Caltrain will finally go electric thanks to FTA funding

The future of California's high-speed rail project relies in part on an initiative to migrate Silicon Valley's Caltrain corridor from a fleet of outdated diesel engines to a more modern electric system. That electrification project was put in jeopard...

DOT establishes 10 autonomous vehicle proving grounds

So far, testing autonomous vehicles on city streets has had mixed results. Uber's plan did not go over well in the company's hometown of San Francisco, but cities like Phoenix and Boston have been a little more receptive to the idea. Now, to solve so...

You might be warned if your next flight allows WiFi calling

Between screaming babies, flatulent passengers and that guy ahead of you who insists on leaning all the way back, air travel can be pretty miserable. And that's before you think about the possibility of someone loudly making a call over WiFi during y...

US proposes a phone ‘driver mode’ to reduce in-car distractions

Smartphones already have car-optimized interfaces like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and you'll occasionally see safety measures that shut off features (and enable others) while you're driving. However, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administ...

US plans electric car charging networks along highways

While the range of modern electric cars is good enough that you can safely commute around town without running out of power, cross-country trips are still challenging. Tesla drivers have access to Superchargers, but what if you're driving a rival EV...

US mulls speed-limiting devices for buses and big rigs

Large vehicles like buses and big rig trucks are just as much of a safety concern as everyday cars, and US regulators think technology might be the key to saving lives. The NHTSA and FMCS have proposed installing speed-limiting devices on big commer...

Department of Transportation bans e-cigarettes in checked baggage

Like the FDA, which recently decided to regulate e-cigarettes like tobacco products, the Department of Transportation has also decided to treat e-cigarettes like a fire hazard. The DOT issued a final rule today, banning e-cigarette batteries in check...