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.

Backfire! With Cleaner Cars, People Drive More (Treehugger)

In Sweden, the law of unintended consequences is on full display. The country prides itself on its green credentials. But its national transportation agency has reported that the popularity of more fuel efficient cars has actually lead to an increase of car-based emissions. The conclusion: When people start saving money by driving fuel efficient cars, sometimes they end up driving even more than before.

Top World Bank Economist: U.S. Should Invest in Infrastructure (Infrastructurist)

Infrastructurist pulls together some juicy quotes about the critical need for the U.S. to increase its investment in infrastructure. More broadly, according to a financial analyst at Morgan Stanley, the key is increasing spending on enhancing productivity. Infrastructure, education and research and development investment would all do the trick.

UCLA faculty assess the opportunities presented by California’s planned high-speed rail system (Daily Bruin)

With the California High-Speed Rail Authority Board in town, here’s a timely piece. Four researchers at UCLA are examining how communities along HSR routes can maximize the economic and social benefits of a station. By studying systems in China, Germany and Japan, they’ve concluded that two keys are locating stations in city-centers and providing ample connections to local transit services.

Speaking of the CAHSR board, they’re meeting in Los Angeles this morning in the Metro Board Room starting at about 9 a.m. A live webcast is available here.