Agencies across the country are increasingly focused on developing comprehensive transportation networks for bicycling and walking. Examples of these efforts are well-documented in recent publications like the  Bike Network Mapping Idea Book and  compilations of network-enhancing projects.

FHWA recently released two guides intended to support the development of safe, comfortable and connected networks for bicycling and walking. The  Guidebook for Developing Pedestrian and Bicycle Performance Measures identifies opportunities to establish and track various metrics to inform pedestrian and bicycle planning activities.  Achieving Multimodal Networks: Applying Design Flexibility and Reducing Conflicts demonstrates how agencies can tailor their design approaches to implement their plans and develop transportation networks that work for all road users. Together, these resources can serve as powerful tools for agencies who want to prioritize and deliver multimodal networks.

This webinar will provide attendees with a close look at each of these resources, focusing on linkages between them and discussing how agencies can build their recommendations into current planning and design activities. Panelists representing FHWA with project team members from the UNC Highway Safety Research Center, Toole Design Group, and Kittelson and Associates, Inc., will share recommendations and details from these guides.

In addition to their presentations, the panel will participate in a facilitated discussion and respond to participant questions.

A peer-to-peer workshop was hosted by Washington State  DOT (WSDOT) Toll Division, with support from the Volpe National Transportation Center. The workshop focused on the lessons learned from the recent conversion of a 17-mile section of the I-405 HOV lanes in Seattle to dynamically priced express toll lanes. Prior to the conversion, high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes were often as congested as the general purpose lanes and failed to provide a reliable trip for transit and carpools. Additional demand with King County's population, expected to increase 33 percent by 2040, would have decreased performance further. The I-405 express toll lanes would preserve sustainably reliable speeds for transit and higher-occupancy carpools while providing an option for non-carpools to pay a toll for a more reliable trip. Toll rates are adjusted depending on real-time traffic conditions and the vehicle pays the rate shown to the driver upon entering the lanes.

Data collected by WSDOT indicate that dynamic pricing has streamlined express lane traffic flow, reduced overall travel times during peak periods, and greatly exceeded toll revenue projections. Some shorter general purpose trips were longer than before; therefore, two-person carpools were displaced during peak periods leading to controversy over the first six months of operation.

This webinar will explore all aspects of the I-405 Express Lane project-how WSDOT responded to uneven performance and controversy, and the lessons learned from WSDOT and peer agency participants. Also, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will provide the national context for express lane tolling and a summary of federal managed lanes guidance and resources.

The impending connected/automated/autonomous vehicle technologies create a paradigm shift for public agencies at all levels, but especially metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) and local agencies. This webinar will present a perspective on how to approach planning at a local and regional level for these new technologies, especially focused around their potential impact on traffic operations and mobility. Currently available tools will also be discussed that will be of assistance in defining connected vehicle approaches.

During this webinar, Jeremy Mattson of the Small Urban and Rural Transit Center (SURTC) will discuss the recent report: "Estimating Ridership of Rural Demand-Response Transit Services for the General Public." This report provides useful insights to operators looking to enhance their ridership and respond to the changing needs in their communities. 

This study developed two models for estimating demand: one using 2013 NTD data and the other using more detailed service data collected from surveys of transit agencies. Jeremy will discuss the results of the study and how to use these two models. 

The models can be used by transit agencies or transportation planners to: 

• Forecast demand for new demand-response services. 
• Estimate the impact of service changes, such as changes in geographic coverage, span of service, fares, reservation requirements. 
• Project future ridership based on projected population and demographic changes. 

The webinar will present the concept of solar-powered automated transit networks (ATNs). It will discuss why solar-powered ATNs makes sense as the preferable alternative mode of transit for dense, urban areas; what unique advantages they have; and how they can integrate into existing urban environments. Also to be discussed are: the challenges facing implementation; how universities and students can make a difference in their development and implementation; and what actions interested viewers can take to make them a reality.

The Transportation Research Board (TRB) and the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) along with the SimCap Standing Committee of the ITE Traffic Engineering Council are collaborating on outreach activities associated with the soon to be released  Highway Capacity Manual, 6th Edition (HCM 6): A Guide for Multimodal Mobility Analysis. This fundamental webinar course will present the new analysis procedures incorporated into HCM 6 and why these tools are vital to helping analyze today's transportation problems. This course will also discuss the implementation of the HCM 6 in various settings, such as reliability, multi-modal facilities, freeways, alternative intersections, interchanges, active traffic and demand Management, and interrupted flow facilities.

This webinar highlights emerging trends in Transportation Impact Analyses, including the ITE Transit Standing Committee's State of the Practice Report, the latest in ITE trip generation initiatives, and a review of current practices undertaken by Montgomery County, MD in considering replacing transportation impact studies with "pro rata share" districts.  This ICYMI (In Case You Missed It) webinar was developed in an effort to offer professional development opportunities for those who are unable to attend our sessions during the ITE Annual Meeting and Exhibit.