Volume 1 Issue 15| July 9, 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
AASHTO 2020 Joint Policy Conference Goes Virtual
As a reminder, the in-person AASHTO 2020 Joint Policy Conference has been postponed to next year as a result of COVID-19. AASHTO staff and the planning committee are identifying new dates for an in-person program in 2021.

In the meantime, we are excited to announce that a 2020 virtual program is under development with the help of AASHTO members, staff, and partners. From September 28-October 2, we are scheduling peer exchanges and technical sessions designed to address the most pressing policy issues facing state DOTs. Several policy committees (including the Committee on Planning, Special Committee on Freight, Committee on Transportation System Security & Resilience, and Council on Active Transportation) will also be meeting within and amongst each other, making this virtual event a true interactive exchange.

Additional details are forthcoming. Please check for announcements on https://2020policyconference.transportation.org/ and in future Transportation Planning Newsletters.
Transportation Asset Management Mega Meeting July 13-15, 2020
The AASHTO Subcommittee on Asset Management, in cooperation with the TRB Asset Management Committee (AJE30), will be organizing a series of joint web-based meetings to help address the needs of TAM practitioners to share and learn more about TAM activities. Emphasis will also be placed on how transportation agencies are responding to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on TAM practices.

The Transportation Asset Management Summer 2020 Mega Meeting is a result of the postponement of the TRB's 13th National TAM Conference due to COVID-19. Registration is required for each individual event, and details can be found at https://www.tam-portal.com/2020megameeting/ We hope to see you there!
EconWorks: Last Call Before Solicitation Closure
Now, it is more important than ever for state DOTs to have efficient and affordable tools in their arsenal for project development. Enter EconWorks: a simplified economic modeling tool that uses data and information from before/after case studies of transportation projects to better understand economic impacts. EconWorks is the combination web-based tools, resulting from two TRB research initiatives in the Capacity focus area of SHRP2, to help planners incorporate economic analysis into early project decision making.

As the lead agency, Arkansas Department of Transportation will be closing the solicitation on this pooled fund project, and a technical advisory committee will be convened shortly thereafter. Now is the time to jump onboard if you are considering to participate. For additional information, please contact Will Lusk, AASHTO Associate Program Manager for Planning and Performance Management at wlusk@aashto.org.
In addition to FHWA, the following state DOTs have committed financially to support this pooled fund project:

Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, & Wisconsin
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

How cycling could help drive racial equality
World Economic Forum

Safety concerns emerge with new bike, pedestrian path on Mario Cuomo Bridge
WABC-TV

New initiative opens some low-speed Washington state roadways to healthy uses
Washington State DOT

Milwaukee Is Redesigning Local Streets for Pedestrian, Biker and Driver Safety
Milwaukee

Caltrans Adopts Action Plan to Increase Walking, Bicycling Statewide
California DOT

ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY

Georgia DOT Helps Upgrade EV Charging Station
AASHTO Journal
 
FREIGHT
 
The freight-rollercoaster continues for trucking
FreightWaves

Talking Freight Webinar for July 15, 2020: Examining the Growth of Inland Ports
FHWA

FUNDING
 
MDOT to study toll roads for Michigan
MLive

Metro eyes payroll tax for $7 billion transportation package as business groups formally call for delay
The Oregonian

INFRASTRUCTURE

Wicker, Bennet Introduce American Infrastructure Bonds Act
Y’all Politics

INTERNATIONAL
 
Ontario passes bill expediting transit planning, design and construction into law
Mass Transit

MOBILITY  

Michigan's new Mobility office leader sees need for 'strategic road map'
Michigan Radio

MPOs

Merrimack Valley Planning Commission Brings Communities Together for Common Good
WHAV Radio’s Merrimack Valley Newsmakers
 
Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council Of Governments Unveils Beach Traffic Cam App
BCDCOG

OTHER
 
'The Wrong Complexion For Protection.' How Race Shaped America's Roadways And Cities
NPR’s Weekend Edition Sunday
 
PLANNING
 
TxDOT anticipates ‘meaningful alternatives’ to I-35 expansion in upcoming public input process
Austin Monitor

Michigan Launches Website To Keep Public Informed About Line 5 Permitting Process
MI Newswire

RAIL
 
CDOT seeks input on potential new Front Range rail line
Denver Post
 
ROADWAYS
 
Ohio says more roundabouts on the way to control traffic
Dayton Daily News

Safety Plan Seeks to Protect Roadway Users
Caltrans’ Mile Marker

TECHNOLOGY

I-17 thermal-camera system reliable in detecting wrong-way vehicles
Arizona DOT

Robo-Cars Are Coming, But Probably Not Like You’d Expect
Government Technology

TRANSIT

The Bay Area's Transit Dilemma: Too Many Agencies, Not Enough Riders
Bloomberg CityLab
 
People mover, Monorail to coexist on the north Strip
Las Vegas Sun
 
TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH BOARD
 
TRB Webinar: Strategic Issues Affecting Highway Preservation, Maintenance, and Renewal
TRB