Visitors Center last Friday. Transportation for America co-chair and former Meridian, Mississippi Mayor John Robert Smith shared his perspective as [...]

Even in the San Francisco Bay Area, a renowned transit hub with higher than average rates of walking, biking and transit ridership, more than 280,000 vehicles cross the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge every day. It’s a critical artery connecting downtown San Francisco with the thousands of residents who live in Oakland and the surrounding suburbs. [...]

Most of the news coverage about what is happening in Washington compartmentalizes health and transportation, missing key connections between the two. This week, Americans from around the country will speak to their representatives, seeking to emphasize those links. The “health fly-in” will commence Thursday and is sponsored by Transportation for America, the American Public Health [...]

A yearly census survey released Monday illustrates the continuation of a trend that started well before the recession: Americans are taking steps to reduce their dependence on cars, and are looking for other options for getting around. Rates of solo driving and car ownership are dropping, according to this story in the USA Today about [...]

Last week, the New York Times covered the news that the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration decided in 2003 not to release preliminary data showing that talking on cellphones while driving — whether using a hands-free device or not — posed a safety risk nearly equivalent to drunk driving. Researchers at the NHTSA were pushing for a more extensive research program to follow their preliminary research, but due to what the Times cited as “political considerations,” not only was the extra study and research not ordered, but the existing findings were essentially buried.

In the aftermath of Washington DC’s Metro crash, Time magazine looks America’s aging transit systems. Members of the Senate’s Environment and Public Works Committee argue against looking at immediate transportation reform. (Streetsblog) House Rep. Edward Markey sees the climate bill getting signed before 2010. (National Journal) Driving numbers could be low again for the summer [...]

The Baltimore Sun editorial board calls for a fresh start for our transportation system. Train executives see the link between climate change, energy, and transportation. (CNN) Zipcar founder Robin Chase speaks about ride sharing, transportation costs, and infrastructure. (Infrastructurist) A look at the worst cities for angry drivers. (Reuters)

Cities across the world continue their astronomical growth rate. (New York Times) Along with the drop in driving, U.S. carbon emissions see their sharpest drop in more than 25 years. (Washington Post) Memorial Day driving levels are expected to rise over last year. (New York Times)

Minneapolis, MN light rail photo by Metro Transit For the millions of Americans who waited for a bus last year to find it filled to capacity or boarded the subway train and saw it packed with fellow commuters, one thing should come as no surprise: 2008 was an incredible year for public transportation. The American [...]