NHTSA Presses AV Developers Over First-Responder Safety
NHTSA says driverless vehicles have entered emergency scenes and blocked responders. Developers face meetings and possible enforcement, but no new rule yet.
Transportation policy
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NHTSA proposes dropping brake-pedal rule for driverless vehicles
NHTSA proposes letting purpose-built driverless vehicles meet federal brake rules without pedals, but the plan is pending and does not authorize nationwide robotaxis.
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Zoox wins federal approval to charge for rides in robotaxis
NHTSA cleared Zoox to seek paid rides in steering-wheel-free robotaxis, but the temporary approval is capped and still requires state and local permissions.
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Massachusetts Plans MBTA Fare Pilots and Free Transit for Some Seniors
Two MBTA fare pilots are scheduled for September 1, while a later-fall program could provide free bus, subway and ferry rides for eligible Massachusetts residents age 75 and older who no longer drive.
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San Jose’s Delivery Robots Are Already on Sidewalks. Rules Are Coming
San Jose’s downtown delivery robots are operating before city rules are final, with draft limits on speed, permits, sidewalk access and possible bike-lane use.
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I-77 South toll lanes: NC budget law requires local repayment unless CRTPO acts by Oct. 5
NC’s 2026 budget law adds a repayment trigger for local governments that voted to rescind I-77 South Express Lanes support—unless they reinstate by Oct. 5, 2026.
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Washington DC robotaxi bill after July 13 hearing: 200-vehicle cap and VMT fee
Washington DC – After a July 13 hearing on the autonomous vehicle/robotaxi bill, DDOT and residents debated caps, a VMT fee, and workforce transition rules.
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DOT resets airline ancillary-fee disclosures after Fifth Circuit vacatur
DOT’s July 2, 2026 final rule reinstates pre-2024 disclosure standards for airline add-on fees after a Feb. 3, 2026 court vacatur. What changes for booking.
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Proposed North Carolina budget rule could make Charlotte-area governments repay I-77 South design costs if support is rescinded
A proposed change in North Carolina’s 2026 budget would create a “repayment if support is rescinded” mechanism for certain statewide transportation projects. For the I-77 South express-lanes effort, it could require Charlotte-area governments that voted to pull support after predevelopment begins to reimburse NCDOT for preliminary work—unless they reinstate support within a 90-day window.
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Blue Hill Avenue fight pivots from bus lanes to Orange Line extension talk
Boston City Councilors Miniard Culpepper and Brian Worrell urge MBTA to drop Blue Hill’s center bus lanes and study Orange Line to Mattapan Square.
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Irving’s May 2 ballot no longer includes a DART exit vote as early voting opens for mayor and council races
Irving TX – Early voting is underway for the May 2 city election, but the DART withdrawal question was canceled in February and is not on the ballot.