Weekly Planning Committee and Industry News

Volume 2 Issue 5 | February 11, 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

AASHTO Congratulates Secretary Pete Buttigieg on Confirmation

“Congratulations to Secretary Buttigieg on his confirmation. The nation faces a number of tremendous challenges and we know transportation will play a key role in building America back,” said Jim Tymon, AASHTO executive director. “AASHTO believes the work being done in transportation should endeavor to improve quality of life for all Americans. State DOTs look forward to working with Secretary Buttigieg to make that happen by improving safety; building a more resilient transportation system; and, supporting modally diverse options for people and their communities.”

“As the nation recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, state DOTs will serve as a resource for Secretary Buttigieg and the U.S. Department of Transportation to help address the nation’s transportation challenges,” said Tymon. “Like Secretary Buttigieg, state DOTs support equity in transportation investments and decision-making. And, they share a desire to address our nation’s climate crisis and make transportation systems more resilient.“

Click here to access the original article found in the AASHTO Journal.

AASHTO Washington Briefing Registration Open

The Washington Briefing is an excellent opportunity for participants to collaborate with State Departments of Transportation leaders and industry executives on pressing policy matters.

Highlighting legislative developments in all modes of transportation, the virtual edition of this longstanding forum for 2021 will focus on the state DOTs’ partnership with the new Presidential administration and Congress to ensure major investment action for infrastructure. Discussion focus will be on COVID response, stimulus, and surface transportation reauthorization.

This virtual conference will feature key stakeholder groups including Congressional members and staff, federal executive branch leaders, trade associations, and media. You are welcomed to join us by first registering at aashtowashingtonbriefing.org .

California, Minnesota, North Carolina, and FHWA Insights: Improving Risk Management and Resiliency

With the next cycle of Transportation Asset Management Plan (TAMP) development right around the corner (all states will need to submit updated TAMPs in 2022), agencies will need to figure out how to develop their next TAMPs. This TAM webinar mini-series is kicking off to take a deeper dive into the topic of improving the next TAMP. The series is designed so that it can be a catalyst for agencies to improve their next TAMP, with webinars delivered more frequently in order to build momentum and increase engagement. The attached flyer has all of the details on the upcoming webinars. The miniseries flyer can be viewed online by clicking here.

Next Webinar: Wednesday February 17, 2:00 PM EST
Improving Risk Management and Resiliency
Risk management and building resiliency is of growing importance for transportation agencies and is an integral part of an agency’s TAMP. The 2018 and 2019 TAMPs were required to be risk-based and include a risk register. In many of the initial TAMPs, agencies were early in their understanding of risk management in the context of transportation asset management (TAM). Agencies will have the opportunity to improve their risk management and resiliency elements of their next TAMPs as they have improved their understanding and practices related to TAM and risk management/resiliency. This webinar will feature discussion from DOTs on how they have used their initial TAMP risk registers and how they plan to enhance their risk registers and risk management and resiliency building processes in their updated TAMPs.
Presenters include Jean Wallace, Minnesota DOT; Matt Lauffer, North Carolina DOT; Mike Johnson, Caltrans; Rob Kafalenos, FHWA; Heather Holsinger, FHWA; Elizabeth Habic, FHWA
Registration: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/2937769034276685324

Additional information on the AASHTO Transportation Asset Management Portal can be found online by visiting https://www.transportationmanagement.us/

Industry News

ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION

Bikeshare could soon get federal transit dollars

Greater Greater Washington

https://ggwash.org/view/80314/bikeshare-may-get-federal-transit-dollars

Proposal replaces vehicle lane with permanent bike lane on Bay Bridge

KCBS/KFRC Radio

https://www.radio.com/kcbsradio/news/local/proposal-replaces-vehicle-lane-with-bike-lane-on-bay-bridge

Local Guidance For Bicycle Facility Design

Crossroads

https://mntransportationresearch.org/2021/02/09/local-guidance-for-bicycle-facility-design/

Incorporating Bicycles into Your Municipal Code

MRSC Insight

http://mrsc.org/Home/Stay-Informed/MRSC-Insight/February-2021/Incorporating-Bicycles-into-Your-Municipal-Code

Missouri Department of Conservation to allow bicycle use on service roads

News-Press

https://www.newspressnow.com/sports/outdoors/mdc-to-allow-bicycle-use-on-service-roads/article_2ef34de8-6695-11eb-8599-2f447662fcfe.html

Study: Street Closure Encourages Recreational Activity During Pandemic

WSP USA news release

https://www.csrwire.com/press_releases/718071-wsp-usa-study-street-closure-encourages-recreational-activity-during-pandemic

ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY

House Panel to Include Climate Policy in Infrastructure Bill, Pallone Says

Transport Topics

https://www.ttnews.com/articles/house-panel-include-climate-policy-infrastructure-bill-pallone-says

Strong State Policies Are Still Needed for EV Growth

Government Technology

https://www.govtech.com/fs/Strong-State-Policies-Are-Still-Needed-for-EV-Growth.html

Three Approaches to Investing in Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure

Resources

https://www.resourcesmag.org/common-resources/three-approaches-to-investing-in-electric-vehicle-charging-infrastructure/

FUNDING

Buttigieg: Talks ongoing on additional U.S. transportation sector assistance

Reuters

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-biden-transportation/buttigieg-talks-ongoing-on-additional-transportation-sector-assistance-idUSKBN2A42TO

House panel approves $42.5 billion for transportation

Reuters

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-usa-transportation-idUSKBN2AB09P

Governors Propose Transportation Investments for 2021 and Beyond

AASHTO Journal

https://aashtojournal.org/2021/02/05/governors-propose-transportation-investments-for-2021-and-beyond/

Bumpy road ahead for Florida transportation projects

WJXT-TV

https://www.news4jax.com/news/florida/2021/02/09/bumpy-road-ahead-for-florida-transportation-projects/

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont Proposes Mileage-Based Fee on Trucks

Transport Topics

https://www.ttnews.com/articles/connecticut-gov-ned-lamont-proposes-mileage-based-fee-trucks

INFRASTRUCTURE

Transportation & Infrastructure: What to Expect from the Biden Administration & 117th Congress

National Law Review

https://www.natlawreview.com/article/transportation-infrastructure-what-to-expect-biden-administration-117th-congress

Legislation aims to help improve Ohio's electric vehicle charging infrastructure

Mahoning Matters

https://www.mahoningmatters.com/local-news/legislation-aims-to-help-improve-ohios-electric-vehicle-charging-infrastructure-3352643

MOBILITY

Central Ohio shifting toward complete mobility network

ThisWeek commentary

https://www.thisweeknews.com/story/opinion/2021/02/08/morpc-matters-central-ohio-shifting-toward-complete-mobility-network/4435120001/

MPOs

MVRPC Working On Strategy To Avoid Same Mistakes That Led To Racial Disparities

Dayton Daily News

https://www.daytondailynews.com/news/regional-planning-group-working-on-strategy-to-avoid-same-mistakes-that-led-to-racial-disparities/CTF7PBKGW5ETPIR2DTEG4DL3EI/

CAMPO approves process to refund transit projects

Austin Monitor

https://www.austinmonitor.com/stories/2021/02/campo-approves-process-to-refund-transit-projects/

OTHER

Under Buttigieg’s leadership DOT aims to transform more than just transportation

Gray TV

https://www.kcrg.com/2021/02/09/under-buttigiegs-leadership-dot-aims-to-transform-more-than-just-transportation/

Under Buttigieg’s leadership DOT aims to transform more than just transportation

Gray TV

https://www.kcrg.com/2021/02/09/under-buttigiegs-leadership-dot-aims-to-transform-more-than-just-transportation/

Pete Buttigieg talks future of flying, cars and cities

Axios on HBO

https://www.axios.com/axios-hbo-pete-buttigieg-interview-514df62c-cce1-4deb-b9d2-f8094b6da5be.html

PLANNING

Texas and Mexican border communities asked to weigh in on transportation planning for region

Border Report

https://www.yourcentralvalley.com/news/texas-and-mexican-border-communities-asked-to-weigh-in-on-transportation-planning-for-region/

Iowa DOT Planning for Change

Iowa DOT

https://www.transportationmatters.iowadot.gov/2021/01/planning-for-change.html

Virginia transportation planners weigh long-term impact of White’s Ferry closure

WTOP Radio

https://wtop.com/local/2021/02/virginia-transportation-planners-weigh-long-term-impact-of-whites-ferry-closure/

Urban planner asks Common Council to stop school zone speed cameras

WBEN Radio

https://www.radio.com/wben/news/local/speed-zone-cameras

More Puget Sound-area foot ferries could cut travel times, new study says

Seattle Times

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/more-puget-sound-area-foot-ferries-could-cut-travel-times-new-study-says/

RAIL

Pete Buttigieg: I want the United States to be leading the world in high speed rail

MSNBC’s The Reidout video

https://www.msnbc.com/the-reidout/watch/pete-buttigieg-i-want-the-united-states-to-be-leading-the-world-in-high-speed-rail-100555333554

California pushes back deadline for high-speed rail

https://www.avpress.com/news/california-pushes-back-deadline-for-high-speed-rail/article_433a5092-68f4-11eb-ad22-c743e3586172.html

Connecting the state of Maine by railway once and for all

WCSH-TV

https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/travel/connecting-the-state-of-maine-by-railway-once-and-for-all/97-806ec1ac-156d-4504-89c0-ed79563f4196

ROADWAYS

Maryland DOT to Make Beltway Rougher to Prevent Speeding, Crashes

WRC-TV

https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/transportation/mdot-to-make-beltway-rougher-to-prevent-speeding-crashes/2563279/

I-45 project may displace families in 1,079 homes, study shows

Community Impact Newspaper

https://abc13.com/traffic/txdot-clears-$7b-i-45-project-to-move-forward/10313723/

New program will open I-77 express lanes to more vehicles

WCNC-TV

https://www.wcnc.com/article/traffic/interstate-77-toll-lanes-pilot-program-increase-traffic-express/275-06c51395-7f76-4041-9686-8c8e915a4434

SCDOT Adopts New “Complete Streets” Policy

South Carolina DOT

http://info2.scdot.org/SCDOTPress/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=3102

ADOT testing smart work zone along I-40 to make work zones safer for everyone

Arizona DOT

https://azdot.gov/adot-news/adot-testing-smart-work-zone-along-i-40-make-work-zones-safer-everyone

Will Roadbuilders Simply Bulldoze As Before?

Next City column

https://nextcity.org/daily/entry/will-roadbuilders-simply-bulldoze-as-before

TRANSIT

Austin Approves $23 Million To Help Prevent Gentrification Near New Transit Hubs

KUT Radio

https://www.kut.org/transportation/2021-02-05/austin-approves-23-million-to-help-prevent-gentrification-near-new-transit-hubs

Tampa Bay area transit authority issues RFP for aerial gondola transportation study in St. Pete, Clearwater

Tampa Bay Business Journal

https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2021/02/09/tampa-transit-authority-to-further-study-gondolas.html

News stories gathered by Bernie Wagenblast