On July 29, 2015, DOT Secretary Anthony Foxx encouraged employees to celebrate the Americans with Disabilities Act and DOT’s achievement in its implementation. After the act was passed in 1990, the only provision that went immediately into effect was the one mandating access to public transportation.
The Secretary noted the recent accomplishments and steps that DOT was pursuing:
Senior leadership will develop a DOT-wide system for travelers to submit concerns about accessibility on sidewalks, buses, trains, and planes. Second, DOT will require airports to have relief areas in each terminal for service animals. The rule also requires airports to have high-contrast captioning on televisions and audiovisual displays and to provide lifts if accessible boarding bridges for passengers are not available.
For more information: https://cms.dot.gov/briefing-room/americans-disabilities-act-25th-anniversary event
DOT Secretary Anthony Foxx cautioned observers who interpreted the latest Highway Trust Fund Ticker numbers to mean clear sailing ahead for months to come. In his blog “Fast Lane,” the Secretary noted the trust fund could be “facing rocky seas” and will need additional funding from Congress by year’s end, and as soon as November.
July’s authorized funding infusion by Congress is anticipated to keep the cash balance of the highway account positive until June 2016. However, to keep the level above “a prudent threshold” of $4 billion, the latest transfer from the General Fund holds only until November 2015. DOT may be required to implement cash management procedures, and that will slow reimbursements to States for infrastructure work, according to Secretary Foxx. The situation worsens with the 2016 construction season in the spring, when the fund goes insolvent and is unable to meet financial obligations to the States.
For more information: https://www.transportation.gov/fastlane/what-the-latest-highway-trust-fund-ticker-tells-us
U.S. DOT Secretary Foxx announced that New York City; Tampa, FL; and the State of Wyoming will receive up to $42 million to pilot next-generation technology in infrastructure and in vehicles to share anonymous information with each other and their surroundings in real time, reducing congestion and greenhouse gas emissions, and cutting the unimpaired vehicle crash rate by 80 percent.
New York City will install Vehicle to Vehicle (V2V) technology in up to 10,000 City-owned vehicles as well as Vehicle to Infrastructure (V2I) technology throughout Midtown. Selected traffic signals will be upgraded with V2I technology in Manhattan and throughout Brooklyn.
U.S. DOT awarded $17 million to solve peak rush hour congestion in downtown Tampa and to protect the City’s pedestrians by equipping their smartphones with the same connected technology being put into the vehicles. Tampa also committed to measuring the environmental benefits of using this technology.
In Wyoming, the focus is on the efficient and safe movement of freight through the I-80 east-west corridor. By using V2V and V2I, Wyoming DOT will both collect information and disseminate it to vehicles not equipped with the new technologies.
These connected vehicles will yield unprecedented levels of anonymous data that will lead to smart vehicles, smart infrastructure, and ultimately, smart Cities.
For more information: http://www.its.dot.gov/press/2015/ngv_tech_announcement.htm
The EPA and the NHTSA have proposed a National program that would establish the next phase of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and fuel efficiency standards for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. The extended comment period for this rulemaking ended October 1. Public hearings were held in Chicago, IL and Long Beach, CA in August.
This rulemaking would address fuel efficiency standards for medium- and heavy-duty on-highway vehicles and work trucks for model years beyond 2018. The statute requires that NHTSA establish a fuel efficiency improvement program that achieves the maximum feasible improvement, including standards that are appropriate, cost-effective, and technologically feasible. The law requires that the new standards provide at least four full model years of regulatory lead-time and three full model years of regulatory stability (i.e., the standards must remain in effect for three years before they may be amended).
This action would follow the first-ever GHG Emissions Standards and Fuel Efficiency Standards for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Engines and Vehicles (Phase 1) (76 FR 57106, September 15, 2011). In June 2013, the President’s Climate Action Plan called for DOT to develop fuel efficiency standards and EPA to develop GHG emission standards in joint rulemaking within the President’s second term. In February 2014, the President directed DOT and EPA to complete the second phase of GHG Emissions Standards and Fuel Efficiency Standards for Medium- and Heavy- Duty Engines and Vehicles during his second term.
For more information (DOT staff only): https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/2127-AL52/fuel-efficiency-standards-for-medium-and-heavy-duty-vehicles-andwork-trucks-phase-2
Contact: James Tamm, Fuel Economy Division Chief, (202) 493-0515, james.tamm@dot.gov
On March 27, 2015, FHWA and AASHTO announced the recipients of SHRP2 Round 5 Implementation Assistance Program (IAP) funding. Under the Capacity focus area, IAP funding was awarded for the Planning Process Bundle, which is a group of five products ad - dressing elements of transportation planning, programming, and project development requiring collaboration between the primary transportation agency and other entities in order to achieve success:
The 12 recipients are:
Lead Adopter Incentives:
User Incentives:
For more information: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/goshrp2/Solutions/Capacity/C02_C08_C09_C12_C15/Planning_Process_Bundle
Contact: Spencer Stevens, (202) 366-0149, spencer.stevens@dot.gov; Diane Turchetta, (202) 493-0158, diane.turchetta@dot.gov
On August 7, 2015, FHWA and AASHTO jointly announced the recipients of SHRP 2 Round 6 Implementation Assistance Program (IAP) funding. Under the Capacity focus area, IAP funding was awarded for PlanWorks, a web-based resource that supports collaborative decision-making in transportation planning and project development.
PlanWorks is comprised of four primary components (Decision Guide, Assessments, Applications, and Library), and built around 44 key decision points in long-range planning, programming, corridor planning, and environmental review.
The following is a list of the seven Lead Adopter Incentive recipients:
For more information: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/goshrp2/
Contact: Gary Jensen, (202) 366-2048, gary.jensen@dot.gov; Reena Mathews, (202) 366-2076, reena.mathews@dot.gov; Larry Anderson, (720) 963-3268, larry.anderson@dot.gov
The seventh round of Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grants were awarded on October 29, 2015. Funds for the FY 2015 program were awarded for transformative projects that will have a significant improvements on transportation in the Nation, a metropolitan area, or a region. The awards recognize projects nationwide that will advance key transportation goals such as safety, innovation, and opportunity. The FY 2015 budget included $500 million in TIGER Discretionary Grants.
The U.S. DOT received 627 eligible applications this year, and awarded 39 grants. Beginning with the 2009 Recovery Act, Congress has provided DOT with seven rounds of competitive grants totaling nearly $4.6 billion for investments in surface transportation infrastructure. Since 2009, the TIGER program has awarded 342 projects in all 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, including 134 projects to support rural and Tribal communities.
In each round of TIGER, DOT receives hundreds of applications to build and repair critical pieces of our freight and passenger transportation networks. The TIGER program enables DOT to examine these projects on their merits to help ensure that taxpayers are getting the highest value for every dollar invested through TIGER Discretionary Grants.
For more information: http://www.transportation.gov/tiger
Three TMIP Peer Review reports have been completed in 2015. The Peer Review program allows planning agencies to invite an expert peer review panel to review their data, methods, tools, and planning models to ensure that the technical processes they are applying meet the agencies’ analysis needs. TMIP supports peer reviews by assisting agencies in panel assembly, logistics, funding for travel, documenting the peer review meetings, and preparing a final report. TMIP Peer Review reports provide detailed information on the peer reviews sponsored by TMIP. The content of peer review reports represents the professional opinions of the expert panel volunteers.
For more information: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/tmip/resources/peer_review_program
Contact: Sarah Sun, (202) 493-0071, sarah.sun@dot.gov
Predictive safety analysis can help transportation agencies estimate the safety performance of an existing or proposed roadway. FHWA is encouraging agencies to take a closer look at predictive analysis through the Every Day Counts effort on data-driven safety analysis.
The Ohio Department of Transportation applied predictive analysis to estimate the expected performance of three alternatives for reconstructing the I-270 and U.S. 33 interchange in Dublin. Predictive analysis provided data that the agency was able to use to choose a preferred alternative that addressed both traffic congestion and safety. Construction of the new interchange began in Spring 2015.
For more information: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/innovation/everydaycounts/edc-3/ddsa.cfm
Contact: Jerry Roche, Director, Center for Accelerating Innovation, (515) 233-7323, jerry.roche@dot.gov
The Florida Department of Transportation’s new e-Construction How-To Guide helps highway agencies implement an e-Construction system. Interactive courses - e-Construction Overview and Dealing with Obstacles - complement information in the guide. In addition, the Massachusetts DOT recently conducted a peer exchange with the Florida DOT about e-construction.
The Iowa DOT’s recently completed manual, 3D Engineered Models for Highway Construction: The Iowa Experience, describes how Iowa uses 3D engineered models, from planning and surveying through design and construction. The link below also contains information on schedule, cost, and post-construction of 3D engineered models.
For more information: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/construction/3d; https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/construction/econstruction
Contact: Bryan Cawley, Office of Asset Management, Pavements, and Construction, (202) 366-1333, bryan.cawley@dot.gov; Chris Schneider, Office of Asset Management, Pavements, and Construction (202) 493-0551, christopher.schneider@dot.gov; David Unkefer, Resource Center Construction and Project Management Team (404) 562-3669, david.unkefer@dot.gov; Douglas Townes, Resource Center Construction and Project Management Team (404) 562-3914, douglas.townes@dot.gov
A new EDC-3 effort provides a process for State DOTs and metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) to develop multi-jurisdictional transportation plans and agreements to improve communication, collaboration, policy implementation, technology use, and performance management across agency boundaries.
The competitive advantage of Regional Models of Cooperation for transportation planning is that they can improve decision-making, save time and money through shared resources, and help agencies achieve more by working together. Using these Regional Models of Cooperation requires thinking beyond traditional borders and brings together many entities to support common goals on topics such as congestion management, safety, freight, livability, and commerce. Regional Models of Cooperation provide a framework and processes for State DOTs and MPOs to develop agreements across agency boundaries that produce effective communication and result in mutual benefits.
For more information: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/regional_models/webinars/
Contact: Jody McCullough, (202) 366-5001, jody.mccullough@dot.gov; Tonya Holland, (202) 493-0283, tonya.holland@dot.gov
The Congestion Management Process (CMP) Guidebook is designed to provide information on how to create an objectives-driven, performance-based congestion management process. To supplement the guidebook, two new resources have been produced.
For more information: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/congestion_management_process/cmp_guidebook/
Contact: Wayne Berman, (202) 366-4069, wayne.berman@dot.gov
National Transportation Statistics (NTS) presents statistics on the U.S. transportation system, including its physical components, safety record, economic performance, the human and natural environment, and National security. This is a large online document comprising more than 260 data tables plus data source and accuracy statements, glossary, and a list of acronyms and initialisms.
This Internet edition of the National Transportation Statistics is updated quarterly. The publication is divided into four chapters: 1. The Transportation System, 2. Transportation Safety, 3. Transportation and the Economy, and 4. Transportation, Energy, and the Environment. NTS is a web-only report.
For more information: http://www.rita.dot.gov/bts/sites/rita.dot.gov.bts/files/publications/national_transportation_statistics/l
The National Household Travel Survey (NHTS) Compendium of Uses is a series of reports that provide a summary of the uses and applications of the NHTS data in transportation planning and related activities. The Compendium is now available. A one-page description of each paper is provided. This year it covers 192 research papers and articles.
For information: http://nhts.ornl.gov/2009/pub/Compendium_2015.pdf
Contact: Adella Santos, (202) 366-5021, adella.santos@dot.gov
FHWA launched the Bicycle-Pedestrian Count Technology Pilot Project, which is a research and technology deployment effort to identify organizational and technical capacity needs at MPOs, develop resources for addressing these needs, and transfer lessons learned across the country.
The project is being conducted with the direct participation of ten MPOs with other interested MPOs shadowing the project. The project will fund the purchase of a limited number of automatic counters that will be used to collect counts of bicyclists and pedestrians at various locations within each MPO planning area, and will provide limited funds to compensate some of the cost of staff time to oversee a program for deploying the counters, collecting counts, and analyzing the results. The participating MPOs will have access to a series of internal webinars and other technical assistance opportunities.
For more information: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/bicycle_pedestrian/countpilot
Contact: Dan Goodman, (202) 366-9064, daniel.goodman@dot.gov; Jeremy Raw, (202) 366-0986, jeremy.raw@dot.gov
FHWA has just published a guidebook on planning and designing separated bike lanes - innovative bicycle facilities that are being implemented in communities throughout the country. The agency is focused on improving pedestrian and bicyclist safety and encouraging walking and biking for transportation by improving the biking infrastructure. But many people are concerned about riding alongside autos and feel safer if the distinction between bike and car spaces is enhanced. The 2015 publication Separated Bike Lane Planning and Design Guide supports development of these lanes and provides options and choices when designing them. Case studies, best practices, and lessons learned from practitioners are presented throughout.
For more information: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/bicycle_pedestrian/publications/separated_bikelane_pdg/page00.cfm
Contact: Dan Goodman, (202) 366-9064, daniel.goodman@dot.gov
FHWA designed this resource to allow transportation, land use, and community planners to identify ways to measure the success of plans and projects in light of community goals. Community Vision Metrics has the greatest impact when employed from the start of the planning and project development process.
Practitioners may search for livability indicators that fit their goals and context within a dozen topics. The tool by itself does not evaluate the performance of scenarios or alternatives, but it does provide the planner with metrics that can help with the evaluation. Choose a topic, geographic scale, setting/density, and up to three transportation modes.
For more information: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/livability/tools/community_vision
Contact: Shana Baker, (202) 366-4649, shana.baker@dot.gov
The Sustainable Communities Initiative (SCI) represents the most comprehensive Federal support for community and regional planning in recent history. Never before has the Federal government provided funding for planning that spans the environmental, social, and economic challenges facing our communities. This investment enabled people and organizations in 143 places, representing nearly 40 percent of the U.S. population, to work together across jurisdictions, sectors, and all manner of old divides, in broad and deep coalitions toward ambitious goals of vibrant, healthy, livable communities.
For more information: http://betterplansbetterplaces.iscvt.org
Have you ever wondered how government officials decide where to put a bus stop, road, or bridge? And how can you make sure your opinions are heard and considered by residents, planners, designers, and elected officials? FHWA and FTA created this guide to answer these and other transportation project-related questions. This guide will help you understand how transportation decisions are made at the local, State, and National levels. FHWA and FTA believe that the better the public understands the transportation decision-making process, the more certain it is that the transportation system will be safe and efficient, and that the planning process will be responsive to public needs and concerns about their communities and the natural environment.
For more information: https://www.planning.dot.gov/documents/GuidetoTransportationDecisionmaking.pdf
The Virtual Tribal Team is pleased to present the Tribal Consultation State of the Practice Report. The purpose of this review was to identify challenges, opportunities, and effective practices that Division Office Tribal liaisons experience in their efforts to support and facilitate the State DOT and MPO consultation with Tribes during the planning process. The Review Team was comprised of Virtual Tribal Team members representing Headquarters, the Resource Center, and Federal Lands Highways. They visited Washington, Oklahoma, and Maine, where they talked to representatives from the FHWA Division Offices, State DOTs, MPOs, and Tribes. The conclusion of the report identifies key findings:
Division Offices are encouraged to review the effective practices described in this internal report for ideas to implement in their own States.
For more information (DOT staff only): http://intra.fhwa.dot.gov/hep/staffepp/tribal_state_of_practice_15/
Contact: Theresa Hutchins, (360) 753-9402, theresa.hutchins@dot.gov; Kyle Kitchel, Federal Lands Highways, (360) 619-7951, kyle.kitchel@dot.gov
This book provides an overview of transportation planning and will be useful for government officials, transportation decision-makers, planning board members, transportation service providers, interested stakeholders, and the public. It covers the basics and key concepts of metropolitan and Statewide transportation planning, along with references for additional information.
Part I discusses transportation planning and its relationship to decision-making. This section is general and provides a broad introduction to the planning process. Part II presents short descriptions of the key products that are prepared as part of the transportation planning process.
FHWA has updated this book to reflect recent changes in Federal legislation concerning the requirements for transportation planning at the metropolitan, Statewide and nonmetropolitan levels. It replaces its predecessor of the same title published in 2007.
The briefing book is available online now at www.planning.dot.gov. Hard copies of this publication will be made available later in 2016.
For more information: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/publications/briefing_book/index.cfm
Contact: James Garland, (202) 366-6221, james.garland@dot.gov
The FHWA Transportation Safety Planning (TSP) website has been revamped and refreshed. Some of the reports and publications were dated, and new information had not been incrementally added. TSP staff have revisited all links, and have reorganized the website to be more user-friendly. Also, they have added links to four peer exchanges reports that were residing on the Transportation Planning Capacity Building website. The four reports are the following:
For more information: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/transportation_safety_planning
Contact: Dave Harris, (202) 366-2825, david.harris@dot.gov
The transportation community may find it challenging to involve the public in a meaningful way. Still, quality planning and project development require meaningful input from the public. Many members of the public are genuinely interested in what is happening in their community but do not know how they can effectively provide input to influence the outcome of a transportation plan or project.
This guide provides a variety of tools to secure meaningful input from the public on transportation plans, programs, and projects, and it can help agencies improve their overall public involvement techniques.
For more information: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/public_involvement/publications/pi_techniques/index.cfm
Contact: Jody McCullough, (202) 366-5001,jody.mccullough@dot.gov
FHWA’s Transportation Planning Building Capacity Program (TPCB) has issued a challenge to the MPOs, States, and the FHWA Divisions to tell them about their most unusual and innovative public involvement strategies. TPCB was surprised by how creative the public engagement professionals are. Future newsletter issues will be sharing these stories. But until then, please encourage your States and MPOs to send and share their stories. TPCB looks forward to hearing from all of you.
Contact: tpcb@dot.gov
You did WHAT for public involvement?
Have you conducted outreach at the Laundromat? Are you raffling off shopping sprees? USDOT wants to know!
Share your story with us. We’re seeking examples of your most unconventional, wackiest public practices.
We are compiling a compendium and want to include you in it. To contribute, email a ONE paragraph description of your activity: Why you did it, who was engaged, what was unique about it, and what the outcome was. Include your agency name and a point of contact. Images are great, but not required.
Email us at the FHWA-FTA Transportation Planning Capacity Building Program - tpcb@dot.gov. Thank you.
FTA recently announced that 21 organizations around the country that are developing new or improved mass transit systems will receive a share of $19.5 million in grants. The funds are made available through FTA’s Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning Pilot Program for communities. A link to a list of selected projects is available at the end of the article.
FTA’s TOD Pilot Program will provide grants for comprehensive planning work in 17 metropolitan areas around the country, helping communities integrate their land-use and transportation planning as they improve their transit systems. Among the planning projects selected Nationwide:
FTA’s TOD Pilot Program was established under the current transportation funding authorization, MAP-21. Eligible planning projects must be associated with a transit project for which the local community intends to seek funding through FTA’s Capital Investment Grants (CIG) Program. The CIG Program is FTA’s primary grant program for funding major transit capital investments, including rapid rail, light rail, bus rapid transit, and core capacity projects.
For more information: http://www.fta.dot.gov/newsroom/news_releases/12286_16565.html
Contact: Sarah Clements, (202) 366-3062, sarah.clements@dot.gov
FTA held their 2015 Planners Meeting on August 4-6. Planners from FTA regional offices and headquarters discussed performance-based planning and programming, and ideas on how to advance the planning practice.
Staff from FHWA Headquarters joined the discussion to provide ideas on how to better improve the planning process between the two agencies. FTA and FHWA staff also discussed that the strategic use of resources during MPO certification reviews, such as a strong desk audit and a well-planned site visit, would conserve both valuable staff time and travel funding while reducing the strain placed on MPOs.
Finally, participants were reminded that Memorandums of Agreement can better facilitate the administration of the planning process and support coordination between FTA and FHWA.
Contact: Kate Harrigan, (202) 366-2879, katherine.harrigan@dot.gov; Elissa McDade, (202) 366-2875, elissa.mcdade@dot.gov
The FTA’s commitment to building a 21st century safety regulatory program includes adopting Safety Management Systems (SMS) as the basis for the new National Public Transportation Safety Program. FTA’s Office of Transit Safety and Oversight (TSO) released the “Safety Management Systems (SMS) Framework.”
The FTA SMS Framework provides the building blocks of SMS and some of the major milestones for its implementation. Implementing SMS will provide transit agencies with a structure for understanding and addressing safety risks through proactive and timely organizational decision-making.
For more information: https://safety.fta.dot.gov/cms/resources/view/fta-develops-sms-framework
Contact: Lynn Spencer, (202) 366-5112, lynn.spencer@dot.gov
FTA has launched a multifaceted Expedited Public Transportation Improvement Initiative (XPEDITE) and is soliciting public comment through this Online Dialogue. FTA would like your feedback on the following areas:
The website includes a list of questions to initiate discussion. The agency wants to hear from the transit industry and others interested in public transportation on ways to improve program delivery.
Once the online dialogue has closed, you will be able to receive a report highlighting the full range of comments and suggestions, and to see which ideas were most popular with those that commented.
For more information: http://usdot.uservoice.com/forums/314820-xpedite
Volpe helped the National Park Service (NPS) craft a National long-range plan that outlines the strategies to ensure that the roads winding through the Nation’s cherished places are safe and in good repair. Over four years, Volpe’s planners co-managed an NPS-wide, multidisciplinary effort to establish visions, objectives, strategies, performance measures, and actions. They assisted NPS in developing a working definition of transportation assets, providing NPS management with a holistic understanding of historical and future funding sources for transportation needs and an approach to most efficiently manage its finances.
The NPS National long-range plan will provide a policy and analysis framework to roll out to regional offices and larger parks to create their own long-range plans. The NPS long-range plan will also ensure that every dollar the park service invests in transportation is put to the best use, and that those investments to build, maintain, and rehabilitate transportation infrastructure tie back to NPS’ core goals.
For more information: http://www.volpe.dot.gov/our-work/creating-foundation-long-range-transportation-planning-national-parks
The U.S. EPA has developed a new environmental justice (EJ) mapping and screening tool called EJSCREEN. It is based on Nationally consistent data and an approach that combines environmental and demographic indicators in maps and reports. EJSCREEN users choose a geographic area; the tool then provides demographic and environmental information for that area and compares their selected locations to the rest of the State, EPA region, or the Nation. The tool may help users identify areas with:
EPA uses EJSCREEN as a preliminary step when considering environmental justice in certain situations. The agency uses it to screen for areas that may be candidates for additional consideration, analysis, or outreach as EPA develops programs, policies, and activities that may affect communities. A few examples of what EJSCREEN supports across the agency include informing outreach and engagement practices, developing retrospective reports of EPA work, and enhancing geographically-based initiatives. EJSCREEN will also assist in implementing aspects of permitting, enforcement, compliance, and voluntary programs.
For more information: http://www2.epa.gov/ejscreen
“Transportation Alternatives by Census Region,” a new infographic in the Measuring America series, highlights household public transportation use with statistics from the 2013 American Housing Survey. It summarizes regional differences in public transportation use and expense, the type of public transportation used most frequently, and walking and biking accessibility. The American Housing Survey is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and administered by the U.S. Census Bureau.
For more information: https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/ahs/visualizations/transportation-alternatives-infographic-.html
What will transportation look like 10, 20, or 30 years from now? Be part of Volpe’s newest speaker series, Beyond Traffic 2045: Reimagining Transportation, to delve into the trends that will transform transportation. This series will continue the conversation started by Beyond Traffic, the U.S. DOT’s framework for a frank discussion about the shape, size, and condition of our transportation system.
The series began on September 18 with a special video introduction from DOT Secretary Anthony Foxx. Events continue into December 2015. A list of speakers is on the link below.
For more information: http://www.volpe.dot.gov/news/announcing-reimagining-transportation-speaker-series
The Ohio Division Planning Team participated with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and other stakeholders on several benchmarking trips to inform the creation of ODOT’s Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSMO) Plan in support of Ohio’s SHRP 2 Organizing for Reliability initiative. At the conclusion of the trips, ODOT and their operations stakeholders benchmarked eight high-performing agencies across the country. The benchmarking trips included visits to Utah, Colorado, Washington, Oregon, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.
Using information gathered from the benchmarking trips, ODOT will now begin work on development of a Statewide TSMO Plan. ODOT’s TSMO Plan will be funded with Statewide Planning funds.
Contact: Leigh Oesterling, (614) 280-6896, leigh.oesterling@dot.gov
The Transportation Planning Excellence Awards Program is a biennial awards program developed by FHWA and FTA and cosponsored by the American Planning Association. The program provides a unique opportunity to recognize and celebrate the outstanding transportation planning practices performed by planners and decision-makers in communities across the country.
An independent, expert panel of judges reviewed each nomination, and identified eight award-winning projects that went well beyond standard practice to demonstrate an exceptional level of innovation and creativity and may serve as models for their peers.
For more information: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/tpea
Contact: Rae Keasler, (202) 366-0329, rae.keasler@dot.org
The Planning Leadership Council is pleased to announce the recipients for the 2015 Transportation Planning Discipline Awards. The Planning Discipline Awards are held annually to recognize leadership within FHWA’s planning discipline.
Nominations for the Planning Discipline Awards are submitted either by agency leaders or by peers for efforts from the previous year that demonstrate the best of the best for each of the award categories. This year’s award recipients include:
More information about the Planning Discipline Awards program and this year’s recipients, along with information on past Planning Discipline Award recipients, can be found on the Planning Discipline SharePoint site.
For more information (DOT staff only): http://our.dot.gov/office/fhwa.dss/planning/Awards/default.aspx
Contact: Theresa Hutchins, (360) 753-9402, theresa.hutchins@dot.org
The Planning Boot Camp features five new modules, making a total of 18 topics available. The modules are designed to provide concise, self-paced web training to orient FHWA planners to some of their core responsibilities. This year’s new modules include:
There is also the opportunity to get credit in the Training Management System (TMS), which becomes part of your permanent training record. To get credit for completing the Planning Boot Camp, planners must complete at least five modules. At the end of each module, click on the training certificate to count that module toward your TMS training goal. Credit for completing the Planning Boot Camp is tabulated quarterly.
For more information (DOT staff only): http://our.dot.gov/office/fhwa.dss/planning/Page%20Library/BootCamp.aspx
Contact: Jocelyn Jones, (410) 962-2486, jocelyn.jones@dot.gov
The Planning Discipline has established a new opportunity for Planners to get involved with Discipline projects. Beginning in December 2015, a Developmental Assignment will be offered to all FHWA planners interested in participating on a Peer Team project. Several projects will be identified with short timelines (4-month) and lighter commitments while other Ad-Hoc team projects will be offered with longer timelines and more in-depth team member commitments. Participants will be able to select the projects they wish to work on. Each project will result in products focused on supporting agency Planners. Anticipated Application Period: December 2015.
Contact: Theresa Hutchins, (360) 753-9402, theresa.hutchins@dot.gov
Last April, new Planning Discipline Template Critical Job Elements (CJEs) were published on the Planning Discipline SharePoint site. While we heard from several Discipline Members that the information was useful, the Planning Leadership Council would like to hear more about what specifically was useful and where we might make improvements. We encourage all FHWA Planners to share their opinions in this new poll. The anticipated launch date is November 2015.
For more information (DOT staff only): http://our.dot.gov/office/fhwa.dss/planning/Template-CJEs/default_102414.aspx
For information, see contacts at: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/resourcecenter/teams/planning/index.cfm
The Planning and Freight Technical Service Team at the FHWA Resource Center helps support the planning process through the provision of training, technical assistance, technology deployment, and partnerships. The Planning and Freight Technical Service Team works in partnership with FHWA Division Offices and many FHWA Headquarters Offices, including the FHWA Office of Planning, the Office of Freight Management and Operations, and the Office of Operations and Transportation Management. Currently, the team has placed priority emphasis in deploying innovations, guidance and notable practices, in the following areas:
For more information: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/resourcecenter/teams/planning/courses.cfm
For registration, see: http://www.ntionline.com/. For session dates, see below.
National Transit Database (Urban Reporting)
11/3/2015 to 11/4/2015 Houston, TX
Procurement Series II - Risk Assessment and Basic Cost or Price Analysis
11/3/2015 to 11/6/2015 St. Petersburg, FL
Title VI and Public Transit
11/9/2015 to 11/10/2015 Arlington Heights, IL
Procurement Series II - Risk Assessment and Basic Cost or Price Analysis
11/10/2015 to 11/13/2015 Salt Lake City, UT
Procurement for Small and Medium Transit Systems
11/16/2015 to 11/17/2015 Fargo, ND
Procurement Series IV - Contract Administration
11/16/2015 to 11/19/2015 St. Paul, MN
Procurement Series I - Orientation to Transit Procurement
12/1/2015 to 12/4/2015 El Paso, TX
Procurement Series IV - Contract Administration
12/1/2015 to 12/4/2015 Albany, NY
National Transit Database (Urban Reporting)
12/2/2015 to 12/3/2015 Newark, NJ
Procurement Series II - Risk Assessment and Basic Cost or Price Analysis
12/8/2015 to 12/11/2015 Washington, DC
Title VI and Public Transit
12/10/2015 to 12/11/2015 Seattle, WA
Introduction to Transit Service Planning
12/14/2015 to 12/16/2015 St. Louis, MO
Procurement Series III - RFPs and Competitive Contract Negotiations
1/4/2016 to 1/6/2016 San Jose, CA
Procurement Series III - RFPs and Competitive Contract Negotiations
1/13/2016 to 1/15/2016 Nashville, TN
Procurement Series I - Orientation to Transit Procurement
1/26/2016 to 1/29/2016 San Bernardino, CA
National Transit Database (Urban Reporting)
Visit the NHI Web site at: www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/home.aspx. Also, you can now view the schedule of web conferences at: https://collaboration.fhwa.dot.gov/dot/fhwa/WC/default.aspx.
Interested in taking an NHI Web-Based Training (WBT) Course? View this help guide on enrolling in an NHI WBT course. Please click on the link above for a complete list of NHI web-based courses. WBT participants are able to access courses 24/7, and complete training at their own pace. A countdown timer on the My Training Web page will identify the number of days remaining to complete the course.
NHI has a list of new and updated courses:
Scheduled Courses in the Next Quarter:
Linking Freight to Planning and the Environment
11/17/2015 to 11/18/2015 Newington, CT
Advanced Seminar on Transportation Project Development: Navigating the NEPA Maze
11/17/2015 to 11/19/2015 Columbia, SC
NEPA and the Transportation Decision-Making Process
12/08/2015 to 12/10/2015 Baton Rouge, LA
Public Involvement in the Transportation Decision-Making Process
12/15/2015 to 12/17/2015 Newington, CT
Applying Section 4(f): Putting Policy into Practice
12/09/2015 to 12/10/2015 Columbia, SC
The Vital Role of Operations and Maintenance in Supporting and Enhancing Sustainability
10/15/15 1:00PM EST Online
http://www.trb.org/Main/Blurbs/173034.aspx
Sign and Pavement Marking Reflexivity - Measurement Basics, Safety Benefits, Advancements: A State Department of Transportation (DOT) Perspective
10/20/15 2:00 PM EST
http://www.trb.org/Main/Blurbs/173035.aspx
Sustainability as an Organizing Principle for Transportation Agencies
10/27/15 1:00PM EST
http://www.trb.org/Main/Blurbs/173077.aspx
Principles and Practices for Enhanced Maintenance Management Systems
1/26/2016 to 2/09/2016 Online
Towards 2050: Options for Reducing Light-Duty Vehicle Energy Use and GHG Emissions
11/5/15 12:00PM EST
http://www.volpe.dot.gov/event/towards-2050-reducing-vehicle-energy-use-and-ghg-emissions
Innovation…It’s More Than a Buzz Word
11/17/15 12:00PM EST
http://www.volpe.dot.gov/event/innovation-more-than-a-buzz-word
Re-Programming Mobility 2030: Scenarios of Digital Transformation in Metropolitan America
11/24/15 12:00PM EST
http://www.volpe.dot.gov/event/re-programming-mobility-2030
Designing Cities 2015
National Association of City Transportation Officials
10/28 to 31/15 Austin, TX
http://nacto.org/conference/designing-cities-conference-austin-2015
Commodity Flow Survey Workshop
Transportation Research Board
10/29/15 Washington, DC
http://www.trb.org/Calendar/Blurbs/171807.aspx
Connected and Automated Vehicles: The 9th University Transportation Centers Spotlight Conference
National Academy of Sciences, organized by
Transportation Research Board
11/4/14 to 11/5/15 Washington, DC
http://www.trb.org/Main/Blurbs/172496.aspx
Second National Roadway Safety Culture Summit
Transportation Research Board
11/5/15 to 11/6/15 Washington, DC
http://www.trb.org/Main/Blurbs/172193.aspx
Disrupting Mobility: A Global Summit Investigating Sustainable Futures
Transportation Research Board (co-sponsor)
11/11/15 to 11/15/15 Cambridge, MA
http://www.trb.org/Calendar/Blurbs/172198.aspx
Joint National Light Rail and Streetcars Conference: Transforming Urban Areas
APTA/TRB
11/15/15 to 11/17/15 Minneapolis, MN
http://www.trb.org/Calendar/Blurbs/169859.aspx
Freight Fluidity Performance Measurements Implementation Workshop
Transportation Research Board
12/9/15 to 12/10/15 Washington, DC
http://www.trb.org/Calendar/Blurbs/173206.aspx
Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting
Research Convergence for a Multi-Modal Future
1/10/16 to 1/14/16 Washington, DC
http://www.trb.org/AnnualMeeting/Program.aspx
Relocations
Tammye Davis from VA Planning VA to DC Program Mgt.
Cheng Yan from CA to VA Planning
New Staff - FTA
Elissa McDade - DC
Kate Harrigan - DC
Anna Corniel - DC
Jeff Roux - DC
Keisha Trent - DC
Jake Sacks - DC
Sharyn LaCombe - DC
New Staff - FHWA
Sean Litteral - IA
James Garland - DC
Tricia Harr - DC
Noel Mehlo - OH
Amanda Rutherford - DC
Mark Lewis - MI
Valentin Vulov - DC
Valera McDaniel - AR
George Hoops - NC
Christopher Hansen, PDP - EFL
Nick Fortey - OR
Andrew Emmanuelle, PDP - MN
UPCOMING EVENTS
The Transportation Planning Update is published three times a year according to the following schedule:
We welcome your submissions. We can accept articles, announcements and other relevant materials up to two months prior to the publication month. Please submit your contributions to:
Rae Keasler, Co-Editor
Transportation Specialist
FHWA Office of Planning
rae.keasler@dot.gov
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Visit the calendars posted on the following websites for upcoming transportation events:
FTA: www.fta.dot.gov
FHWA Planning, Environment and Realty: www.fhwa.dot.gov/hep/calendar/
FHWA Resource Center: www.fhwa.dot.gov/resourcecenter/calendar/
Transportation Research Board: www.trb.org/Calendar
NOTICE: The information and articles in this newsletter are for your information and do not necessarily constitute policy positions of the Federal Highway Administration or Federal Transit Administration. The mention of commercial products, their source or their use in connection with material reported herein is not to be construed as either an actual or implied endorsement of such products.
