Transportation headlines, Thursday, Dec. 31

by Fred Camino , December 31, 2009

Here it is, the last day of the year and the decade, and the Metro Library keeps on trucking with their daily roundup of transportation headlines.

Today, there’s a few good year-end lists of note.

Streetsblog LA’s 2009 Streetsie Awards lists the best of local transportation news from an advocacy perspective.

The cumbersomely named American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) has compiled a list of the top ten transportation topics for the coming year. Suggestions include adopting a long-term transportation funding bill, cracking down on distracted driving and using social media to better relay transportation information to citizens.

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) has a list of their top ten smart growth stories of 2009. One noteworthy item on the list: despite ridership hitting levels not seen in decades, transit service nationwide faced cutbacks, service reductions and fare increases.

The Infrastructurist has a two part series on the top ten infrastructure stories of the decade. Check out Part 1 and Part 2. The rise of bicycling in the U.S. made the list, with The Infrastructurist proclaiming “The era of the bicycle is here”.

The rest of the headlines after the jump.

2009 Streetsies – The Best Of Times
LA StreetsBlog

America’s Top Ten Transportation Topics For 2010
AASHTO

Beware Of Freeway Lane & Ramp Closures Around The Rose Parade
LAist

Data: Our Second City
Building A Smarter Planet

Getting Around: Bikes, Funiculars And Other Transportation Issues
Los Angeles Downtown News

Metrolink To Pay Out $39M To Settle Lawsuits From ‘05 Derailment
LAist

On Gender And Parking
How We Drive

Smart Highways Taking To The Road Via International Initiatives
Aftermarket Business

So, How Is That Gold Line Extension Doing?
LA Curbed

Social Networking Use Increases, But Has Yet To Transform Government
Government Technology

Sunset Strip Getting Its First Repaving In 75 Years
Los Angeles Times