highways
Newsletter
Credit: Pixabay
Extreme heat is damaging America's transportation infrastructure
Record heat in summer 2024 is straining America’s infrastructure, causing issues like stuck bridges and buckling roads, and disrupting transportation systems.
In short:
- The Third Avenue Bridge in New York jammed after metal expansion caused by heat, and roads in Washington and Wisconsin have buckled, disrupting traffic.
- Amtrak and other rail systems face delays due to heat-induced rail expansion, which can cause derailments and safety hazards.
- Engineers are using innovative solutions, including heat-resistant materials and advanced monitoring systems, to address these challenges.
Key quote:
“Like human bodies, infrastructure needs to be maintained from the beginning to reduce costs and increase the potential for effective rehabilitation.”
— Suyun Paul Ham, associate professor of civil engineering, University of Texas at Arlington
Why this matters:
As climate change intensifies, extreme weather events will increasingly threaten aging infrastructure, leading to safety hazards and costly disruptions. Effective engineering solutions and timely maintenance are vital to enhance the resilience of critical transportation networks.
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Newsletter
Credit: ChicagoPhotographer/Big Stock Photo
Pilot project for wireless EV charging launched on Indiana highway
Indiana has launched a pioneering pilot project on U.S. Highway 52, testing wireless electric vehicle charging technology aimed at reducing range anxiety and supporting long-haul truck electrification.
In short:
- Indiana is testing a new wireless charging technology on U.S. Highway 52, designed to power electric vehicles as they drive.
- The project involves a partnership with Purdue University and Cummins Inc., aiming to make EVs more accessible and cost-effective.
- Although the technology is still in the pilot phase, it has the potential to reduce range anxiety and lower battery costs.
Key quote:
"Wouldn't it really be something if we could just drive over the road and catch your charge for your vehicle as you drive across it?"
— Blake Dollier, public relations director, INDOT
Why this matters:
The significance of EV-charging roads lies in their potential to address two critical challenges in the transition to a low-carbon transportation system. They offer a solution to range anxiety, a common concern among consumers considering the switch to electric vehicles. By enabling continuous charging while on the road, these technologies alleviate fears of running out of power during long journeys, thus encouraging greater adoption of electric vehicles.
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Newsletter
Credit: Nathaniel Hutcheson/Unsplash
Biden's infrastructure funds favor road expansions over public transport development
An analysis reveals that the U.S. is prioritizing road widening over public transportation, raising concerns over environmental impact and community health.
In short:
- The U.S. has allocated more than $70 billion of the infrastructure bill to road improvements, which may increase car usage and congestion.
- Only a fifth of the infrastructure funding has been dedicated to public transit, with the remainder also supporting car infrastructure.
- Critics label this spending as a 'climate time bomb,' projecting more than 178 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 due to highway expansions.
Key quote:
"We’re seeing investments that are not too conscious of the climate across the board from states,"
— Corrigan Salerno, policy associate at Transportation for America
Why this matters:
The funding decisions made under the current infrastructure bill could significantly shape U.S. environmental and health outcomes, by potentially increasing transport-related emissions. This situation underscores a critical moment for the nation to address its climate goals and reconsider transportation policies for a healthier future.
Be sure to read EHN’s piece: Pollution from busy roads may delay kids’ development.
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Photo by Andre Furtado on Unsplash
Is federal review of Highway 413 unconstitutional?
Alberta got Canada's top court to question federal reviews of big projects that could cause environmental harm. Now, Ontario is trying to get the impact assessment law struck down for good.
Top Story
Photo by Marcin Jozwiak on Unsplash
European governments shrinking railways in favour of road-building, report finds
Rail networks in most countries have been starved of funding while motorways lengthen, study shows.
Photo by Marc-Olivier Jodoin on Unsplash
This highway moves electricity, H2 fuel—and cars at 500mph
Highways could one day transport electricity and hydrogen fuel, as well as enabling vehicles to travel at nearly 500 miles per hour, according to a new study.
Opinion
Photo by Oxana Melis on Unsplash
Ray LaHood: Lack of federal support stalling high-speed rail projects
Between 1949 and 2017, the federal government invested only $10 billion in high-speed rail with $4 billion of that dedicated to the California project, compared to investments of $777 billion in aviation and over $2 trillion in highways. The federal government can’t expect transformative results with piecemeal funding. We must go big.
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