The U.S. Federal Transit Administration (FTA’s) oversight of Hurricane Sandy recovery grantees’ compliance is assessed in a report from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of the Inspector General. The FTA awarded grants after Hurricane Sandy hit in October 2012 for response, recovery, and rebuilding projects. This report identifies which grantees complied with the requirements to carry required insurance and reported on insurance proceeds.

The ways the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) identifies carriers that are not fit to operate commercial motor vehicles are evaluated in a report from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of the Inspector General. This report also identifies challenges the FMCSA may face when implementing the suggested corrective action plan.

Transitioning fleets to electric vehicles (EVs) is explored in a report from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory at the U.S. Department of Energy. Fleets exploring the possibility of adding EVs seek an efficient, data-driven means to estimate both expenditures for vehicle and charging infrastructure and the appropriate placement of them to help ensure the cost-effective adoption of these technologies.

Impacts of adopting transportation network companies (TNCs) are analyzed in Business Traveler Behavioral Shifts from Ride-Hailing: A Before-After Case Study , a report from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory at the U.S. Department of Energy. This report specifically identifies the cost and behavioral effects of using TNCs over rental vehicles for business travel.

Parameters that influence noise reduction measurements are described in Noise Level Reduction Measurement Method Equalization and Normalization , a report from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration. This report also establishes procedures for measuring noise level reduction of façades as part of an airport sound-insulation program.

Micromobility is discussed in a video series from the Volpe Center at the U.S. Department of Transportation. Randy Iwasaki, Executive Director of the Contra Costa Transportation Authority, explores the future of mobility, with a focus on shared modes of transportation.

The Polar Icebreaker program is discussed in Coast Guard Polar Security Cutter (Polar Icebreaker) Program: Background and Issues for Congress , a report from the U.S Congressional Research Service. This report provides a breakdown of the costs and maintenance issues of the current icebreaking fleet and potential new icebreakers.

The U.S. Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has released a report that summarizes the most recent updates in the FTA’s ongoing Transit-Oriented Development Technical Assistance Initiative. This initiative seeks to provide technical assistance for improved access to public transportation, new economic opportunities, pathways to employment, and support for transit-oriented development (TOD) within transportation corridors and around public transportation stations. The initiative focuses on economic devel...

The U.S. Federal Highway Administration has released a report that summarizes the findings of a peer exchange that brought together transportation agencies to discuss challenges, current practices, and lessons learned related to advancing organizational capabilities for transportation systems management and operations (TSMO). Discussions addressed making the business case for TSMO, changing agency culture, integrating TSMO into business processes, staffing and workforce development, financial planning, p...

The U.S. Federal Highway Administration has released a technical brief that describes how scour may impact shallow abutment foundations at bridged waterways. It also provides design recommendations to protect at-risk shallow abutment foundations from scour.