Weekly Planning Committee and Industry News

Volume 2 Issue 12 | April 1, 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.

Visit our Website

Committee News

AASHTO Statement on the American Jobs Plan Proposal

The following is a formal statement dated March 31 of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials regarding the proposed federal infrastructure and jobs package, including more than half a trillion dollars for transportation.

“AASHTO applauds the emphasis that President Biden has placed on investing in infrastructure to shore up and modernize our national multimodal transportation system for decades to come,” said Jim Tymon, executive director of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. “Today’s announcement is a first step in a conversation about a generational investment in transportation infrastructure addressing climate change, resiliency and equity that will support improved quality of life through innovative, safer and cleaner mobility options. America’s state DOTs look forward to playing a leading role with the Administration and Congress to achieve the objectives laid out in today’s plan.

In addition, it is critical that Congress and the Administration work together in a bipartisan manner to reauthorize the federal surface transportation programs before the end of September. A long-term and robust reauthorization bill will provide state DOTs the predictability they need to continue to improve the transportation network to provide greater access to opportunities for everyone including employment, education, health services, and recreation.”

Webinar Recording Available: Urban Areas for the 2020 Census - Proposed Criteria

On March 30, AASHTO hosted a free webinar on the Urban Areas for the 2020 Census—Proposed Criteria with over 800 registrants.

Featuring speakers from the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Federal Highway administration, robust discussion was had regarding changes outlined in the Federal Register notice of February 19, 2021. More information is available here: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/02/19/2021-03412/urban-areas-for-the-2020-census-proposed-criteria.Comments to the proposed changes close on May 20, 2021.

To access the full webinar recording and downloadable presentation PDFs, please visit https://ctpp.transportation.org/urban-areas-for-the-2020-census/. Additional resources, including a Question and Answer list from the webinar, impervious land information, and comparative maps will be made available soon.