The European Commission has announced plans to develop an integrated high-speed rail network across Europe, aiming to significantly reduce travel times between major cities by 2030-2040, making travel faster, more reliable, and more sustainable.
Los Angeles, known for its notorious traffic, ranks in the top ten of the TomTom Traffic Index Rankings for the United States, but is not the worst offender. New York City takes the top spot, with commuters spending an average of 24 minutes to travel just six miles. Despite heavy congestion, Los Angeles drivers are able to cover the same distance in about 15 minutes, but still lose an average of 89 hours per year stuck in rush hour traffic. The worst traffic in the world, according to TomTom, is in London, with a six-mile drive taking longer than 37 minutes to complete.
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) has unveiled a plan to eliminate slow zones and improve travel times by implementing targeted closures on specific segments of the subway system. The plan includes multi-day closures on various branches, with the goal of lifting all speed restrictions by the end of 2024. The recent successful closure of the Ashmont branch served as a model for future repairs. The MBTA aims to remove 39 more slow zones before the end of 2023, resulting in a 20-minute improvement in travel times across all lines. A tentative schedule for closures in 2024 was also shared, subject to adjustments.
During rush hour traffic, it took 53 minutes for a news crew to cross the twin bridges from Veterans Memorial Parkway to the Henderson side. Commuters are advised to allow for extra time during the construction, and Judge Executive Brad Schnieder emphasizes the importance of safety in bridge inspection projects.