Story Search Results

Advanced Search

There are so many ways to search the solutions journalism stories in this database. Explore our searchable fields:

Search Results

You searched for: -

There are 175 results for your search. View and Refine Your Search Terms

Forget autonomous cars — rural Japan is betting on self-driving buses

Fergus Peace

September 25, 2018 |

Apolitical |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Japan

Japan is taking major steps to putting autonomous buses on the roads in rural areas because there is a need for reliable transportation and not enough funding as more young people move to the cities. It has the potential to save labor costs and provide more reliable transportation options while delivering necessary data to companies looking to expand driverless technology. However, this also requires more detailed mapping, which is often not available for smaller and more rural roads.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Germany launches world's first autonomous tram in Potsdam

Kate Connolly

September 23, 2018 |

The Guardian |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Germany, Potsdam, Brandenburg

Radar, lidar, and sensors guide the world’s first autonomous tram across Potsdam. While not yet commercially viable, the tram is an advancement in driverless technology. It can respond to road hazards faster than a human and runs on energy from wind and solar.

Read More
Go to Original Story
'For me, this is paradise': life in the Spanish city that banned cars

Stephen Burgen

September 18, 2018 |

The Guardian |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Spain, Pontevedra

Rather than attempt to change traffic flow, the city of Pontevedra cut straight to the source of their congestion frustrations; they eliminated cars from their streets entirely. The city center, which now fills to the brim with walkers and bicyclists each day, has seen a massive reduction in traffic accidents and carbon emissions since closing the streets to cars.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Minneapolis would like to cure your dockless bike-share skepticism

Eillie Anzilotti

September 17, 2018 |

FastCompany |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Minneapolis, Minnesota

In Minneapolis, the nonprofit behind the city's bike share system plans to expand with a dockless model that will bring bikes into more neighborhoods while addressing some of the issues that model has encountered in other cities with bikes left in haphazard locations. Nice Ride will work with neighborhoods and city officials to create designated drop off zones and use a GPS system to find missing bikes. This cuts down on the docking infrastructure cost and allows more rapid expansion.

Read More
Go to Original Story
This bike path is made from recycled plastic

Adele Peters

September 14, 2018 |

FastCompany |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Netherlands, Zwolle

What do you get when you combine the efforts of an engineering company with an energy company? In the Netherlands, you get a new type of environmentally sustainable roads. PlasticRoads, a piloted initiative in the city of Zwolle, uses discarded plastic to build bike paths that help cut down on plastic waste.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Making Crossings Safe For Wildlife And Drivers

Laura Paskus

September 14, 2018 |

KNME-PBS |

Broadcast TV Programs |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Tijeras Canyon in Albuquerque, New Mexico was once known as a major spot for collisions between vehicles and wildlife. To make it safer for humans and animals alike, the Tijeras Canyon Safe Passage Project was created that alerts drivers of animals ahead, thus prompting drivers to slow their speeds.

Read More
Go to Original Story
The region's toughest red-light camera busted drivers 24,000 times last year

David Gutman

September 04, 2018 |

The Seattle Times |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Des Moines, Washington

A small town near Seattle installed red light cameras in 2016 and officials immediately founder higher numbers of traffic violations than predicted, especially at one intersection, which accounted for most of the tickets issued to drivers. The technology is very controversial among drivers, but national studies have demonstrated the cameras reduce fatal crashes. In Des Moines, the number of tickets issued spike, but then began decreasing, indicating a change in driver behavior.

Read More
Go to Original Story
No helmets, no problem: how the Dutch created a casual biking culture

David Roberts

August 28, 2018 |

Vox |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: Netherlands

Most people in Holland ride a bicycle every week thanks to a widespread public commitment to a biking culture and infrastructure where everyone feels welcome. That includes very visible dedicated bike paths designed for the most sedate cyclist, courses teaching children safe cycling skills, and connections to combine biking and transit. Most Dutch don't need helmets because rather than making bicyclists dress to confront danger, the country has made the environs safer for cyclists.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Global initiatives focus on child-friendly spaces

Beth Amato

August 24, 2018 |

Business Day |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: South Africa, Johannesburg

Some urban planners argue that urban spaces should be designed around children because that makes a livable, walkable space for everyone, and also contributes to healthy early brain development. Several initiatives are underway in and around Johannesburg, South Africa to redesign public spaces and make them more welcoming. At least one community group is working with children, teenagers and people who work with children to identify places that could be improved for better child protection.

Read More
Go to Original Story
How to know, address an aging loved one's deteriorating driving skills

Noah Jones

August 23, 2018 |

Richland Source |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Ohio

As our loved ones age, their driving skills can change. Through expert opinions from the Area Agency on Aging and the Alzheimer's Association, several measures can improve this transition for caregivers and their loved ones. These steps include how to approach them and where to find educational driving materials. Moreover, the necessity of having a plan in place is emphasized to ensure seniors have a means of transportation in order to prevent depression and other ailments.

Read More
Go to Original Story