Center for Transportation Research News

Green Car Reports reports that several new plug-in cars are expected to come onto the US market soon. The article examines concerns about the increased electrical demands of these cars in concentrated areas where “early adopters” will be likely to live.
The answer, in short, is: No. The current power grids in the U.S. are more [...]

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The development of high-speed rail (passenger trains that can go up to 350 miles per hour) in the United States faces several impediments: the need for high-speed-specific safety standards, lack of funds at the state level, and a diminishing number of U.S. rail experts, due the the lack of stateside passenger rail investment. However, federal [...]

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Editor Note: As an update to the passage of the Master Bike Plan, Annick Beaudet, the Bicycle Program Manager with the City of Austin in Department of Public Works, has provided this update on the implementation of the plan.

Colored bike lane on Dean Keaton East of IH 35.

It is my pleasure to write about my [...]

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<img src=”http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/dotfhwa.gif”>
The Federal Highway Administration posted its October Transportation and Climate Change Newsletter. It contains the latest news in this area of policy and study.

U.S. DOE and U.S. EPA announce the 2010 Fuel Economy Guide for model year 2010 vehicles.
World Resources Institute issues provisional GHG emissions reporting standard for public sector
EESI publishes State Actions on Climate Change: A Focus [...]

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National Geographic has posted an informative article on the history and evolution of “daylight savings time” in the U.S.
The Dawn of Daylight Saving Time
The U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C., sets what is known as standard time in the country through its maintenance of atomic clocks. But the observatory has nothing to do with [...]

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In 2006 Madison, Wisconsin won the distinction from the League of American Bicyclists of being named a gold-level Bicycle Friendly Community–one of only nine U.S. cities to earn this ranking. Any community interested in becoming more bike-friendly can learn from Madison’s example. Read full descriptions of these five tips.
#1: Set ambitious goals and involve the [...]

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An indicator species is a species that defines a trait of a given environment. For example, the presence of a particular species may indicate an environmental condition such as disease, pollution, species competition, or climate change. Indicator species are invaluable to biologists who are monitoring a region, as that species can provide a highly sensitive gauge.
Interestingly, a recent article in Scientific [...]

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A new research study conducted at Queensland University of Technology’s International Laboratory for Air Quality and Health found that ultrafine particles can become concentrated inside of roadway tunnels at levels sufficiently high enough to potentially to drivers and passengers.
Study co-author and director of Queensland University of Technology’s International Laboratory for Air Quality and Health, Professor [...]

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Each year the League of American Bicyclists grants four levels of awards to U.S. businesses that “encourage a more bicycle friendly atmosphere for employees and customers.” The levels are platinum, gold, silver, and bronze, with a handful of honorable mentions. As might be expected, many of the companies receiving awards are bicycle retailers but other organizations [...]

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In an interview with Dr. Joseph Coughlin and Dr. Bryan Reimer, the Wall Street Journal examines a trend of transportation research that focuses on safety in part because drivers are aging.

The duo is currently analyzing data collected by the Transportation Center’s newest innovation—a Volvo XC90 that cruises around Cambridge, Mass., with $1.5 million of [...]

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