Wow. PBOT released a long email detailing some of what PBOT does. Long. Some highlights:

"1,769 calls from public agencies to tow vehicles that were blocking traffic or causing other public safety issues in all of Multnomah County, including Portland. PBOT's rules mean car owners are charged no more than a set rate -- $277 for a typical sedan -- when their vehicle is towed by Portland Police or PBOT parking enforcement."

"Towing companies are required to inform vehicle owners and Portland Police whenever a vehicle is towed. They are required to have a 24-hour dispatch call center to be able to let consumers know that they have the vehicle and a process for retrieval during established business hours (additional fees may apply for after hours pick ups). The parking lot has to have adequate signage warning about towing and providing contact information. All these requirements are listed in a PBOT Administrative Rule. The rates they charge for towing and storage are also regulated per bureau's approved Private Property Impound Rates."

"In 2025, PBOT revoked the private property impound permit for Retriever Towing, which had been behind on paying for permits and had been found to have 52 unpermitted tows in less than four weeks. PBOT required the company to refund consumers for all unpermitted towing charges. Even after the bureau offered payment plans, the company remained behind on paying routine service and dispatch fees"

"All drivers and vehicles that provide Private for-Hire Transportation services on Portland streets are required to go through an annual review. This makes sure that Portland’s PFHT drivers are professional, safe, and exceptional; the vehicles that provide PFHT services are well maintained and meet high performance standards. Failure to do so will result in a fine and even revocation of the company’s permit to operate."

"More than 10,000 trips per year are provided in a wheelchair accessible van. PBOT provides a $15 per ride subsidy to the taxi, Uber or Lyft company that provides the ride, because accessible service requires vehicles that are more expensive to operate than a standard sedan. All companies are required to provide accessible service when requested. PDX WAV is a program that creates a single point of contact for wheelchair users to call when they are looking for a ride. You can order an accessible Uber or Lyft on their app by selecting the option when requesting a ride, or call PDX WAV at 503 865-4WAV (865-4928) to be directed to a taxi company dispatcher who will help match you with a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) or call a taxi company directly."

#PBOT #Portland #disability #rideshare #towing #wheelchair

“Step in the Right Direction”: Connecticut DMV Commissioner Calls for More Reforms to Towing Law to Protect Drivers
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The recommendations to require more notification to car owners and to streamline the process for selling unclaimed vehicles follow a Connecticut Mirror and ProPublica investigation into towing practices.

https://www.propublica.org/article/connecticut-towing-dmv-proposal-update?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=mastodon-post

#News #Connecticut #Cars #Towing #Vehicles #Law #Regulation

China has launched two satellites,
Shijian 29A and 29B,
as part of a technology demonstration
to test new space-based #target-#detection technologies

A Long March 7A carrier rocket took off from the Wenchang Space Launch Center in Hainan province at 6:40 am, December 31, lifting the two satellites to orbit.

China’s #Shijian satellites are a series of experimental satellites that have tested cutting-edge space capabilities,
including on-orbit #refueling and #towing maneuvers

Shijian 21 and 25 are believed to have docked earlier in the year.

This month, they separated, according to Swiss tracking firm S2A.

Shijian 25 was designed to refuel satellites in space,
while 21 had run out of fuel following a 2022 space tug towing maneuver.

Though China has not confirmed the success,
all indications suggest it performed
👉the world’s first on-orbit refueling operation with the two satellites.

We know this thanks to precise satellite tracking from the likes of S2A and US firm COMSPOC.

When it comes to Shijian 29A and 29B, satellite tracking data won’t provide the same level of insight,
as a space-based target detection demonstration is unlikely to require a trackable docking maneuver

https://interestingengineering.com/space/china-launches-two-experimental-satellites

7 pin or 13 pin plug — do you know the difference? 🔌
It affects safety, legality & reliability when towing.

Our quick UK guide explains what each plug does and which you actually need 👇
🔗 https://zurl.co/oDmI7

#Towing #Caravan #TrailerSafety #Towbar #7Pin #13Pin