In this issue:
FHWA posted Notice N 4510.697, FY 2009 Apportionments for the Federal-aid Highway Program, including supplementary information. See www.fhwa.dot.gov/legsregs/directives/notices/n4510697.htm. Apportionments for the Transportation Enhancement Activities are posted in Table 15, and Recreational Trails Program apportionments are posted in Table 19.
The Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) FY 2009 Surface Transportation Environment and Planning Cooperative Research Program (STEP) Plan is on the STEP website: www.fhwa.dot.gov/hep/step/. The general objective of the STEP is to improve understanding of the complex relationship between surface transportation, planning, and the environment. The STEP Plan reflects results of stakeholder input and feedback. STEP research is categorized into four research focus areas: Environment, Planning, Tools to Support Planning and Environment Emphasis Areas, and Program Management and Outreach. There are also 17 STEP research emphasis areas. STEP funds are the source for FHWA's support for the National Transportation Enhancements Clearinghouse.
The FHWA Central Federal Lands Highway Division published the Guide to Promoting Bicycling on Federal Lands. This report provides guidance to Federal land managers on how to promote bicycling. Bicycling facilities are important transportation and recreation links to connect gateway communities, visitor centers, campgrounds, trailheads, and other attractions. This report presents benefits of bicycling, successful programs, policies that support bicycling, issues and challenges faced by land managers, and resources available to help meet these challenges.
The FHWA is seeking grant proposals for National Scenic Byways Program funding consideration for FY 2009. FHWA has decided to continue to be more strategic in its grant awards process by targeting its resources toward projects that provide the greatest benefits. FHWA invites the application of large-scale, high-cost projects that provide strategic benefits to the byway and the byway traveler. Applications are due to FHWA division offices by March 13, 2009.
The USDA Forest Service Recreation Program issued a report, National Forest Scenic Byways Program: Partnership Success Stories (PDF 3.47 MB) showing how the USFS has been able to leverage for many enhanced environmental and social and economic benefits around its byways corridors and rural gateway communities.
The State Trail Administrators met on November 13-15, 2008 in Little Rock AR. See meeting notes. These notes may change based on additional input.
The Transportation Research Board (TRB) provides leadership in transportation innovation and progress through research and information exchange. TRB is one of six major divisions of the National Research Council - a private, nonprofit institution that is the principal operating agency of the National Academies in providing services to the government, the public, and the scientific and engineering communities.
FHWA's Pedestrian and Bicycle Program Activities Summary for the 2009 TRB Annual Meeting describes FHWA's research and programs related to pedestrians and bicyclists. The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC) hosts websites for TRB's Pedestrian Committee and Bicycle Transportation Committee. Both committees met on January 14, 2009.
FHWA's Environmental Quarterly for Winter 2009 (HTML / PDF 729 KB) has articles on:
The FHWA Office of Real Estate Newsletter for Fall 2008 provides information on the right-of-way program including international scans, transportation partners activities, and information on Headquarters and Division office initiatives and accomplishments. Thank you to all contributors.
The National Park Service has a monthly Conservation and Recreation Newsletter.
The summary of the Land and Water Conservation Fund's State Assistance program for FY 2008 is now available online: 2008 Report Summary (PDF). This report includes a listing of parks receiving assistance during the year, a snapshot of State recreation planning efforts, examples of opportunities lost, and an overview of recreation needs throughout the country.
The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC) is a national clearinghouse for information about health and safety, engineering, advocacy, education, enforcement, access, and mobility for pedestrians (including transit users) and bicyclists, funded through an FHWA grant. The PBIC serves anyone interested in pedestrian and bicycle issues, including planners, engineers, private citizens, advocates, educators, police enforcement, and the health community. See www.pedbikeinfo.org for links to PBIC's 2007-2008 Annual Report and its quarterly newsletter.
The IMBA Singletrack eNews is available at www.imba.com/ with news relating to mountain bicycling. The January issue has articles on land access.
The Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute posted its review of bicycle helmets being sold in 2009. It covers trends, new developments, and individual models. See www.helmets.org/helmet09.htm.
The National Bicycle and Pedestrian Documentation Project is a nationwide effort to provide a consistent model of data collection for bicycle and pedestrian usage and demand, and to provide ongoing data for use by planners, governments, and bicycle and pedestrian professionals. It is cosponsored by Alta Planning and Design and the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) Pedestrian and Bicycle Council. For more information, including the December 2008 Summary Report and Newsletter, see www.altaplanning.com/national+bicycle+and+pedestrian+documentation+project.aspx.
The Professional Trailbuilders Association released a newsletter to inform the public about the 2009 Trailbuilders Conference, to be held March 15-20, 2009, in Asheville NC. See the January 2009 update. This conference will highlight trail design and construction, stone work, accessible trails, working with youth and conservation corps, chain saw safety, and much more. See more information at www.trailbuilders.org.
The 2009 National Association of Recreation Resource Planners' Conference will take place in Pittsburgh PA on April 27 - May 1, 2009. The program theme is "Creating Sustainable Communities through Regional Recreation Planning." See www.narrp.org.
See more events at:
