The Federal Transit Administration launched a new initiative to “support and advance” innovation in the transit industry at the Transportation Research Board annual meeting in Washington D.C. on January 14. [Above photo by the FTA.] FTA’s new Accelerating Innovative Mobility or AIM initiative includes $11 million in challenge grants to help transit agencies experiment with “new ways” of […]

The Federal Highway Administration issued $5 million in “quick release” Emergency Relief or ER funds on January 16 to help repair roads and bridges damaged by recent earthquakes in Puerto Rico. The widespread destruction caused by a weeks-long earthquake “swarm” that began in late December on the island caused rockslides and landslides on major transportation […]

A new 36-page report from the Government Accountability Office recommends that the Federal Transit Administration develop a communication plan that will “effectively share information with state and local stakeholders” on coordination opportunities in an “accessible and informative” way – particularly where rural transit services are concerned. [Above photo by the FTA.] The GAO noted that […]

The U.S. Maritime Administration, known as MARAD, provided more than $7.5 million in grants on January 6 to nine marine highway projects in nine states: Florida, South Carolina, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Oregon, Texas, Virginia, and Washington. [Above photo by the Virginia DOT.] The agency said its America’s Marine Highway Program or AMHP supports the increased […]

To bring attention to dangerous distractions that could lead to unexpected and sometimes deadly tragedies for pedestrians on or near railroad tracks, the rail safety non-profit Operation Lifesaver Inc. (OLI) is launching a new public service announcement (PSA) campaign. [Above photo via OLI.] “Walking on the railroad tracks is considered trespassing – it’s against the law,” said […]

The U.S. Department of Transportation unveiled a new interactive map on January 6 that highlights federal investments in major infrastructure projects located in and around opportunity zones; an economic development tool created by the 2017 Tax Cut and Jobs Act. The USDOT said in a statement that it has spent the last two years addressing infrastructure needs […]

The U.S. Department of Transportation issued a request for information on December 27 to help develop a National Freight Strategic Plan or NFSP that includes 11 “statutorily required components” mandated by the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation or FAST Act to address the needs of multimodal freight transportation. [Above photo of USDOT HQ by Beyond DC.] […]

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health – a division of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – posted a request for information in the Federal Register on December 16 that seeks feedback from the general public and transportation industry stakeholders on the agency’s “strategic direction for research and communication” to prevent work-related […]

The Federal Aviation Administration issued a notice of proposed rulemaking on December 26 that would mandate the remote identification of Unmanned Aircraft Systems or UAS – commonly called drones – so they can be more safely integrated in the U.S. airspace system. [Above photo by the FAA.] Dubbed the “Remote ID” rule, it would apply […]

The U.S. Department of Transportation issued a Request for Information or RFI on December 19 to receive feedback from the general public and industry stakeholders to help shape its Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success or ROUTES Initiative – an effort officially launched by USDOT Secretary Elaine Chao during a speech at the 2019 annual […]