Volume 2 Issue 21 | June 3, 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.
Committee News
AASHTO Jointly Files Appeal for the Safety Band
The Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America) and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) today filed an appeal of the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) November 2020 order regarding unlicensed devices in the 5.9 GHz spectrum band. ITS America and AASHTO took this action to ensure Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) technologies can continue to safely operate throughout the 5.9 GHz band.

The lawsuit, filed in the D.C. Circuit Court, seeks to reverse the Commission’s reallocation of 60 percent of the 5.9 GHz band to unlicensed, non-transportation uses, and preserve the full 75 MHz for transportation communications.

To read the full article published by AASHTO News, click here.
USDOT Releases Guidance on Transit-Oriented Development
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Build America Bureau recently issued new guidance to clarify the eligibility of transit-oriented development or TOD projects for both public and private firms seeking loans.

The agency said TOD seeks to foster economic development near transit, rail, and intercity bus facilities — to create walkable residential and commercial centers. Community-focused investments like TOD are integral to the Biden-Harris Administration’s priorities, noted USDOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg in a statement – including efforts to connect communities and reducing the climate impacts of transportation.

To read the full article published by the AASHTO Journal, click here.
NCHRP Panel Nomination Period Open for FY2022
In April, the AASHTO Special Committee on Research and Innovation (R&I) formulated the NCHRP's FY 2022 program. TRB has shared the 2022 research problem statements and is now seeking member nominations to serve on each project panel. Nominations should be submitted through the TRB portal which requires creating a MyTRB login account. The FY 2022 projects must still be approved by the States' ballot, but TRB has set the deadline for nominations to June 30, 2021.

The Committee on Planning submitted four projects which now need panel member nominations:
  • NCHRP 08-152: Strategies for Advancing Equity in Transportation Planning by Increasing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusiveness in The Transportation Planning Profession
  • NCHRP 08-153: Guidance on Improving Truck Traffic Estimates in “Design Traffic” Estimates
  • NCHRP 08-154: Guidebook/Toolbox for Agencies to Incorporate Uncertainty into Long-Range Transportation Planning
  • NCHRP 08-160: Understand the role of transportation infrastructure investment in gentrification and displacement and identify effective policies and strategies to address these effects.
Industry News
ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION

Future Minnesota transportation plans include more safe walking spaces
AP

Fort Worth bike rentals are booming, and electric ebikes are providing the jolt
Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Hartford’s LINK Scooters top over 17,000 rides within first month since its introduction to the capital city
Hartford Courant

Philly selects finalists to plan pedestrian-friendly revamp of Ben Franklin Parkway
WHYY
 
EQUITY

USDOT Seeks Transportation Equity Assessment Input
AASHTO Journal

A highway expansion project in Houston is the site of a battle over environmental justice
The Architect’s Newspaper

How Transportation and Infrastructure Investments Can Boost Digital and Civic Equity
StateTech

FUNDING
 
Airports, Amtrak and autos: Biden wants to spend $88 billion on transportation
Reuters

Senators Propose Toll Bill for Highway/Transit Funding
AASHTO Journal

Hillsborough transportation tax debate informed by new poll
Tampa Bay Times

INFRASTRUCTURE

Infrastructure Overhaul Should Focus More on Safety, Advocates Say

Stateline

Biden’s infrastructure plan would create many jobs, but labor shortages may mean few workers will take them
Hechinger Report

MOBILITY 

Multiple Modes of Transportation, Shared Rides Are the Future of Mobility
Northwestern University

MPOs
 
SANDAG Unveils Transit Plan Focused On High-Speed Rail And High-Density Housing 
KPBS

Marana, Arizona Mayor: Next Regional Transportation Authority plan needs cooperation from all
Arizona Daily Star commentary

Bay County TPO to provide over 25,000 meals after food drive
Panama City News Herald

OTHER
 
Caltrans looks to build on Kern's success employing homeless people in highway cleanup work
Bakersfield American
 
PLANNING
 
Virginia is rethinking its road and rail networks in planning for the long term
Washington Post

I-10 Bridge and Bayway project returns to Mobile’s plans
AL.com

RAIL
 
U.S. Department of Transportation Announces Major Milestone for the Hudson Tunnel Project
FRA

Public input sought through June 14 on new Ill. rail study
WIFR-TV
 
ROADWAYS

States Gearing Up for Renewed Roadway Traffic Volumes
AASHTO Journal
 
How Do Animals Safely Cross a Highway? Take a Look.
New York Times

Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices: Looking Back, Looking Forward with Jeff Lindley, P.E., ITE Chief Technical Officer
ITE Talks Transportation
podcast

Lawmakers Scoff At NYCDOT Proposal That Would Turn Some Brooklyn Streets Into Truck Routes
WCBS-TV

Sick of dangerous city traffic? Remove left turns
The Conversation

TECHNOLOGY

ITS America, AASHTO Take Legal Action To Retain 5.9 GHz Band For V2X Technologies
AASHTO

How Technology Is Changing Traffic Management And Future Of Commuting
York Daily Record

TRANSIT

U.S. Transportation Secretary Buttigieg Recommends $2.5 Billion for New and Expanded Public Transit Services Across the Country
FTA
 
L.A. Tests the Free-Transit Waters
Next City

Everyone Gets A Seat On The Bus, For Free, As Kansas City Transit Returns To Full Capacity
KCUR Radio

What’s Next for Urban Transit?
Route Fifty

Determining if BRT will Improve Your City’s Mobility
Metro blog
 
© 2021 American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
News stories gathered by Bernie Wagenblast