The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently finalized a new Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard to make automatic emergency braking (AEB), including pedestrian AEB, standard on all passenger cars and light trucks by September 2029. The rule applies to nearly all vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less.  The vehicles will be required to be able to stop to avoid contact with vehicles in front of them up to 62 miles per hour, be able to apply the brakes automatically up to 90 mph when a collision is i ..read more

American Packaging Corporation (APC) announced on Monday it had launched another “Design for Recycle” flexible packaging technology – this time targeted at pet food products. The new technology aimed at pet food products from small pouches for pet treats to large bags will join the company’s APC RE sustainable packaging portfolio that includes designs for compost, circular content and renewable content, as well as several film and paper options. “APC is committed to developing high-performance, sustainable packaging. Our RE Sustainable Packaging portfolio continues to expand with sustainable ..read more

U.S. Senate and House of Representatives leaders said the final bill to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) for the next five years will head to the Senate floor this week following months of negotiations. The legislation, a compromise between Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-TX), and House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair Sam Graves (R-MO) and Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-WA), prioritizes investments to strengthen aviation safety standards, enhance consu ..read more

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has awarded $2.3 billion in contracts to Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBE) as part of the JFK Redevelopment Program. This is the largest participation of MWBE firms on any public-private partnership project in New York state history. “The Port Authority is committed to supporting inclusiveness in the design, financing, construction and operation of our major redevelopment projects across the region by setting ambitious goals for MWBE participation,” Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole said. “Just as we’ve done at Newark-Libert ..read more

Honda Motor Co. announced Friday it was planning to build a comprehensive $15 billion electric vehicle (EV) value chain in Canada. The company said it has begun evaluating the requirements to build an innovative and environmentally responsible plant and a stand-alone Honda EV battery plant in Alliston, Ontario. The company said the value chain will strengthen the EV supply system with an eye toward increasing future EV demand in North America. The value chain will include investment by joint venture partners, and will support Honda’s global initiative to make BEVs and FCEVs represent 100 perc ..read more

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation is seeking proposals from design-build teams through June 21 for the Washington Bridge Westbound demolition project in Providence. Proposals should be for the removal of the bridge superstructure. They will be evaluated and awarded based on value. Proposals that complete the work in the earliest timeframes will score higher. The state will divide the demolition process into four groups, each working on a different section of the bridge, with a required milestone date for completion. This method allows for zero impacts on the adjacent eastbound bri ..read more

On Friday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released a final rule to limit carbon particle emissions on subsonic aircraft engines. The rule sets maximum standards for the amount of non-volatile particulate matter (nvPM) emitted by U.S. civil aircraft engines. Officials said the final rule aligns with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommendations and with International Civil Aviation Organization standards. “This first-of-its-kind rule in the United States will reduce the environmental impact of civil aviation on our health and climate,” Laurence Wildgoose, assistant administra ..read more

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) will begin Central Business District Tolling, its congestion pricing program, in Manhattan’s Congestion Relief Zone on June 30. The zone, located below 60 Street, is one of the most congested areas in the United States. Average traffic speeds are 7 miles per hour. MTA expects that the toll will result in 100,000 fewer vehicles daily entering the Congestion Relief Zone, improving air quality and providing $15 billion in funding for critical transit investments. “Last year, Bridges and Tunnels recorded its highest annual traffic volume in its near ..read more

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently awarded $76.1 million in Airport Infrastructure Grants program grants to 45 airport-related infrastructure projects in 22 states. “Millions of Americans fly every day, and it’s important that our nation’s airports be equipped to handle such a volume of passengers,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said. “The grants we’re announcing today will make key improvements to ensure passengers move safely and efficiently through our airports—and is another example of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to modernizing our nation’s ..read more

In launching the nearly $1 billion Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently offered an incentivizing path for replacing polluting heavy-duty vehicles with zero-emission vehicles. “EPA’s Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program will slash climate and air pollution and enhance the country’s infrastructure by funding the deployment of zero-emissions vehicles and installation of supporting infrastructure,” EPA Administrator Michael Regan said. “The program’s historic investment in zero-emission vehicles will secure our nation’s position as a ..read more