PBS NewsHour
ABOUT US  |  LOCAL TV LISTINGS    EMAIL   PRINT
TopicsVideoRecent ProgramsTeacher ResourcesThe Rundown: news blogSubscribe rss | podcast
TOPIC   TRANSPORTATION

MOST RECENT STORIES

2012 JULY
July 13, 2012
Report
In Austin, Charged up About Smart Power
Miles O'Brien examines power grid reliability in a neighborhood near Austin, Texas that uses "smart grid" technology to track - and control - its energy consumption.

audioDownload  videoStreaming Video


July 13, 2012
Blog
The View from the Volt: Miles Risks Safety While Talking Smart Power
Last week, a powerful "derecho" storm hammered the mid-Atlantic region, snuffing out power during the peak of a sweltering heat wave for nearly a week in some homes. Days later, Miles O'Brien traveled to Austin, Tex. to look at a neighborhood that operates on a smart grid. Here's a preview to his piece, which airs tonight.

videoStreaming Video

JUNE
June 19, 2012
Analysis
Why Rise in Motorcycle Deaths Hasn't Meant Tougher Helmet Laws
More and more states are repealing and relaxing helmet laws, even as the death toll continues to rise from motorcycle accidents. Judy Woodruff interviews Rick Schmitt, a reporter for Fair Warning.org on the subject.

audioDownload  videoStreaming Video

MAY
May 23, 2012
Blog
The Golden Gate Bridge, 'America's Parthenon,' Turns 75
Thousands are expected to gather this weekend in San Francisco to commemorate the Golden Gate Bridge's 75th anniversary. The NewsHour has a slideshow of images from the bridge's construction to its early days to renderings of planned additions.


May 23, 2012
Blog
Happy 75th Birthday, Golden Gate Bridge
On the 75th anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge, NewsHour correspondent Spencer Michels reflects on the bridge's role both as a critical transportation link for the San Francisco area and as an icon of American ingenuity.


May 22, 2012
Slide Show
Golden Gate Bridge 75th Anniversary
This week the Golden Gate Bridge turns 75, and news outlets across the country, including the PBS NewsHour, are covering the anniversary. The first cars crossed the 1.7-mile bridge on May 27, 1937.

MARCH
March 29, 2012
Blog
Transportation Bill Extension Further Delays Long-Term Solution
Congress is poised to go home for a one-week recess after punting -- once again -- on a long-term transportation funding bill. A 90-day extension is headed to President Obama for his signature, but not without drama.


March 14, 2012
Blog
Senate Passes Transportation Bill
The Senate passed a $109 billion, two-year surface transportation reauthorization Wednesday that Democrats say will save 2.8 million jobs. Senators rejected most amendments, but the measure does include proposals related to BUY AMERICA requirements, bridges and farm vehicles.


March 8, 2012
Update
Reid Sells Transportation Bill as House Version Stalls
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says he can understand the pain of drivers sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic while expending untold amounts of increasingly expensive gasoline.


March 1, 2012
Blog
California Grapples With High-Speed Rail Debate
There's a big battle going on throughout the country, but especially in California, over whether to build very expensive high-speed rail systems. In these tough economic times, how can anyone justify sinking billions of public dollars into a fast train?


March 1, 2012
Report
Will Brown's Vision for High-Speed Rail in California Stay on Track?
Gov. Jerry Brown wants California to build bullet trains. Correspondent Spencer Michels reports on whether a massive and costly high-speed rail project, now underway in a state flooded with budget cuts, will ever be completed or worth its cost.

audioDownload  videoStreaming Video

JANUARY
Jan. 18, 2012
Report
News Wrap: Rescue Operations on Stricken Cruise Ship off Italy Halted Again
In other news Wednesday, the stricken cruise ship off of Northern Italy shifted again, forcing rescue workers to halt operations again. Also, some websites went ahead with blackouts to protest anti-piracy bills in Congress.

audioDownload  


Jan. 17, 2012
Report
More Bodies Discovered Aboard Capsized Cruise Ship
The chances of finding survivors aboard a capsized cruise liner began fading Tuesday, as the Italian navy blasted into the ship's hull and the death count climbed to 11. Martin Geissler of Independent Television News has the latest on the continuing search efforts and the potential evidence building against the ship's captain.

audioDownload  


Jan. 16, 2012
Analysis
What Does Italy's Sinking Ship Mean for the Cruise Industry?
At least six people died after a cruise ship capsized off the coast of Italy Friday. Ray Suarez discusses some of the legal and safety issues stemming from the disaster with longtime travel writer Rudy Maxa, currently the host of "Rudy Maxa's World" on PBS, and Richard Alsina, a lawyer specializing in maritime law.

audioDownload  videoStreaming Video


Jan. 16, 2012
Report
Death Toll, Environmental Worries Mount in Wake of Italian Cruise Disaster
Search teams in Italy wrestled rough seas Monday as they looked for survivors and bodies after a huge cruise liner vessel ran aground and tipped over Friday. Alex Thomson of Independent Television News reports on the human accident that now threatens to become an environmental problem.

audioDownload  


Jan. 5, 2012
Analysis
How the U.S. Auto Industry Picked Up Speed in 2011
With nearly 13 million cars sold, 2011 turned out to be the strongest year for Detroit's major automakers since the financial crisis hit in 2008. Margaret Warner discusses just how that 10 percent increase came to be with David Shepardson, who covers the auto industry for The Detroit News.

audioDownload  videoStreaming Video

2011 DECEMBER
Dec. 29, 2011
Update
California to Stop Towing, Impounding Vehicles of Unlicensed Drivers
Starting Jan. 1, a new law will take effect in California, meaning that police officers can no longer impound a car at sobriety checkpoints if the driver's only offense is driving without a license.


Dec. 23, 2011
Video
The Role of the Consumer Mindset in the Cost of Energy
Jeffrey Brown talked to energy expert author Daniel Yergin about the impact of consumer behavior on the elasticity of oil prices. Watch Yergin discuss oil prices and the consequences of the Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan.

videoStreaming Video


Dec. 13, 2011
Report
Proposed Cell Phone Ban for Drivers: What Do You Think?
A Q&A with NTSB Chief Deborah Herman and a Storify of thoughts from members of the NewsHour audience on how they feel about the new recommendations for a ban on all personal electronic devices while driving.

audioDownload  videoStreaming Video


Dec. 13, 2011
Report
News Wrap: NTSB Urges Ban on Cell Phone Use While Driving
In other news Tuesday, the National Transportation Safety Board recommended a ban on using a cell phone while driving. It said the ban should apply to both hands-free and hand-held phones. Also, at least 28 people were killed in violence across Syria.

audioDownload  videoStreaming Video

NOVEMBER
Nov. 21, 2011
Blog
Tweet Your Thanksgiving Travel Tales With #TSATime
In 2010, your tweets helped debunk fears that Thanksgiving travel would be a nightmare due to stricter airport security measures and 'opt-out' protests. This year, we want to hear again first-hand about your experience flying during one of the busiest travel weeks of the year.

OCTOBER
Oct. 11, 2011
Report
'Underwear Bomber' Trial Opens in Detroit
Opening arguments were heard Tuesday in a Detroit courtroom in the trial against Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the Nigerian man known as the "underwear bomber" who stands accused of trying to blow up an American airplane on Christmas Day 2009. Gwen Ifill reports.

audioDownload  

SEPTEMBER
Sept. 14, 2011
Interactive
9/11 to Now: Ways We Have Changed
With the 10th anniversary this week, we take a look at some of the other changes in American life.


Sept. 9, 2011
Blog
In Russia, Airplane Crash Renews Focus on Airline Safety
The crash of a jet Wednesday that killed 45 people, including 38 players, coaches and staff of the Russian professional ice hockey team Lokomotiv Yaroslavl has renewed focus on Russia's poor airline safety record.


Sept. 8, 2011
Report
Drastic Changes in Airport Security After 9/11 Stir Controversy
Correspondent Tom Bearden reports on the profound changes in aviation security and air travel after the 9/11 attacks. Critics say some of the new measures are excessive and infringe on the rights of travelers, pointing to more invasive searches and examples of passengers being detained.

audioDownload  videoStreaming Video


Sept. 8, 2011
Blog
9/11's Profound Effects on Air Travel
After 9/11, Washington federalized airport security by creating the Transportation Security Administration and overhauled the screening process. Tom Bearden looks at a the rapid increase in security measures and the many ways air travel has changed for passengers.

AUGUST
Aug. 26, 2011
Blog
Cars of the Future May Keep Us Safe Behind the Wheel at Any Age
The MIT AgeLab's latest creation is the "Aware Car," with $1.5 million dollars worth of medical, computer, camera and robotic equipment which will sense and predict a driver's performance -- and even intervene to prevent accidents.


Aug. 25, 2011
Report
In 'Old People Driving,' Handing Over the Keys Means the End of the Road
In "Old People Driving," filmmaker Shaleece Haas examines how aging Americans can balance safety and independence as the ranks of drivers 85 and older surpasses 3 million. This excerpt is part of The Economist Film Project series of independently produced films aired in partnership between The Economist and the NewsHour.

audioDownload  videoStreaming Video


Aug. 10, 2011
Blog
China's High-Speed Rail Accident 'Struck a Nerve'
The fatal collision of two high-speed trains last month in China was not only a blow to the country's growing transportation system, but also to the nation's use of the system as a sign of its rising status.


Aug. 4, 2011
Analysis
FAA Shutdown Coming to an End, But Funding Fight Still Looms
Congressional leaders announced Thursday they had reached a bipartisan agreement to temporarily extend funding for the Federal Aviation Administration, which would end the nearly two-week partial shutdown but leave long-term funding in question. Jeffrey Brown discusses the deal with Public Radio International's Todd Zwillich.

audioDownload  videoStreaming Video


Aug. 4, 2011
Blog
Reid: Deal Made to End FAA Shutdown
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Thursday afternoon that a bipartisan compromise has been reached to end the partial Federal Aviation Administration shutdown that put thousands of transportation and construction workers out of work indefinitely.

videoStreaming Video


Aug. 3, 2011
Blog
Airplane Turbulence: Is It Dangerous?
No frequent flyer is a stranger to turbulence. But what causes it, and how dangerous is it?


Aug. 2, 2011
Analysis
Budget Impasse, Partial Shutdown Costing FAA Millions in Lost Revenue
Since July 23, the FAA has furloughed nearly 4,000 employees and shut down construction grants for workers at airport facilities. Judy Woodruff discusses the budget impasse, which is costing the FAA millions in lost revenue, with Public Radio International's Todd Zwillich and USA Today's Ben Mutzabaugh.

audioDownload  videoStreaming Video

JULY
July 29, 2011
Blog
How Will New Fuel Efficiency Rules Affect Consumers?
President Obama, flanked on stage by executives from the country's leading automakers, announced new fuel economy standards for cars and light trucks Friday that would double the current requirement to 54.


July 25, 2011
Analysis
LaHood on FAA Furloughs: Congress Must Pass Long-Term Funding
The Senate adjourned Friday without reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration's budget, which left nearly 4,000 employees out of work immediately. Ray Suarez discusses the status of the FAA's budget problems and what could be done to fix them with Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood.

audioDownload  videoStreaming Video


July 6, 2011
Blog
Somali Terror Suspect in U.S. Court
A Somali man, Ahmed Abdulkadir Warsame, appeared in a New York City courtroom, months after he was detained in the Gulf of Aden on suspicion of involvement in terrorist activities.

JUNE
June 3, 2011
Update
The Morning Line: Amid Poor Jobs Report, Obama Will Tout Autos Success
On a day when President Obama heads to Ohio to tout the successful rescue of the American auto industry, he'll have to combat brutal headlines about a labor market that seems entirely stalled.

APRIL
April 20, 2011
Newsmaker Interview
LaHood: 2 Controllers Fired, but All Must Take 'Personal Responsibility'
Federal officials moved to dispel new air-travel safety concerns after a military plane carrying first lady Michelle Obama breached the safety zone of another plane landing ahead of it. Gwen Ifill talks to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood about the latest in a series of incidents involving air-traffic controllers.

audioDownload  videoStreaming Video


April 20, 2011
Blog
New 'Passenger Bill of Rights' Limits Tarmac Time, Reimburses Lost Bags
Passengers wait in check-in lines Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced Wednesday a bulked-up version of the "Passenger Bill of Rights" for consumers traveling by air.


April 14, 2011
Analysis
'Brain Rattler' Schedule Among Big Problems for Air-Traffic Controllers
The Federal Aviation Administration's top air-traffic control official resigned Thursday following another report of a controller sleeping on the job, forcing a medical flight to land without tower guidance in Reno. Judy Woodruff discusses the safety concerns with Alan Levin, who covers aviation for USA Today.

audioDownload  videoStreaming Video


April 4, 2011
Blog
Cracks Ground Southwest Planes, Raise New Questions on Inspections
Southwest Airlines is grounding its fleet of Boeing 737-300s for inspection after one of its planes was forced to make an emergency landing Friday with a five-foot hole in the roof of the cabin.

FEBRUARY
Feb. 8, 2011
Conversation
Transportation Secretary: Electronic Issue Not Cause of Toyota Recall Woes
Jeffrey Brown speaks with Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood about the investigation into Toyota's recalls of more than 12 million vehicles after thousands of drivers complained of unintended acceleration. LaHood said an investigation showed that electronic flaws do not appear to have been the cause of the problems.

audioDownload  videoStreaming Video


Feb. 2, 2011
Blog
One-Million Car March?
A warning to those expecting EVs to clog the roadways anytime soon, or even to meet President Obama's stated goal of one million by 2015.


Feb. 2, 2011
Blog
One-Million Car March?
A warning to those expecting EVs (electric vehicles) to clog the roadways anytime soon, or even to meet President Obama's stated goal of one million by 2015: it's not likely to happen, despite the fact that the U.S. has as many as a quarter of a billion gas-powered vehicles on the roads right now.

JANUARY
Jan. 31, 2011
Report
For Automakers, Better Batteries Crucial to Success of New Electric Cars
In the second of two reports on the future of electric cars, Paul Solman looks at efforts to make the vehicles more viable -- and financially successful for automakers -- by building better batteries and making them more aerodynamic. It's all part of his ongoing reporting on Making Sen$e of financial news.

audioDownload  videoStreaming Video


FUNDED IN PART BY: The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation


Jan. 31, 2011
Blog
'Revenge of the Electric Car' Director Paine Discusses Renewed Optimism
Filmmaker Chris Paine achieved notoriety with his 2006 documentary, "Who Killed the Electric Car?" Now he's back -- with a more sanguine sequel, "The Revenge of the Electric Car.

videoStreaming Video


Jan. 30, 2011
Blog
How Funny is the Chevy Volt? A Skeptic Gives It a Going Over
As a preview to our Tool$ Tuesday feature (spoiler alert: we'll be looking at your car's carbon emissions), here's a truly surprising "review" of the Chevy Volt, the electric darling of the Detroit Auto Show earlier this month and the subject of a piece of ours last week and another airing this week on the NewsHour.


Jan. 20, 2011
Blog
Desolate Detroit: The Forsaken City
In its heyday, it boasted nearly two million people, the world's premier automobile industry, the world's most popular music , and perhaps the country's most prosperous black middle class.

2010 DECEMBER
Dec. 30, 2010
Report
News Wrap: NYC Plows Ahead in Snow Cleanup
In other news Thursday, snow plows kept going in New York City, four days after last weekend's blizzard. Officials said snow crews have plowed every street at least once but some blocks were still impassable because of abandoned cars.

audioDownload  


Dec. 29, 2010
Report
Contrasting Blizzard Responses of N.J., NYC Examined
New York, the nation's biggest city, is still grappling with a weekend blizzard that shut down its main airports and dumped an estimated two feet of snow on streets, creating a maze of stranded vehicles and raising ire among some residents about the speed of the city's response. Ray Suarez speaks with Bob Hennelly of WNYC Radio.

audioDownload  videoStreaming Video

FIND PAST STORIES
2012
JANUARYFEBRUARYMARCHAPRILMAYJUNE
JULYAUGUSTSEPTEMBEROCTOBERNOVEMBERDECEMBER
Other Years
2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007
2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002
2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997
1996


FIND PAST STORIES
2012
JANUARYFEBRUARYMARCHAPRILMAYJUNE
JULYAUGUSTSEPTEMBEROCTOBERNOVEMBERDECEMBER
Other Years
2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007
2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002
2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997
1996
THE NEWSHOUR IS FUNDED BY
BNSF Railway

Corporation for Public Broadcasting
WITH ADDITIONAL CORPORATE SUPPORT FROM

The PBS NewsHour is Funded in part by: The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Additional Foundation and Corporate Sponsors
Program
Support
From:
Copyright © 1996- MacNeil/Lehrer Productions. All Rights Reserved.