ASC's Intersections Newsletter — Week of August 19, 2021
Nora's Note
One of three. Today, Claire Berg, one of three interns ASC welcomed just a few months ago, heads off to her next new role as Director of Operations at the Virginia Policy Review of the UVA Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, where she is a Master of Public Policy candidate. This was a class of interns unlike any other: we never met in person for one thing, and onboarding jittery trainees for virtual internships was a lesson we all had to learn. With COVID-19 pushing us out of the traditional office, geographic barriers came down, distance was no longer a hiring requisite and we drew intern candidates from all over. But internships were down 15% overall, according to Hiring Lab, while Glassdoor reported a 39% drop. We are glad we chose to press on — interns infuse the whole team with new energy and, in turn, we all learn to work together, no matter the setting. Here's what Claire had to say about the experience.
Transportation
Study reveals the role protected bike paths can play in bicyclist safety. Building off-road paths for cyclists could save lives nationwide, according to a new study that looked at real-world crash data from Arlington, VA. As cycling fatalities nationwide rose by 5% in 2020, Arlington saw zero cyclist fatalities and a 28% decrease in cyclist-driver collisions. The study attributes the city's previous investment in off-road trails as a major factor in the safety improvements, along with pandemic-related changes in bicycle travel patterns. Read on for the lessons learned that could save lives in other communities across the country.
Smart Cities Dive: The pandemic changed car ownership. How can cities adapt?
Progressive Railroading: Transit agencies met safety plan mandate, FTA says
Morrisville Daily Record: North Jersey officials, advocates call on U.S. government to invest in clean transportation
The Verge: Scooter Sharing Has Finally Come to NYC — Is the City Ready?
Washington Post: Federal mask mandate for planes, buses and trains to extend into next year
Intelligent Transport: MTA to lift bike permit requirements on Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad
Car and Driver: Do You Know How Well Your Car Drives Itself?
Inside Climate News: In Philadelphia, Mass Transit Officials Hope Redesigning Bus Routes Will Boost Post-Pandemic Ridership
Energy/Environment
Here's what the Census results mean for environmental justice. U.S. Census data is used not just to determine seats in the House of Representatives and reshape districts, but also in tools that use Census demographic data to identify environmental justice concerns. With 2020 Census data released last week, environmental justice groups are keeping an eye on how the new data will affect communities in the next decade. Read on to learn how the new data might affect President Biden's Justice40 initiative.
USA Today: Hundreds of U.S. cities adopted climate plans. Few have met the goals, but it's not too late.
NPR: Computer Models Of Civilization Offer Routes To Ending Global Warming
ScienceDaily: A clean US hydrogen economy is within reach, but needs a game plan, energy researchers say
WBUR: Can The Internet Be More Resilient To Climate Change? Some Are Banking On It
CNBC: Solar costs dropped more than 70% over the last decade, and Biden wants to accelerate the trend
GreenBiz: Why rural America is key to climate change policy
Reuters: Droughts shrink hydropower, pose risk to global push to clean energy
Energy News Network: Greenhouse gas pact helps fund green reinvention of Virginia public housing
Economic Development
Why minority business leaders are celebrating the infrastructure bill. Earlier this month, the U.S. Senate approved an infrastructure bill that included a number of initiatives to support minority business enterprises (MBEs). Most significantly, the bill would establish the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) as a permanent Federal agency and increase its annual funding by $68 million. In addition to expanding MBDA's work to support MBEs, the bill also boosts opportunities for MBEs to bid on infrastructure projects. Read on to learn more about how these provisions could address the pandemic's disproportionate impact on minority-owned small businesses.
Route Fifty: What Works? Evidence and Evaluation Key as State and Localities Spend Aid
Buffalo News: Expansion of state historic tax credit could aid smaller rehab projects
Reuters: U.S. small business optimism drops as labor shortages persist
Syracuse.com: 5 finalists chosen in $3M Genius NY business competition in Syracuse
WHEC TV: Rochester ranked as top 10 best mid-sized city for businesses
CNBC: Bidding wars erupt for renters as the economy recovers in a hot housing market
Tysons Corner: Metro signs agreement to bring major mixed-use development to West Falls Church station
The City: New York City’s Population Booms — But Not for Everyone, Everywhere
Get in touch to learn how our signature approach can work for you.
Subscribe to Arch Street Communications' Newsletter Intersections