Shailen Bhatt

From our January report on transit accessibility: Congestion pricing "is expected to generate $15 billion...so essential to delivering the remaining station accessibility improvements to which the agency has committed. In addition to the critical resources it will provide to the MTA, CBDTP will reduce traffic blocking bus and paratransit customers, and improve air quality for New Yorkers." Essential accessibility, efficiency, and livability measures hinge on CP. https://lnkd.in/eXV35j_a

89

1 Comment

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.

360

12 Comments

This RFP may be of interest. NCHRP 08-193 [RFP] Implementation of Accessible Temporary and Alternate Pedestrian Access Routes in the Public Right-of-Way https://lnkd.in/efeHC8nd

1

For anyone wondering what impact President Biden’s commitment to #equity is having on the ground, here’s an important data point: The $3.3 billion just awarded under the Reconnecting Communities program. When our nation built the federal highway system, our leaders put expressways through the heart of thriving communities – predominantly Black and low-income neighborhoods. Houses were razed, businesses were shuttered, and over 1 million people were displaced. Afterward, the remaining residents had to cross dangerous thoroughfares or travel many more miles to get to their job, school, grocery store, doctor’s office, or place of worship. Disinvestment deepened. As Deborah Archer and others have shown, a combination of federal, state, and local officials made these infrastructure decisions, often, based explicitly on race. Sometimes, highways were routed through Black neighborhoods to clear out the residents. In other cases, highways served to separate Black and White neighborhoods, entrenching segregation that could no longer be accomplished through unconstitutional racially restrictive covenants and exclusionary zoning. Now, the Reconnecting Communities program is stitching neighborhoods back together and putting economic opportunity back within reach. How? By building overpasses and pedestrian walkways, capping below-grade highways with public green space and walkable retail areas, and improving public transit, among other strategies. These projects will make for more vibrant neighborhoods that benefit *everyone*. DOT is funding 132 projects across the country – in Atlanta, Detroit, Milwaukee, Philadelphia, Toledo, Birmingham, Los Angeles, and so many other places. By the way: This is on top of roadway safety projects in over 1,000 communities plus $108 billion for public transit. These investments are helping Americans of all backgrounds in every state, including the rural and urban communities left behind in previous waves of government investment. Details on the newly funded projects are here: https://lnkd.in/etyBvh28. The link below provides more information on the program, with helpful visualizations.

52

4 Comments

I’m honored to moderate the TRB Webinar: Evolving the Practice of Benefit-Cost Analysis on November 21, 2024 from 11:00am to 12:30pm ET. As transportation agencies face evolving challenges and a variety of discretionary grant programs, the need for an enhanced framework for Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA) has never been more crucial. This webinar will delve into the latest practices in BCA, focusing on integrating environmental impacts, health benefits, and social equity considerations into decision-making processes. Please see our impressive list of speakers and register here (a recording will be shared with all registrants post-webinar). https://lnkd.in/eXwxEwnv Don’t miss this chance to stay ahead in the evolving landscape of transportation economics! #Transportation #Economics #BenefitCostAnalysis #Webinar #TRB Cambridge Econometrics

26

1 Comment

If you haven’t already registered for ITS America’s Policy Summit, what are you waiting for? Register today and be a part of the conversation on how we can apply emerging #technology and #ITS to deliver safer, greener, smarter mobility for all. #THISisITS

17

2 Comments

In local government, we must always ask ourselves: How do we use our limited staff and financial resources to best serve the public good? When it comes to street safety and our commitment to eliminate traffic fatalities, we rely on data to direct our resources and evaluate solutions. Not all of our remedies work as intended, and some work much better than expected. Unvarnished data help us prioritize those investments that best deliver, and data-focused evaluations help us fight for the resources we need to do better. https://lnkd.in/gPTpaE24 More detail here: https://lnkd.in/g85AUxJh

60

1 Comment

Rail safety remains a critical need for the nation's economic and community health. But the class one railroads refuse to be accountable for their kpoor safety record and Congressional action is needed as NLC latest video illustrates. https://lnkd.in/egvm862e

13

1 Comment

I invite you to read the last State of the Cities Report that Farhad Omeyr, PhD and I worked on. It will help you to understand what Mayors are planning for 2024, their priorities, their challenges, and the strategies they are using to tackle difficulties.

7

Join GHSA tomorrow for a webinar on the latest trends in pedestrian traffic fatalities and what the data can tell us on how to improve pedestrian safety.

3

💡 Is your organization ready for the AI era? “If we don’t challenge our organizations, how can we empower the people who make the magic happen?” Local governments face a critical opportunity: push the boundaries of technology adoption to become more digitally resilient and responsive. For cities like #Charlotte, this means adopting practices that yield cost-saving and transformative outcomes. But let’s face it: many governments are stuck in outdated workflows. Whether relying on #Microsoft for daily operations or struggling with basic tech upgrades, the leap to #AI and automation isn’t just a step—it’s a marathon. So, where does your organization land on the Technology Adoption Spectrum? 📠 1. Fax-tastic Fundamentals: Still emailing docs and printing emails for “records.” 📄 2. PDF Overload: Scanned PDFs, not searchable. 📊 3. Spreadsheet Masters: Excel crashes daily. 🌐 4. Portal Pioneers: Online portals abandoned. 📶 5. Wi-Fi Warriors: “Upgraded” but unstable. ☁️ 6. Cloud Enthusiasts: IT-enforced cloud use. 📱 7. Digital Daredevils: Apps are there, trust is not. 🤖 8. Automation Amateurs: Automations, no ownership. 📈 9. Data Dreamers: IoT and predictive analytics. 🚀 10. AI Innovators: Strategic automation and AI. It’s time for governments to move beyond the basics and invest in technological transformation. The faster we adapt, the more effective, efficient, and equitable our services will become. 🔥 Let’s drive this conversation: Where does your organization fall on this spectrum? What’s holding you back, or pushing you forward? #DigitalTransformation #ArtificialIntelligence #LocalGovernment #Innovation #Technology #GovTech #Leadership #AI #Efficiency

1

If you’re at #APTAMobility, come learn about transformative work being done at four transit agencies around the US to make their communities more equitable through public transportation!

33

Ad-free hourly weather for any street address in the continental U.S.: 1) Obtain street address, e.g., 700 Central Ave, Louisville, KY 40208. 2) Go to https://lnkd.in/gavkacw7 to convert address to latlong, e.g., 38.205248, -85.767074 3) Create a website address in the following format: https://lnkd.in/g7ydBg2a 4) Ad-free hourly weather forecast for a street address is created! I use this to get ad-free weather for my home and office addresses.

5

Former U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx warned of the crisis facing urban mass transit due to COVID-19, emphasizing the urgent need for federal support as traditional funding sources falter. Secretary Pete Buttigieg acknowledges the need for a new approach to transit, suggesting a shift towards broader social and economic goals rather than relying solely on fares. https://lnkd.in/epjk-wNP #urbantransitcrisis #transitfuture #socialgoals #transportationshift

2

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

2

"One critical step toward closing the coming budget gap is full funding for ADA Paratransit service and free and reduced fare programs for people experiencing low incomes, seniors, and people with disabilities. These critical and popular programs are severely underfunded, and adequate funding to cover their significant costs can assist in lowering the projected budget gap. Each year, legislators and advocates propose expanding these programs, but doing so without full funding only puts the system in a deeper financial hole. "Legislators can put the system on a path to increased equity and financial strength with a thoughtful and comprehensive funding and reform approach." https://lnkd.in/diNXDrGX

11

Rural microtransit case studies in the US and microtransit propensity in rural New Mexico.

5

CA is facing affordable housing, climate, and environmental justice crises. Yet, AB 1893 worsens these issues by reducing affordable housing requirements. Read more from experts Jennifer Ganata of Communities for a Better Environment & Shashi Hanuman of The Public Interest Law Project in this op-ed for Capitol Weekly. https://lnkd.in/dbuXWCQ4

7

Transit Resilience Guidebook Provides Recommendations to Address Climate Vulnerabilities, Build Resilience (June 2024) FTA just released the Transit Resilience Guidebook, a resource to help transit agencies, local government officials, metropolitan planning organizations, and other entities anticipate, adapt to, and recover from service disruptions caused by extreme weather events, natural disasters, and climate change impacts. The guidebook, developed with the Volpe Center, presents recommendations and examples of how to identify and address climate vulnerabilities and risks and build resilience into transit assets, while ensuring priority is given to protecting vulnerable populations. The guidebook presents resilience planning as an iterative process that is addressed across all stages of a project’s life cycle: assessing, planning, designing, constructing, managing, maintaining and monitoring. This framework encourages consideration and implementation of resilience measures throughout an agency’s decision-making processes. The guidebook also includes real-world examples from transit agencies nationwide to illustrate the benefits of resilience planning. FTA’s Climate Considerations webpage links to additional FTA sustainability and resilience resources (https://lnkd.in/exG_3A9s).

1