ASC's Intersections Newsletter — April 11th, 2025
Nora’s Note
Congestion Pricing Moves the City that Never Stops. The MTA and the federal government just reached a deal that keeps New York City’s congestion pricing program in place through at least October. Launched in January, the program charges most vehicles $9 to enter Manhattan below 60th Street. That pricing shift freed up traffic lanes and brought in nearly $50 million in its first month with projections of an average of $40 million per month moving forward to reinvest in public transportation. Emergency vehicles are moving more easily. Buses are speeding up. And the city feels just a little more breathable. This isn’t just policy; it’s progress. Congestion pricing is showing us what happens when we rethink how we move, and who our streets are really for. The courts will weigh in this fall. But for now, New Yorkers are reaping the benefits — less gridlock, cleaner air, and faster, more reliable transit.
Transportation
Traffic deaths reach historic lows in NYC’s first quarter of 2025, with Bronx seeing 40 percent drop. Citywide fatalities dropped by 37%, from 65 in early 2024 to 41 this year—the second-lowest first-quarter total ever recorded. The Bronx saw an even sharper decline, with traffic deaths falling by 40%, from 10 to 6, according to NYPD data. Mayor Eric Adams and DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez credited the city’s Vision Zero initiatives, including several safety upgrades. Read more about safer streets. (Source: Bronx Times)
Gothamist: NYC Subway map gets first full redesign since 1979
Morningstar: Two Ryder leaders shine as “Top Women to Watch in Transportation” in 2025
Sierra Club: Illinois Commerce Commission approves $254 million investment in clean transportation
Climate
Bipartisan bill to boost green building materials glides through House. The IMPACT Act advances low-carbon concrete and asphalt research, while its 2.0 version enables states to procure green materials. This comes as Biden-era DOE funding faces cuts under Trump, threatening innovative projects like Sublime Systems’ electrochemical cement plant. Read more about California and eight other states are pushing forward with Buy Clean policies, supporting a greener infrastructure future. (Source: Canary Media)
Inside Climate News: New poll shows Americans view water that’s safe to drink and reliably supplied as top issues
Waste Dive: New Mexico advances heat safety rule
Anthropocene Magazine: Tentacled biodegradable cleaners hunt microplastics in open water
Economic Development
Maryland Dept of Housing and Community Development announces accelerated $50M Baltimore vacants reinvestment initiative application round. The program targets community development organizations to submit multi-year plans to rehabilitate vacant properties in Baltimore. This follows a December 2024 BVRI investment of $50.8 million to reduce vacancies and increase affordable housing. Maryland also awarded $88.1 million through State Revitalization Programs to support 182 community projects in the Baltimore region. Read more about Maryland’s statewide commitment to neighborhood revitalization and community growth. (Source: Maryland State)
CityLand NYC: NYC Dept of Housing Preservation and Development celebrates the start of vacant lot transformation into 149 affordable homes in Crotona Park East
San Francisco Examiner: How SF’s port transformed from shipping hub to waterfront destination
Precinct Reporter Group: Sweeping bill package to fast track housing production
Digital
Vertical AI Meets Action: a practical roadmap for energy and utilities. Despite years of pilot programs, most utilities remain stuck between vision and execution while facing increasing challenges of grid instability and resource optimization. Over the next five years, vertical AI will enable self-diagnosing grids, redefine operations, and empower customers with personalized energy insights. However, successful implementation requires upskilling workforces, overcoming resistance to change, and prioritizing trustworthy partnerships and collaborative knowledge sharing across the industry. Read more on how vertical AI will shape energy. (Source: Forbes)
New York City Council: Louis Introduces Legislation to Close the Digital Divide for Homeless New Yorkers
Engadget: OpenAI’s $20 ChatGPT Plus is now free for college students until the end of May
Iowa State University: Engineers using ‘digital twins’ to improve agriculture, health, manufacturing, and more
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