Rail and Passenger Trains
Why the U.S. Lags Behind on High-Speed Rail
Why can't the U.S. build true high-speed rail? See how track ownership, land laws, funding, and politics in California, Texas, and Florida hold it back.
Transportation
Transportation is the system of roads, rails, airways, waterways, and vehicles that moves people and goods. It covers the public works that carry traffic, the agencies that plan and regulate them, and the money that keeps them running. Federal, state, regional, and local governments share responsibility, along with transit agencies and private operators.
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October 9last updated
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The Webby-recognized AI behind our articles »
Latest in Transportation
Autonomous and Electric Vehicles
What Happened When the Federal EV Tax Credit Expired
The $7,500 federal incentive expired on September 30, 2025, and Ford's decision to kill its flagship electric truck happened in the aftermath of that expiration. The…
Transportation
Traffic Lights Are Being Reprogrammed to Stop You From Speeding
For the better part of a century, the American traffic signal has operated under a single directive: maximize throughput. The "level of service" is a grading…
Federal Aviation Administration
Why the FAA Ordered a 10% Flight Reduction
On November 5, 2025, the Trump administration announced it would mandate a reduction in air traffic across 40 of the nation's high-volume airports. The move came…
Topics in Transportation
Roads and rail
Roads and Highways covers streets and highways, Public Transportation and Transit covers buses and subways, Rail and Passenger Trains covers intercity and commuter rail, and Biking and Pedestrian Infrastructure covers travel on foot and by bicycle.
Air, water, and vehicles
Airports and Aviation covers flying and the facilities that support it, Ports and Waterways covers shipping and inland waterways, and Autonomous and Electric Vehicles covers vehicles that drive themselves or run on electricity.
Planning and funding
Transportation Planning covers how regions decide what to build, Transportation Funding covers how transportation is paid for, and Transportation Equity covers how fairly access and costs are shared.
All Articles on Transportation
Why Electric Vehicle Sales Are In Flux
The U.S. electric vehicle market hit a critical turning point in 2025. After years of steady growth, the trajectory became volatile and uncertain. Record…
The Debate Over Investing in Public Transit
Public transportation moves nearly three million Americans daily, but its impact extends beyond getting people from point A to point B. The data reveals…
Protected Bike Lanes: Safety Benefits, Design Challenges, and Real-World Results
Across the United States, city streets are undergoing a transformation. One of the most visible and debated elements of this change is the protected…
Can Government Oversight Fix Toxic Fumes on Planes?
For nearly three million daily air travelers in the United States, the air inside aircraft cabins represents a life-support system. Pressurized to about 8,000…
How Federal Regulators Keep Commercial Aviation Safe
Commercial air travel in the United States is remarkably safe. Billions of passengers board millions of flights each year, and fatal accidents are extraordinarily…
AI, Drones, and Self-Driving Cars: The Deregulation Debate Explained
The United States is at a crossroads for three technologies poised to redefine society: Artificial Intelligence, drones, and self-driving cars. On one side is…
About the REAL ID Act
A small star in the corner of your driver's license represents the culmination of a nearly two-decade national debate over security, privacy, and personal…
Are Toll Roads Fair? The Growing Debate Over Pay-to-Drive America
Toll-road fairness depends on who pays, what the charge buys and the alternatives available. Fuel taxes, pricing rules and private leases shape the debate.
The Hidden Power Players Shaping Your Region: MPOs vs. Regional Authorities
Every day, millions of Americans commute on roads, ride buses and trains, turn on water taps, and work in jobs that exist because of…