Volume 1 Issue 24 | September 24, 2020
Transportation Planning Newsletter
Chair: Kristina Swallow, Nevada DOT Vice Chair: Lynn Weiskopf, New York State DOT

The Committee on Planning addresses all aspects of the transportation planning process including federal regulations, current industry practices, and emerging approaches and concepts. The committee is dedicated to providing State DOTs the expertise, resources and tools they need to implement a robust planning process within their agencies that is multimodal, multidisciplinary, innovative and consensus-oriented.
Committee News
AASHTO 2020 Virtual Joint Policy Conference - NEXT WEEK

AASHTO 2020 Virtual Joint Policy Conference registration is still open, and with over 300 participants registered, we couldn't be more excited.

Did you know that participation in this year's program can be counted as Professional Development Hours? The conference website recently published a self-certifying form that participants can use to claim those hours and submit to their employer for credit.

Thanks to the support from our Premier and Capitol Sponsors, registration is complimentary! Each conference day has a distinct registration link, and all details can be accessed by visiting https://2020policyconference.transportation.org/. Please check back often as the agenda will be finalized soon.
REMINDER: AASHTO Committee on Planning Business Meeting
As a reminder, the AASHTO Committee on Planning will have a business meeting on
Thursday, October 1 at 2:00 PM EST

This meeting is a component of the 2020 Virtual Joint Policy Conference, and it will be necessary to register for Day 3 of the conference to attend. To register for Day 3 of the conference, please visit https://2020policyconference.transportation.org/registration/ .
CY-2021 Solicitation for the Domestic Scan Program
In coordination with NCHRP and FHWA, AASHTO is announcing the CY-2021 Solicitation for the Domestic Scan Program.

NCHRP Panel 20-68(A) is charged with the selection from the submitted proposals and management of the program. This panel may select one to four proposals in mid-December of this year. The deadline for submitting proposals is November 1, 2020.

You will want to visit the website so you can explore the Domestic Scan Program. After you’ve done some investigating, write and submit a proposal(s). URL: http://web.transportation.org/nchrp/20-68A/Default.aspx has all the information and instructions you will need. Remember, scans are intended to accelerate dissemination of particularly promising new practices among transportation agencies; a scan is neither a small research project nor a comprehensive survey of current practices.

Please share this request with anyone in your DOT that has a great idea for a domestic scan proposal. If you have any questions or problems submitting your proposal, please contact Andrew C. Lemer, Ph.D. at alemer@nas.edu.

Resources to help you prepare your proposal:
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AASHTO-TRB Planning Research Symposium PART 2
Back in July, the Committee on Planning’s Subcommittee on Research worked with the TRB planning committees to host a joint AASHTO-TRB Research Symposium to generate research ideas for consideration for NCHRP funding. Part 1 of the symposium occurred in July 2020 with a part 2 scheduled to further develop the research ideas proposed.
The second part of this research symposium is now being rescheduled for Friday, October 2, 2020 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm EASTERN time. If you are interested in participating in part 2, please register for it here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8018289010809657359

Read-ahead material will be distributed next week in preparation for the program. Our plan is to have a fun and interactive session with the goal of identifying up to four research project ideas that would be prepared and submitted to NCHRP for FY2022 funding consideration.
Request for Proposals: Project Management/Technical Oversight to develop an API/UI

The CTPP (Census Transportation Planning Products) is a State DOT-funded, cooperative program that produces special tabulations of American Community Survey (ACS) data that have enhanced value for transportation planning, analysis, and strategic direction. Additionally, the program provides universal access to that data, funds and conducts research, and provides training and technical assistance to the transportation planning community, all to increase understanding of the needs of the traveling public in support of policy and programming decision making.

The CTPP Program is seeking a consultant to provide project management and technical oversight
(PM/TO) for a future contract to develop an API and web-based UI built upon the API. The goal for the
CTPP API will be to broaden data access for users and their applications. The Program anticipates a need for continued access to the data via a UI. The goal for the new UI is to improve user experience.

This RFP will hire an oversight contractor for Phase 1. Phase 2 activities are expected to be evaluated as
RFP Schedule for Submission and Selection
Posting of Request for Proposal - September 23, 2020
Submission of RFP Inquiries by Email - October 5, 2020 at 11:59 PM EST
Posting of Responses to Inquiries - October 12, 2020
Proposal Deadline - October 21, 2020 at 11:59 PM EST
Industry News
ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION

Boise looks to pathways along canals for new transportation options
BoiseDev

Paths to Biking, Walking Improvements Supported by Wealth of Research
TRB
 
ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY

Effects Of Climate Change On Transportation Are Not Always Obvious, Immediate
NPR’s Morning Edition

FREIGHT
 
Class I railroads eye US-Mexico intermodal opportunities
FreightWaves

FUNDING
 
Appropriation Committee’s Continuing Resolution Would Extend FAST Act 

Gas tax hikes pile up: States become desperate for road repair revenue as COVID-19 reduces driving
USA Today

Covid-19 could reverse much of the D.C.'s region's progress on transportation funding, Bowser, Hogan and Northam warn
Washington Business Journal

Judge Allows RI Truck Tolls To Continue
Providence Journal

State study finds North Carolina's transportation funding could be short for another 30 years
The Center Square

INTERNATIONAL
 
Tel Aviv set to become first city with electric roads that charge public transportation
CNN Business

Singapore, Helsinki, Zurich Top Index Of World’s Smartest Cities
Thomson Reuters Foundation

MOBILITY 

What We Actually Know About How Americans Are Moving During Covid
Bloomberg CityLab

As cities around the world change, one expert stresses the importance of ‘smart mobility’
CNBC

IndyGo tests accessibility for future public transit lines with mobility mapping project
WTHR-TV

MPOs
 
Map shows bike riding conditions in SE Ohio 
Daily Sentinel

Sarasota/Manatee MPO releases “Transform 2045” long range transportation plan
WWSB-TV

Transit Planning Board To Set Transit Safety Targets For First Time
Metropolitan Washington COG

OTHER
 
Transportation linked to push for equity in San Antonio
KSAT-TV

How to Build Equity Into Transportation Projects—From the Start
Railway Age
 
PLANNING
 
Planning officials outline transportation efforts to accommodate Utah County growth 
Daily Herald

Stakeholders Divided Over Transportation Plans For Little Cottonwood Canyon
KUER Radio

Sussex County, DelDOT sign off on new transportation agreement
Delaware State News

RAIL
 
Trump Administration's New Natural Gas Transportation Rule Sparks Safety Concerns
NPR’s Morning Edition

High-Speed Train Between Dallas and Houston Gets Federal Approval
Texas Tribune

High-Speed Rail Between Raleigh and Richmond Takes “Critical Step” with $47 Million Funding
Spectrum News 1

Mass. legislators urge MassDOT to consider purchasing Pan Am assets to secure a Fitchburg to North Adams passenger rail corridor
MassLive
 
ROADWAYS
 
U.S. drivers’ mileage in July falls to lowest for the month since 2012: Department of Transportation
Reuters

How Cities Can Reclaim Their Streets From SUVs
Bloomberg CityLab

Changing street design standards sparks debate
Keizertimes

Still no answers from task forces looking into proposed Florida toll roads
Tallahassee Democrat

Monorail in the median a possible alternative to widening the Parkway, officials say

Art Murals In Southwest DC Aim To Improve Safety In Busy Intersection
DC Post

Main Street Grants Help Spur Local Colorado Economies
KCNC-TV

How to Remake Streets for Kids During COVID-19
Streetsblog USA

SAFETY 

D.C. Council unanimously approves Vision Zero bill aimed at reducing traffic fatalities
Washington Post

TRANSIT
 
Advocates call for emergency, low-income fare program for Allegheny Co.’s public transit riders
Pennsylvania Capital-Star
 
U.S. Department of Transportation Announces Final Rule to Streamline Project Management Oversight for Major Capital Projects
FTA

TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH BOARD
 
Research Helps Connected and Automated Vehicles Steer Closer to Reality
TRB