All articles tagged with #road infrastructure
Velo AI has developed Copilot, a Raspberry Pi-powered bike light equipped with AI and machine learning to detect cars, alert cyclists about approaching vehicles, issue warnings to drivers, and record incidents. Priced at $400, the device aims to enhance cyclist safety and is being used in a partnership with Pittsburgh to analyze data for potential road safety improvements.
A 67-year-old woman walking her dog in Milwaukie was hit by a pickup truck, resulting in critical but stable condition and unknown internal injuries. The driver, 57-year-old Kristin D. Russell, faces DUII, second-degree assault, and vehicular assault charges. Residents in the area have expressed concerns about pedestrian safety and the lack of sidewalks, urging the city to invest in road infrastructure for safety.
The identities of the 21 tourists killed in a coach crash near Venice have been confirmed, including nine Ukrainians, a toddler from Germany, and a pregnant Croatian woman on her honeymoon. Controversy is mounting over Italy's aging road infrastructure, with debate focusing on the condition of the guardrail involved in the crash. The main theory is that the driver made a hazardous maneuver or fell ill, as there were no signs of braking or contact with other vehicles. Critics argue that the tragedy could have been avoided if newer, more secure barriers had been in place. Italy's road infrastructure is criticized for being old and poorly maintained, with concerns raised about the slow progress of necessary roadworks.
Eight roads in Oakland, California, will have their speed limits reduced by five miles per hour in an effort to improve traffic safety and reduce collisions. The speed limit reductions are part of Oakland's citywide Safe Oakland Streets (SOS) initiative, with the goal of eliminating severe and fatal crashes by 2042. The initiative focuses on neighborhoods disproportionately impacted by poor road infrastructure, where low-income Black, brown, and Asian communities, seniors, and persons with disabilities reside. While some business owners welcome the speed limit reductions, others express skepticism about their effectiveness and call for additional measures such as increased enforcement and physical road markings to ensure compliance.
Russia is embarking on a new road infrastructure project aimed at boosting transportation and economic development. The project seeks to attract investment and improve connectivity across the country.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a new law that will require electric vehicle (EV) owners to pay an annual fee of $200, on top of a $400 registration fee, starting from September 1, 2023. The new law exempts mopeds, motorcycles, and other non-car EVs. The reason behind the law is that EV drivers don’t buy gas, which is the primary way that most states, including Texas, amass funds for road construction, maintenance, and other driving-related infrastructure. However, compared to what gas drivers contribute, Texas’s EV fees seem a little out of whack.