Transportation
another looming loss for Trump?
My bet is that the federal government sets one set of standards for emissions for states that don't follow California emissions, while California emission states will follow different requirements.
I don't think this the end of the world for automakers. It wasn't that long ago that certain cars had California emissions equipment while other states did not it. Positive crankcase valves were required in California and New York several years before other states. CARB requirements in 1990s meant certain engines couldn't be sold in California and other emissions states like New York. People in those states still could buy a wide variety of better emission controlled cars. Automakers can sell their more profitable, larger engine vehicles in non-emission states, while their stronger emission controlled vehicles in California, New York and the dozen of other states that California emissions.
This actually makes quite a bit of sense, as most of the non-emission standard states have a lesser pollution problem, especially when it comes to things like smog. Many of the more rural states have lower populations, so their climate impact of having more polluting vehicles in non-California emission states will be lower compared to the California emission states.
This Interactive Visualization Explains the ‘Vicious Cycle’ of Bus Bunching
America’s infrastructure isn’t as shoddy as it sounds
"Just about every profession has an interest group in Washington that lobbies for more government spending that will benefit its own people. The ASCE is probably more honorable than most, and to its credit, it advocates prudent spending based on rigorous analysis rather than the gimme-gimme grab bag some groups lobby for. But the well-meaning engineers are also making a legitimate problem sound worse than it is, which is very Trumpian and therefore timely—but not a very good reflection of how real Americans get to work, go shopping or visit their relatives."
The Saga of the Stainless Steel Fords
The future of public transportation
"The recent passing of Lucile Brewer, the founder and chair of the local advocacy group Citizens for Public Transportation, got me thinking about the future of public transportation, both here in the Capital Region and in the rest of the country. Before getting into what I see as current and future challenges facing public transportation services, I just want to say a few words about Lucile."
"I first met Lucile while working at my family’s restaurant, Calsolaro’s, in the early 1970s. Lucile was a regular patron, and sometimes I would have time to sit with her and talk about current events. Then, in the early 2000s, after being elected to the Albany Common Council, I re-connected with Lucile as she led the fight for a more effective and responsive public transportation system. Lucile recruited me to be a member of Citizens for Public Transportation and I experienced first-hand Lucile’s tireless efforts to advocate for people with disabilities, even as her own physical condition deteriorated. Lucile was an inspiration for me and her legacy will continue as we work to support and improve public transportation services. Lucile was, as headlined by the Times Union (Feb. 24, 2017), a “champion” for public transit."
Police
"Damari Wayne reportedly got away with his first two carjackings. His third would’ve gone the same way, if it hadn’t been for the car’s meddling three pedals and stick shift."
"Cleveland.com reports Wayne, 18, is suspected of having tried to steal three cars in the span of ten days between Feb. 11 and Feb. 21. The key word, there, is “tried.” The third theft didn’t work out so hot when he and his buddy couldn’t figure out how to drive a manual transmission, despite forcing the car’s owner to coach them at gunpoint."
"Only an hour after the second robbery he’s accused of (itself only 10 days after the first robby he’s accused of), Wayne and his 17-year-old accomplice allegedly went after another vehicle. It was a Ford Mustang, according to ABC News 5, and the duo allegedly told the driver they’d kill him if he didn’t get out."