Road safety agency: Traffic deaths rise again as drivers take risks
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said traffic deaths in the first quarter of 2021 rose by 10.5% over last year, even as driving has declined.
Transportation
Articles
Indianapolis locks in new transit-focused zoning changes
The ordinance is increasingly relevant with construction on the second of three rapid-transit bus lines starting as soon as February, thanks to an $81 million federal transportation grant IndyGo landed last week.
Indianapolis group wants sections of I-65, I-70 underground
Rethink Coalition Inc, in partnership with the Indy Chamber, put together a $2.8 billion proposal to rebuild the “Inner Loop” partially underground, which the researchers say would connect communities and save far more room for economic development and green space.
Southwest trims schedule in effort to solve flight problems
Southwest Airlines said Thursday it will cut its September schedule by 27 flights a day, or less than 1%, and chop 162 flights a day, or 4.5% of the schedule, from early October through Nov. 5.
Delta Air lines to impose monthly surcharge on unvaccinated employees
The airline plans to impose a $200 monthly surcharge on employees who aren’t vaccinated against COVID-19, becoming the first major U.S. company to levy a penalty to encourage workers to get protected.
GM and LG’s too-big-to-fail ties tested by $1B recall
GM last week recalled Bolt EVs for the third time in nine months because of risk their batteries could catch fire. At stake is what has looked like one of the most promising partnerships in the burgeoning world of electric vehicles.
FAA proposes $2.2M fine for Indy-area charter operators, claiming flights were illegal
The federal aviation regulatory agency alleges flight didn’t have qualified pilots or required operating or air carrier certificates.
Residents fighting U.S. 24 changes in northern Indiana
The Indiana Department of Transportation has proposed building a so-called “J-turns” at the intersection of U.S. 24 and Indiana 19 just north of Peru.
New zoning encourages dense housing near bus lines
Earlier this month, the Democrat-controlled City-County Council voted 20-5 for new development standards that add residential and mixed-use districts to push bus usage, walkability and density county-wide.
Amtrak proposes new routes through Indianapolis, airport train station
The proposal, posted on Amtrak’s website, adds far more frequent routes from Chicago to Indianapolis to Cincinnati and a new connection between Indianapolis and Louisville.
Engineering firm Beam Longest & Neff LLC merges with Toronto-based company
The combination forms a business with more than 800 engineers, project managers and technical experts in 21 offices throughout North America.
Indianapolis International adds first nonstop flight to Key West
Indianapolis Airport Authority Executive Director Mario Rodriguez said the Key West flight marks No. 21 in a lineup of nonstop flights announced by the airport so far in 2021.
TSA extends mask rule for airline passengers into January
In recent days, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines have reported that the increase in coronavirus infections has caused a slump in bookings beyond the usual slowdown that occurs near the end of each summer.
IndyGo takes in-between step toward all-electric transit system
When IndyGo’s goal of an all-electric bus fleet by 2035 hit a major obstacle, the agency detoured, ordering 27 hybrid buses that are powered with both electricity and diesel.
Hydrogen-powered vehicles: A realistic path to clean energy?
Manufacturers of large trucks and commercial vehicles are beginning to embrace hydrogen fuel cell technologies as a way forward. So are makers of planes, trains and passenger vehicles. But without advancements, hydrogen cannot yet be considered clean energy.
Plan to replace aging postal truck fleet delayed by lawsuit
The primary fleet of vehicles—dating to 1987—was due to be replaced under a new contract but the winning bid for the new trucks is being challenged.
Allegiant adding nonstop flight between Indy and California resort city
The new flight is part of a 22-route expansion that Allegiant announced on Tuesday.
Senate passes $1T infrastructure bill, which faces uncertain future in House
Lawmakers in the bipartisan coalition showed they were willing to set aside political pressures, eager to send billions to their states for rebuilding roads, broadband internet, water pipes and the public works systems that underpin much of American life.
United Airlines first major airline to require employees to be vaccinated
United, which has 67,000 employees in the United States, has been requiring vaccination of new hires since mid-June.
Area schools change schedules, offer incentives amid bus driver shortage
The ongoing labor shortage is exacerbating some central Indiana school systems’ annual struggle to hire bus drivers and forcing some districts to make drastic changes.