CR Secures Federal Funding, Extends FAST Act for One Year
editor@aashto.org October 2, 2020 0 COMMENTSPresident Trump signed a continuing resolution or CR that funds federal government programs on October 1 – the beginning of fiscal year 2021 – through December 11 and extends current surface transportation funding reauthorization after it cleared the Senate late on September 30 by a vote of 84 to 10. The House passed its CR, […]
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The 2020 Joint Policy Conference hosted by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials explored ways to encourage more innovation and “public sector entrepreneurship” among state departments of transportation during a three-day virtual meeting September 29-October 1. [Above photo by the Nevada DOT.] Beth Noveck, Ph.D., New Jersey’s chief innovation officer, provided an […]
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While Overall Traffic Fatalities Down, Fatality Rate Rises in First Half of 2020
editor@aashto.org October 2, 2020 0 COMMENTSThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued a preview of its 2019 data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System and preliminary estimates for the first half of 2020 on October 1: data that indicates traffic fatalities declined slightly in 2019 and during the first half of 2020. However, fatality rates jumped during the first six months of 2020 […]
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FHWA Issuing $574M in Emergency Funds For a Variety of Disasters
editor@aashto.org October 2, 2020 0 COMMENTSThe Federal Highway Administration is providing $574 million in Emergency Relief or ER funds to help 39 states and Puerto Rico pay for repairs to roads and bridges damaged by storms, floods, and other unexpected events – some dating back to 2018. [Above photo by Caltrans.] FHWA ER funds reimburse states, territories, federal land management agencies, […]
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Study: No Direct Correlation Between COVID-19, Transit System Use
editor@aashto.org October 2, 2020 0 COMMENTSA new report compiled by the Sam Schwartz transportation-engineering firm on behalf of the American Public Transportation Association indicates that there is “no direct correlation” between use of urban public transit and transmission of the COVID-19 virus. [Above photo by the MBTA.] The 35-page report – entitled Public Transit and COVID-19 Pandemic: Global Research and […]
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FTA Providing Transit-Oriented Development Planning Grants
editor@aashto.org October 2, 2020 0 COMMENTSThe Federal Transit Administration is making $6.2 million in grants available to support “comprehensive planning” efforts aimed at improving access to public transit. The application period for those grants closes on October 26. [Above photo by the MBTA.] Those grants – provided through FTA’s Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development or TOD Planning program – aim to boost […]
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Since the beginning of 2020, thousands of wildfires burned millions of acres and destroyed thousands of structures across California – fires that also contributed to the death of more than 20 people. [Above photo by Caltrans.] Road crews with the California Department of Transportation have been working side by side with emergency responders for months […]
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Utah DOT Helps Distribute Reflective Backpacks to Homeless
editor@aashto.org October 2, 2020 0 COMMENTSThe Utah Department of Transportation and Zero Fatalities are donating 3,500 reflective drawstring backpacks to homeless service providers throughout Salt Lake County to help those experiencing homelessness stay visible to drivers during the fall, which is typically the most dangerous time of year for pedestrians. [Above photo via the Utah DOT.] “Every day we look for […]
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Connecticut Deploys Its First All-Electric Transit Buses
editor@aashto.org October 2, 2020 0 COMMENTSThe Connecticut Department of Transportation, along with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, and Greater Bridgeport Transit, officially unveiled the state’s first two battery-electric transit buses on September 28 – part of a “gradual transition” to a statewide all-electric transit bus fleet that will improve the rider experience and air quality while reducing […]
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Ohio Work Zone Safety Effort to Include Aerial Enforcement
editor@aashto.org October 2, 2020 0 COMMENTSThe Ohio Department of Transportation is collaborating with the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) to improve work zone safety via a new aerial enforcement program. [Above photo by the Ohio DOT.] Ohio State Troopers with the OSHP Aviation Section will cover nearly a dozen highway work zones with the Ohio DOT’s help – targeting crash-causing […]
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