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.

Port of L.A. gets keys to first zero-emission truck (KPCC)

The movement of goods might not grab headlines like a new subway project, but L.A.’s ports — and the trucks that carry cargo to and from them — play a huge role in the local economy. They also a big contributor, however, to the region’s air pollution problems. So the arrival of a zero-emission truck is a welcome sight*, even if it’s just on a trial run for now. This isn’t your typical plug-in EV either; it has an on-board hydrogen fuel cell system that recharges the batteries on the fly, providing a 200-mile range. The $1-million truck, manufactured by Vision Industries, was paid for through a combination of port revenues and federal grants.

FAA in partial shutdown; air traffic unaffected (L.A. Times)

While Congress works to raise the national debt ceiling, it has let at least one important transportation issue fall by the wayside: funding the Federal Aviation Administration. Rest assured, air traffic controllers are still on watch, but thousands of FAA staff have been furloughed, and construction was halted on over $2 billion worth of construction projects. The lack of funding also means the FAA lost the authority to assess its typical taxes on airline tickets. According to the New York Times, airlines were quick to raise ticket prices to make up the difference. Yay!

Seeing L.A. in a way most natives never dare (L.A. Times)

Suffice it to say that if you’re reading this post, you’re probably a “daring native,” according to the L.A. Times headline writers. Reporter Nita Lelyveld profiled a family from Central California that regularly comes to Los Angeles to tour the city’s attractions via public transit. I appreciate that the author shows that one can — and many do — use transit for trips around L.A. However, I lament the fact that the title gives the impression that you have to be some sort of urban adventurer to figure out how to make transit work for you. It’s not that hard — millions of Angelenos do it. In fact, I’d be happy to let the Times profile me on my commute, but I suspect readers don’t want to hear about a twenty-something dude nodding off on the #10 Big Blue Bus.

*It took all my will-power not to say “breath of fresh air.”