Despite the Biden administration's mediation earlier this month on a deal between railroad unions and freight rail carriers, the tentative agreement must be ratified by union members in the next several weeks to avoid a strike. Many rail workers take issue with the paid sick leave proposal, which is limited to three annual instances that must take place on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday and be scheduled at least 30 days ahead.

The Department of Transportation plans to dole out $160 million over five years to upgrade technology in the nation's transit systems. The money comes under the SMART Grants Program and the Advanced Transportation Technology and Innovation Program, with the aim of advancing the use of data, automation, vehicle connectivity, smart power grids and similar projects.

International Air Transport Association Director General Willie Walsh said "political will" is needed to help the aviation industry achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, including eliminating structural inefficiencies. "If we're trying to achieve true net-zero by 2050, then there's so much more politicians can do to assist us," Walsh noted.

Amtrak has set 2045 as the deadline for achieving net-zero carbon emissions. To achieve that goal, the company will convert to electric and hydrogen technology and form partnerships to achieve carbon-free electricity by 2030.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is considering a recommendation from the National Transportation Safety Board to require all new vehicles to have technology that would test the driver's sobriety. The NTSB noted that 43,000 people were killed in traffic accidents last year and that technology to monitor blood alcohol levels could save lives.

The Michigan Department of Transportation has entered a five-year agreement with Electreon to develop a pioneering in-road charging system that charges electric vehicles wirelessly while in motion or stationary. The roadway is in the Michigan Central district, and the project draws on Electreon's experience with similar systems in Germany, Israel, Italy and Sweden.

Just Her Rideshare launched this month in Charlotte, N.C., with the goal of a safe transportation option for women. Founder Kimberly Evans says that she wants the company to be a community for women, and Just Her Rideshare has offered rides for refugees, displaced families and women in transition after domestic violence.

"Swing for Scholarships," the 10th annual scholarship fundraiser event for the Tucson Chapter of the Women's Transportation Seminar, will take place Oct. 6. Last year's silent auction raised $8,000 for women pursuing careers in transportation-related fields at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

California is set to begin enforcing its AB 5 law that classifies truck drivers as full-time employees, rather than independent contractors, and some fleet operators are responding by adopting new business models. Peter Schneider, president of TGS Transportation in Fresno, recommends operators start by eliminating fuel card programs, removing company placards from trucks and having separate dispatches for contractors.

The Federal Maritime Commission is accepting public input on a proposal that would support a provision within the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022 by defining unreasonable refusal. The rule would make it more difficult for ocean carriers to prevent shippers from taking advantage of empty cargo space.

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee is focusing on highway and bridge work as it monitors how the Department of Transportation is implementing funding under the bipartisan infrastructure law. A hearing on Wednesday produced praise for the Federal Highway Administration's rollout of funds to states under existing formulas, although some witnesses faulted other FHWA actions, including its implementation of discretionary funding.