Good day my good friend.

No matter how bad your day is going, take solace in this. Boris Johnson had a worse one yesterday.

Oh, and just a short word on the newsletter. In the coming weeks I plan to add a little more in the way of content as my workload pressures start to ease a little bit. So over the coming weeks you will start to see things return to to normal.

If you have any suggestions for interesting news items or bits of research to include in this newsletter, you can email me.

You should also join a lot of like-minded people at Mobility Camp in Bristol in September. Get your tickets now.

James

The dilemma of DRT in rural areas

Oh, I know of a few people who have a lot of words to say about DRT in rural areas (you know who you are). Aside from the obvious thing of there not being enough demand to meet supply without heavy subsidy, this new research article identifies issues around user acceptance in rural areas. In short, these systems are often designed with an urban mindset from the outset, that doesn’t match the experience of rural residents.

A word of advice. If you are looking to launch a new service in a rural area, give this report by the ITF a read first. And give serious, serious thought into whether or not it is worth it. You must design such systems with your customers in mind, and pleasing customers in rural areas is both hard and simple. Learn from the experts on this!

New York is going for congestion pricing, and its about time

Finally, after years, and years, and YEARS of talking about doing something, New York is finally on the road to congestion pricing. Or the New York Central Business District Tolling Program, to give it the correct title. Current ideas are for varying tolls according to different passes and the time of day (from $9 to $35) to enter Manhatten below 61st Street.

The evidence on congestion charging is very clear, and the MTA’s report on the matter from 2008 puts it perfectly. It reduces both traffic and congestion in the area. The number of casualties reduces in the area. The equity benefits heavily relate to how funds from the charges are re-invested. It can also reduce emissions and improve air quality. You should do it in your city.

Random things

These links are meant to make you think about the things that affect our world in transport, and not just think about transport itself. I hope that you enjoy them.

• Impact of interannual and multidecadal trends on methane-climate feedbacks and sensitivity (Nature)

• ‘A massive betrayal’: how London’s Olympic legacy was sold out (The Guardian)

• Renewable Energy Is Surging, but Trouble Looms (Scientific American)

• Tackling greenwashing through data assurance (Open Data Institute)

• New Studies Link Air Pollution With Autoimmune Disorders, Chronic Diseases (Science Alert)

Something interesting

Having worked on East West Rail for years, seeing this train running is nothing short of amazing.

If you do nothing else today, then do this

Read this really interesting research paper published in Nature on Democratic AI. Its one that adds to the burgeoning debate and literature on what values artificial intelligence should be instilled with, and used a practical example in an investment game. A just AI, or tyranny of the majority? You decide.