Weekly Planning Committee and Industry News

Volume 2 Issue 1 | January 7, 2021

Transportation Planning Newsletter

Chair: Kristina Swallow, Nevada DOT Vice Chair: Lynn Weiskopf, New York State DOT

The Committee on Planning addresses all aspects of the transportation planning process including federal regulations, current industry practices, and emerging approaches and concepts. The committee is dedicated to providing State DOTs the expertise, resources and tools they need to implement a robust planning process within their agencies that is multimodal, multidisciplinary, innovative and consensus-oriented.

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Committee News

A New Year Message from Kristina Swallow, Chair

To my Committee on Planning friends and colleagues, Happy New Year!

It is an understatement to say that 2020 has presented many challenges for us all, but this committee can still celebrate a long list of accomplishments. I am so proud that we were able to meet our goals and members' expectations without skipping a beat. We could not have achieved these objectives without the hard work, dedication, and innovation from the leaders and members of our subcommittees and task forces - thank you all!

If you're not yet a member of one of our subcommittees or task forces, please consider joining one - they're on the topical front lines with interesting discussions amongst the members. Details on how to join are found below within this issue. Behind the scenes, these subcommittees and task forces have some initiatives on the horizon I'm really excited about, so stay tuned to future issues of this newsletter for announcements.

We're on great footing as we start 2021, and I am eager to work with each and every one of you to advance our strategic plan. Here's to you, and here's to the bright new year that lies before us.

-Kristina

Committee on Planning Subcommittees and Task Forces: How and Why to Join

Benefits of joining Subcommittees or Task Forces:

• Timely and relevant information at the federal and state levels

• The opportunity to participate in and shape national discussion

• Peer contacts with similar issues – learn how others have handled the same issues and challenges

• Opportunities to assist and receive assistance from peers through dialogue and surveys

• Lead task forces and initiatives of interest to committee membership

• All membership activities are voluntary, requiring you to set time for maximum benefit

How to join Subcommittees or Task Forces:

email AASHTO staff at committeeonplanning@aashto.org

Contact your state's voting member of the Committee on Planning. The current membership roster can be found at https://planning.transportation.org/membership/

Planning is a essential part of decision-making and program development in State DOTs. Its multidisciplinary nature is why the Committee on Planning features several topical subgroups that address crosscutting issues facing transportation groups today, including the following:

Subcommittee on Research - Responsible for identifying priority transportation planning-related research and for disseminating and implementing research results. Meets third Thursdays at 3:00 PM Eastern.
Subcommittee on Professional Development - Responsible for promoting transportation planning professional development and capacity-building opportunities among state transportation agencies. Meeting dates/times are TBD.
Subcommittee on Policy and Rulemaking - Responsible for reviewing and recommending national level policies that relate to transportation planning. Meets third Mondays at 3:00 PM Eastern.
Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Task Force - Provide a forum for communications, guidance, and resources focused on the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CAMQ) program that state transportation agencies need to address. Meets second Tuesdays at 2:00 PM Eastern.
Connected and Automated Vehicles Task Force - Provide a forum for communications, guidance, and resources focused on the planning and deployment of connected and automated vehicles. The CAV task force will work in partnership with other AASHTO groups on this topic that are focused more on the technical and engineering aspects associated with the research and development of CAV technologies. Meeting dates/times are TBD.
Freight Planning Task Force - Provide a forum for communications, guidance, and resources focused on freight planning issues that state transportation agencies need to address. Meets second Wednesdays at 3:00 PM Eastern
Multimodal Surface Transportation Planning Task Force - Provide a forum for communications, guidance, and resources focused on planning, policy, and performance management for multimodal issues related to passenger transportation in order to support balanced representation of all surface transportation modes in transportation planning and policy. Meeting dates/times are TBD.

Subcommittees and Task Forces of the Committee on Planning meet regularly, and we can't wait to see as a future participant. Thanks for lending your insight and perspective to the Committee on Planning's valuable work!

Industry News

ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION

TxDOT working on projects aimed to improve safety for cyclists, pedestrians

KFOX-TV

https://kfoxtv.com/news/local/txdot-working-on-projects-aimed-to-improve-safety-for-cyclists-pedestrians

NYC Needs More Bicycle Parking to Meet Surge in New Pandemic Riders, Report Says

City Limits

https://citylimits.org/2021/01/06/city-needs-more-bicycle-parking-to-meet-surge-in-new-pandemic-riders-report-says/

ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY

Can a future ban on gas-powered cars work? An economist explains

The Conversation

https://theconversation.com/can-a-future-ban-on-gas-powered-cars-work-an-economist-explains-150590

Car Dealerships Prepare for Electric Vehicle Future

Detroit News

https://www.govtech.com/transportation/Car-Dealerships-Prepare-for-Electric-Vehicle-Future.html

FREIGHT

AAPA: U.S. Ports fare well in Congressional Year-End Legislation

Dredging Today

https://www.dredgingtoday.com/2020/12/29/aapa-u-s-ports-fare-well-in-congressional-year-end-legislation/

Federal Government Crackdown to Cause Major Disruptions for International Shipping in 2021

Government Executive

https://www.govexec.com/management/2020/12/federal-government-crackdown-cause-major-disruptions-international-shipping-2021/171049/

Maryland DOT Partners on Trucking Analytics Project

Government Technology

https://www.govtech.com/fs/Maryland-DOT-Partners-on-Trucking-Analytics-Project.html

INFRASTRUCTURE

Industry Comments Support FHWA Proposal on Infrastructure Design Standards

Transport Topics

https://www.ttnews.com/articles/industry-comments-support-fhwa-proposal-infrastructure-design-standards

INTERNATIONAL

Make Way for the ‘One-Minute City’

Bloomberg CityLab

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2021-01-05/a-tiny-twist-on-street-design-the-one-minute-city?srnd=citylab

MOBILITY

‘Mobility Hubs’ Become Community Anchors in Minneapolis

Route Fifty

https://www.route-fifty.com/infrastructure/2020/12/mobility-hubs-become-community-anchors-minneapolis/171058/

U.S. Department of Transportation Announces Over $41 Million in Awards for Innovative Technologies to Improve Transportation Mobility and Access for Persons with Disabilities

USDOT

https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/us-department-transportation-announces-over-41-million-awards-innovative-technologies

MPOs

FAMPO to work with state to improve train travel in Fredericksburg region

Potomac Local News

https://potomaclocal.com/2020/12/26/fampo-to-work-with-state-to-improve-rail-travel-in-fredericksburg-region/

Panel recommends Twin Cities’ Metropolitan Council remain appointed, not elected

Metropolitan Council

https://metrocouncil.org/News-Events/Council-News/Newsletters/Blue-Ribbon-Panel-recommendations-2020.aspx

Walla Walla Valley MPO releases 25-year transportation plan draft

Union-Bulletin

https://www.union-bulletin.com/news/local_governments/walla-walla-valley-metropolitan-planning-organization-releases-25-year-transportation-plan-draft/article_f23ce33d-ed52-5ab0-bd8e-680e5936ee31.html