Breakfast Links: Metro’s third rail shocks and scares
Image by Jim Larrison licensed under Creative Commons.
Two Metro workers injured on tracks
A Metro worker received an electrical shock when a metal rod he was carrying came in contact with the electrified third rail. A second worker sustained injuries when he came to his aid. Both injuries are listed as not life-threatening. (Post)
DC’s 2016 architecture boon
In 2016, DC got new, exciting architecture in the form of a museum, schools, and libraries. Also exciting? A full update to the zoning code, the first since 1958. (CityPaper)
Slimmer sidewalks may grace FBI building site
The National Capital Planning Commission will vote today on the final guidelines for any development that replaces the FBI headquarters in downtown DC. One recommendation is to slim down sidewalks from 75 feet to a minimum of 57 feet. (WBJ)
Capital Bikeshare’s busiest stations of 2016
What were Capital Bikeshare's top 10 busiest stations in 2016? Union Station still reigns at the top, while a newcomer, Eastern Market, joins the list at 10th. The bike share service recorded more than 3.3 million trips in 2016. (Capital Bikeshare)
Big boost for District revenue
The District is gaining more residents and businesses, which means more tax revenue. Does that mean tax relief is on deck for next year? (WBJ)
The Metro canopy controversy
The Huntington Metro Station's new outdoor escalator continues to sit idle because state building code says outdoor escalators must have canopies. Metro says it was aware of the code and intends to build the canopy, but expected that Fairfax County would allow the escalator to operate without one in the meanwhile. (Covering the Corridor)
Is 2017 the year for personal electric vehicles?
Can electric skateboards and bikes help bridge the first and last mile hurdle? They'll have to tackle a few problems first: battery size, safety, city regulations, and even public perception. (Verge)
The sound and the fury…of airplane noise
Last year it was revealed that a single person had filed over 6,500 noise complaints against National Airport in 2015. That person has finally come forward: Italian astronaut Roberto Vittori, who flew three space shuttle missions. (The Outline. Tip: LEW)
New York City commuter train derails
A Long Island Rail Road train derailed while pulling into a station in Brooklyn yesterday, injuring more than 100 people. Fortunately, none of the injuries were life-threatening. (Gothamist)
A Chinese subway abandons “stand right, walk left” policy
The Nanjing, China subway system is asking passengers to stand on both sides of escalators, after finding that standing only on the right side causes extensive wear and tear to the escalators. (South China Morning Post. Tip: Ryan)
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