Transportation

Texas Central Rail’s new CEO is Carlos Aguilar. He is:

• a former senior VP of Ch2M Hill
• 30 years of experience leading major infrastructure development projects
• Aguilar will handle CEO duties while Tim Kieth will take the tile President and will cover capital raising and external affairs

Dallas Business Journal | Texas Central names new CEO as bullet train focus switches

Funds above the Rainy Day (ESF) Fund cap of $7.5 billion move to transportation funding. 

Dallas Morning News | Texas highways in line for funding boost as panel sets minimum for state’s rainy day stash

How did San Francisco’s Muni system stop a ransomeware attack that held its system hostage? In 3 steps:

• Shut down electronics- opened fare gates & shut down ticket machines
• Contacted Homeland Security
• Relied on its technology team to restart the system from a backup

The success of Muni’s actions:

• Friday night the electronic ticketing shut down, by Monday the system was up and running
• No confidential information was obtained by the hackers
• Muni never communicated with the hackers during the process

Governing | How San Francisco’s Transit System Warded Off Ransomware Hackers

Ft. Worth Star Telegram editorial lays out 3 reasons speed limits should be controlled locally and not by Austin lawmakers:

• If the state lowers the default residential speed limit, there will be no funding for additional patrols
• The city would benefit from assessing street safety to determine appropriate speeds
• The city can already lower the speed limit itself, so why is a Ft. Worth citycouncil member pushing this idea?

The ride share issue: accessibility for the disability community

Do local ordinances require accessibility standards? In Austin, TX, yes.

Is it working? Not according to the former chair of Austin’s Capmetro accessibility board

Does Sen. Schwertner’s SB 176 require acessibility? Yes, and a surcharge is levied on companies that do not provide accessible service.

KXAN | Smaller TNCs struggle to fill gap in accessibility after Uber, Lyft leave

The Select Committee on Ports Interim Report recommends a fund to fund port projects, the key points:

Why a fund?  Texas ports are “responsible for over 30% of the Texas gross domestic product and are integral to the Texas manufacturing and energy miracle that sustained the Texas economy.”

How would the fund work? Provide loans similar to the Texas Mobility Fund 

What’s the fund’s timeline? 2017 should set the parameters. 2019 sets the funding amounts. 

State #3 to move toward swapping the gas tax for pay as your drive: Colorado

How is Colorado implementing as pay as you? In December Colorado’s Road Usage Charge Pilot Program will begin with 100 volunteers.

What should I know about the pilot program for pay as your drive ?

• 100 volunteers
• no money will be paid for the miles
• it will test the exchange of information of mileage reporting and revenue collection
• 4 month duration

Governing | Should a Mileage Tax Replace the Gas Tax? Colorado Is 3rd State to Wonder

Denver Post | CDOT to test taxing drivers by the mile instead of at the pump

Sunset Staff Report

Sunset timeline:

• Submit responses to staff report through Novmeber 30th.
• December 8th and 9th Sunset hearing

24 Sunset staff recommendations:

Add Plano City Council to the supporter list for Texas Central Rail Dallas to Houston high speed rail.

How did Plano City Council express support for high speed rail? By resolution, passing 7 to 1.

What reasons for supporting high speed rail were given by City Council?

• boost regional economy
• help alleviate traffic congestion

Dallas Morning News | Plano city council signals support for high-speed rail between Dallas and Houston

+26 House: 

• Valoree Swanson
  • Baylor. Concerned Women of America. Real Estate Broker.
• Shawn Thierry
  • Attorney. Howard Univ. & South TX College of Law. Big Borther Big Sisters.
• Mary Ann Perez
  • U of H. Insurance. Former HCC Trustee.
• Jarvis D. Johnson
  • Former Houston Council Member. Restraunteur & Consultant African Trade. Texas Southern.
• Tom Oliverson
  • Anesthesiologist. Home Schools. Baylor College of Medicine.
• Briscoe Cain
  • U of H. South Texas College of Law. Raised working class. 
• Kevin Roberts
  • Texas Tech. Riased by Grandparents in Amarillo. COO Lanier Lawfirm.
• Barbara Gervin-Hawkins
  • Univeristy of Eastern Michigan. Sister of NBA Player George Gervin. Together founded community center and charter school.
• Tomas Uresti
  • Former School Board member. Legal Assistant. Uresti Law Firm.
• Philip Cortez
  • UT Austin. Working on PhD in Educational Administration. Fraternal Order of the Eagles.
• Diana Arevalo
  • Executive Director for an after school affordable music program. Former DNC staff. BBA from UTSA.
• Victoria Neave
  • Attorney. Texas Southern University. Community Service focused on the elderly.
• Lina Ortega
  • UT Austin. Attorney. Helped Created El Paso Co. Code of Ethics. 
• Kyle Biedermann
  • Univ. of South Florida. Small Business Owner. Primary Win touted by Empower Texas.
• Stan Lambert
  • Abilene Christian Univ. SMU. Former Banking Exec. Athletic Director at Abilene Christian. Former School Board Trustee.
• Lynn Stucky (Mr.)
  • Veterinarian.  Kansas State. Former School Board Trustee.
• Mike Lang
  • Grew up on a farm in Illinois. TCU. Retired law enforcmeent officer.
•  Hugh Shine
  • Held the seat 30 years ago. Sam Houston State. Army retired after 30 years of service. Colonel Shine.  MBA Baylor.
• Scott Cosper
  • Former Mayor of Killeen. Former City Council member. Cosper Custom Homes and Construction. Member of the Texas Department of Transportation Policy Board for 16 years
• Gina Hinojosa
  • UT-Austin. George Washington Univ. Attorney. School Board Trustee. 
• Justin Holland
  • City Council Member. Mayor Pro Tem. Realtor.Texas Tech.
• Terry Wilson
  • Combat veteran. Retired from Army after 30 years. Touted by Empower Texas/
• Ernest Bailes
  • Texas A&M. Whitetail deer genetics company founder. Served on an Appraisal Board.
• Jay Dean
  • Former Mayor of Longview. The mayor who paid to stop Ted Nugent from performing a 4th of July concert. LSU.
• Cole Hefner
  • Former Upshur Co. Commissioner. Independent Insurance Agent. Pilot.
• Lance Gooden
  • Will be his 3rd session. UT Austin. Business Development Consultant.

+3 Senate: 

• Dawn Buckingham
  • Volunteer firefighter. UT-Austin. Lake Travis ISD trustee.
• Borris Miles
  • Sam Houston State. Former law enforcement officer. 
• Bryan Hughes
  • UT-Tyler. Baylor School of law. Supported by the Lt. Gov. during the 2016 primary.

Why does California’s high speed rail need federal permission to buy a train? Because the Federal Railroad Administration must comply with federal law’s Buy American standard.

Why not buy an American made high speed rail? They don’t exist like the easter bunny or freddy krueger.

Silicon Valley Business Journal | Here’s why California’s high-speed rail system wants permission to buy foreign train components

The 2017 Maritime Person of the Year is Janiece Longoria, Chair of the Port of Houston Commission.

Longoria’s background:

• 2013 unanimously appointed as Chairman by the City of Houston & Harris County
• 2002 began serving on the Port Commission 
• J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law in 1979

Under Longoria’s leadership the Port of Houston has:

• record high loaded container units, exceeding 2 million
• increased revenue
• improved its infrastructure
• improved the ship channel with dredging 

Business Wire | Janiece Longoria Named 2017 Maritime Person of the Year

Senate Bill 176 by Schwertner follows the trend by Palm Springs, California to require drug testing for drivers.

SB 176

Dallas Morning News | Texas lawmakers want to settle the fight over regulating Uber, Lyft

November 3, 2016 informed intel:

Comptroller Hegar highlights the $600 Billion annual trade viaTexas Ports.

The numbers from Texas Ports:

• 29 ports of entry in Texas
• ports support nearly 1.6 million Texas jobs
• ports add $224.3 billion to the gross state product
• $600 billion in total annual trade passes through Texas ports.

Comptroller Hegar | Port Data and Port Tour for November & December 2016

Where is this happening? Atlanta metro area has adopted  Seniors Go, a ride share program for persons over 55

How does the ride share program for seniors work?

• Rides are booked Uber through Common Courtesy
• Discounted fare of $2 for the first 15 miles and 85 cents per mile after that
• No restrictions on locations
• Limited to two round-trip rides a week.
• Seniors must be members of the Senior Citizen Council of Cobb County
  • ​ The Senior Council has membership fees are $12 for a single and $15 for a couple — and pay a one-time $10 fee to get started. The council offsets ride-sharing costs, which typically run from $15 to $25 for a minimum fare trip.

Atlanta Journal Constitution | Uber, Lyft fill needs gap in senior transportation

Which county filed suit? Waller County Sub-Regional Planning Commission

The suit is against: Texas Department of Transportation

Where did it file suit? Travis District Court

What claims are made? The County opposes a state law that requires it to coordinate planning on the high-speed rail, but TXDOT refused to work with the County claiming that it was ordered not to by the  Federal Rail Authority

What does the county want? Proper participation/coordination under the law

Click2 Houston | High-speed rail lawsuit filed

Where did the issue of transportation needs at Texas ports arise? The Harris County International Trade and Transportation Conference

Why is more transportation infrastucture needed? nflux of petrochemical-related cargo

What are trains saying? 

• trains take big trucks off the roads
• big trucks don’t pay their fair share for road damage

What does a petrochemical logistics manager say about the need for roads? A dedicated corridor for trucks carrying heavier loads would be an advantage

Houston Chronicle | Petrochemical growth needs more from trucks, trains

The car maker: toyota

The owenr based ride share program:   Hourly or daily rental by allowing users to unlock the cars with their smartphones via Bluetooth

How does it work: Via App

Where is it piloting? San Francisco based Get Around will pilot the App and vehicle sharing. Get Around operates also in Austin, TX.

The legislative issue: Insuring & liability issues related to personal “rental car sharing.” What happens when a car is “rented” out and the car runs a red light camera or gets a parking ticket?

Austin Business Journal | Toyota’s road to true car sharing may run through Austin

Palm Springs will be voting to allow ride share at its airport, if and only if, the drivers submit to random drug and alcohol testing.

What does the mayor think? It is “utterly ridiculous”

San Francisco Chronicle | Palm Springs weighs Uber, Lyft pickups, but with drug tests

Whose study: Texas Central Rail

80% of respondents said what? 80% said that they ” would consider using the bullet train,”

90% would save time doing what? 90% would save an hour or more getting bwtween Dallas and Houston

Bryan College Station Eagle | Poll suggests Texans want bullet train

Houston Chronicle | Texas high-speed train supporters, opponents continue jockeying

1. Texas Central Rail high speed rail will be the 1st of its kind in the US.

2. Texas Central Rail is a for-profit entity that will pay taxes. Including taxes in the communities the train travels.

3. Texas Central Rail plans on equipping rural communities with emergency services.

4. There will be public input after the environmental study is complete.

5. Construction is to begin in 2018 & service is to being in 2023.

Community Impact News | 5 things you may not know about Texas Central’s bullet train

Before voting for President, voters in Illinois will vote on a constitutional amendment to dedicate transportation funding. 

Let’s look at who has lined up where on the issue:

• For dedicated transportation funding:
  • construction
  • unions
  • Chamber of Commerce
• Opposed to dedicated transportation funding:
  • those who support social service funding, e.g.:
    • Heartland Alliance
    • Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law
  • tax groups who question the math, e.g.:
    •  The Civic Federation

Daily Herald | Opponents emerge against Illinois road fund ballot question

Uber has made its first candidate endorsement.

The endorsee: Assemblyman Derek Armstrong (R)

Why endorse? Democrats ran 3 anti ride share ads against Armstrong claiming that he opposed criinal background checks for drivers putting women and children in danger

Were the ads that sparked the Uber endorsement accurate? No. The legislation required criminal background checks but did not require FBI background checks, which taxi cab companies in NV support.

las Vegas Sun | Uber makes first political endorsement, backs a Nevada assemblyman

Who is funding wildlife protection for freeways? The Annenberg Foundation

What are these wildlife protection mechanisms? wildlife crossings/bridges

Inside Philathropy | The Funders Helping Wildlife Find Safe Passage Across Highways

New trend in the auto sharing economy: Car share.

How does it work: 

• Dolph drives his car to his enginnering job.
• Dolph logs into an App & marks his car available for sharing until 5pm.
• Brigette needs to drive to her office running the world. 
• Brigette finds available cars, selects Dolph’s car & returns it by 5pm.

What company is promiting car sharing? Lynk & Co

Legislative, Legal, and Regulatory Questions: How do you insure Brigette’s drive?

Car and Driver |  Lynk & Co Shows Offi its Car-Sharing Functionality 

How far along are self-driving 18 wheelers? This week the first test run of a self-driving big truck was completed.

Where did the 18 wheeler test drive delivering beer 120 miles away occur? Colorado

What was delivered? Budweiser. 2,000 cases.

Mashable | How alcohol is feuling the self-driving revolution

Add Montgomery County to the list of counties that oppose eminent domain for proposed high speed rail from Houston to Dallas. 

The vote: unanimous

The common theme among commissioners: An opposition to a private company seizing private property.

The resolution:

RESOLUTION AND ORDER

WHEREAS, Montgomery County finds that any high-speed rail lines and facilities crossing county roads is not desirable; and

WHEREAS, Montgomery County values the protection of real property rights in Texas; and

WHEREAS, Montgomery County supports all state legislative actions prohibiting the use of eminent domain for high speed rail activities; and

WHEREAS, Montgomery County and the City of Magnolia established a Sub-Regional Planning Commission to provide for the special planning needs of the area; and

WHEREAS, high speed rail crossings on county roads are a public safety concern and are an unwarranted risk to the traveling public; and

WHEREAS, several other counties, including Brazos, Waller, Burleson, Grimes, Leon, Madison, Robertson and Washington have opposed high speed railways, specifically the use of eminent domain to facilitate the activity; and

WHEREAS, Montgomery County finds that high speed rail lines crossing county roads would increase the maintenance costs for those roads;

On this the 25th day of October 2016, at a Regular Session meeting of the Commissioners Court, a motion was made to consider and approve the resolution and order opposing high speed rail in Montgomery County, Texas, the use of private property and/or eminent domain for high speed rail activities in Montgomery County.

NOW, THEREFORE IT IS HEREBY APPROVED AND ORDERED, that the

Commissioner’s Court of Montgomery County, Texas, opposes high speed rail in Montgomery County, Texas, the use of private property and/or eminent domain for high speed rail activities in Montgomery County, and the crossing or use of county roads to facilitate high speed rail activities in Montgomery County, Texas.

ADOPTED THIS 25TH DAY OF OCTOBER, 2016

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TEXAS

& ::::::. >>>

Montogomery County Police Reporter | Court adopts resolution opposing use of eminent domain for high-speed railway

Pennsylvania Governor signed a new ride share bill this week that will:

• A local Philadelphia tax of 1.4 percent tax on all Uber and Lyft rides will be divided up between Phila dephia’s schools and the Philadelphia Parking Authority which had imposed ride share regulations
• Creates regulatory framework for Transportation Network Companies
• $50,000 application fee
• Criminal background check for drivers. =No fingerprint requirements

PA SB 984

Philly Voice | Governor Wolf to sign bill legalizing Uber, Lyft in Philadelphia

Ride Share Prohibition. Tesla owners cannot use their vehicles for gig economy endeavors like Uber or Lyft.

Ride Sharing a Tesla is only ok if its done within the Tesla Network.

Unforcement mechanism: unknown

Tech Times | No Ridesharing: Tesla Bans Drivers From Using Tesla Cars For Uber Or Lyft

The Texas Comptroller tracks bond elections. Its a handy spreadsheet for data junkies.

On November 8th, 12 of the 50 bond measures tracked are for transportation projects:

• Amarillo $89.5 million for streets
• Austin $720 million for transportation and mobility
• Bellaire $24 Million for streets, drainage and sidewalks
• Hays Co. $131 million for transportation improvements
• Hunt Co. $24.5 million for transportation
• Parker Co. $76.2 million for transportation projects
• Willis Point ISD $42.5 million for school renovations and transportation
• Anderson Co. $20 million for transportation
• Granite Shoals $3 million for roads
• Corpus Christi $18.4 million for street and road projects
• Port Aransas $4.5 million for street and road projects
• Somerset ISD $10 million cafeteria, atheltics and transportation

Texas Comptroller | Transperancy | Upcoming Bond Election Roundup

• It’ll be an economic boon for the electic industry.  
  • Gone will be stagnant load growth with demand increasing
  • New business models will encourage distributed, clean energy resources.
• Will bolster smart grid development
• Support Charging Station Development

Utility Dive | How the coming boom in electric and self-driving vehicles will transform the grid

This is like 2016’s version of hitch hiking, minus the serial killers that American films say exist only in the realm of hitch hiking. 

A new business trend for the exponential growth in the sharing economy:

• OpenRide
• It’s ride share for long distances
• Openride has deals with 60 music festivals

The Street | Long Distance Ride Sharing – The Next Big Sharing Economy Trend

Texas Ports need transportation infrastructure. The transportation woes of the Port of Houston hing on these details:

• From 2010 to 2015 truck traffic went from 10,000/day to near 30,000 trucks per day
• Truck traffic is set to grow by 2X again
• the problem isn’t funding- port operators would likely chip in
• the problem is—-TXDOT

Houston Business Journal | Congestion could stifle Port of Houston growth, CEO says

Colorado legislature is gaining bipartisan support for fudning state transportation via bonds. The info you need:

• Colorado is falling behind on transportation funding every year
• A Republican, chair of Senate Transportation Committee, has a $5.5 billion bond package that would require voter approval
• The bond package has bipartisan support
• The bond package does not dedicate funding for bond service
• Some opposition is rooted in future budget writers will have less revenue to compensate for debt service on the transportation bonds

Colorado Springs Gazette | Transportation funding proposal reveals rift remains in Legislature

Calhoun Port Authority is adding a new ship pier for these reasons:

• Matagorda Bay has been an active port for 400 yhears
• Matagorda Bay needs to accomodate larger ships and this pier will accomodate ships up to 145 feet wide and 900 feet long
• Economic Development. Economic Development. Economic Development

Funding for the project includes a federal cost share agreement with the Army Corps of Engineers.

Victoria Advocate | Port expansion will help regional economy

• 7th Circuit Appellate Judge Richard Posner analogized: cities license dogs but not cats. Some people are dog people. Some People are cat people. Some people like ride share. Some people like taxis.
• Ample service differences between ride share & taxis that justify different regulations

Chicago Tribune | Appellate judge: Taxis and Ubers are dogs and cats when it comes to regulation

California revised its state regulations for self driving cars by adding:

• Require cars to comply with the federally proposed 15 point NHSTA assessment
• Permits no human driver or steering wheel if the car is in 2 way communication
• Car manufacturers are not pleased as the NHSTA requirement impacts current and scheduled self driving car testing

California’s revised rules

Fortune | Toyota Tech Director Calls California’s Proposed Self-Driving Car Rules Preposterous

New Jersey Legislature passed a 23 cent gas tax increase to fund transportation. 

What do I need to know about the 23 cent tax gas increase?

• Offset by other tax cuts ($16 billion or $1.4 billion depending who you ask)
  • elimination of the estate tax
  • cuts the sales from 7 cents to 6.625 cents
  • increased tax benefits for the working poor and veterans
• Also created a 4 member transportation project approval board consisting of:
  • Governor appointees
  • Senate President appointee
  • Speaker appointee

Asbury Park Press | Legislature OKs higher gas tax; heads to Christie

Atlanta airport is welcoming ride share companies. In the process, finger printing became an issue. Here are the arguments for and against:

Argument FOR:

• Airport officials said it was a security measure

Arguments AGAINST:

• fingerprint information is incomplete
• fingerprint information is dsicriminatory
  • 50% of African American men are arrested by age 23
  • 44% of Latino men are arrested by age 23
  • law enforcement records are incomplete and inaccurate
• law enforcement arrest records, before conviction, were never intended to be used as job qualifiers

What did Atlanta City Council decide? No fingerprinting

Georgia State Signal | Uber reaches a whole new customer base

• Study by the W.P. Carrey School of Business at Arizona State
• Ride Share vehicles average 1.8 humans, while a normal car averages 1.1 human 
  •  1 ride share vehicle replaces 9 to 13 vehicles
• Less congestion, less fuel use, less pollution

Americans for Tax Reform | Another Win for the Sharing Economy

The peace accord reaching local governmental entity: Florida’s Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission

The peace accord: 

• 15 month trial
• Drivers will undergo a level 2 background check for criminal history, including sexual abuse
• No  fingerprinting
• Insurance responsibility: on the driver

Tampa Bay News 10

When did Uber and Lyft discuss a move into healthcare transportation?  At Boston’s U.S. DPharm Disruptive Innovation gathering

Uber‘s launch:  Circulation, an on-demand convenient and efficient ride-booking solution dedicated for the healthcare industry.

Lyft offers data: 30% wait-time reduction, a 32% cost savings & 80% improvement in patient satisfaction.

Investopedia | Uber and Lyft Eye Healthcare Transportation

What is Louisiana’s Governor’s Task Force on Transportation Infrastructure Investment​ doing these days?

• Appointed in June
• Goal is to reduce the state’s $12.7 billion transportation backlog

What ideas has the Task Force received from local leaders?

•  Higher gas tax with different rates for commercial users and individuals
• Interstate Tolls

The Advertiser | Gas tax, tolls suggested to fund La. transportation needs

California Governor signed a bill requiring the following new background checks for ride share drivers:

• Background checks must go back more than 7 years
• Prevents the following people from being ride share drivers:
  • Any violent felony conviction
  • Sex offenders
  • Any prior violent misdemeanor convictions
  • Any citation for driving under the influence of alcohol violations in the past 7 years
• Uber and Lyft supported the legislation

CNET | ​California tightens background checks on Uber, Lyft drivers

Governor Jerry Brown vetoed a bill calling for more oversight of California’s high speed rail project    for the following reasons:

• The Governor had already signed a bill to increase legislative presence in the high speed rail oversight commission
• There are existing high statutory standards of accountability and transparency

KQED | Governor Vetoes High-Speed Rail Oversight Bill

California’s AB 2847

What’s the new ride share? Hail a Honda

How is this ride share operating? As a partnership with ACL Music Festival

“Hail A Honda” Rideshare Program Comes to Austin City Limits Music Festival Thanks to Honda and the Central Texas Honda Dealers

The researchers: School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis & IndyGo

The study:“State and federal fuel taxes: The road ahead for U.S. infrastructure funding” published in January 2017 Journal of Transport Policy 

The reasons why a vehicle mileage tax is the best long term transportation funding source:

• fuel tax revenues decline with no adjustment for inflation
• taxing vehicle mileage avoids long term revenue declines

Indiana University- Perdue University Indianapolis | Study: Vehicle mileage tax is best option for long-term highway funding

The high speed rail project: Texas Central Rail, Dallas-Houston line

The court: a Harris County Court

The issue the court was considering: precondemnation access to land by the rail

Why landowners claim victory: The request for access to the land was withdrawn

Why high speed rail claims victory:  No meaningful decision was made by the court

Houston Chronicle | High-speed rail land dispute lands in Houston court

Limestone County Judge  Daniel Burkeen lists 4 reasons high speed rail isn’t foreeseable:

• No eminent domain authority- at least not yet
• No  environmental studies are completed
• No land has been acquired
• No permission to cross our county roads

Texas Central Railway’s 6 Point Repsonse:

• County policy is anti- business
• County policy is anti- innovation
• County policy is anti-private investment
• They will receive no federal subsidies
• The Company is negotiating in good faith with landowners
• Texas has a history of granting eminent domain authority to railroads

Groesbeck Journal | High-speed rail foes show up at court for vote

Add Limestone County to the list of counties establishing new eminent domain hurdles for crossing county roads and right of ways.

A local resident told the county commissioners that 3,422 signatures were gathered opposed to high speed rail.

Groesbeck Journal | High-speed rail foes show up at court for vote

Texas energy exports: The 1st oil and gas export left the Port of Corpus Christi earlier this year

Energy exports will benefit from the new Panama Canal with its 50 foot drafts.

How the new Panama Canal sets up a quagmire for Texas: Texas ports can only handle a draft of 45 feet.

The funding issue: Most coastal states fund Port maintenance and expansion. Texas does not. It uses user fees and some local property taxes. The cost to expand the Port of Houston is $55-$60 million.

Energy Wire | INFRASTRUCTURE: Texas ports pick up steam as oil and LNG exports ramp up

Which car was hacked? Tesla Model S

Who did the hacking? Researchers

Does Tesla have a bounty program to report vulnerabilities? yes

What were the hackers able to control?  

• sunroof
• central display
• door locks
• braking system
• activate the steering light
• reposition the driver’s seat
• windshield washers
• open the trunk
• fold in the side mirrors

PC World | Researchers hack Tesla Model S with remote attack

The Judge: Judge Richard Posner of the 7th Circuit of Appeals

His explanation of the differences between ride share and taxis:

• “You think there’s nothing new about Uber? That’s absurd.”
• Ride share is like what happened to horse and buggies when automobile taxis emerged
• The taxi regulations are like creating a cartel

USA Today | Chicago taxi group asks appellate court to even playing field with Uber

DNA Info Downtown South Loop North River | Shakman, Judge Clash Over Differences Between Uber, Lyft, Taxis

• voluntary 15-point “safety assessment” for automakers covering:
  • Data Recording and Sharing
  • Privacy
  • System Safety
  • Vehicle Cybersecurity
  • Human Machine Interface
  • Crashworthiness
  • Consumer Education and Training
  • Registration and Certication
  • Post-Crash Behavior
  • Federal, State and Local Laws
  • Ethical Considerations
  • Operational Design Domain
  • Object and Event Detection and Response
  • Fall Back (Minimal Risk Condition)
  • Validation Methods 
• model state regulations define state responsibility as:
  • Licensing (human) drivers and registering motor vehicles in their jurisdictions;
  • Enacting and enforcing traffic laws and regulations (including related to accidents);
  • Conducting safety inspections, where States choose to do so; 
  • Regulating motor vehicle insurance and liability. 

U.S. Department of Transportation Proposed Regulations for Autonomous Vehicles 

Where: Georgia

Why does the sapce port need eminent domain? Because of the frequency of launches, land surrounding the area may need to be condemned for safety purposes.

What state law impediment exists? In 2006, Georgia amended its eminent domain laws to require a public purpose, and it’s believed space travel does not meet that standard.

WABE Atlantat’s NPR | Safety, Legal Issues Could Ground Georgia Spaceport Plans

The Car Company & Intelligence Chief who joined forces: Volkswagen & former head of Israel’s Shin Bet intelligence agency

New Joint Venture: CyMotive Technologies

The goal: Securing automated and self driving vehicles

Reuters | Volkswagen sets up cyber security firm with ex-Israeli spy chief

The Port of Houston and researchers at Texas A&M Transportation Institute generated Freight Shuttle International entered into an agreement to start testing.

3 Ways this shuttle project will revolutionize freight, disrupting the industry: 

• It solves for freight’s most pressing quagmire: moving goods less than 500 miles
• It will make use of existing right of ways to move freight on a guideway track
• Uses 1/3 the energy of trucks

Railway Track and Structures | Freight Shuttle eyes redefinition of goods movement

A transportation funding deal in New Jersey hinges on a sales tax cut.

Governor Christie had shuttered the state’s Transportation Trust Fund. Opening the fund, and restarting construction projects, hinges on the sales tax cut.

Equipment World | New Jersey lawmakers discussing sales tax cut as part of transportation funding negotiations

Pittsburgh is home to a new fleet of Uber’s self-driving taxis. For the Ying of self driving taxis, is the Yang of safety experts.

The safety concerns:

• self driving technology is not ready for primetime.
  • It’s like the safety experts think self driving taxis are the Kaepernick of transportation world. 
• PA has no self driving car statutes or regs.
  • e.g. Who do we sue if there is an accident?
• Self driving cars have gone off bridges and Pittsburgh has a lot of bridges
  • building bridges isn’t safe or good?

Governing | As Pittsburgh Gears Up to Debut Self-Driving Ubers, Safety Experts Worry

Washington Post | For some safety experts, Uber’s self-driving taxi test isn’t something to hail

Which state received this federal grant? Delaware  Department of Transportation

What alternative to the gas tax is Delaware testing? Mileage based tax

Grant amount: $1.49 million federal grant

Are other states involved?  yes, 5 Atlantic Coast states are testing a mileage based transportation funding mechanism

What does the pilot program look like?

• Transportation officials will track the driving habits of 50 volunteer Delaware motorists
• The goal is to assess a charge based on their mileage.
• Similar projects in:
  • Pennsylvania
  • Connecticut
  • New Hampshire
  • Vermont
• Total cost for all five states is $2.98 million

Delaware Online | Feds approve grant to test gas tax replacement

Add Freestone County to the list of counties that restrict the use of eminent domain for high speed rail over county lands and right of ways.

Freestone County Times | County Adopts Budget, Sets Tax Rate, Restricts High-Speed Rail & Lifts Burn Ban

Developer of driverless freight technology:  Freight shuttle system technology developed at Texas A&M University

Announcement of the collaboration: September 9th in Bryan, TX

How will the port utilize the technology? The port will hold a  privately funded licensee of the technology

Government Technology | Electric, Driverless Freight Shuttle Might Solve Trucking-Related Problems in Texas

Which Court of Appeals? 3rd Court of Appeals in Austin

What did the Court do with the Texas Highway Beautification Act? Struck down key portions of the Act, specifically Subchapters B and C

For those who love statutes: Subchapter B REGULATION OF OUTDOOR ADVERTISING GENERALLY & Subchapter C LICENSE AND PERMIT FOR OUTDOOR ADVERTISING

Why were these subchapters struck? unconstitutional content based restrictions on free speech

Houston Chronicle | Core of Texas highway sign ban tossed by appeals court

Auspro Enterprises, LP v. Texas Department of Transportation 03-14-00375-CV

Statesman | Court voids heart of Texas Highway Beautification Act

The state: Maine

The tax proposal: Fill the $168 million annual gas tax hole with a tax on hybrid and electric cars

What opponents say:

• A tax on hybrids and electric cars is not enough to fill the $168 million annual shortfall
• Bonds are a tool, but shouldn’t be relied on for road and bridge maintenance

Bangor Daily News | Contibution by Transportation Committee Chair | Taxing hybrids and electric cars alone won’t solve Maine’s road funding problem

 Hillsborough County, Florida is proposing new ride share rules over the objections of Uber. The new rules include:

• $7 fare minimum
• 7 minute maximum wait time
• Ride Share firms would have to conduce regular vehicle inspections
• Mandatory fingerprint background checks for drivers

Tampa Bay Times | Proposed rideshare rules move forward over objections of Uber/Lyft

What‘s the lawsuit about? 8 auto title companies say the TX DMV auto title fees limits put the companies out of business

When did Texas Legislature pass a law to allow DMV to limit the fees? 2013

What’s the pro argument for private auto title processors? It will be an added cost to the counties if they begin processing all auto titles

Texas Tribune | Auto Title Companies Sue Texas DMV Over New Fee Limit

The Company: HopSkipDrive

The company’s objective: To be the Uber for kids and requires secret passwords for drives and the kids are followed via GPS

Founders: 3 mothers who needed to get their kids to soccer, football, ballet etc…

How it differs from ride share: it schedules rides and is not on demand ride service

Tech Crunch | HopSkipDrive wants to be the Uber for kids

The County: Freestone County

The County Commissioner vote: Unanimous

The requirements on high speed rail:

• require permits if high speed rail crosses any Freestone County roads and/or right-of-ways
• high speed rail must prove eminent domain

Freestone COunty Judge Grant view:  “the Surface Transportation Board states that the Federal Government lacks the authority to grant eminent domain power to Texas Central Railway”

Freestone County Times | County Adopts Budget, Sets Tax Rate, Restricts High-Speed Rail & Lifts Burn Ban

• Procurement & monitoring was all good, Standardizing the contracts is not.
• Standardizing design build contracts will “foster uniformity and potential efficiency”
• 11 specific issues were identifiied linked to the lack of TXDOT uniformity in contracts:
  • addenda to the requests for qualifications and RFPs were not always approved
  • review of qualification statements and proposals did not always include completing individual scoring worksheets
  • no evidence of past performance of a contractor
  • no consistent document retention
  • no process for adjusting price proposals
  • no process for reprocurement when a project has significantly changed
  • no template for design build contracts
  • no policy to ensure that “that descriptive information related to the alternative technical concepts is redacted”
  • no process to ensure segregation in the membershi of evaluating committees
  • no standard policy for a a postmortem review

SAO | An Audit Report on Selected Design-build Contracts at the Department of Transportation | Report Number 16-037

KP-0111 details the power of vehicle policies by commissioners courts. A Commissioners court may generally adopt vehicle tracking policies that:

• apply to county vehicle, but if its a sheriff’s vehicle the policy can’t interfere with law enforcement’s ability to do its job
• vehicle use can be audited but only as it relates to county fiscal issues

Which cities impost a transportation utility fee? Austin, Bryan, Corpus Christi

How is the transportation utility fee imposed? On a water bill

What does the transportation utility fee mitigate? Lessens reliance on on general funds for roadway maintenance and improvements

What city is considering it & how much revenue is anticpated? Killeen anticipates $4.9million in revenue.

The Final Vote by Killeen? Killeen is a solid NO on transportation utility fee

Killeen Daily Herald | Killeen council to consider transportation utility fee

KWTX 10 | Killeen: City Council votes against transportation utility fee

Massachusettes ride share legislation will tax ride share transactions via app.

What you need to know about taxing an app:

• 20 cents per trip tax, with a breakdown of:
  • 5 cents to taxi industry
  • 10 cents to local governments
  • 5 cents to a designated state transportation fund
• The app tax revenue will be given to the taxi industry as a subsidy for the purposes of:
  • new technologies
  • advanced service safety
  • operational capabilities
  • support workforce development.
• Its the first ride share app tax in the nation

Reuters | Massachusetts to tax ride-hailing apps, give the money to taxis

What companies are driving the push for driverless big trucks?

• Tesla Semi
• Otto

Why is the big truck industry moving fast toward driverless semis? Constant shortage of truck drivers

What incremental changes have occurred in trucking? Much like driver aided features in consumer cars, trucking has added “Advanced Driver Assistance Systems”

Tech Crunch | Paving the way for the autonomous truck

Which company announced its promise to deliver driverless cars within 5 years? Ford

The target audience for Ford’s driverless cars? Commercial  ride share

How will Ford’s cars differ from current self driving cars?

• No steering whell
• No gas pedal
• No breaks

New York Times | Ford Promises Fleets of Driverless Cars Within Five Years

What entity produced a ride share report? Texas A&M Transportatin Institute

What are the report highlights?

• Defines ride share or transportation network companies
• Defines the 5 Servies ride share provides:
  • ride sourcing
  • ride splitting
  • car pooling
  • taxi/car service
  • other: food delivery, courier, helicopter…
• Lays out the 6 state policy areas that cover transportation network companies:
  •   Permits and fees.
  •   Insurance and financial responsibility.
  •   Driver and vehicle requirements.
  •   Operational requirements.
  •   Passenger protections.
  •   Data reporting.
  •   Regulatory and rule-making authority. 
• Explains the 26 municipal ride share policies in Texas
• Findings: The 5 Policy Issues
  •   Ensuring safety and security for drivers, travelers, and pedestrians.
  •   Understanding the evolving role of technology and technology platforms in transportation provision.
  •   Integrating on-demand transportation options into mobility plans and programs.
  •   Managing transportation goals such as congestion reduction, air quality control, and expansion of mobility and accessibility.
  •   Addressing equity concerns about access to transportation services by those who do not have smartphones or credit cards. 

Where: Pittsburgh

When: August 2016

Who: Uber and Volvo, the wonder twins, have joined forces to form of self driving ride-share

Why Pittsburgh?

• Carnegie Mellon Robotics Program has produced the biggest names in the field. 
• A leader in their pack joined Uber in early 2015

Bloomberg | The autonomous cars, launching this summer, are custom Volvo XC90s, supervised by humans in the driver’s seat.

New ride-share rules in England require drivers to take an English reading and writing tests.

Reuters | Uber takes legal action over new rules in London

Engadget | Uber takes legal action against TfL over new taxi rules

Sacramento has built a new stadium for the Kings. part of the funding mechanism is parking meter revenue.

Sound familiar? Similar revenue sources are bandied about related to Arlington’s new stadium.

Let’s look at Sacramento’s parking meter rate plan:

• 4 Event parking zones will be established in a 12 block radius
• The closer to the Area, the pricier.
  • Parking prices ranging from $11.25, if you pre-arrange parking in a city garage to $18.75
  • Higher event night only prices will be within a 3 block radius of the stadium
  • What is the increase for Kings fans? Previously meters were free on weekends
• Parking meter normal shut down time of 6pm will be extended to 10pm
• Parking meters in midtown will be extended to 8pm
• City parking, and reservation system, will be linked through a smart phone app

Sacramento Bee | Sacramento to ring downtown arena with higher-priced parking zones

Which city is testing robot delivery systems on sidewalks? D.C.

The company: Starship Technologies

Did it require a city ordinance? Yes to rolling permit the delivery devices to operate on the sidewalks

Will it lessen traffic? Yes, it can reduce the number of delivery trucks

Should we be paying attention? Yes, D.C. was one of the first cities to embrace the sharing economy

Governing | Coming Soon to D.C. Sidewalks: Delivery Robots

California is building a state funded high speed rail system.

Is the project behind schedule? Yes. The 1st segment moved its completion date from March 31, 2018, to August 2019. 

What is causing the delay? Acquiring land which means Eminent Domain Delays.

How many land parcels are required for the Valley portion of the high speed rail first leg?1,590 parcels of property. 841 parcels were secured as of last week.

For 1 segment, the Fresno-Madera segment, what are the current cost overrages? $50 million

Fresno Bee | Time is money – $50 million – for high-speed rail delays in Fresno area

Empower Texas makes these points about Grimes County enacting county construction permits that will affect high speed rail:

• Big Business is looking to profit from eminent domain
• Rural counties oppose the project because of eminent domain
• Rural counties will not benefit from the project
• Texas Central Rail has assumed eminent domain authority

Empower Texas | Eminent Domain for High-speed Rail Faces Hurdle in Grimes County

The death knell issue: No commercial license plates for ride share drivers

The issue got squashed in substantive committee chaired by sibling to taxi industry: AB 828, which flew through the Assembly had a somber death in Senate Transportation, the chair’s brother is in the taxi industry

Will there be immediate impact to ride share? No. California’s DMV, which has adopted ride share rules, does not require commercial license plates for ride share drivers

The Recorder | Uber-Backed License Bill Fails in Calif. Legislature

Which County wants to require county permits before construction on high speed rail may begin? Grimes County, Texas

Is the proposal supported by state lawmakers? Yes. Support has been indicated by Sen. Schwertner, Rep. Schubert, Sen. Birdwell, Rep. Ashby & Sen. Kolkhorst

What would trigger a permit? Any construction crossing a county right of way

What would the application include? A requirement that the entity has state or federal authority to use eminent domain

Are other counties going to follow suit? Yes 

WTAW News Talk 1620 | State Lawmakers Support New Grimes County Requirements For Bullet Trains

A Tesla self driving car drove its owner to a hospital.

Tech Crunch | Autopilot in Tesla Model X helps driver get safely to a hospital

• Texas roadways are overly congested
• The Rio Grande Valley should be kept in the mix
• Crucial to link “major trade and energy centers in South Texas with metropolitan areas” further north

The Monitor |     EDITORIAL: RGV welcomes high-speed rail possibility

The County: Dade County Florida

The revenue deficit: In 2002, the County promised that an 8% increase in sales tax rate would build 90 miles of rail. They’ve built 3 miles.

Are property taxes going to go up? No, the property taxes near the proposed rail lines will be captured by special districts.

Are P3s involved? Yes. The transportation special districts will work with private interests to  pursue private financing & operation of new transit projects within the special districts

Governing | County Considers Raising Property Taxes to Expand Rail

Where was the new study published?  The July 2016 edition of The American Journal of Epidemiology

Did the study conclude ride share reduces drunk driving? No.

What reason did the authors give for ride share not impacitng drunk driving rates? Not enough ride share drivers yet

Washington Post | Is Uber reducing drunk driving? New study says no.

Which state is considering statewide regulation of ride share? Oregon

What does the statewide regulatory proposal look like? 

• Preemption. override local regulations that cause ride share comapnies to leave some cities
•  Indepdendent Contractors.  Codify the employee status of drivers.
• Commercial Insurance
• Annual background checks.

The Oregonian | Uber wants Oregon Legislature to allow ride-hailing apps statewide

In 2014, NTSB urged stronger regulation of hot air balloons.

In 2015, the FAA responded by saying that the chance of accident is ” so low”

In March 2016, the NTSB reissued its letter urging stronger regulations of hot air balloons.

The Wall Street Journal | U.S. Regulatory Debate About Sightseeing Balloons Spans Years

Which state legislature passed new statewide ride share rules? Massachusettes

What fee does it levy? 20-cent per ride surcharge to fund state infrastructure improvements

What requirements are placed on ride-share companies?

• insurance thresholds
• two-step background check for drivers
• no fingerprinting requirements
• decals on ride share cars will be mandatory
• cars will be required to pay commercial toll fees

What state agency will regulate ride share?  Department of Public Utilities funded by a surcharge on revenues earned by ride share companies

Is there something for taxis in the bill? Yes, 10 cents of the 20 cent surcharge will fund grant for taxi technology and workforce development

Patriot Ledger | Legislature agrees to new rules for ride-hailing companies

• Houston’s foray into the cruise ship industry included the Bayport Cruise Terminal, a $108 million project
• Critics of the Bayport Cruise Terminal called it a “boondoggle”
• Other critics said the problem was the industrial environment is not the scenery for a cruise ship terminal
• In 2012, the Port approved $6.7 million in incentives to Norwegian Cruise Line and Princess Cruises
• The numbers couldn’t compete with Galveston’s cruise data:
  • In 2016 Galveston will board 870,000
  • Generates $56 million in onshore passanger spending
  • Generates $18.1 million in port services

Houston Chronicle | With cruise ships gone, Port of Houston decides to move on at Bayport

Hyperloop travel time from Austin to San Antonio: 15 minutes

Hyperloop financing structure: Private

Hyperloop use of eminent domain: No eminent domain will be used.

Texas Monthly | Will Texas Soon Be Home To The Fastest Train In The World?

Potential Legislation for the 2017 Texas Legislature to Stop Texas Central Rail from using Eminent Domain:

• Prohibit Texas Central from exercising eminent domain authority
• Prevent Texas Central from using private lands for the project, if a 3rd party exercises eminent domain
• Rep. Metcalf’s proposal to require elected officials in every city & county along the proposed route to approve it

KHOU | High-speed rail opponents hope to block project next year

• Senator Birdwell:
  •  “I consider this issue far from resolved and I reiterate my steadfast opposition to the project — both for individual landowners who will be harmed by it in the short term and for the Texas taxpayers who will likely be asked to subsidize it in the long term.”
• State Representative Will Metcalf:
  • “Fortunately for landowners and all who value property rights, the Surface Transportation Board made the right decision and declined oversight,” Metcalf said in a statement.
• Senator Nichols:
  • ​“I think they are going to have to use eminent domain if they’re going to build it, and I think they know that the status of whether or not they do or don’t have it under current Texas law is a pretty shaky area, it’s not real clear,” said Nichols

Potential Legislation for the 2017 Texas Legislature to Stop Texas Central Rail from using Eminent Domain:

• Prohibit Texas Central from exercising eminent domain authority
• Prevent Texas Central from using private lands for the project, if a 3rd party exercises eminent domain
• Rep. Metcalf’s proposal to require elected officials in every city & county along the proposed route to approve it

KHOU | High-speed rail opponents hope to block project next year

• economic powerhouse
• will create local jobs
• will generate community tax revenue
• will create Texas’ newest industry
• rigorous study chose to connect the economic powerhouses of Houston & Dallas
• Texans will not foot the bill

Ft. Worth Star Telegram | Opinion  | Texas’ high-speed train: Right project, right way, right time

The member behind local elections to approve red light cameras? Joe Pickett

Statesman | Rep. Joe Pickett plans bill to let voters decide on red light cameras

Who is supporting self driving car testing sites? 3 Michigan lawmakers: U.S.  Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow and Representative Debbie Dingell

The propsed location: Michigan

the propsed testing site: 335-acre site, former home of General Motors Willow Run plant that  made bombers during World War II.

The purpose of a national testing site? To keep the U.S. competitive

NYTIMES | Testing Sites for Self-Driving Cars Become a Priority

• Consumer Groups support through rule making from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Administrator and not simply guidance
• Federal guidance on self driving cars has not been transparent
• Federal guidance has not involved public input

The Recorder | Consumer Advocates Wary as Regulators Near ‘Guidance’ on Driverless Cars

25% of HOV lane drivers break the rules according to  study by BYU of Utah HOV lanes.

KUTV 2 | BYU Study: 25 percent of Utah carpool lane drivers breaking the rules

The amount of debt service per biennium for transportation bonds: $2.2 Billion

The amount Texas borrowed for transportation fudning since 2005: $31 Billion

KLBK 13 | Texas Lawmakers Want New Cash to Payoff Old Construction Debt