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High-speed rail development in the U.S. has faced many setbacks, but multiple projects are now moving forward. Transportation Secretary Buttigieg stated that once completed, high-speed rail will spark nationwide demand. This is the first article in a series, outlining historical context and current opportunities.
Montgomery County, Maryland's 2020 passage of the region's first tenant air conditioning protection law requires landlords to provide cooling equipment capable of lowering indoor temperatures below 80 degrees Fahrenheit from June to September. The law originated from public testimony by tenant Victoria Price in 2019. Although it faced challenges in retrofitting older buildings during implementation, it has operated smoothly overall, providing a reference model for areas such as New York City and Los Angeles County seeking similar legislation.
Against the backdrop of climate change driving record-breaking global temperatures, multiple U.S. cities have begun legislating to protect tenants' right to cooling, requiring landlords to provide functioning air conditioning units and keep indoor temperatures within specific upper limits. Based on a review of policies in Dallas, Montgomery County, Chicago, New Orleans, New York, and Los Angeles, and drawing on expert perspectives from Duke University and UCLA, this article analyzes the necessity, enforcement challenges, and points of contention in such policies.
In Lancaster, Texas, a Kodiak Robotics autonomous truck autonomously performed lane changes, avoidance maneuvers, and deceleration on Interstate 20. As Kodiak and Aurora Innovation plan to launch safety-driverless operations in Texas later this year, the industry stands at a critical juncture moving from 'assisted driving' to 'full autonomy.' Through on-site observations and multiple interviews, this article presents technological maturity, safety assessment frameworks, and diverse voices from the freight industry.
As temperatures in many parts of the western United States exceed triple digits (Fahrenheit), construction industry contractors emphasize they are prepared for extreme heat. They have adopted multiple measures, including adjusting work schedules, setting up cooling stations, and strengthening training, to reduce the risk of heatstroke among workers.
As summer approaches, policy divisions over heat safety at work are emerging across multiple U.S. states and cities. Texas and Florida have passed laws banning local governments from requiring employers to provide water and rest breaks, while Phoenix has adopted new rules requiring contractors to implement heat safety plans. OSHA is developing federal heat standards, but current enforcement still relies on the General Duty Clause.
Despite at least 10 permitting reform bills before Congress, two major federal regulatory initiatives, and calls from a bipartisan House caucus, energy project approvals remain slow. This article reviews legislative and regulatory developments at the federal level and highlights state-level reform efforts in New York, California, and other states, as well as innovative solutions within the industry.
In 2024, U.S. cities will continue to evolve on the path toward sustainability, safety, and equity, but face challenges such as intensified climate disasters and financial difficulties in public transit. This article synthesizes multiple viewpoints to outline key points to watch in the new year.