 FHWA Publishes Report on Street Lighting for Pedestrian Safety
The Federal Highway Administration published a Street Lighting for Pedestrian Safety report with the results of three lighting experiments on driver ability to detect pedestrians, pedestrian ability to detect hazards, and pedestrian perception of crosswalk safety. The resource includes recommendations for improving pedestrian lighting on sidewalks and crosswalks to improve visibility for adults and children, based on the results of the experiments. Research findings will be incorporated into an upcoming Primer on the subject.
Behavioral Traffic Safety Cooperative Research Program Publishes 2021 Annual Report
The Behavioral Traffic Safety Cooperative Research Program published its 2021 Annual Report highlighting current and pending projects, sponsors, and other details about the program. Projects described in the report address topics such as electric scooter safety issues and conditions; highway safety strategies for rural areas; equity; active transportation; older adult drivers; and more. The report also highlights the program’s study on the impacts of using electronic devices while driving.
ITE Journal Features Pedestrian Safety Showcase
The Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) published a journal article showcasing projects that public agencies have implemented to improve pedestrian safety and mobility. The article describes projects addressing treatments that reduce pedestrian crossing distances; active and safe routes to school; infrastructure improvements to support safety; placemaking; and more. Agencies submitted information on these projects to ITE as part of Pedestrian Safety Month in October 2021, and the full listing of projects is available online.
GHSA Report Examines the Role of Behavioral Safety in the Safe System Approach
The Governors Highway Safety Association published a report discussing the role of behavioral safety and road user responsibility in the Safe System approach to traffic safety. The report describes approaches that help prevent traffic crashes, injuries, and deaths such as infrastructure improvements, road design, equitable enforcement of traffic laws, education and public outreach, and emergency response. Researchers will discuss the report findings during a webinar on January 18 at 2:00 PM ET.
Brief Highlights Workshop Event on the Connections Between New Transportation and Mobility Options and Environmental Health
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s Environmental Health Matters Initiative published a brief describing the proceedings of a virtual workshop held on July 13-21, 2021 addressing current trends and implications of evolving transportation and mobility options for people and the environment. The event included discussions on considerations for a healthier and more equitable mobility future, featuring topics related to air pollution, equity, policy, infrastructure, and more. The brief also highlights 14 pathways through which transportation influences health, which may be affected by land use and the built environment, transportation infrastructure, transportation mode choice, and transportation technologies.
Research Analyzes Neighborhood Walkability Impacts on Quality of Life for Older Adults
Innovation in Aging published a study on the effects of neighborhood walkability on the quality of life for older adults in Flint, Michigan. Researchers surveyed participants over 65 years old to better understand how neighborhood walkability and other factors impact physical and mental health among older adults. The study findings suggest that neighborhood walkability characteristics are associated with positive physical health outcomes.
 U.S. DOT and U.S. DOE Launch Joint Effort to Build Out Nationwide Electric Vehicle Charging Network
The Secretaries of the U.S. Department of Transportation and the U.S. Department of Energy signed a memorandum of understanding to create a Joint Office which will support the deployment of $7.5 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to build out a national electric vehicle charging network that can build public confidence, with a focus on filling gaps in rural, disadvantaged, and hard-to-reach locations. The Joint Office will provide technical assistance to States and localities so that they can strategically build electric vehicle charging stations and other infrastructure.
Federal Government Announced Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines will be the Official Standards
The U.S. Department of Transportation, U.S. Department of Justice, and other Federal agencies announced that the Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG) are anticipated to be adopted as the accessibility standards for new or altered pedestrian facilities in the public right-of-way and for shared use paths. The adoption of the PROWAG will update and expand the existing 2010 Americans with Disabilities Act guidance, and includes standards for sidewalks, street crossings, medians and traffic islands, overpasses, underpasses, bridges, on-street parking, transit stops, toilet facilities, signs, and street furniture.
FHWA Publishes 23 CFR 625 Design Standards Final Rule
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) amended its regulations governing design standards and standard specifications applicable to new construction, reconstruction, resurfacing, restoration, and rehabilitation (RRR) projects on the National Highway System. FHWA will now allow State departments of transportation to adopt procedures or design criteria, as approved by FHWA, that enable the State to undertake RRR projects on freeways, including Interstate highways, without utilizing design exceptions as long as the RRR procedures or criteria are met.
AASHTO Releases Second Edition of Guide for the Planning, Design, and Operation of Pedestrian Facilities
The American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials released an updated second edition of the Guide for the Planning, Design, and Operation of Pedestrian Facilities, which was originally published in 2004. The new guide identifies appropriate methods for accommodating pedestrians, which vary among roadway and facility types, while also recognizing the impact that land use planning and site design have on pedestrian mobility.
Research Examines Impact of Local Incentive Programs on Public Transit Use and COVID-19 Recovery
The Boston Transportation Department, in partnership with several local agencies and organizations, released a report examining the impact of a transportation incentive program on employees of small, local businesses. The program—designed to support small businesses and their employees, shift employees away from single-occupancy vehicles, and reduce carbon emissions—offered participants preloaded transit and bikeshare passes for several months. Findings showed that incentives increased transit ridership and reduced financial stress, but were inconclusive in demonstrating that the incentives shifted users to transit or bikeshare as part of a commute.
Research Analyzes the Level of Walkability for Women Using GIS and Location-based Open Data
Transport Findings released a study on the experiences of women in public spaces in New York City, including a literature review and further GIS and location-based data analysis. Findings show that women experience the city differently than men, as security issues related to aggression and harassment inhibit the movements of women. The study proposes a Walkability for Women Index, which helps to identify and characterize suitable urban areas to prioritize interventions.
Webinar Recording on Transportation and Infrastructure Listening Session for National Academies’ Committee to Advise the U.S. Global Change Research Program Now Available
The National Academies’ Committee to Advise the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) hosted a series of listening sessions on emerging, large-scale scientific questions related to global change and/or response; where interagency collaboration will be critical; how science is or is not being used to inform societal response to global change, and why; and gaps and obstacles to implementing scientific tools or knowledge. The sessions gathered input on four broad themes to inform long-term engagement strategies including (1) diversity, equity and inclusion; (2) advancing science; (3) use-inspired research; and (4) socio-economic sciences integration. The recording on the transportation and infrastructure listening session is available here.
FHWA Publishes Report on Emerging Technologies and Opportunities for Improved Mobility and Safety for Rural Areas
The Federal Highway Administration published a report examining unmet safety and mobility needs in rural areas. Researchers developed eight rural county types to represent the diversity of rural communities across the U.S., expanding on existing U.S. Census Bureau definitions of population size and density. The study identified unmet needs and related performance measures, including strategies that can help address unmet needs in rural areas related to pedestrian and cyclist safety, and access to medical care, food, and education.
Research Develops Database of E-Bike Incentive Programs in North America
The Transportation Research and Education Center at Portland State University developed a list of electric bicycle (e-bike) incentive programs across the U.S. and Canada. This document aims to serve as a point of reference to aid in the development of future e-bike incentive programs and to support future research on the topic. There are 14 key attributes included for each program, such as how the incentive amount is determined and total program funding.
Research Analyzes Access to Bikes and E-Scooters amongst Underserved Populations
An article published in the Sustainability journal analyzes whether micromobility services are accessible to and equitably distributed amongst all populations. The goal of this study was to understand the relationship between level of access to micromobility and the sociodemographic characteristics of communities in Austin, Texas. The equity analysis reveals extreme inequities in access to bikes and scooters – nearly 80 percent of residents have no access at all. This research can support ongoing efforts to improve transportation alternatives for underserved populations and support future policy actions related to these services.
Study Examines Equity of Access to Docked and Dockless Bikesharing Systems
The National Center for Sustainable Transportation published an article on whether dockless bikeshare systems can help mitigate barriers to bikeshare for underserved communities. The article includes case studies on San Francisco and Los Angeles because both cities have docked and dockless systems in operation concurrently. Researchers analyzed spatial distribution of service areas, available bikes and bike idle times, trip data, and rebalancing to quantify the level of service. The results of the study show that dockless systems can offer greater availability of bikes for underserved communities than for other communities.
Study Identifies Impacts of Shift to Vehicle Miles Traveled over Level of Service to Measure Environmental Impacts
With the passage of Senate Bill 743 in 2013 in California, Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) replaced Level of Service as the appropriate metric to gauge the environmental impacts of proposed developments. The Mineta Transportation Institute conducted a study to understand how local governments have addressed the shift toward VMT while ensuring equity. The study also addresses the various built environment factors that impact VMT. The results of this study can help transportation agencies ensure equitable VMT mitigation that better aligns with State and Federal climate goals.
 President Biden Signs Executive Order on Clean Energy and Sustainability
President Biden signed an Executive Order that demonstrates how the U.S. will leverage its scale and procurement power to help address the climate crisis. The Executive Order will reduce emissions across Federal operations, invest in American clean energy industries and manufacturing, and create clean, healthy, and resilient communities. The Executive Order outlines five goals, including 100 percent carbon pollution-free electricity by 2030 and net-zero emissions from overall federal operations by 2050. The Executive Order includes provisions on coordination with States, Tribes, and local governments to facilitate wider adoption of zero-emission vehicle fleets.
White House Releases America the Beautiful Report
The White House released the Year One Report on America the Beautiful, which compiles activities that have occurred across U.S. departments and agencies to support both the Administration’s conservation efforts and locally-led and voluntary efforts to conserve, connect, and restore lands and waters across the nation that sustain the health of our communities, power local economies, and help combat climate change. The report identifies several U.S. Department of Transportation activities including the Reconnecting Communities Program and Complete Streets efforts; commitments to Tribal treaty rights and sacred sites; Nationally Significant Federal Lands and Tribal Projects Program; Federal Lands Transportation and Tribal Program; Wildlife Crossing Program; a partnership with the U.S. Department of the Interior for innovation; Recreational Trails Program, Rails-to-Trails and Rails-with-Trails efforts, and Great American Outdoors Act implementation.
U.S. DOT Marks 50th Anniversary of National Transportation Statistics with Data Updates and Special Edition
The U.S. Department of Transportation Bureau of Transportation Statistics released a collection of data covering all modes of transportation in more than 10 major subject areas. The report contains four chapters on (1) the extent, condition, use, and performance of the physical transportation network; (2) transportation safety records including accidents, crashes, fatalities, and inquiries; (3) the relationship between transportation and the economy including transportation’s contribution to the gross domestic product, employment by industry and occupation, and transportation-related consumer and government expenditures; and (4) data on transportation energy use and transportation-related environmental impacts. It discusses data on multimodal safety, electric vehicles, and accessible transit stations.
FHWA Releases Policy on Using Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Resources to Build a Better America
The Federal Highway Administration released guidance intended to serve as an overarching framework to prioritize the use of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) resources. The guidance also intends to ensure that the funding and eligibilities provided by the BIL will be interpreted and implemented to encourage States and other funding recipients to invest in projects that upgrade the condition of streets, highways, and bridges and make them safe for all users, while at the same time modernizing them so that the transportation network is accessible for all users, provides people with better choices across all modes, accommodates new and emerging technologies, is more sustainable and resilient to a changing climate, and is more equitable.
FHWA Publishes Report on GIS and Equity Peer Exchange Event
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) sponsored a virtual peer exchange in June 2021 to discuss how metropolitan planning organizations can build capacity for using GIS to advance equity goals. FHWA published a report to summarize the proceedings of the event, including notes and highlights from panel discussions and breakout sessions. The discussions highlighted the role of data collection and information sharing to support equity initiatives and partnerships.
EPA Holds EJSCREEN Office Hours
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold office hours for users of the Agency’s environmental justice screening and mapping tool, EJSCREEN, on February 16 at 12:00 PM ET. Office hours will provide the public an opportunity to talk with EPA experts about many topics including how to use and apply the tool, technical issues, and any other questions. Office hours are held on a bimonthly basis. Recordings of previous sessions are available online.
Report Outlines Considerations for Evaluating Transportation Equity
The Victoria Transport Policy Institute published a report outlining approaches for incorporating distributional impacts in transportation planning. The author acknowledges how transportation planning decisions can have large and diverse equity impacts. The report establishes the need for more comprehensive equity analysis in transport planning, provides an overview of key transportation equity concepts, and describes practical ways to incorporate equity goals into planning.
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