Kate Hinds

The Jonas Brothers appear in a video urging young drivers to pledge to "X the TXT" -- an Allstate-funded campaign to stop texting while driving.   Sample comment on the Facebook page: i took the pledge even tho i cant legally drive yett!! ♥

California drivers are still texting while behind the wheel. At approximately twice the rate they were texting before the state ban went into affect last year. (Los Angeles Times)  Meanwhile, a battle is shaping up over a ballot initiative that would suspend that state's stringent greenhouse gas emissions rules. (New York Times)

Oil boom in North Dakota drives up revenue -- and rents. (Minnesota Public Radio)

BART votes to approve the Oakland Airport Connector.  Again.  (SF Streetsblog)

Shareholders of United and Continental Airlines vote today on the proposed merger.  (Marketplace)

Where do old NYC subway cars go?  Hint: their passengers now include black sea bass and flounder. WNYC takes a look at a photo exhibit of their watery graves.

(Washington, DC — Todd Zwillich, Transportation Nation) Funding for some high-profile public transit projects could be on the line in Maryland's upcoming race for governor.

Now that former governor Bob Ehrlich has defeated Tea Party favorite Brian Murphy for the GOP nomination, battle lines may forming around transit projects in Baltimore and in the Maryland suburbs around Washington, DC.

Do railroads have too much pricing power over farmers? Some say yes, and the head of the federal Surface Transportation Board says he's considering new rules governing freight rail pricing. (Wall Street Journal)

A penny for your thoughts: most Fulton County mayors say they support a one-cent sales tax to fund transportation. But since the referendum is two years away, let the legislative games begin! (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Streetsblog takes a look at three "transit villains" who went down in this week's New York primary. Meanwhile, the New York Times wonders if Eric Schneiderman's past as a public-interest lawyer suing the MTA will win him votes in November.

X Prize marks the fuel-efficient spot: three teams split $10 million prize to create fuel efficient cars. (NPR)  Hey, one of the winners is from Virginia!  (WAMU)

For the first time since state transportation officials began documenting road conditions, more than half of all Colorado's DOT-maintained highways are in poor condition. (Denver Post)

New Yorkers, get your lawn chairs and astroturf and prepare to reclaim some parking spaces: Park(ing) Day NYC is tomorrow. Click here to find a Park(ing) spot.

(Houston — Wendy Siegle, KUHF)   There may be a moratorium on deepwater drilling, but that doesn't mean the Gulf of Mexico's shallow waters are immune from stricter regulation. More stringent rules mean the federal government is now taking longer to grant permits to operate in the shallow waters, and drillers aren't pleased.

(Oil Rigs near Huntington Beach/Aaron Logan)

(Detroit - Noah Ovshinsky, WDET) -  The proposed second bridge crossing between Detroit and Windsor has been in limbo in recent months. The legislation that essentially authorizes the project--commonly called the DRIC (Detroit River International Crossing)--is stalled in the state senate. Critics say the bridge is unneeded and too expensive. But in Ontario, the project is moving full steam ahead--even though its U.S. partner has yet to commit.

Who halted the Trans-Hudson tunnel?  NJ Governor Christie owns up, says: "If I can't pay for it, then we'll have to consider other options." (Newark Star-Ledger)

Cash for Clunkers...a clunker?  Two economists say that the spending program failed to achieve the desired economic boost.  (Freakonomics/New York Times)

The effect of the program on auto purchases was significantly more short-lived than previously suggested. We also find no evidence of an effect on employment, house prices, or household default rates in cities with higher exposure to the program.

One Wisconsin restaurateur hopes to start the "bike restaurant movement" in Madison.  Bike-themed Velo Bahn to open next year, replete with locally produced food...and indoor bike parking.  (Wisconsin State Journal)

Say your electric car runs out of juice while you're driving.  When you call roadside assistance, will they have a way to boost your battery?  One company has developed what it says is "on-the-go EV charging." (Fast Company)

(Houston — Wendy Siegle, KUHF)  Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst was in Houston today to discuss the state of Texas transportation. He says the Texas Department of Transportation needs to make some serious changes if it wants to tackle the state's congestion problems.  While Dewhurst gave some praise to the Texas Department of Transportation, he also had some harsh words for the agency.  “I’ve never seen a state agency in my seven and half years as Lieutenant Governor that has such poor public relations with the legislature, and most Texans.”

Virginia residents get their first look at the plans to build a new Metro line out to Dulles Airport. (WAMU) Meanwhile, Metro shows off how it plans to spend some of its $202 million in federal stimulus dollars: 48 new hybrid buses and expanding transit services for the disabled. (Washington Post)

But maybe DC transit should talk to Boston: the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority's new hybrid buses haven't quelled riders' discontent with overall service. (Boston Globe)

The New York City MTA held its first public hearing about the upcoming fare hikes. Perhaps unsurprisingly, attendees seem to skew towards being...unsupportive. (WNYC)

Crowdsourcing roadkill: one university in California is trying to gauge the impact of vehicles on wildlife. (New York Times)

Time is money, especially on I-680: starting next week, California begins piloting a program that would allow drivers to pay to drive in a traffic-free lane. (KALW)

(Houston, TX – Wendy Siegle - KUHF)  It’s been four months since the Federal Transit Administration launched its investigation into METRO's procurement practices. The results of the inquiry are in, and it doesn’t look good for the Houston transit agency. FTA officials say METRO violated both federal purchasing laws and Buy America requirements when it handed over two light rail contracts to a Spanish rail car vendor. FTA Administrator Peter Rogoff called METRO’s purchasing process “alarming and disturbing” in letter he delivered in person to Houston Mayor Annise Parker and METRO officials.

(Kate Hinds, Transportation Nation) Another start to another school year, another debate about grading systems. So it's a good time for Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to unveil proposed changes to fuel economy labels.

The current label --which hasn't received a major overhaul for decades-- lists estimated miles per gallon for city and highway driving, the estimated annual fuel cost, and how the vehicle's fuel economy compares to other vehicles. What the government says it lacks is a way to take new technology into account. So the United States Department of Transportation and the Environmental Protection Agency have jointly announced plans to revamp the label, which would theoretically be displayed on new cars beginning in 2012.

The agencies have laid out two options, and they're taking public comment on them (click through to see labels)

There are teachers who say it's hard to set expectations and make it a real school day when the students have just one day of class this week.

Is this the first of the UK's "austerity strikes?"  London Underground workers begin a series of 24-hour strikes.   (Marketplace).  Meanwhile, across the channel, French transit employees are also striking.  (NPR)

Shhhh:  NJ Transit launches "quiet car" pilot program.  Put down the cell phones, commuters.  (Star Ledger)

New York's construction industry likes the president's $50 billion infrastructure plan.  Republicans, not so much.  (WNYC)

The Federal Aviation Administration is mulling over the National Transportation Safety Board's request to require children under two years old to have their own seats.  (AP)

Camden Yards fans aren't riding the rails to get to the stadium -- which isn't helping Baltimore achieve its light rail passenger goals.   (WTOP)

The Great Pollinator Project aims to get members of the public — “citizen scientists” in Great Pollinator parlance — to observe bees and report what they see and where they see it. Th...

Seattle may create transportation taxing district (Seattle Times)

Transit Workers Union to run dollar-van service in Brooklyn (Wall Street Journal)

Early findings from government investigation into runaway Toyotas shows no electronic problems (AP)

Idaho's congressional delegation supports heavier trucks on interstates -- despite new study showing that trucks aren't shouldering their share of highway costs (Idaho Statesman)

T party: Boston's MBTA comes in under budget this fiscal year (Metro Boston)

Drunken boating makes steep decline in New Jersey; strict penalties and mandatory water-safety course credited with change (Press of Atlantic City)

Bus drivers in Korea demand safety measures; threaten boycott following explosion of  Seoul bus running on compressed natural gas (Korea Herald)

Mosque controversy coming soon to a bus near you: NYC's MTA approves ads opposing the construction of a mosque near Ground Zero (New York Times)

Portugal gives itself a clean energy makeover--but is it sustainable?  (New York Times)

CT State Supreme Court rules on vehicle ornaments, says police need a higher threshold when it comes to determining how distracting fuzzy dice are.   (Hartford Courant)

City Limits deconstructs the cause and effect of NYC's transit funding crisis.

Bergen County (NJ) police receive grant to target aggressive drivers (The Record)

Williamsburg "vigilante" says he's fed up with bikes parked everywhere, says "no bike is safe" and promises to continue gluing bike locks in his neighborhood. (Brooklyn Paper)

Massachusetts graphic designer imagines subway lines in places without public transportation. All aboard the Martha's Vineyard T!  (WBUR)

Transportation Nation's own Andrea Bernstein guest-hosted today's Brian Lehrer Show. One of the segments talked about plans to demolish the Sheridan Expressway, reconnect local streets, and use the expressway's land for open green space and affordable housing. The plan is controversial -- especially with WNYC's listeners. Can Steve, a truck driver from West Babylon who drives through the Bronx a couple of times a week, be won over? Listen below! (And keep your ears peeled for Steve, who calls in about 12 minutes in.)

According to the Denver Post, Colorado Republican gubernatorial candidate David Maes has accused Denver mayor John Hickenlooper of "converting Denver into a United Nations community." Maes was referring to...Hickenlooper's support for Denver's bicycle sharing program. "These aren't just warm, fuzzy ideas from the mayor," Maes said. "These are very specific strategies that are dictated to us by this United Nations program that mayors have signed on to." Before you dismiss Maes, remember: "That's exactly the attitude they want you to have."

Read the full story here.

Driver, follow that hot spot: a plan is in the works to bring Wi-Fi to NYC cabs (WNYC)

Subway made you late to work? The MTA will provide an excuse for you, online (WNYC)

Let my data go: a video plea for transportation agencies to end their data monopoly. Which apparently some are.  (Streetfilms)

The elderly and disabled must pay full fare. Oh wait, they don't. DC Metro reverses paratransit fare decision.  (Washington Examiner)

The Sheridan Expressway's possible dismantling to be discussed on today's Brian Lehrer Show.

Potholes: they're not just for spring anymore, as one Massachusetts highway is erupting after years of neglect (Boston Globe)

How is the Brooklyn Bridge spending its summer vacation? Being draped in canvas to prepare for being repainted.

Canvas being draped over the Brooklyn Bridge

You can see more pictures here.

(And yes, we did ask a NYC Department of Transportation staffer if there was any chance the canvas would be, say, Christo orange, or hot pink. The response: "Not on my bridge!")