Volume 1 Issue 6 | May 7, 2020
Transportation Planning Newsletter
Chair: <vacant> 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
ECONWORKS WEBINAR ANNOUNCED - REGISTER NOW
Monday, May 18, 2020 @ noon (EDT)

Host: Matt Hardy, AASHTO


Join us on May 18 for EconWorks: Improved Economic Insight for Transportation Planning, a free webinar which will showcase the EconWorks suite and its value for state DOT planners.

Now, it is more important than ever for state DOTs to have efficient and affordable tools in their arsenal for project development.

The EconWorks pooled fund will work to operate, maintain and improve the EconWorks tool over a five-year period. Recognizing this, the pooled fund solicitation will be closing in a few weeks and a project number assigned. We added contributions from FHWA and three more states in recent weeks, and hope to squeeze in a few more to get us over the finish line by the end of May. For additional information on how your agency can join the many states already taking part, contact Will Lusk, AASHTO staff.
EconWorks is a collection of web-based tools designed to help planners incorporate economic analysis into early project decision making. EconWorks includes:

*Case Study Search: a library of case studies, searchable by project attributes, to demonstrate the economic impacts of transportation investments in other communities.

*Assess My Project: A web-based tool that estimates the economic impact of potential projects based on parameters defined by users.

*Analysis Tools: Downloadable spreadsheets useful for assessing other economic benefits from transportation projects.

EconWorks is designed to be used step-wise beginning with case studies.
COVID-19

State departments of transportation are actively supporting their residents, businesses and local communities in response to the current COVID-19 outbreak. And in turn, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials is working to support state DOTs in those efforts.

AASHTO remains committed to responsibly following federal and state recommended workplace actions related to COVID-19. We hope you’ll find the resources available at https://www.transportation.org/home/covid19/ useful.

If AASHTO staff can assist you with comments or questions regarding COVID-19, please email us at committeeonplanning@aashto.org.
2020 JOINT POLICY CONFERENCE
The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Official’s (AASHTO) 2020 Joint Policy Conference: Connecting the DOTs will bring together six AASHTO committees and councils to meet and discuss critical issues surrounding multimodal freight and passenger transportation. Focus areas will include planning, freight, maritime, security and resilience, environment and sustainability, and active transportation. With an estimated 300 participants from all 52 AASHTO member departments, this is a unique opportunity to reach out and connect with key decision-makers at state DOTs.

Please know that AASHTO’s first priority is the health, safety and well-being of our attendees, volunteers and staff attending any AASHTO meetings. We continue to monitor the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and World Health Organization’s statements and guidance closely. Currently, consideration for cancellation or postponement of upcoming AASHTO meetings as a result of COVID-19 is being made on a case by case basis.

At this time, no decision has been made regarding cancellation or postponement of the 2020 Joint Policy Conference. It is also possible that this conference will be held virtually. Additional details will be available in future editions of this newsletter.
Industry News
ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION

Cities are opening streets to pedestrians during the pandemic. L.A. officials say it’s risky
Los Angeles Times

Cycle power: Bikes emerge as a post-lockdown commuter option
AP
 
30-Year High In Bicyclist Deaths Probed In New Tracking Campaign
Autoblog

Bike Month 2020 Is Now Online
Escalon Times

FREIGHT
 
How canceled sailings will impact US ports – and when
American Shipper

Senate Committee Approves Water Infrastructure Measures
Transport Topics

FUNDING
 
States Projecting Big Budget Cuts Due to COVID-19
AASHTO Journal

Coronavirus cuts transportation funding, puts major road and bridge projects on hold
USA Today

US Transportation Sec. works on ‘common sense relief’
WOOD-TV

INTERNATIONAL
 
How Oslo Achieved Zero Pedestrian and Bicycle Fatalities in 2019, and How Other Cities Can Apply What Worked
ITE Journal

MOBILITY  

COVID-19 Has Consumers Rethinking Mobility Options
Wards Auto

Mobility study paints picture of who uses Downtown Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

MPOs
 
New Southern California AOG transportation and housing plan needs more public review  
Pasadena Star-News commentary

$42 billion regional transportation plan approved by Capital Area MPO
American-Statesman

OTHER
 
Transportation Isn’t Going to Be the Same after Pandemic: Study
Car and Driver
 
The coronavirus has turned this unlikely federal agency into a predictor of economic recovery
Federal Times

Fewer Drivers And Passengers Mean New Realities For Chicago Transportation Agencies
WMAQ-TV

Apple Expands Reach of Mobility Trends Report Tool to Help Mitigate COVID-19 Spread
MacRumors

BTS’ New Web Feature: The Week in Transportation
USDOT

PLANNING
 
Iowa DOT Works to Increase Virtual Feedback on Projects
AASHTO Journal

Colorado DOT to Play Key Role in State EV Plan
AASHTO Journal

Analysis: You didn’t think a pandemic could stop highway planning in Texas, did you?  
Texas Tribune

RAIL
 
New study pans airport rail lines in Utah, Denver, Dallas as pricey boondoggles
Salt Lake Tribune

USDOT Announces More Than $22 Million in Grants to Restore and Enhance Intercity Passenger Rail Network
FRA

FRA Telephone Public Hearings About Texas Central Project Begin
WTAW Radio
 
ROADWAYS
 
Exploring The Ray, An Interview With Allie Kelly
AASHTO’s ETAP Podcast

TECHNOLOGY

VTTI Launches Automated Driving System Study
AASHTO Journal

Survey Finds Weak EV & Autonomy Consumer Confidence & Awareness
CleanTechnica

Experts: Smart City Work Should Stay the Course Amid Crisis
Government Technology

TRANSIT
 
How Does Transportation And Commuting Change In A Post-Coronavirus World? We Asked Experts
WAMU Radio

COVID-19 Commute Times Could Double If Bay Area Ditches Public Transit For Cars
KPIX-TV

Some U.S. city transit agencies turn to Uber as ridership drops during coronavirus crisis
Reuters

With No Way ‘Back to Normal,’ Transit Focuses on Public Good
Government Technology

Who Will Ride Transit After Coronavirus?
CityLab
 
‘White flight’ risks marginalizing public transport: Transit survey
ITS International

TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH BOARD
 
Telework transportation research in light of the COVID-19 pandemic
TRB