Author Archive
Jenni Bergal
Tech & Data
‘Ghost Buses’ Haunt Transit Agencies and Frustrate Riders
Transit agencies should release canceled or delayed bus data to the public to avoid unhappy travelers, experts say.
Tech & Data
Governors' TikTok Bans Make Sense, Cybersecurity Experts Say
Republican governor after Republican governor has recently announced a TikTok ban for state employees. There are more than 100 million TikTok users in the U.S.
Finance
Inflation Is Cutting Into States’ Big Infrastructure Windfall
The costs of road and bridge projects have increased by as much as 40%.
Tech & Data
States Test an Electrifying Idea: Roads That Can Recharge Your EV
Some states will embed electromagnetic coils in roads to recharge electric vehicles while they’re moving.
Infrastructure
States Steer More Money Toward Rural Roads
A federal infusion of grant money is paying for repaving and other safety improvements.
Infrastructure
Can Uber-like Public Transit Replace Old-fashioned Buses?
Transit agencies are turning to on-demand, shared-ride services to reach underserved communities.
Public Safety
States Post Yellow Alerts to Try to Nab Hit-and-Run Drivers
Hit-and-run crash fatalities in the United States jumped 26% from 2019 to 2020.
Public Safety
Early Warning System Pinpoints Flooded Roads in Some States
Nearly a dozen states are using real-time, hyper-local monitoring to assess potential flooding at specific bridges or roads.
Public Safety
Ransomware Attacks on Hospitals Put Patients at Risk
In 2020 and 2021, U.S. health care facilities faced at least 168 such attacks.
Public Safety
Residents Left Behind as Pandemic Hurts Bus Companies
Publicly funded bus services in rural communities fared better, but “in a lot of major urban areas, commuters aren’t coming back.”
Tech & Data
Ukraine War Puts US Cities, States on Cyber Alert
Local governments are seeing more phishing probes from Russia and Eastern Europe.
Featured eBooks
Tech & Data
States Use Road Sensors to Combat Treacherous ‘Tire Carcasses’
A growing number of states are hoping to use sensor technology embedded in the pavement to fight climate change, keep traffic flowing and save lives.
Public Safety
Snowplow Operator Shortages Leave States Adrift, Survey Finds
Some transportation officials have cut back snow removal services.
Tech & Data
Think Twice Before Scanning That QR Code
“Cybercriminals always look for disruption to cause disruption.”
Infrastructure
Fraudsters Set to Pounce on Massive Infrastructure Money
“Monitoring is critical. You have to have somebody looking,” says president of the Association of Inspectors General.
Finance
Small Cities Worry Cybersecurity Money Won't Reach Them
Ransomware attacks have wreaked havoc on state and local governments. There are new federal cybersecurity grants to help but small places may lack the staff resources to get them.
Infrastructure
No More Stairs: Cash Influx to Make Transit More Accessible
More than 25 million Americans have self-reported travel-limiting disabilities.
Tech & Data
How Common Are Ransomware Attacks? Lawmakers Want to Find Out.
Nobody knows how often government agencies are hit.
Public Safety
Surging Catalytic Converter Thefts Spur State Crackdowns
The pollution control devices contain precious metals worth thousands of dollars per ounce.
Tech & Data