Tucson Streetcar/lasertrimman via flickr

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 Headlines blog, which you can also access via email subscription or RSS feed.

Sierra Club picks best and worst transpo projects (StreetsBlog DC)

Which transportation projects are the smartest investments and which are most ridiculous? Sierra Club has put together a list that evaluates projects based on criteria including public health, effects on oil use, land use and economy. The list also reveals who is innovating for the future and who is spending staggering sums on backwards projects. The Tucson Streetcar (left) gets a thumbs up. Wonder what they’ll think of the downtown L.A. version.

London buses offering contact-less payment (BBC)

Passengers on London’s 8,500 vehicles can now buy tickets by swiping a credit, debit or charge card over an NFC (near field communication) reader — a great idea. Just don’t swipe your whole wallet or more than one card might be charged.

Bridging the fiscal cliff (The Transport Politic)

Declining federal expenditures will hit transportation spending hard. How should states and cities keep up their investments? There’s no answer here but responses to the question are welcomed.

Google map apps back where they belong … on iPhone (New York Times)

Google maps are back on iPhones and we couldn’t be happier. The New York Times sums it up: “Google Maps for the iPhone has arrived. It’s free, fast and fantastic.”