Surface Transportation Environment and Planning Cooperative Research Program (STEP) Outreach

Deadline for Comments: September 15, 2006

You can provide feedback directly by going to:

1. http://knowledge.fhwa.dot.gov/cops/step.nsf/home/, and then
2. click on the Bicycle/Pedestrian and Health link under the list of Feedback Topics.

Goals and Research Areas

Bicycle /Pedestrian and Health ($70,000 in FY2007)
The overall goals of this emphasis area are to: (1) determine the relationship between physical activity and active transportation modes such as bicycling and walking; (2) investigate and institutionalize the collection of bicycle and pedestrian use/exposure data at national, State, and local levels; (3) provide technical knowledge and products needed by state and local officials in developing and implementing bicycle and pedestrian projects; (4) determine how to make the appropriate provision of bicycle and pedestrian projects a routine part of all transportation decisions; and (5) develop meaningful measures of effectiveness for bicycle and pedestrian projects and programs.

Potential research activities include: identifying and assessing effects of nonmotorized facilities and projects on changes in mode share; identifying mechanisms to incorporate bike and pedestrian facilities into transportation networks and to encourage their use; evaluate impacts of built environment on health; maintaining clearinghouse operations; delivering training and technical assistance; developing new analytical methods and use/exposure measures; conducting outreach activities; and communicating bike/ped and health research results to Federal, State, and local partners.

General Information on the STEP Program

Section 5207 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) established the Surface Transportation Environment and Planning Cooperative Research Program (STEP). The goal of the STEP is to improve understanding of the complex relationship between surface transportation, planning, and the environment.

On March 1, 2006, FHWA issued a Federal Register notice soliciting comments on the draft implementation strategy for the STEP program.

By September 15, 2006, FHWA invites stakeholders to review the revised implementation strategy and provide suggested lines of research that may be pursued within the FY07 STEP via the STEP website at: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/hep/step/. For example, stakeholders who have an interest in the "Tools to Support Environment and Planning" emphasis area might suggest that it is important to research ways to identify business models to enhance transportation decision-making using geospatial data.

FHWA does not seek specific, detailed research proposals and discourages researchers from submitting proposals of that nature. Specific research work statements, if pursued under the STEP, would be crafted by FHWA, after careful consideration of stakeholder views.

We look forward to your feedback regarding this important cooperative research program.