Transportation
Archer Aviation与AEG于周一宣布，将在洛杉矶市中心L.A. Live体育娱乐综合体开发垂直起降场，作为其洛杉矶空中出租车网络的一部分，为2028年奥运会做准备。
Las Vegas opened a new bus rapid transit line on Sunday, featuring 60-foot zero-emission hydrogen fuel-cell buses. The $378 million project, funded by federal grants and local sources, aims to cut bus travel time by 20% and serve 13,000 daily riders by 2040.
A new feasibility study released Thursday, commissioned by Travis County and prepared by HNTB, proposes a dedicated passenger rail line connecting Austin and San Antonio, Texas. The estimated $13.5 billion project could enable 125-mph trains to travel between the cities in about an hour, offering a faster alternative to the current Amtrak service.
With the current five-year, $673.8 billion transportation law set to expire Sept. 30, Congress faces the challenge of crafting a successor surface transportation authorization. Industry leaders, state officials, and lawmakers outline key priorities—from maintaining historic funding levels to addressing safety, transit, and emerging technologies—while grappling with Highway Trust Fund insolvency and a polarized political climate.
Intercity buses, often overlooked in U.S. transportation planning, are experiencing a resurgence. In 2023, they carried 50 million passengers—75% more than Amtrak—and reached three times as many destinations. With new terminals in Atlanta, Dallas, and Boston, and ongoing efforts in Philadelphia and Chicago, cities are recognizing the mode's value. However, challenges remain, including aging infrastructure and the need for better intermodal connections.
Waymo 正将其无人驾驶出租车服务拓展至冬季气候严酷的美国东北部城市，包括华盛顿特区、波士顿、纽约和费城。此前其运营主要集中在气候温和的亚特兰大、洛杉矶、凤凰城、旧金山和奥斯汀。专家指出，在东北部收集“四个季节的数据”对安全至关重要，而 Waymo 尚未验证其在积雪环境中进行完全无人驾驶的能力。
美国参议院最快可能于下周就推翻环保署授予加州机动车排放豁免的决议进行投票。环境与公共卫生专家警告，此举将阻碍空气质量改善。众议院已于5月1日通过相关决议，但参议院议事法规专家和政府问责署均认定该豁免不受《国会审查法》约束。加州表示将继续推进其清洁汽车计划。
Self-driving robotaxis are expected to expand to more cities and states in 2025, with companies like Waymo, Motional, and Zoox deploying services city-by-city. A more favorable federal regulatory environment may bring standardized rules, while Tesla plans to launch a paid driverless ride-hailing service in Austin and California. However, safety experts question the reliability of current autonomous systems, citing limited data and high-profile incidents.
美国高铁发展长期受制于资金与政治障碍。AECOM 2024年报告指出，高铁项目是全球最复杂、最昂贵的基建之一。专家访谈显示，缺乏长期联邦承诺是核心瓶颈。尽管拜登政府的基础设施法案带来转机，但拨款至2026财年即止，未来前景不明。公众支持率高达60%，但两党分歧与项目成本超支仍使推进困难。
