Here is a look at some of the transportation headlines gathered by the Metro Library. The full list of headlines is posted on the library’s blog.

Dude, Where’s Your Car? (Slate)

Not only is L.A. the car capital of the world, it’s also the hub of the film industry. Is it any surprise then that movies tend to portray those without cars as nothing more than losers? This Slate article takes a look at the many examples in film where Hollywood decided that the best way to paint someone as pathetic was to take away their car. The question, of course, is this an example of art imitating life or vice-versa?

Funding Transit Projects: New Recommendations for U.S. Policy (The City Fix)

The City Fix takes a look at some strategies recommended by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) for transit agencies and cities to get more ‘bang for the buck’  from transit investments. These suggestions come as a response to the funding crisis agencies across the nation are facing. The main gist is that agencies should try to scrape as much money as they can through the increased property value that transit investments bring to an area. Joint development projects are one suggestion. Another suggestion is creating special assessment districts in areas near transit where taxes and fees can be increased to match the expected increase in property values.

Will Bicyclists And Pedestrians Squeeze Out Cars? (National Journal)

As alternative transportation finds itself creeping into the national consciousness, a questions is raised whether one mode will win out over another. Clearly, the automobile owns our streets right now, but is it an all or nothing game? Will bikes be the only way to get around in the future? Or mass transit? The National Journal asks experts for their input. I really like what Andy Clarke, president of the League of American Bicyclists, has to say, which is basically that it’s not a zero-sum game and what is needed is a balance in modes – so that people have choices when it comes to mobility. He uses Copenhagen as an example of a bikers paradise that is also car friendly.

China to build ginormous buses that cars can drive under (engadget)

Well, China has found the answer to the bus lanes problem – create a bus that keeps the lanes by towering over them. Want to be amazed? Click the link to watch the video and see the images of this megabus.