Micromobility companies like Bird and Lime have laid-off workers, left markets, and scrapped vehicles in recent months. But these two industry insiders see a way forward for more-sustainable shared transportation. By Melinda Hanson and Alison Murphy. …
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Uber acquires transit software company (Verge)
Uber announced that it will acquire Routematch, an Atlanta-based company that develops software for public transportation agencies. The news comes amid the ride-hail company’s broader push into public transit. Uber didn’t disclose the terms of …
Continue readingFriday Reads – 27 July 2020
• Mayor plans to power TfL Tube with green energy (RailBusinessD) • TfL: Buses ‘deserve priority over everything’ on London roads (Standard) • Settle & Carlisle charter trials offer alternative rail service (RailMag) • Isle …
Continue readingFriday Reads – 24 July 2020
• Bus, rail networks can no longer exist on separate planets (NewCivilEng) • City of London to convert parking bays into bike corrals (Forbes) • TfL introduce car-free zones & wider pavements in Square Mile …
Continue readingDriverless vehicles aren’t coming anytime soon (ArsTechnica)
Progress on self-driving technology has been slower than many people expected just a few years ago. Google’s Waymo was aiming to launch a fully driverless taxi service by the end of 2018 but missed its …
Continue readingNYC MTA launches COVID-19 Response Challenge (MTA)
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and Transit Innovation Partnership today launched a new “COVID-19 Response Challenge” to engage the private tech industry and rapidly evaluate and deploy innovative technologies that make public transit safer, healthier …
Continue readingTfL plan for vast trackside mixed use scheme (ConstEnq)
Transport for London has put developers on notice for an ambitious plan to build up to a dozen high-rise blocks alongside Tube train tracks in Acton, west London. The plan for a long ribbon site …
Continue readingMonday’s Friday Reads – 20 July 2020
• Banksy Tube graffiti removed but TfL ask him to use another space (ArtNewspaper) • Overground upgrading East London line, with government funding (IanVisits) • Portland TriMet reallocates $18m from transit police to public safety …
Continue readingBarcelona Metro AI ventilation to curb COVID (Cities-Today)
Barcelona Metro pilots AI-powered ventilation system to curb COVID-19 – a smart ventilation system is being trialled on Barcelona’s metro network to maximise fresh air, regulate temperature and humidity and help stop the spread of …
Continue readingFriday Reads – 17 July 2020
• Network Rail seeking contractor for Forth Bridge walk (RailTechMag) • Traffic clogged Brussels is building its own RER network (Forbes) • Comeback could reopen 4,000km of closed rail lines – in Germany (RailGazetteIntl) • …
Continue readingLondon & SE now centre of UK rail freight (RailFreight)
It is not just modal and traction shift, the rail freight sector is coming to terms with geographical shift too. Rail freight is adjusting to a move away from its traditional power base, says Ralph …
Continue readingRail solar projects pilot sustainability (E&T)
Electric trains could provide a huge guaranteed market for renewables, but it will need some railway-specific power equipment. A British solar power company is working on technology that could enable railways all over the world …
Continue readingMonday’s Friday Reads – 13 July 2020
• It’s time to bring railways back to life (Independent) • How Dublin can regain its Cycling City ways – video (5MinUrbanist) • Parking, micromobility and COVID (LinkedIn) • Baguette fight over Paris Gare du …
Continue reading200 turbines or 5.6m solar panels to power Tube (NewCivilEng)
As many as 200 wind turbines or 5.6M solar panels would be needed to power the London Underground solely on renewable energy, a new study has found. Keep reading
Continue readingFriday Reads – 10 July 2020
• DfT to demolish historic rail bridge between Ally Pally & Muswell Hill (Ham&High) • Reclaiming London’s kerbs (CentreForLondon) • A narrow gauge railway under South London (RailwayMag) • Tram-trains are making new connections (Trams&UrbanTransit) …
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