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

Best argument he’s seen yet for high-speed rail (California High-Speed Rail blog)

New saddle seats for airplanes are being marketed as a way to cram more people into the same amount of space on short haul flights. As far as he’s concerned, Robert Cruickshank thinks that’s just one more reason that trains are best suited to shorter trips — and even some in the airline industry think the same. But no one is really talking about the best way to integrate rail and plane in busy corridors around the U.S.

HOT lanes stand better chance than toll roads (Bond Buyer)

Building entire toll roads has, at best, proven a shaky financial proposition in the Golden State. As a result, converting carpool lanes to toll lanes for single drivers (in most instances) has proven a more popular concept. The Bay Area is pushing hard on that concept and, of course, Metro’s ExpressLanes project will convert the carpool lanes on parts of the 110 and 10 freeways to HOT lanes.

Parking management that actually manages parking (Ventura Mayor Bill Fulton’s blog)

The coastal city recently started charging for on-street parking in its downtown area. Within minutes of the new rules taking effect, they began working as intended, writes Fulton — those in downtown for the day (such as employees of downtown shops) moved their vehicles to long-term lots or garages, freeing up spaces on the street for shoppers and diners and those running errands.

We’ll return with a musical interlude tomorrow. But today I wanted to post this video interview by the New Yorker with U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, who discusses his views on last year’s federal stimulus bill and its impact on transportation.