By Bauyrzhan Zhaxylykov
Michigan is accelerating its transition to electric school buses, with dozens of districts adding new vehicles through a state-funded program aimed at replacing older diesel fleets.
Cities & Suburbs
Book helps residents, visitors, use Chicago’s public transit to access recreational sites
|
By Joshua Kim
“Chicago Transit Hikes,” a new book by Lindsay Welbers, aims to help Chicago residents and visitors reach outdoor recreation sites car-free.
Solutions
Winter makes curved roads dangerous; researchers seek solutions
|
By Eric Freedman
Flashing light on warning signs near curves can slow drivers and reduce the odds of a crash during winter weather conditions, says a new study by Michigan State University engineers.
Green Gavel
Michigan court refuses to reinstate lawsuit over runaway carriage horse at Greenfield Village
|
By Eric Freedman
A horse-drawn carriage. A runaway horse. A crash. Sounds like an old-fashioned drama – not a bizarre 21st-century event. But that’s what happened three years ago when a visitor was injured while riding in a horse-drawn omnibus at Greenfield Village. The Court of Appeals has refused to reinstate her negligence suit against The Henry Ford and the driver.
Transportation
New passenger train route between Holland and Detroit to be explored
|
By Clara Lincolnhol
The Michigan Department of Transportation is developing a plan to potentially construct the state’s fourth passenger rail route. The proposed east-west route would carry passengers across the Lower Peninsula, connecting Holland and Grand Rapids with Detroit.
Transportation
Study finds high risk of injury or death in motorcycle-deer collisions
|
By Eric Freedman
Motorcycles and deer don’t mix. And motorcyclists are especially vulnerable to injury or death when they do, according to a recent study of a decade’s worth of crashes in Michigan.
Transportation
Busy Blue Water Bridge gets positive auditor general report
|
By Eric Freedman
The iconic Blue Water Bridge has received a clean bill of operational health from the Michigan Auditor General’s Office. Based on its preliminary survey of procurement, fleet vehicles, employee training and toll transactions, the office said it saw no need to do a full performance audit of the bridge’s effectiveness and efficiency.
Transportation
Biking booms in the Motor City: More lanes, fun rides — and high fatalities
|
By Emilio Perez Ibarguen
The popularity of groups like Wednesday Night Ride, Black Girls Do Bike and Soul Roll is an indicator that Detroit, long known for its ties to the auto industry, is making strides in becoming a cycling destination. However, Detroit streets remain unsafe for cyclists and pedestrians compared to other cities.
Transportation
Michigan high schoolers take statewide road trip in solar-powered car
|
By Clara Lincolnhol
On a cool and cloudy summer day, Michigan high school students recently drove the car they’d been engineering for months around the block and parked it in front of the state Capitol. The three wheeled, sharply angled, gray, white and black camo-print car seats two people and is powered by solar-charged batteries.
Echo
Walkable communities associated with better health, study shows
|
By Emilio Perez Ibarguen
A new MSU study found that a community’s walkability – particularly the density of pedestrian crossings and public transit stops – influences residents’ health outcomes such as blood pressure, cholesterol and depression. Hamtamck ranks as Michigan’s most walkable city.
Transportation
House bill proposes state funds for noise control along highways
|
By Finn Mills
A Utica representative and a Rochester Hills senator want to authorize new funding for noise abatement projects along state highways. MDOT is studying the legislation and says Michigan has suspended construction of noise abatement measures due to a lack of funding since 2007.