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Back to school: an opportunity to make transportation more sustainable

Back to school graphic with various road users
As the school year begins, the daily rhythms of our streets shift and become more active. What felt like a quiet intersection in July may now be packed with bikes, buses, and families on the move. It’s not chaos — it’s a system kicking back into gear. And how well it functions says a lot about how we’ve designed it, and how we prioritize safe and sustainable travel.

Parks, people, and public transit: July’s reminder to rethink transit and bring people together. Creating safe, comfortable, and connected spaces

Green park full of people
July being Parks and Recreation Month, and World Population Day set for today, July 11, might feel like separate calendar entries, but they both highlight a common truth: healthy communities need transit systems that connect residents and visitors to green space, community space, and each other.

Nobody Is a Good Distracted Driver

Distracted driving: visual, manual, and cognitive distractions
April marks National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, a time to reflect on the critical dangers of inattentiveness behind the wheel. Earlier this month, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reinforced this message through its nationwide 'Put the Phone Away or Pay' campaign, held from April 10 to 14, 2025.

Gender Bias in Auto Safety – The Long Road to Equality

Professor Astrid with SET50F
Despite advancements in technology, women are significantly more likely to suffer severe injuries and fatalities in car crashes—not because they are worse drivers, (women account for fewer auto crashes than men in America) but because the safety features in vehicles do not account well enough for their anatomy.

Signaling the Way for a Greener Future: California’s Rail Plan and the Path to Integrated Transit

CA State Rail Plan
California is reaching an exciting milestone with the release of its updated State Rail Plan, a forward-thinking blueprint designed to improve the State rail network for cleaner, faster, and more accessible travel. Implementing this plan will not only strengthen the backbone of California’s rail system but also reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, support economic growth, and offer better transit connections for commuters.