Tom Vanderbilt, why have you forsaken us? The author of the recently published Traffic: Why We Drive the Way We Do (And What It Says About Us) is on the west coast at this very minute doing "lots of media" and guest-blogging for Powell's Books. But NOT appearing in San Francisco. As far as we know. What, traffic not bad enough on Market St.? 880 moving too smoothly for you? Guest-blogging for Modern Times not......

All but one southbound lane of Highway 880 in San Leandro has been shutdown after a big rig accident occurred around 9:30 a.m. this morning, near the Marina Blvd. exit. it seems that the big rig "crashed while attempting to avoid a vehicle fire," says CBS 5. In addition to fuel spilling across the northbound lanes, two people died during the crash. No word yet as to when it will reopen.......