Big changes are underway that will affect how Massachusetts residents get around. Companies are racing to bring autonomous vehicles to the market as quickly as possible. Self-driving vehicles are already on the streets in Boston’s Seaport District for testing purposes. We can expect them in more regular use as early as 2020 and widely available…
Jul 10
2018
2018
Jul 10
2018
2018
Massachusetts Traffic and Pollution Likely to Worsen as Self-Driving Vehicles Hit the Road
“Self-driving vehicles have the potential to drastically change the way we travel,” said Alyssa Rayman-Read, Vice President and Director of CLF Massachusetts. “We have an opportunity to prevent traffic nightmares and negative environmental impacts by enacting smart policies ahead of time. As the study illustrates, we can’t afford to wait.”
Jul 10
2018
2018
What are the Economic Impacts of Self-Driving Cars on Cities and Towns?
The makers of self-driving cars promise a blissful future for car commuters. Soon, they claim, we’ll be able to zip along traffic-free roads, letting our cars do the driving while we read, watch Netflix, or text all we want. We’ll no longer rail at traffic jams, our air will be cleaner, and all those parking…
Jun 18
2018
2018
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Issues Decision on Ballot Question
“Chronic underfunding of mass transportation leaves Massachusetts residents literally stranded,” said Alyssa Rayman-Read, Vice President and Director of CLF Massachusetts. “The Commonwealth can and should have a world-class transportation system that supports economic growth while reducing congestion and pollution. Without a clear revenue stream for transportation on the ballot, our elected officials must now come up with a comprehensive approach to funding.”
Apr 25
2018
2018
Logan Airport to study transit link to terminals and MBTA station
Under an agreement with the Conservation Law Foundation, Massport is obligated to increase the number of Logan passengers who arrive in some form of high-occupancy vehicle to 40 percent by 2027. The people-mover proposal is unrelated to that agreement, but CLF vice president Rafael Mares said if enacted, it could help Logan meet or even exceed that goal.
Feb 21
2018
2018
MBTA Raises the Specter of Fare Hikes (Again)
The MBTA is crying wolf… again, predicting a deficit of $111 million in its next fiscal budget. The potential solution? Raise fares on riders, again. Governor Baker seems to agree, stating on Valentine’s Day that the MBTA should be discussing a fare increase. I’m not sure that was the best way to spread the love, especially to…
Building Healthy Neighborhoods
We’re building healthy communities, one neighborhood at a time.
Jan 23
2018
2018
Baker launches commission to study transportation needs
… Rafael Mares, a climate and transit advocate with the Conservation Law Foundation, celebrated the launch of the commission. But it will only be valuable if it “ends up in a blueprint, a vision and a plan for the Commonwealth that can actually be implemented,” including funding sources, he said. “Otherwise, we’re spinning our wheels,”…
Jan 9
2018
2018
Massachusetts Hits the Accelerator on Clean Transportation
Massachusetts has long been a leader in promoting clean, climate-friendly electric cars and trucks. And now, the Commonwealth is taking another leap forward in ending our reliance on gas- and diesel-powered vehicles. A recent order from the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities gives the green light to Eversource, the region’s largest energy company, to invest…
Dec 20
2017
2017
Bad Policy Could Crash the Achievements of Self-Driving Cars
There’s a consensus that self-driving cars are on the cusp of bringing about a transportation revolution that will address many environmental and societal challenges. However, it relies on a few critical assumptions about our future that are not guaranteed. The self-driving car industry paints a picture of blissful commutes, less pollution, and fewer accidents. But…