Following a massive and comprehensive analysis of traffic congestion in 17 metropolitan regions across the state, many media outlets released a story about their region. In some cases, the report’s author, David T. Hartgen, Professor of Transportation at UNC Charlotte, spoke directly with sources, and at other times, media pulled from one of many region-targeted press releases on the issue. Raleigh provided extensive coverage in the News & Observer  (here, here; oh, and a silly reaction, here) and on WRAL and News 14 (here and here). Coverage also extended to Asheville, Durham, Goldsboro, and Wilmington. Quite simply, the study argues for spending money on projects that will help alleviate congestion.  By definition, this rules out spending on light rail and implies that bus systems should charge rates that reflect ridership. It’s not hard to see why Charlotte refused to carry the story.  Lucky for us, we have in place an undercover agent familiar with the local customs who leaked information on the foolhardy notion of light rail to WBT 1110 AM and WCNC Channel 36.