A one-month continuing resolution or CR that extends federal government funding through December 20 also contained a provision that repealed a $7.6 billion rescission of federal-aid highway contract authority – a cut originally mandated by the 2015 Fixing America’s Surface Transportation or FAST Act to occur next year. The House of Representatives passed the CR […]
READ MOREPushback Begins Against FCC Proposal to Share 5.9 GHz Wireless Spectrum
editor@aashto.org November 22, 2019 0 COMMENTSA proposal by the Federal Communications Commission to open up the 5.9 GHz band of the wireless spectrum to non-transportation usage is drawing strong pushback from transportation organizations and others, especially over concerns as to how this move could impact safety. “The 5.9 GHz band has been part of the spectrum that has been reserved […]
READ MOREAutomated Vehicle Technology Hearing Highlights Safety Concerns
editor@aashto.org November 22, 2019 0 COMMENTSA hearing held by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on November 20 stressed that federal regulators need to take a more active role in overseeing the testing and deployment of autonomous vehicle (AV) technology – especially on public roads – while reiterating that until vehicles are fully capable of driving themselves, the […]
READ MORELabor & Trade Associations Plan Infrastructure Forum for Presidential Candidates
editor@aashto.org November 22, 2019 0 COMMENTSIn mid-February next year, a group of leading labor unions and associations – including the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, International Union of Operating Engineers, Transportation Workers Union, American Society of Civil Engineers, American Public Transportation Association, Value of Water Campaign, and American Road and Transportation Builders Association – plan to co-host a Presidential Candidate Forum to give candidates an opportunity to share […]
READ MOREMIT Report Analyzes Factors That May Impact Personal Mobility Choices
editor@aashto.org November 22, 2019 0 COMMENTSA new report issued by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Energy Initiative (MITEI) details how individual travel decisions will be shaped by complex interactions between technologies, markets, business models, government policies, and consumer preferences —especially when it comes to the broader adoption of alternative fueled vehicles (AFVs) and autonomous vehicles (AVs). That report – entitled […]
READ MOREBill Seeks to Fund Transportation Worker Recruitment Campaign
editor@aashto.org November 22, 2019 0 COMMENTSLegislation proposed by three members of Congress on November 15 would provide $30 million to the U.S. Department of Transportation to develop a series of broadcast, digital, and print media public service announcement campaigns to promote job opportunities and improve diversity in the transportation workforce. [Above photo by the Oregon DOT.] Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Wash., […]
READ MOREWashington State, Oregon Join Forces to Replace I-5 Highway Bridge
editor@aashto.org November 22, 2019 0 COMMENTSWashington State Governor Jay Inslee (D) and Oregon Governor Kate Brown (D) launched a bi-state effort on November 18 to replace the Interstate 5 bridge that spans the Columbia River and connects the two states. [Above photo via the Washington State Governor’s Office.] “This is a new day,” Gov. Inslee said in a Medium blog […]
READ MOREPennDOT’s Leslie Richards Tapped to be General Manager of SEPTA
editor@aashto.org November 22, 2019 0 COMMENTSLeslie Richards (seen above at podium), secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, will become the next general manager of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority or SEPTA effective January 2020. SEPTA is the regional public transportation authority that operates bus, rapid transit, commuter rail, light rail, and electric trolleybus services for nearly four million people […]
READ MOREGeorgia DOT Records Big Turnout for Express Lane Project Forum
editor@aashto.org November 22, 2019 0 COMMENTSMore than 300 executives representing the highway design and construction industry attended a Georgia Department of Transportation-sponsored forum highlighting the scope and long-term needs of its $1.3 billion State Route (SR) 400 Express Lanes Project, scheduled to be substantially completed in mid-2027. [Above photo by Georgia DOT.] “We were absolutely thrilled with the turnout, and […]
READ MOREDDOT to Pilot Test Three Pedestrian-Only Street Zones
editor@aashto.org November 22, 2019 0 COMMENTSThe District of Columbia Department of Transportation launched three pilot pedestrian-only zones on November 18 as part of an ongoing effort to “find innovative uses of public space” across Washington D.C. [Above photo by DDOT.] “The success of Open Streets and our annual Parking Day celebration demonstrates that there’s an appetite for pedestrian-only zones across […]
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