Senate Committee Leaves AV Bill out of Transportation Package
editor@aashto.org June 18, 2021 0 COMMENTSThe Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation approved its $78 billion five-year Surface Transportation Investment Act by a vote of 25 to 3 following its markup session, with 50 amendments approved and added to the bill. The committee’s bill – introduced on June 10 – provides $36 billion for railroad infrastructure investment, $27.8 billion for […]
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AASHTO Co-Signs Letter Urging Action on Surface Reauthorization
editor@aashto.org June 18, 2021 0 COMMENTSThe American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials co-signed with 68 other organizations a June 14 letter urging Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to schedule “floor time” for the 2021 Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act or STRA before Congress adjourns for its annual “state work period” in August. “Investing in infrastructure remains a transformational opportunity […]
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The U.S. Department of Transportation recently highlighted key focus areas with its spring regulatory agenda, particularly where “climate justice” and autonomous vehicles or AVs are concerned. [Above photo by the USDOT] The agency noted that President Biden has committed his administration to reducing greenhouse gas or GHG emissions by at least 50 percent by 2030. […]
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Crashes involving stopped or disabled vehicles that may not have stood out enough to alert other motorists to the danger they pose are contributing to hundreds of roadway fatalities and thousands of injuries per year, according to a study conducted by Impact Research and highlighted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. [Above photo by […]
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The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials recently issued an 18-page high-speed rail investment guide in partnership with the American Public Transportation Association. [Above photo by KTX II] AASHTO and APTA said they developed this guide to provide cities, metropolitan agencies, state departments of transportation, and federal agencies with a “common methodology” and […]
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Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., introduce a bill on June 14 to create a “Smart Technology Traffic Signals” grant program within the U.S. Department of Transportation to improve the functioning of traffic signals across the country through the implementation of what he called “innovative technologies.” [Above photo via Wikipedia Commons] The “Smart Intersections Act of 2021” seeks […]
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The Transportation Research Board is accepting entries for its 15th annual “Communicating Concepts with John and Jane Q. Public” competition, which will focus on efforts to highlight “new and emerging” transportation technologies that are transforming and reshaping how people and goods move from point A to point B. [Above image by TRB] Those “new and […]
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ARTBA Provides Funds to Children of Fallen Highway Workers
editor@aashto.org June 18, 2021 0 COMMENTSThe American Road & Transportation Builders Association is providing 10 children of highway workers killed or permanently disabled on the job with post-high school financial assistance for the 2021-2022 school year. The group said in a statement that fiscal aid comes through the ARTBA Foundation’s Lanford Family Highway Worker Memorial Scholarship fund. That fund was established […]
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Minnesota DOT, NASA to Test Advanced Air Mobility Services
editor@aashto.org June 18, 2021 0 COMMENTSThe Minnesota Department of Transportation and NASA plan to conduct joint tests of advanced technology cargo aircraft and passenger air taxi services in order to provide “more dynamic aviation options” for state residents. [Above graphic of air taxi eVTOL concept aircraft by Hyundai] “These new electric, vertical take-off aircraft are currently undergoing testing, maturing quickly, […]
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The Illinois Department of Transportation recently issued nearly $106 million via the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program to expand travel options and enhance quality of life in communities statewide – from funding biking and walking path projects to Safe Route to Schools initiatives. [Above photo by the Illinois DOT] That funding comes through the state’s Rebuild […]
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