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The Federal Highway Administration on June 9 released the blueprint for states to follow to develop the 500,000 charging stations that are key to the Biden administration’s goal of switching Americans from gasoline- to electric-powered vehicles.

Forty years ago, Pennsylvania became a leader in self-driving vehicles when it deployed one to help clean up the nuclear accident at Three Mile Island in Harrisburg.

Picture Pittsburgh 50 years from now with these transportation changes: a terminal in a central location to handle a hyperloop system, vehicles for vertical takeoffs and landings, and high-speed trains; aerial trams linking neighborhoods; and new bridges crossing the Monongahela River at Hazelwood for motorized vehicles and at the former Wabash rail bridge piers for bikes and pedestrians.

It’s only an idea for now, but Pennsylvania’s proposed switch from a fuel tax to a miles-driven fee to help generate more money for transportation could be a boon for the trucking industry.

The 10-county southwestern Pennsylvania region can expect the amount of freight moving into and out of the area to increase by 40% by 2040.

Regional planners should be flexible, innovative and adaptive as they develop transportation recommendations for the future.

New licensing requirements for commercial truck drivers that begin Dec. 21 in Pennsylvania are causing the state to close more than 25% of its testing centers and creating long waiting periods for applicants to take their test at the ones that remain.