With construction paused, let's rethink roads and railway projects to protect people and nature

Road and rail construction is booming in sub-Saharan Africa, but the pandemic has brought a welcome pause for reflection.

Brock Bersaglio, Lecturer in Environment and Development, University of Birmingham • conversation
June 15, 2020 ~7 min

Smart concrete could let roads repair themselves

A new kind of concrete could let roads and bridges "heal" after cracking. That could cut down the costs and frequency of road repairs.

Kayla Wiles-Purdue • futurity
May 20, 2020 ~5 min


Reports of UK roadkill down two-thirds – but will hedgehogs thrive after lockdown?

Road networks are emptying during lockdown. What does it mean for wildlife now and in the future?

Lauren Moore, PhD Candidate in Road Ecology, Nottingham Trent University • conversation
May 12, 2020 ~6 min

15,000 miles of new roads will cut tiger habitat

Plans to build nearly 15,000 miles of road through tiger habitats in Asia by mid-century will up the risk for the big cat's extinction, researchers warn.

Jim Erickson-Michigan • futurity
May 1, 2020 ~8 min

Endangered tigers face growing threats from an Asian road-building boom

A new study forecasts that thousands of miles of new road construction will cut through tiger habitat across Asia by 2050. Planning can make these projects more tiger-friendly.

Neil Carter, Assistant Professor of Wildlife Conservation, University of Michigan • conversation
April 29, 2020 ~8 min

Self-driving DeLorean learns how to drift

Researchers are teaching a self-driving DeLorean named MARTY to drift its way through an obstacle course of cones. See it in action for yourself.

Bjorn Carey-Stanford • futurity
Dec. 23, 2019 ~9 min

Crash stats compare off-roading on city streets vs. motorcycles

People who ride off-road vehicles like dirt bikes and ATVs on city streets crash just as much as motorcyclists do, researchers say.

Patti Verbanas-Rutgers • futurity
Oct. 9, 2019 ~3 min

Can color-changing road signs make night driving safer?

A new reflective film could pave the way for color-changing road signs. They would light up at night to better grab drivers' attention.

Charlotte Hsu-Buffalo • futurity
Aug. 23, 2019 ~3 min


Swiss cheese concrete can help cities beat the heat

Permeable concrete pavement could help cities stave off the "urban heat island effect" on hot days without breaking the bank.

Todd Bates-Rutgers • futurity
Aug. 1, 2019 ~4 min

China’s One Belt, One Road plan carries environmental risks

On this podcast episode, an expert breaks down the potential environmental hazards stemming from China's massive One Belt, One Road Initiative.

Duke University • futurity
May 10, 2019 ~1 min

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