Volume 1 Issue 16 | July 16, 2020
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.
Committee News
House Appropriations Committee Passes FY 2021 Transportation-HUD Package
Earlier this week, the House Appropriations Committee passed its version of the FY2021 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD) bill by a party line vote of 30-22, which had earlier been approved by the Appropriations THUD Subcommittee last week. The full House of Representatives is expected to consider the legislation prior to August 3rd.  

·          Bill summary
·          Bill text
·          Committee report

The Senate has not yet announced when it will begin to consider its own THUD appropriations bill. There is a disagreement between majority and minority Senate leadership on how or if to handle amendments related to COVID-19 relief and response issues as part of the annual appropriations process (in addition to any emergency COVID-19 legislation).
TPM Target Settings Five-Part Webinar Miniseries
Announcing a special five-part webinar miniseries addressing topics in transportation performance management (TPM). Each session will include an FHWA-led introduction followed by expert presentations and audience Q&A. Register today or learn more on the AASHTO TPM Portal at: https://www.tpm-portal.com/tpmmini

The Transportation Performance Management (TPM) pooled fund project helps contributing members to research and assess training and educational needs, develop and deliver training, and facilitate the sharing and retention of performance management best practices. The TPM Portal website is part of this effort, intended to showcase PM best practices, foster collaboration, and serve as a repository for PM resources.
Episode 2: Safety Target Setting
  • July 29, 2020 - 2PM EDT
This webinar is a deep dive into state target setting approaches for federal requirements for safety performance measures. Topics will include a review of the safety report card results, and the impact of external factors and data lags on safety target setting.

COVID-19

State departments of transportation are actively supporting their residents, businesses and local communities in response to the current COVID-19 outbreak. And in turn, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials is working to support state DOTs in those efforts.

AASHTO remains committed to responsibly following federal and state recommended workplace actions related to COVID-19. We hope you’ll find the resources available at https://www.transportation.org/home/covid19/ useful.

If AASHTO staff can assist you with comments or questions regarding COVID-19, please email us at committeeonplanning@aashto.org.
Industry News
ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION

USDOT and Industry Address Pedestrian Safety During Virtual Symposium
AASHTO Journal
 
“It’s an incredible experiment”: Banning cars in cities stirs controversy—and has mixed results
Fast Company

Coronavirus has forced e-scooter providers and cities to work out their differences
TNW

ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY

Trump rolling back major environmental law to speed big infrastructure projects
CBS News

FREIGHT
 
New House Bill Would Provide Relief for U.S. Ports, Maritime Operators
Maritime Executive

Fragmented demand portends rambling US freight recovery
Journal of Commerce

‘Smart port’ technology planned for Port of New Orleans
AP

FUNDING
 
Reeling from the loss of gas tax revenue during pandemic, states are deferring billions of dollars of transportation projects
Washington Post

Survey: 50% Support Mileage Fees, 75% Support Gas Tax Increase
Heavy Duty Trucking

Report: Florida Should Tax Drivers Per Mile Instead Of Per Gallon
WUSF Radio

INTERNATIONAL
 
European mobility data provides insights into virus spread and containment to help inform future responses
EU Reporter

MOBILITY  

The Future of Urban Transport Is Facing a Make-or-Break Moment
Bloomberg

Columbus, OH to bridge mobility silos through LinkUS initiative
Smart Cities Dive

Lessons from the Awkward Life and Death of the Segway
Bloomberg CityLab

MPOs
 
Regional Governments in California  
California Globe

Bannock Transportation Planning Organization 6 year plan to improve Pocatello’s ADA access
KIFI/KIDK-TV

OTHER
 
One-Third of U.S. Workers Want Permanent Remote Work
Route Fifty
 
AASHTO Council Meeting Highlights COVID-19 Impact on Transportation
AASHTO Journal

Autonomous Vehicles’ Potential To Remove Discrimination In Transportation
Forbes

PLANNING
 
IDOT Releases Interactive Website For I-55 Access Study
Illinois DOT

Can Tactical Urbanism Be a Tool for Equity? A Conversation with Mike Lydon and Tony Garcia
Streetsblog USA

New system improves traffic volume estimates for freeway planning
Catalyst

RAIL
 
Appropriations bill would require Amtrak to maintain service to get funds
Trains
 
ROADWAYS
 
“It’s an incredible experiment”: Banning cars in cities stirs controversy—and has mixed results
Fast Company

TECHNOLOGY

Transdev, LAVTA Partner to Test Shared AV
Metro

TRANSIT
 
DC will add quick-build bus lanes as part of its COVID-19 response
Greater Greater Washington

UP says it will end some support to Metra operations, would stop operating trains in 90 days if it wins suit
Trains
 
Transitway investment leads to higher regional GDP, job growth, and accessibility
Catalyst

New Clipper program offers transit fare discounts for low-income
Bay City News Service

Transit Hubs Get Most Housing Under San Diego’s Affordable Homes Program
Times of San Diego

Former Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood: Only Vaccine Can Restore 'Normalcy' For Transit Agencies
WBUR Radio’s Here & Now

TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH BOARD
 
Automated Vehicles Symposium 2020
TRB
 
Building socioeconomic equity through transportation research
TRB