 FTA Issues Advisory and Recommendations to Improve Safety for Pedestrians and Bicyclists Around Buses
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) issued a Safety Advisory for transit agencies providing bus services to consider strategies to reduce bus-to-person collisions. The advisory provides background information and data on bus-to-person collisions; results from the FTA internal safety risk assessment which identifies hazards resulting in bus-to-person collisions; recommended actions and strategies for transit agencies to reduce collisions; and additional resources for reference and more information. Resources in the advisory include an FTA dedicated bus-to-person collision webpage, as well as a collection of fact sheets and training intended to aid bus transit providers developing Agency Safety Plans.
NHTSA Safety Factsheet Highlight Multimodal Crash Statistics for Older Populations
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration published a Traffic Safety Factsheet of 2021 data highlighting the relationship between older populations and traffic crashes. In addition to various types of traffic crash data and trends over multiple years, the factsheet includes percentages of older populations involved in pedestrian and bicyclist traffic crash fatalities in 2021 compared to 2012. Pedestrian traffic fatalities involving alcohol are also presented by age group for 2021.
NCHRP Resource Focuses on Enhancing Coordination Between State Highway Safety Offices and Metropolitan Planning Organizations Toward Zero Fatalities
The National Cooperative Highway Research Program published a resource, “Improving MPO and SHSO Coordination on Behavioral Traffic Safety: Guide and Toolkit.” The resource promotes coordination between Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) and State Highway Safety Offices (SHSOs) to address behavioral safety challenges and achieve zero-fatality safety goals. The resource includes information on collaboration opportunities, case studies, and MPO and SHSO primers to understand the roles and purpose of each type of organization. The resource also includes an action-oriented collaboration toolkit with frequently asked questions, sample meeting agenda and presentation materials, sample goals and objectives, and tips for effective communication with decision makers. The final report of the research study that informed the guide and toolkit is available.
Research Report Provides E-Scooter Safety Practices, Tools, and Resources
The Behavioral Traffic Safety Cooperative Research Program published a report, “E-Scooter Safety Toolbox.” The report presents research findings and data related to electric scooter (e-scooter) road safety, with the aim to enhance coordination of safety programs and develop approaches to improve safety for all road users. The toolbox offers fundamental concepts related to e-scooter safety; promising practices to improve electric scooter safety; tools and methods for evaluating safety implementations; and additional resources and examples. Additional resources include a supplemental E-Scooter Safety: Issues and Solutions web document and presentation slides.
Study Proposes the Integration of Public Health into the Safe Systems Pyramid Framework to Achieve Vision Zero Goals
The Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives released the study, “The Safe Systems Pyramid: A New Framework for Traffic Safety.” The study highlights how a safe systems pyramid framework can help prevent traffic injuries by linking public health approaches to achieve Vision Zero transportation goals. The study suggests transportation professionals can apply public health principles in their work to prevent adverse safety outcomes. The Safety Systems Pyramid has five tiers of intervention, in descending order based upon the individual effort needed: education, active safety measures, latent safety measures, built environment, and socioeconomic factors.
 U.S. Access Board Releases Video Series on Pedestrian Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines
The U.S. Access Board released an Accessible Sidewalks Video Series as a resource for the recently published Accessibility Guidelines for the Public Right-of-Way. The guidelines address access to sidewalks and streets, crosswalks, curb ramps, pedestrian signals, and other components of the public right-of-way and contain scoping and technical requirements to ensure that pedestrian facilities located in the public right-of-way are readily accessible to pedestrians with disabilities. The video series comprises four 10-minute programs meant to spotlight pedestrians with distinct sidewalk access concerns.
Researchers Study Inequities in Ridehailing Services and Impact on Communities
Mobility 21, under the sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Transportation University Transportation Center, released the report, “Equity Effects of Rare Events on Transportation Network Company and Transit Riders.” The report analyzes gaps in ridehailing services created by extreme weather events and how it affects different riders; characterizes differences in level of service by demographic community area; and uses simulations and models to identify transportation disparities. Researchers also identified public policy opportunities that may provide impactful transportation benefits to mitigate private costs, social costs, and inequities in underserved neighborhoods.
Report Provides Approaches and Practices to Respond to Mobility Needs of Homeless Populations
The Transportation Research Board Transit Cooperative Research Program published the research report, “Homelessness: A Guide for Public Transportation,” to support public transportation agencies to respond to and respect the rights and mobility needs of homeless populations. The report is based on several studies and provides experiences and lessons learned from the implementation of programmatic activities and approaches centered on mitigating impacts of homelessness.
Study Examines Gaps in Access to Bicycle Infrastructure for Commuting in U.S. Cities.
Environmental Research: Infrastructure and Sustainability published the article, “Equity of Bike Infrastructure Access in the United States: A Risky Commute for Socially Vulnerable Populations.” The study explores the bicycle access risk experienced while commuting in the 50 most populated metropolitan areas in the United States. The analysis provides foundational knowledge for identifying priority areas for bicycle infrastructure improvements. One of the findings suggests that African Americans, Hispanics, low-income, and carless households are disproportionally exposed to extremely risky bicycle infrastructure and are the least prioritized in planning and infrastructure investments.
Research Explores Systematic Transportation Barriers of Underserved Communities
The Minnesota Department of Transportation published the study, “Centering the Margins: The Transportation Experience of Underserved Communities.” The study focuses on transportation system inequities by examining the experiences of underserved communities from the Twin Cities metropolitan region and Greater Minnesota area. The findings, drawn from smartphone-based travel behavior surveys and interviews, were specific to each community studied; however, researchers identified common barriers across communities and provided recommendations to address them.
White House Technical Assistance Guide Provides Information on 27 U.S. DOT Programs
The White House released a Technical Assistance Guide as a tool to help communities navigate funding programs from the Investing in America agenda related to infrastructure, climate resilience, and clean energy. The comprehensive guide includes over 100 Federal technical assistance programs, with 27 U.S. DOT programs, as well as joint or interagency technical programs. A sortable spreadsheet accompanies the guide on the programs available. Additionally, a State-directed technical assistance guide was released to help communities access and navigate local and State resources.
U.S. DOT September/October Issue of Innovator Features Pedestrian Safety Innovations
The Federal Highway Administration published its September/October issue of Innovator. The issue includes a feature on the Every Day Counts (EDC) initiative, Nighttime Visibility for Safety. To reduce the 76 percent of pedestrian fatalities occurring at night, the initiative seeks to promote improved lighting and other countermeasures transportation agencies can use to enhance visibility for all road users. The issue also features State innovations such as the Washington State Department of Transportation (DOT) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Plan; New Jersey equity-focused virtual public involvement events; and the Alaska DOT and Public Facilities response to disasters affecting infrastructure in historically underserved communities.
U.S. DOT Volpe Center Tool Documents Vehicle Blind Zones to Address Rise in Pedestrian and Bicyclist Fatalities
Researchers from the U.S. Department of Transportation Volpe National Transportation Systems Center developed VIEW, a tool documenting the blind zones of different vehicles and trucks. A blind zone is the area around a vehicle that cannot be seen by the driver, which can increase the risk of a crash. The tool is based on a crowd-sourced database and allows vehicle buyers, policy makers, and drivers to understand the risks of blind zones and make informed decisions about vehicles and impacts to people walking, biking, or rolling. The website for the VIEW tool allows users to add vehicles to the database and visualize data. Frequently asked questions are posted for more information.
NHTSA and Partners Develop Online Data Dashboard to Help Public Health Officials Respond to Heat-Related Emergencies
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, along with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Office of Climate Change and Health Equity, published a press release on the launch of the Heat-Related Illness EMS Activation Surveillance Dashboard (EMS HeatTracker), which maps the response of emergency medical services (EMS) to heat-related illness across the country. The tracker will aid public health officials in determining the prioritization of outreach and medical aid, as well help decision makers identify areas in need of resilience investments. Data from the HeatTracker can be used to make county-level comparisons to national averages across three categories: (1) population rate of heat-related EMS activations within a community, (2) average EMS time in transit to reach a patient, and (3) percent of patients who are transported to a medical facility for further treatment. Patient characteristics are broken down by age, race, and gender, helping to identify at-risk populations.
 FHWA Accepts Nominations for 2024 Environmental Excellence Awards Program
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is accepting nominations for the 2024 Environmental Excellence Awards Program. The award program accepts projects, processes, and organizations that use FHWA funding to address transportation needs while improving both human and natural environmental systems. All entries are due by November 3, 2023. The website includes information on how to apply.
FHWA Publishes Summer 2023 Issue of Fostering Multimodal Connectivity Newsletter
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) published the Summer 2023 issue of the Fostering Multimodal Connectivity Newsletter. The newsletter provides real world examples of how States, metropolitan planning organizations, and locality multimodal investments improve safety, inclusiveness, sustainability, resilience, and support mobility integration. The Summer issue showcases an updated long-range multimodal transportation plan in Virginia; a successful bikeshare program in Pennsylvania; a Tires to Trails project in Tennessee; and a Statewide bicycle facility database developed by the Illinois Department of Transportation. Article ideas for future FHWA Newsletter issues can be submitted to the main contact. Past issues can be found at the FHWA Newsletter webpage.
FHWA Autumn Issue of Public Roads Magazine Features National Scenic Byways Program
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) published the Autumn 2023 issue of Public Roads magazine. The publication features an article on the National Scenic Byways Program, a grassroots, collaborative effort that recognizes selected roads throughout the United States for their intrinsic historic, cultural, natural, archaeological, recreational, and scenic qualities. In 2021, 49 All-American Roads and National Scenic Byways were nationally designated for the first time. Prior to the 2021 designations, 150 byways were designated in a series of nomination rounds, with the latest in 2009. Since the revival of the program, FHWA has been active in providing coordination activities, technical assistance, grant awards, and impact studies to support and promote America’s Byways.
Finalists for the AASHTO 2023 America’s Transportation Awards Include Active Transportation Projects
The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) announced the 12 finalists competing for two AASHTO 2023 America’s Transportation Awards. Finalists produced innovative projects that significantly impacted their respective communities, demonstrating State department of transportation (DOT) best practices in building equitable, resilient, and multimodal infrastructure. Projects fall under three categories: (1) quality of life/community development, (2) operations excellence, and (3) best use of technology and innovation. Active transportation project finalists include the Georgia DOT Historic 5th Street Pedestrian Bridge Rehabilitation Project and the Utah DOT Teamed-Up for Transit: U.S. DOT and UTA Partner to Improve Mobility for Local Community. Online voting for the final awards takes place through November 14, 2023.
Report Highlights Best Policies and Practices in U.S. and Canada Bicycle Incentive Programs
The University of California Los Angeles Institute of Transportation Studies released the report, “Transportation Equity Through Cycling.” The report surveys bikeshare research to identify trends and best practices, which highlight barriers such as lack of access to bicycle facilities, safety, and lack of bicycle literacy. The report also provides examples of incentive programs and recommendations for implementing a more accessible bikeshare system, such as prioritizing partnerships with local bicycle shops and community-based organizations.
Nationwide Survey Results Indicate Preference for Walkable Communities
The National Association of Realtors released the 2023 Community and Transportation Preference Survey, a nationwide poll to identify preferences for home location and desirable community attributes. The survey is taken every three years by people in the 50 largest metropolitan areas of the United States. Results for 2023 indicate walkability and proximity to public transit are desirable preferences, particularly for younger generation respondents. A press release, topline results, infographic, and analysis and slides are available for further details of the survey results.
September Issue of ITE Journal Features Several Active Transportation Articles
The Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) released the September issue of the ITE Journal. The September issue centers on active transportation and includes articles on pedestrian lighting considerations for Complete Streets planning and design; factors impacting vehicle speeds around bicyclists; and decorative crosswalks to improve placemaking and engagement in the public right-of-way.
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