Breakfast links: Act now
We could have killed 29,000 fewer people
A study estimates that the U.S. could have saved 29,000 lives if it had followed the same aggressive road safety measures as France, Great Britain, and Australia. That would require more extensive traffic cameras, tougher blood-alcohol maximums, sobriety checkpoints, and motorcycle helmet laws, all of which face political obstacles. (Post)
Mall to get flood levee
FEMA will build an emergency levee at 17th Street NW south of Constitution, to avoid adding a large swath of downtown DC to the 100-year flood plan. According to the map at least two Metro stations as well as the I-395 tunnel are within the hypothetical larger flood zone. (Post, Xavier) (Tip: Xavier)
Answers about CaBi
DDOT’s Chris Holben answers questions about the operation and future of Capital Bikeshare. DDOT is looking to add 20 more stations in the spring, and Holben acknowledges that SmartBike will end in “in the next couple months,” which means it may still be a while before seeing more downtown stations. (SmartPlanet)
Arlington approves TJ’s
The Arlington County Board approved site plan amendments which will bring a Trader Joe’s to downtown Clarendon. (ARLnow, @perkinsms)
Megabus expands service from DC
Discount motor coach Megabus plans to make DC its fifth travel hub, adding 10 new routes from the District starting next month. The company is seeking a new pick-up/drop-off space since the lot they currently use will close in March to make way for construction on the City Center project. (Post, Cavan) (Tip: Cavan)
Use it or lose it on HSR
Secretary LaHood has warned rail-wary incoming governors that USDOT will quickly reallocate foot-dragging states’ high speed rail funding to other, more willing states. A Republican congressman introduced a bill to let states to return their money to the Fed to pay down the deficit. (BizTimes)
Feds buying EVs
The General Services Administration has a solicitation for 100 electric vehicles out and could make a selection before the end of December. Other agencies, including the Department of Energy, the USPS, and the TVA are buying EV infrastructure. (Federal Times, Gavin) (Tip: Gavin)
Baltimore Grand Prix goes green
The Labor Day Weekend auto race is developing a traffic management plan including the use of circulators and encouraging the use of mass transit to get to and from the event, though its unclear whether this will include any regional measures like weekend MARC service or other links from DC. (Steven Yates) (Tip: Steven Yates)
And…
In a new feature called The Curve, TBD will rate the performance of local governments on various policies. … DCmud has declared the announcement of a full-service grocery at 3rd and H NE the tipping point for the until-now-ever-so-slowly gentrifying neighborhood. … Verizon is seeking permission to stop publishing the white pages phone book. (Post, Eric Fidler)