Anne Broache, AICP

#SmartCitiesDive, Urban Institute #9April2024 : #How #to #ease the #path #to #transit-#oriented #housing #development "#Public #transportation #agencies “just [#don’t] #have the #land #resources on hand #to #make #it #feasible,” said the author of a recent Urban Institute analysis on funding transit-oriented development." "Cities are funding transit projects they otherwise couldn’t afford with money from the bipartisan infrastructure law, pandemic-era economic stimulus programs and other federal sources, said #Yonah #Freemark, #principal #research #associate at the #Urban #Institute and #author of a #February #analysis #on #funding #transit-#oriented #housing #development. “But what the #federal #government #does #not do is #provide any #specific #resources #for the #housing #elements #of #these #projects,” he said."

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Seattle's transportation levy proposal would lead to eight years of reduced funding on transit efficiency and reliability. Those cuts would jeopardize our city's climate goals and be a disservice to riders, I argue in an op-ed in The Stranger. “Nearly two-thirds of Seattle’s core greenhouse gas emissions come from transportation, with nine out of every ten of those carbon dioxide molecules coming out of a car’s tailpipe. … The levy’s proposed investments are strikingly out of balance for a city that has committed to more than doubling transit ridership by 2030 in its own Climate Change Response Framework.” https://lnkd.in/gzM9pJMB

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FHWA has clarified that State and Metropolitan Planning Funds can be used for Complete Streets planning activities without the need to match with non-Federal funds -- and that this waiver applies beyond the required spending on these activities under BIL. Hard to get that all in one sentence, but State and MPO planners may want to read on: https://lnkd.in/eCk6Hks3 FHWA encourages States and communities to adopt and implement Complete Streets policies that prioritize the safety of all users in transportation network planning, design, construction, and operations.

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This summer, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) released "Separated Bike Lanes on Higher Speed Roadways: A Toolkit and Guide." The title might seem straightforward, but what exactly does the guide cover? 📚 Here’s a taste of some of the insights you’ll find: 🤝 Enacting supportive policies: Local policies can support separated bicycle lanes on higher-speed roads by requiring separation where bicycle lanes are present. ➡️ Horizontal and vertical separation: This section describes the tradeoffs of different forms of separation types, including delineator posts, parked cars, concrete barriers, raised medians, and raised bike lanes. 🚗 Design guidance for intersections and driveways: Particularly on higher-speed roads, designers should maintain separation on the bike facility for as long as possible through the intersection. 🛠️ Maintenance considerations: This section goes over considerations for stormwater, asset management, street sweeping, and seasonal maintenance. The guide was built as a "toolkit," recognizing practitioners are more likely to grab it off the shelf when they want to jump to something specific rather than read it cover to cover (unless that's your idea of a relaxing Saturday morning). ☀️ Each section contains information, guidance, examples, and key takeaways, all presented in an easy-to-navigate, visual-heavy layout. 👌 #FHWA #bikelanes #transportationplanning #transportationdesign Photo: Joe Linton/Streetsblog

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Thanks to our Hilary Fong, CBAP, PhD for this interesting post about how Highlands is helping California's Transit Transformation Task Force.

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Public transit should not be free. In my latest newsletter, I examine the trend of fare-free transit in cities across North America and Europe. This policy is appealing at first glance; so much so that even though it's been tried, and abandoned, over and over again for fifty years, it keeps coming back. Although it rests on admirable motives, it's a misguided policy. Here's why: Benefits of fare-free transit: -- Increases ridership -- Provides financial relief to low-income users -- Can reduce car usage and associated pollution Disadvantages of fare-free transit: -- Significantly higher maintenance costs -- Increased crowding on transit systems -- Promotes an atmosphere of disorder -- Requires substantial, permanent increases in government funding Transit agencies rely heavily on subsidies. Eliminating fares necessitates even larger subsidies, which can't be sustained against other public priorities. There are often better ways to improve transit: -- Extending service areas -- Increasing service frequency -- Targeting subsidies to those who need them most There are specific circumstances in which fare-free can work, but they're vanishingly rare. Going fare-free is not the answer for most cities. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/g3Mwfyk6 #PublicTransit #UrbanPlanning #TransportationPolicy

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What constitutes success in Portland's 2024 council election? A week ago, I posted a long article on Portland’s upcoming election and most current experiment with Ranked Choice Voting. The article included highlights from commissioner races between 2000 and 2022, and some facts about voter performance during Portland’s first experiment with RCV from 1913 to 1932. Reflecting on some of the resulting feedback, I’m curious what kinds of measures of success should be applied to voter performance in 2024. Such an analysis will be critical to fine-tuning the new system moving forward. If the 1913 charter reform is any example, we should expect significant efforts to address shortcomings and issues with the 2022 charter for years to come, especially given Portland’s dedication to periodic charter review. My simple voter performance measures include the following: 1.  Voter turnout. Are more Portlanders of voting-age registered and showing up at the polls? Did RCV have a positive impact on voter registration and the casting of votes in city council elections? 2.  Voter representation. Is the active electorate reasonably representative of the city population? Did RCV increase balloting by historically underrepresented communities in Portland? 3.   Full utilization of the franchise. Did all the media, public education, engagement and campaigning help increase the extent to which voters take full advantage of their choices in city council elections? Did RCV reduce the wasting of ballots caused by under-voting and over-voting? Did voters in 2024 out-perform voters in 1913 and during subsequent RCV in commissioner elections between 1915 and 1932?   4.  Trust in elections. How do voters feel about the 2024 council election and results?  Do voters have higher levels of trust and acceptance in both the process and the outcomes? Are they more or less likely to engage in future council elections and fully utilize their choices?   I’m hoping for the best possible outcomes on November 5, and can’t wait to see the voting data once the dust settles. This is the start of a completely new era of civic life in Portland. There is so much to learn from this journey.

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Highway expansions always result in more congestion and consequently increased carbon emissions. Thinking different, and planning with climate in mind can lead to innovative transport solutions for the future!

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If we put as much money into improving Public Transportation making it more appealing and accessible to the needs of those who live in not only in Urban areas, but rural areas too, things could be different. However, continuing to expand and build new roadways, caters to the single car user, with no incentive for them to do something different. #PublicTransportation #PublicTransit #RuralTransportation #RuralTransit #FundingChangesNeeded Snippet from this article: Bailey’s research found that New York had the nation’s highest per capita state spending on public transportation, $280, but census data show that the state spent much more on highways in 2021: $609 per capita. Meanwhile, Mississippi spent less than $1 per capita on public transportation but $633 per capita on highways.

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Public space items on the agenda this week at City Council: 1. Planning program for urban villages - with implications for small-scale public space and placemaking interventions. (Tuesday) LINK: https://lnkd.in/gf3THxTq 2. Discussion about renewing #Gastown #WaterStreet Pilot (Weds) - with Council debating two options: (a) renewal of the pilot in 2025 OR (b) no pilot, and instead ensuring that ongoing work on the Gastown Public Space Plan be updated "to allow for flexibility into the future." LINK: https://lnkd.in/g_pD_UbJ 3. Proposal to designate Union & Gore greenspace as a park (Weds) LINK: https://lnkd.in/gFUfiDyk

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In a riveting discussion with Micah Gaudet, Deputy City Manager of the City of Maricopa, we dove into the nuanced world of AI, transparency, and avoiding increased liability. "There's an anonymity about a bot that entices people to share more than they might with a human," Micah pointed out, stressing the importance of being upfront about using AI technologies. This candid conversation illuminated how essential it is for organizations, especially in the public sector, to maintain transparency while navigating the legal landscapes of open records laws and data governance. The dialogue also broached the topic of celebrating our strides in technology. "We're on the cutting edge of this...we have an opportunity to really celebrate that and to lead that," Micah enthused, advocating for a proactive stance in showcasing AI's role in content creation. This approach not only demystifies AI for the public but also underscores a commitment to innovation and transparency. At Citibot, we're inspired by such forward-thinking perspectives. Our AI-powered chat solutions are designed precisely with these principles in mind. By enhancing efficiency and customer service through intelligent text messaging and web chat, we ensure every interaction is backed by reliable and accessible information. It's about more than just facilitating communication; it's about bolstering trust between governments and residents, making public services more transparent and responsive. Join Citibot in transforming government-resident interactions with AI-driven solutions that prioritize transparency and efficiency. Experience the future of communication at https://www.citibot.io #aitransparency #innovativegovernment #transparenttechleadership #citibotsolutions #citibot

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Planning principles in action!

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Thinking about #transit projects? Check out this guide for effective planning and public participation! #CommunityEngagement is key. We've summarized insights from transit agencies into a roadmap with four steps for community-focused mobility. https://hubs.la/Q02W2xQl0

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Transit advocacy has a positive impact on communities, but a growing trend threatens transit's future: anti-transit organizations posing as pro-transit experts. Groups like the Cato Institute and the Reason Foundation claim to support transit reform but often aim to undermine public transportation by promoting privatization and reduced investment, ultimately harming transit advocacy and policy. https://lnkd.in/g-crjFaS #transitadvocacy #publictransportation #transitreform #transitpolicy #antitransit

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We just released Incomplete Streets: Aligning Practice with Promise in Caltrans Projects, a detailed look at how Caltrans addresses active transportation. Our report offers a path forward for safer, more inclusive streets. https://lnkd.in/eF-KruxS

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Check out this new paper from the Terner Center: "Making Missing Middle Pencil: The Math Behind Small-Scale Housing Development" California focused, but still valuable takeways for other parts of the country. via Terner Center for Housing Innovation

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State transportation agencies are already seeing the effects of climate change on their infrastructure and transportation systems. In this episode of the InfraTalk Podcast, Secretary of California State Transportation Agency, Toks Omishakin, discusses the impact climate change has had on the state of California and his agency's work. He also shares how important it is for the industry to tackle today’s transportation problems with modern solutions. Listen to the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/d9e3uRzP #Transportation #Infrastructure #Innovation #ClimateChange #InfraTalkAmerica #Podcast

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BIG shout out to Katie Economou for sharing this excellent new report from The Brookings Institution's Adie Tomer and Ben Swedberg: "Connecting the DOTs: A survey of state transportation planning, investment, and accountability practices" I'm so glad that someone has picked up this crucial problem ID reckoning to first assess the challenges burned into the State DOT <> human relationship, the challenges of Federalism, resource allocation and accountability, and a deep dive into very specific, very achievable goals that different decision-makers can fix RIGHT now -- and importantly the authors give us, the reader(s) the tools to follow if these fixes can be successful and how. Lastly, I'm very excited about the communications portion of this piece. Much of the analysis is _not_ simply data-driven technobabble. There is a genuine, deep look into the relationship between governments (exec, leg) and their component constituents who MUST have a real say in how we think, decide, and build our infrastructure for a connected future. My favorite bits: ✏️ On transparency: "As a state’s transportation ambitions and needs change, it’s important that the public can know the year a project was added to the STIP—and be able to use that time-based benchmark to confirm staff aren’t holding on to projects that no longer merit investment. Here too, states struggle to offer transparency." I'd like to explore this further. ✏️ On Utah: "Utah’s Unified Transportation Plan covers all modes of transportation; it plans for new capacity to accommodate growth, as well as operations, maintenance, and preservation needs. The processes by which the MPOs and the state DOT collaborate are exemplary. Utah’s residents and visitors benefit from decades of work to align state, regional, and local leaders around the intersection of land use and transportation investments. Today, durable relationships, consistent communication, and the Unified Transportation Plan process help put such alignment into practice. Peer states and metro areas can apply these lessons as they consider formal planning reforms and everyday approaches to staff- and executive-level communication." I noticed this when I was in SLC for the AMPO conference in September. Utah is the most functioning state in the US. ✏️ On asset conditions: "One area to boost public transparency is by improving public data from statewide asset management systems. Only 22 states publish a geospatial dataset with detailed information on conditions for both pavement and bridge assets (see Map 2). Most of those 22 state DOTs publish the conditions of both NHS and state highway assets." We have to NAME the thing before we fix it. Ridiculous that <50% of states do this publicly. I get that once we name it we are often required to fix it. But that's the game. Let's not forget what we're doing here. https://shorturl.at/JbkQC

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