Volume 1 Issue 35 | December 23, 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.
Wishing you and your loved ones safe and happy holidays!
Committee News
AASHTO Comments on the Nomination of Pete Buttigieg as U.S. Transportation Secretary
The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials congratulates Pete Buttigieg on his nomination to be U.S. Secretary of Transportation.

“As the former Mayor of South Bend, Indiana, Buttigieg understands the vital role that transportation plays in people’s lives,” said Jim Tymon, AASHTO’s executive director. “AASHTO’s membership – the hardworking public servants at every state department of transportation in the country – are appreciative of the Secretary-designee’s call for robust investment in our multimodal transportation system and his commitment to improving transportation safety. We look forward to working with him and the administration of President-elect Joe Biden to deliver an integrated, efficient, and innovative national transportation system.”

Click here to read the AASHTO Journal article in its entirety.
Jim Tymon
Capacity Building Ideas Sought for 2021: Your help is needed!
The 2020 Calendar Year is drawing to a close, and the AASHTO Committee on Planning has accomplished much during this most unprecedented time. It is now when we start to plan for what lies ahead just beyond the horizon. For that we turn to you, the valued AASHTO member, for guidance.

We are looking for forward-leaning capacity building and professional development proposals, for planners by planners, as we move into the post MAP-21 and FAST Act world. These ideas will help fuel the programming - peer exchanges, roundtables, webinars, and more - that members and stakeholders will benefit from.

To submit your idea, click here to download the submission form. Please e-mail it to AASHTO staff via wlusk@aashto.org by January 4, 2021. Feel free to reach out if there are questions; we're happy to help.
Industry News
ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION

Mile-by-Mile, Proposed Nationwide Bike and Foot Trail Sees Progress
Route Fifty
 
Micromobility: Cities Should Embrace Electric Bikes
CleanTechnica commentary

KDOT kicks off first Active Transportation Plan in 25 years
Kansas DOT

What Does Pete Buttigieg’s Nomination as Transportation Secretary Mean for Cyclists?
Bicycling

Cars Have Killed Almost 700 Bicyclists In 2020
Jalopnik

Anatomy Of A Bicycle Crash: Thousands Of Colorado Riders Injured In A Decade
KUNC Radio

Waco's trails master plan aims to link entire city for pedestrians, cyclists
Waco Tribune-Herald

ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY

Biden’s Climate Team Begins to Take Shape
New York Times

Washington governor to push familiar ideas to fight climate change in 2021 session
Daily World

Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and District of Columbia Commit To Historic Program To Reduce Climate Pollution, Invest in Transportation

DOE to Invest $128M in Sustainable Transportation Research
AASHTO Journal

Transportation nominee Buttigieg says millions of new electric vehicles needed on US roads
The Hill

FREIGHT
 
Container ports are booming — and not just on West Coast
American Shipper

Port Expansion Included In Giant Federal Spending Package
FreightWaves

Trucks Key to Movement of Agricultural Products, USDA Report Finds
Transport Topics

2021 trucking outlook comes into focus
FreightWaves

FUNDING

Trump Blasts Covid Relief Package, Demands Revisions Risking a Shutdown
Route Fifty

State DOTs To Receive $10B From COVID-19 Emergency Relief Legislation
Roads & Bridges
 
Where transit stands with COVID-19 relief bill and FY21 omnibus legislation
Mass Transit

INFRASTRUCTURE

How Biden's Climate Plan Will Impact State Infrastructure
ForConstructionPros

Smooth-talking Buttigieg to be Biden’s infrastructure salesman in chief
Politico

Kentucky transportation leaders discuss need for more infrastructure funding to spur economic growth
Northern Kentucky Tribune

U.S. Department of Transportation Launches New Regional Infrastructure Accelerators Program
USDOT

ARTBA: Transportation Construction Market to Shrink in 2021
AASHTO Journal

MOBILITY 

New York regional transportation study suggests ‘micro-transit’
Mid Hudson News

MPOs
 
Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments talks smart mobility, mass transit 
Sentinel-Tribune

Kennebec Valley Council of Governments hires community planner, community and economic development specialist
Penobscot Bay Pilot

Contra Costa Transportation Authority Board Unanimously Appoints Timothy Haile as New Executive Director 
East County Today

OTHER
 
Buttigieg would bring his agenda and Biden’s to Department of Transportation
Roll Call

Water Emergency Transportation Authority exploring feasibility of hovercraft routes on bay
KTVU-TV

Americans Like Free Parking. They Don’t Realize It Doesn’t Exist.
Governing column

New tool helps drivers compute costs
Wisconsin DOT
 
PLANNING
 
Jaxport, JTA stress need for innovative planning for future growth 
Jacksonville Business Journal

Virginia Board Approves Six-Year Improvement Program for Transportation
Transport Topics

Madison gets $290,000 to plan for development near Bus Rapid Transit stations
Wisconsin State Journal

Nashville Mayor Cooper's contentious $1.6 billion transportation plan approved with edits
Tennessean

Visualize 2045 aims to ensure easier commutes for DC-area residents
WTOP Radio

KDOT Director of Planning, Development celebrates 30 year service anniversary
WIBW-TV

Henry County, Georgia Transportation Advisory Group Holds First Meeting
Moving Henry Forward

RAIL
 
MTA vote could open way for new trains upstate
Times Union

Virginia governor proposes $50 million to advance goal of bringing passenger rail to New River Valley
Roanoke Times

California’s Amtrak loses $800 million as pandemic surges
Los Angeles Daily News

Pressure mounts on federal agency over Union Station redevelopment. Critics say plan is too focused on cars.
Washington Post

FRA Publishes Final Rule for State Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Action Plans
FRA

Air Force One to Amtrak One: Joe Biden can accelerate economic recovery by renewing America’s rails
Philadelphia Inquirer commentary
 
ROADWAYS
 
Ohio State Highway Patrol Unveils Work Zone Dashboard
WTOL-TV

CDOT says I-25 on-ramp lights are having a positive effect
KOAA-TV

Iowa DOT employs new method to fill gaps in pavement temperature data
Iowa DOT

TECHNOLOGY

Smarter Traffic Lights, Calmer Commuters
New York Times

Group Releases ‘Roadmap’ for Automated Vehicle Deployment
AASHTO Journal

TRANSIT
 
Bipartisan group publishes relief bill text that includes $15 billion for transit
Mass Transit

South Dade Bus Rapid Transit faces new roadblocks
Miami Today

Commuter rail report recommends integrating VRE, MARC under one brand
InsideNoVa
 
State’s first public transit plan delivered to Legislature; goal is mobility for all Oklahomans
Oklahoma DOT

Federal Transit Administration Announces Over $6 Million to Improve Transit Access in Communities Around the Country
FTA

There Are Too Many Unused Parking Spots Near Transit Stations And It’s Pushing Up Rent, RTD Report Says
Colorado Public Radio

Report Stresses Transit Funding Needs Under Biden WH
Government Technology

Bus Rapid Transit Line Coming To Birmingham
WBHM Radio

RTA at the throttle: Authority retakes full control of transit
WWL Radio

Chicago-Area Transit Agencies Face ‘Drastic’ Service Cuts As Pandemic Ridership Plummets
WBEZ Radio

Central Pa. transit companies propose merger to enhance services
York Daily Record

Bus Stops Provide a Gateway to a Quality Life
Mass Transit

TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH BOARD

TRB Provides Butterfly Conservation Resources
AASHTO Journal

© 2020 American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
News stories gathered by Bernie Wagenblast