Volume 1 Issue 3 | April 16, 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
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.
Weekly Spotlight: Freight Planning Task Force
• Chair: Tom McQueen, Georgia DOT

• Vice Chair: Michael Vanderhoof, Illinois DOT

• AASHTO Liaison: Will Lusk

• Meetings: Second Wednesday of Each Month at 3:00pm (Eastern)
The COP Freight Planning Task Force provides a forum for communications, guidance, and resources focused on freight planning issues that state transportation agencies need to address. With representation from AASHTO members, FHWA, and MPOs, this group features a diverse cross section of transportation planning stakeholders to address challenges and innovative solutions concerning America's freight network.
The Freight Planning Task Force has discussed COVID-19 response in length lately, particularly regarding truck volume on highways, commercial vehicle parking, and international border crossings.

Participation in the Task Force's monthly teleconferences is open to all AASHTO members. For further information, please contact committeeonplanning@aashto.org or visit https://planning.transportation.org/freight-planning/.
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.
Industry News
ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY

Weakening environmental reviews for transportation infrastructure is a bridge too far
Brookings commentary
 
FREIGHT
 
Experts Stress Partnerships as COVID-19 Disrupts Supply Chain
Transport Topics

Coronavirus Stimulus Boosts Access for Funding Harbors, Ports
Transport Topics

How coronavirus ‘stress tests’ will change ocean shipping
American Shipper

FUNDING
 
State DOTs are in need of help. Is Congress listening?
Logistics Management

Highway fund’s shortfall deepened by plunge in gas tax revenue
Roll Call

Missouri is first state to receive rural transit grant under the federal CARES act
WGEM-TV

'Stay-at-home' order could delay Ohio DOT projects because of funding
WSYX-TV

As highway traffic plummets, new road construction funds in doubt
WFAA-TV

Transit officials, planners in Arkansas eye federal money
Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Massachusetts Lawmakers argue for transportation bill despite gas tax increase
Boston University News Service

INFRASTRUCTURE

What the coronavirus pandemic means for Atlanta transportation infrastructure projects
Curbed Atlanta

Road builders promote bridge repair for economic recovery
American Shipper

More than one-third of U.S. bridges are in disrepair, infrastructure group says
NBC News

Why Can’t We Build Infrastructure Cheaply, Quickly and Well?
Governing column

MOBILITY  

Met Council providing transportation for health care workers during coronavirus crisis
Pioneer Press

Study looks at the role of transportation in addressing social isolation in older adults
Catalyst

How One Mobility Innovator Is Supporting Cities And Envisioning The Post-Coronavirus Future
Forbes

MPOs
 
Ohio Kentucky Indiana Regional COG Lays Out Transportation Plan For Tri-State  
Cincinnati Public Radio

Virtual meeting coming up for Arizona transportation 5-year program
Daily Independent

Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission Announces Vincent Valdes As New Executive Director & President/CEO
WBVP/WMBA Radio

PLANNING
 
Canceled NFL draft provided valuable aid for transportation planners
Las Vegas Review-Journal

Businesses, groups call on INDOT to stop planning highway project during coronavirus pandemic
Indianapolis Star

Empty streets have some officials rethinking city design and planning
Autoblog

The Pandemic Could Be an Opportunity to Remake Cities
Wired

RAIL
 
High-Speed LA-To-Las Vegas Virgin Train Wins $600 Million California Bond Allocation
Forbes
 
ROADWAYS
 
Covid-19: ‘Probably the largest street planning experiment, ever’
ITS International

Los Angeles Traffic Lights Adjusted To Prevent Unsafe Speeds During Pandemic
City News Service

TECHNOLOGY

A Move to Ease the Path for Driverless Vehicles Draws Fire from Safety Groups
FairWarning

TRANSIT
 
TransLink sounds alarm that without emergency funding, service will see “unprecedented cuts"
Mass Transit

Should Baltimore Have A Regional Transit Authority?
Greater Greater Washington

Hit Hard by Covid-19, Transit Workers Call for Shutdowns
CityLab

Public transit’s “road to recovery” could include more ridesharing partnerships says DePaul study
Mass Transit

Coronavirus Lockdowns Are Pushing Mass Transit Systems to the Brink – and Low-Income Riders Will Pay the Price
Stockton University

A 'different world' awaits transit on the other side of coronavirus
Smart Cities Dive

Gwinnett leaders take next step to put transit on November ballot
Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Public transport is 'helping civilization avoid collapse’
ITS International commentary