A Literary Journey Underground
Three books delve into mass transit and the creation of the subway.
The Case for the Subway
It built the city. Now, no matter the cost — at least $100 billion — the city must rebuild it to survive.
China’s Ambitious New ‘Port’: Landlocked Kazakhstan
In a wilderness of frozen desert, China and Kazakhstan are reviving a Silk Road land bridge between Asia and Europe, reshaping trade and geopolitics.
Crude oil prices increased in 2017, and Brent-WTI spread widened
(Wed, 03 Jan 2018) Crude oil prices ended 2017 at the highest levels since 2013. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil prices averaged $51/b in 2017, up $7/b from the 2016 average, and ended the year at $60/b, $6/b higher than at the end of 2016. Brent prices have moved up $10/b since the end of 2016 and ended the year at $65/b, widening the Brent-WTI spread to $5/b at the end of the year, the largest difference since 2013.
Did Trump Kill the Plan for a Hudson Rail Tunnel? Its Backers Hope Not
Officials said they hoped a dismissive letter from the Trump administration about a rail tunnel linking New York and New Jersey was a bargaining tactic, not a death notice.
City Will Place 1,500 Bollards to Counter Vehicle Attacks
Mayor Bill de Blasio said New York would spend some $50 million on safety measure, including installing metal posts around vulnerable pedestrian areas.
A Modern Airport in Salt Lake City to Link the Mountains and the Coasts
When facilities are finished in 2023, they will improve efficiency at one of the country’s busiest airports, a hub for nine airlines with 329 daily flights.
Energy commodity prices increased in the second half of 2017
(Tue, 02 Jan 2018) After decreasing nearly 20% in the first half of 2017, the spot energy index in the Standard and Poor's (S&P) Goldman Sachs Commodity Index (GSCI) ended 2017 16% higher than the beginning of the year. Higher crude oil and petroleum product prices in the second half of 2017 were responsible for the increase in the S&P GSCI energy index.
Apportioning Blame for the Amtrak Tragedy
Readers point to Congress, the Federal Railroad Administration and the nature of our market economy.
Duterte Threatens to Dethrone the Jeepney as King of Filipino Roads
Jeepneys are the most popular mode of transportation in the Philippines. But a new government policy could spell the end of the country’s iconic auto.