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.

Nashville has the worst traffic, says new report (ABC News)

A new study by a Portland, Ore., firm concludes that the way that traffic studies have been studying traffic for many years is all wrong. In the new report’s view, time spent in the car is the key measure suburban sprawl is the main culprit. Therefore Nashville, Oklahoma City and Birmingham are the three worst places to drive and L.A. is No. 17 on the list. The city suggests that cities with compact development are better places to drive, if you have to.

Caltrain installs suicide prevention signs (Mercury News)

Suicide by rail has long been a problem around the country — including in Southern California — although not one that gets much media attention. Seven people died on Caltrain tracks in the San Francisco Bay this year and the agency is now replacing its suicide signs with 250 new ones that say “there is help” with a suicide prevention help line number and an image of hands clasping. The signs will be about 525 feet apart over a 10-mile stretch of track. A new study will also track calls generated by the signs.

Some cities gaining when it comes to bike commuting (Bikeleague.org blog)

A quick look at cities that are adding bike commuters according to 2009 Census data. Even some cities with reputations for big car traffic are gaining — such as Atlanta and Dallas. Los Angeles is not mentioned once in the post. That said, my favorite line in the post is that the most bike friendly city in the U.S. would, according to these stats, be viewed as downright bike hostile in a country such as the Netherlands.