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UPS Trucks Don't Turn Left and Neither Should You

Cailey Rizzo

August 17, 2018 |

Time Magazine |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States

By having its drivers eliminate most left turns on their routes UPS has saved millions of gallons of fuel and reduced the output of tons of carbon dioxide. The company put the policy in place in 2004 after its vehicle routing software in all its trucks determined left turns wasted time and money stopping them also reduces accidents. These gains could increase exponentially if every driver eliminated left turns but that is probably unlikely.

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Bicycle Deaths in New York Are a Problem. The Ghost Bikes Project Wants to Solve It.

Melissa Petro

August 14, 2018 |

NationSwell |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

The Ghost Bike Project installs stripped-down bikes at the scenes of fatal accidents to raise awareness about the work still needed to ensure safety for cyclists. Project staff also work to correct narratives about bike accidents which are often commonly blamed on the cyclist without cause.

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Once Polluted and Reviled, the Chicago River Bounces Back

Julie Bosman

August 02, 2018 |

The New York Times |

Photojournalism |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

The Chicago River, once a place that tourists and locals alike would avoid, is now thriving after over 15 years of redevelopment efforts. Richard M. Daley, mayor at the time, enlisted the help of a Chicago architect to make the riverfront a more inviting place to spend time. That work has paid off. Now, in addition to being a location for boat commerce, the riverfront provides an inviting space for anyone who wants to meet for walks, drinks, food, or outdoor activities.

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Bellevue builds its first downtown bike lane. But there's a catch

Michelle Baruchman

August 01, 2018 |

The Seattle Times |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Bellevue, Washington

Bellevue’s pilot bike lane project is starting slow and ready for feedback. By beginning the project with less than a mile of bike lanes downtown, the city made sure to brand it as a pilot, hoping to measure results and adapt accordingly. Also, the Bellevue Downtown Association had a clear voice in expectations for any bike lane project, all of which were met in the initial pilot. The city hopes that bringing on board urban planners, city council, and the downtown association will increase chances of long-term success.

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Check the Back Seat! Alerts Remind Drivers About Children

Ellen Byron

July 28, 2018 |

Wall Street Journal |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

Nissan and GM plan to make warning systems standard in many of their vehicles that alert drivers there are occupants in the back seat to address the persistent issue of children dying in hot cars. Other new products, apps and education efforts are underway as well to tackle this problem. These potential solutions represent a societal shift that seems to acknowledge this can happen even to the most conscientious parents.

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Equity Makes Bike-Sharing Work, and Other Bike-Share Guidelines for Cities

Rachel Kaufman

July 23, 2018 |

Next City |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, St. Louis, Missouri

New guidelines to help cities manage bike-share programs, based on feedback from 60 cities, could be the key to success for dockless vehicles. The guidelines include recommendations about permits and fines, ways to consider equity programs, and a reference guide to what cities are currently doing in this space. The idea is that, by planning ahead and being deliberate, cities can maximize the benefit that dockless vehicles bring to their cities while regulating any negatives.

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Why millions listen to this girl's advice

Dougal Shaw

July 20, 2018 |

BBC |

Broadcast TV News |

Under 3 Minutes

Response Location: United Kingdom, London

Is no one listening to your public service announcement? Try having a child read it. At the Victoria metro station in London, escalator injuries have fallen by nearly two-thirds since the station began running announcements by nine-year-old Megan.

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The cashless taxi system that's reducing Rwanda's traffic accidents

Lucy Lamble

July 11, 2018 |

The Guardian |

Podcast |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: Rwanda, Kigali

To combat traffic accidents in Rwanda, developed a cashless motorcycle taxi system. The system leverages technology to create a cashless system—and regulate speed. Competition in the moto-taxi sector induces many drivers to exceed the speed limit, but this system enforces safe driving by reporting speeding to local police.

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Two years after Philando Castile's death, programs aim to transform relations between police, residents

Dan Simmons

July 07, 2018 |

The Washington Post |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Roseville, Minnesota

Drivers in a suburb of St. Paul, Minn., who have equipment issues with their cars may get coupons to help them fix the problems at repair shops rather than a ticket. The Lights On program was created by a nonprofit after the shooting death of Philando Castile by a police officer during a traffic stop over a broken tail light in a nearby town. Twenty participating police departments around the Twin Cities are participating and the program expanded to Iowa, with plans for additional locales.

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Always Under Construction

Sara Hudson

June 26, 2018 |

Slate |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New Orleans, Louisiana

To resolve road construction communications with frustrated drivers, the New Orleans government developed RoadWork NOLA - an app that showed planned road construction. Unfortunately, no one was using it. Instead of giving up on their idea of a solution, they decided to embark on a plan to make it better through project iteration and human-centered design.

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