Trump Administration Moves Forward with NEPA Modernization Rule
editor@aashto.org January 10, 2020 0 COMMENTSThe Council on Environmental Quality issued a notice of proposed rulemaking on January 9 to modernize and accelerate environmental reviews required under the National Environmental Policy Act or NEPA by establishing two-year time limits for the completion of infrastructure environmental impact statements and one year for completion of less-rigorous environmental assessments. [Above photo from the […]
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Fourth Guidance Update for Automated Vehicles Released
editor@aashto.org January 10, 2020 0 COMMENTSThe White House and the U.S. Department of Transportation released the fourth update of autonomous vehicle (AV) development guidance on January 8 that “unifies” regulatory efforts across 38 Federal departments, independent agencies, commissions, and executive offices. [Above: USDOT Secretary Elaine Chao giving the keynote speech at CES 2020 in Las Vegas.] The 56-page policy document […]
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An estimated 13,000 people are expected to participate in the more than 800 sessions scheduled as part of the Transportation Research Board’s annual meeting in Washington D.C., which runs from January 12 through January 16 this year. Several state departments of transportation chief executives will lead and/or participate in a number of sessions covering a […]
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USDOT Soliciting Feedback on Autonomous Vehicle Challenge
editor@aashto.org January 10, 2020 0 COMMENTSThe U.S. Department of Transportation published a request for information (RFI) on January 7 to help guide the creation of its Inclusive Design Challenge; a contest aimed at encouraging the development of autonomous vehicle (AV) solutions geared toward the need of persons with physical, sensory, and/or cognitive disabilities. [Above photo by Rebecca Amber for the […]
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GAO Recommends FTA Improve Communication Processes for Rural Transit Services
editor@aashto.org January 10, 2020 0 COMMENTSA 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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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Map Highlights Federal Infrastructure Investments in Opportunity Zones
editor@aashto.org January 10, 2020 0 COMMENTSThe 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 […]
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More than 100 spectators, including North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper (D), attended an autonomous air taxi demonstration event hosted by the North Carolina Department of Transportation on January 7 in Raleigh, N.C. [Above photo via the NCDOT.] While Federal Aviation Administration guidelines required that the demonstration flight be unmanned, NCDOT said the Chinese-built EHang EH […]
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Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) unveiled a plan on January 6 to create the Empire Station Complex in New York City; an interconnected train and subway complex crafted from the current Penn Station rail/subway station and a new parcel of land plus the soon-to-be completed Moynihan Train Hall. [Above photo via the New York Governor’s Office.] […]
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