Transportation Notes
July 20, 2022

Grant Opportunities & Awards
Natural Gas Distribution Safety and Modernization Grant
DUE: July 25, 2022
Click here for more information
 
Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning
DUE: July 25, 2022
Click here for more information and a link to the NOFO
 
Bridge Investment Program: Planning Project
DUE: July 25, 2022
Click here for more information and a link to the NOFO
 
Bridge Investment Program: Large Bridge Projects
DUE: August 9, 2022
Click here for more information and a link to the NOFO
 
Combined Ferry Program Grants
DUE: September 6.
Click here for more information and a link to the NOFO
 
Bridge Investment Program: Bridge Projects
DUE: September 8, 2022
Click here for more information and a link to the NOFO
 
Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Program
DUE: September 15, 2022
Click here for more information and a link to the NOFO
 
Rail Crossing Elimination
DUE: October 4, 2022
Click here for more information and a link to the NOFO
 
Reconnecting Communities: Planning and Construction
DUE: October 13, 2022
Click here for more information and a link to the NOFO
 
Voluntary Airport Low Emissions Program
DUE: November 1, 2022
Click here for more information
 
Airport Zero Emission Vehicle and Infrastructure Pilot Program
DUE: November 1, 2022
Click here for more information
 
Railway-Highway Crossings Program (Section 130) Program
DUE: Varies based on state
Click here for more information
 
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program
Department of Homeland Security
DUE: Rolling
Click here for more information
 
Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA)
Department of Transportation
DUE: Rolling
Click here for more information
 
TIFIA: Rural Project Initiative
Department of Transportation
DUE: Rolling
Click here for more information
 
Federal Transit Capital Investment Grant Program
Department of Transportation
DUE: Rolling
Click here for more information
 
Expedited Project Delivery Program
Federal Transit Administration
DUE: Rolling
Click here for more information
Capitol Hill
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg testified on Tuesday for nearly 4.5 hours before the House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee at a hearing to discuss “Implementing the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.” Buttigieg spent much of the hearing fielding criticisms from Republicans over portions of the infrastructure law while Democrats defended the Biden Administration’s moves to implement the law. Buttigieg spoke about the importance of finding new alternatives to pay for highway needs and discussed how the electric grid can handle the rapid expansion of electric vehicles (EVs). Buttigieg also said general-fund transfers are “a legitimate way to fund our highway needs” as electric and zero-emitting vehicles drive the need to move beyond the gas tax.
 
On Wednesday, the House T&I Committee held a markup on four bills, including the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act (H.R. 2187) that would direct DOT to set aside money for commercial motor vehicles on the federal highway system in response to concerns raised about a parking shortage; and the National Aviation Preparedness Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 884) that would force the Transportation Secretary to make “a national aviation preparedness plan” for disease outbreaks.
 
On Wednesday afternoon, the House will complete consideration and hold a final vote on a six-bill Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 minibus spending package (H.R. 8294), which includes the Transportation—Housing and Urban Development spending bill. The bill provides a total of $105.4 billion in FY23 budgetary resources for DOT, an increase of $2.4 billion above the FY22 enacted level and $938 million above President Joe Biden’s FY23 budget request. The House considered several tranches of amendments to the package earlier this week, including 21 transportation-related amendments. Several of the adopted transportation-related amendments include:

  • A bipartisan amendment from Reps. Kai Kahele (D-HI), Drew Ferguson (R-GA), Jack Bergman (R-MI) and Rodney Davis (R-IL) that would prohibit funding for new foreign air carrier permits that are not in compliance with public interest standards, adopted by a vote of 336-90.
  • An amendment from Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) to take $2 million out of the Highway Infrastructure Programs account and spend it on activities that benefit roadside pollinators, adopted by a vote of 336-90.
  • An amendment from Reps. August Pfluger (R-TX) and Yvette Herrell (R-NM) that increases and decreases money for the FAA by $1 million in order to require a report on the infrastructure needs at rural spaceports, adopted by a vote of 336-90.
  • An amendment from Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-MA) that increases and decreases funding by $15 million for DOT's Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology to emphasize the importance of establishing the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Infrastructure, as authorized in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, adopted by a vote of 225-201.
  • An amendment from Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) that increases and decreases funding by $1 million to express the intent that there be a moratorium on shrinking airline seats until the FAA publishes a final rule for minimum seat sizes—the amendment also says the minimum seat width should be at least 18”, adopted by a vote of 225-201.
  • An amendment from Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL) that adds language to push for $10 million in Aviation Workforce Development Grants to improve the diversity of aircraft pilots and aviation maintenance workers, adopted by a vote of 225-201.
  • An amendment from Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-TX) that would take $2 million from the Office of the Secretary and uses it to increase funding for RAISE grants, specifically for projects at or near land ports of entry, adopted by a vote of 225-201.
  • An amendment from Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-TX) that would increase and decrease the Office of the Secretary by $1 million to encourage DOT to conduct a study on the potential benefits of public transit between binational communities, adopted by a vote of 225-201.
  • An amendment from Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) that increases and decreases by $1 million the FRA’s Safety and Operation's account to emphasize the need to provide dedicated funding to address community engagement on safety issues related railroad crossings in urban areas, adopted by a vote of 225-201.
  • An amendment from Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) that would require that certain projects in urban areas meet the statutory and fiduciary obligations of the National Historic Preservation Act, adopted by a vote of 225-201.
  • An amendment from Rep. Rick Larsen (D-WA) that increases and reduces funding for the FAA’s Research, Engineering and Development account by $1 million to make clear the need for investment in the Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions and Noise (CLEEN) program and other programs to reduce the carbon emissions from aviation, adopted by a vote of 225-201.
  • An amendment from Rep. Andy Levin (D-MI) that increases and decreases funding by $1 million for RAISE grants to emphasize the prioritization of grant funding towards green infrastructure projects, which includes equipping highways with electric vehicle charging equipment and powering public buses and rail with electricity, that will decarbonize and electrify the U.S. ground transportation sector while improving local roads, bridges and rail, adopted by a vote of 225-201.
  • An amendment from Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) that increases and decreases funding for FTA’s Transit Formula Grants by $1 million with the intent to conduct a study on fare free transit's impact on people with disabilities, adopted by a vote of 225-201.

Bills of Interest

  • Disaster Survivors Fairness Act of 2022 H.R.8416 (Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV)), would simplify the process for seeking assistance following a major disaster and improve individual assistance provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
  • H.R. 8417 (Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL)), to prohibit the Secretary of Transportation from issuing regulations relating to maximum hours of service for drivers of certain commercial motor vehicles.
  • Public Health Air Quality Act of 2022 H.R. 8352 (Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE)), provides investments in our nation’s air quality monitoring infrastructure and give communities improved access to information on their local air quality and what pollutants are being emitted by industrial sources into their neighborhoods.
  • Defunding Abortion Transportation Act H.R. 8354 (Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA)), which would prevent federal funding for abortion transportation.
Administration
FTA proposed a partial general nonavailability waiver of limited duration for mass-produced, unmodified non-ADA accessible vans and minivans. Under FTA's proposal, in lieu of applying Buy America's rolling stock standard, FTA would require the vans and minivans to have their place of final assembly and engine country of origin in the United States as reported under the American Automobile Labeling Act.

The Department of Energy issued Notices of Intent to fund two programs that will advance carbon capture demonstration projects and expand regional pipeline networks to transport carbon dioxide (CO2) for permanent geologic storage or for conversion into valued end uses, such as construction materials. The two programs – the Carbon Capture Demonstration Projects Program and the Carbon Dioxide Transport/Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) Program – are funded by a more than $2.6 billion investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

NHTSA launched a campaign to address speeding – one of America’s most dangerous driving behaviors. The Speeding Wrecks Lives campaign is aimed at changing general attitudes toward speeding and reminding drivers of the deadly consequences. The ads target drivers ages 18 to 44, who data show are most likely to be involved in speeding-related fatal crashes.

USDOT’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) is accepting applications for Centers of Excellence (CoE) designations to recognize and support community or technical colleges and maritime training centers that prepare Americans for careers in the maritime industry. MARAD noted as the nation continues to address the challenges presented by supply chain disruptions and climate change, this effort expands equitable opportunities for good paying jobs and prepares workers for successful future careers in the maritime industry.
Industry & Advocacy
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) will launch a pilot REAL ID application pop-up, becoming one of the first airports in the country to allow passengers to complete their application for the enhanced identification document while they wait to board a flight. The airport is partnering with the California Department of Motor Vehicles and United Airlines to allow passengers to complete their application in LAX’s Terminal 8 as the REAL ID deadline approaches next year.

A National League of Cities and Polco joint survey shows how communities of all sizes are assessing their infrastructure projects and federal grant opportunities. This survey provides a current snapshot of priorities across 153 cities, highlights 44 local infrastructure projects and shows where local leaders plan to invest. The survey found that the top three responses for cities, towns, and villages investment plans were in roads, bridges, and major projects; water; and road safety. As cities, town, and villages apply for BIL programs, 78 percent of respondents indicated that they are very likely or somewhat likely to collaborate with neighboring cities or regional authorities to maximize dollars and benefits to their communities.

The high temperatures in Britain have led officials to shut down runways at an air base and a commercial airport in London this week. The Royal Air Force (RAF) halted flights to its Brize Norton Base, located about 75 miles northwest of London in Oxfordshire, while London Luton Airport also announced it would temporarily suspend flights. Paired with the summer resurgence in demand for air travel, the situation has become particularly dire in Europe, where many workers have gone on strike and some airports have trimmed flight schedules. London’s Gatwick and Heathrow airports were among some of the airports who recently asked airlines to cap their flight numbers. 
Webinars
TRB - Strings Attached: Permissible Uses of Airport Property and Revenue
July 26, 1:30 PM ET
Click here for more information and registration
 
TRB – Considering Quality of Life in Transportation Planning and Development
August 25, 12:30 PM ET
Click here for more information and registration
Reports
Metropolitan Planning Organizations: Strategies for Future Success
 
Traffic Safety Facts: Young Drivers
 
Effective Practices in Bus Transit Accident Investigations
 
Policing and Public Transportation
 
Unmanned Aircraft Systems: Current and Potential Programs
 
Unmanned Aircraft Systems: Roles, Missions, and Future Concepts
Did you know?
There are over 4.09 million miles of roads in the U.S. About 72 percent of these roadways are in rural areas, and over a third of all roadways in the U.S. are not paved. 
Connections
For more information please contact Mike Miller miller@tfgnet.com (707) 287-0023