Volume 1 Issue 29 | October 29, 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
Join the 2020 AASHTO Virtual Annual Meeting - 10 More Days!!

You can expect a quality program in the great tradition of AASHTO Annual Meetings. Many of the sessions associated with an in-person Annual Meeting will continue virtually, including the Council on Highways and Streets, Transportation Policy Forum, and the Board of Directors, among many others. 

Knowledge sharing and networking is a cornerstone of our in-person meeting. With that in mind, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in interactive and engaging experiences through a dynamic virtual conference platform, Hubilo, brought to you by our AASHTOWare product team. This virtual system has interactive exhibition features and includes abundant occasions for sponsorship exposure, all while attendees connect from the comfort and safety of their home or office.

Here are a few of the spotlight sessions you won't want to miss:
  • President's Transportation Awards Program
  • State DOTs Organizing for Automated Vehicles
  • Inclusive DOTs: Incorporating Civil Rights Principles in DOT Programs
  • Planning for Transportation Investments post-COVID
  • Safety Culture Throughout the DOT
  • Resilient Infrastructure: How States Can Lead and the Federal Government Can Help
  • AASHTO Council on Highways and Streets Meeting
  • AASHTO Transportation Policy Forum Meeting
2020 Virtual Joint Policy Conference Survey Released

We are grateful for the attendees of the AASHTO 2020 Virtual Joint Policy Conference, held September 29-October 1, 2020. Over 650 participants from all corners of the country gathered to address the most pressing challenges faced by the transportation industry.

As AASHTO plans additional virtual events in the future, please help us improve by completing the following optional survey. This survey is divided into six parts so we can learn about your conference experience. If you attended the conference, we'd appreciate your feedback!
Industry News
ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION

Pedestrian User Experience at Roundabouts
Crossroads
 
FUNDING
 
The gas tax was already broken. The pandemic could end it.
Smart Cities Dive

INFRASTRUCTURE

On Infrastructure, Trump Touts Regulatory Streamlining, Biden Eyes Clean Energy
Transport Topics

INTERNATIONAL
 
Amsterdam will use flowers to keep its bridges clear of locked bicycles
Lonely Planet

MPOs
 
Sarasota/Manatee MPO take next step in their ‘Transform 2045’ transportation plan 
WWSB-TV

Diane Nguyen Tapped As New San Joaquin COG Executive Director
Escalon Times

HCAOG Director Receives Transportation Champion Award
Humboldt County Association of Governments

OTHER
 
What a Senate flip means for transportation
Politico

Electric vehicles see state-level gains
The Hill

Four Key Transportation Matters To Watch On Election Day
Forbes

Metro opens up public comments on proposed aerial transit system from Union Station to Dodger Stadium
KTLA-TV

Georgia State Law researchers help GDOT improve land acquisition practices 
Georgia State University

Professional Development In A Virtual World With Shelley Row – Founder, Blue Fjord Leaders
ITE Talks Transportation podcast
 
PLANNING
 
Mobility planners steer Lake Houston-area projects through pandemic
Community Impact Newspaper

WisDOT asks public’s input on proposed transportation plan
WMTV-TV

Manchester, New Hampshire’s transit-centric community of the future is on the drawing board
Manchester Ink Link

RAIL
 
Virginia Passenger Rail Authority meets for first time, outlines plans to boost train travel across the commonwealth
WVIR-TV

Amtrak has expansion within the San Antonio-Dallas-Houston triangle 'under review'

East-West Rail: Massachusetts Department of Transportation angers public after recommending further studies weeks before final report
MassLive
 
ROADWAYS
 
I-81 Advisory Committee discusses improvement program for corridor
WHSV-TV

Push for Ports-to-Plains Interstate Corridor Moves to U.S. Senate
The Texan

The Pandemic Kick-Started an Urban Motorcycle Boom. Are Cities Ready?
Bloomberg CityLab

Slow Streets Were a Success. Should Cities Keep Them?
Governing analysis

TECHNOLOGY

USDOT: Connected Vehicle Pilot More Complex Than Expected
AASHTO Journal

Ohio partners with Michigan, Pennsylvania to launch test of autonomous trucks
Highland County Press

FCC Plan Puts V2X Car Safety Technology at Risk
Consumer Reports

TRANSIT
 
More fare discounts likely for low-income Bay Area transit riders
San Francisco Chronicle

Public transit faces uncertain future after pandemic
The Hill
 
Madison seeks to cut vehicle traffic and encourage development near public transit
Wisconsin State Journal

How COVID is paving the way for participatory transit planning
Grist commentary