A report submitted to Congress by the U.S. Government Accountability Office describes progress by the Federal Highway Administration and state DOTs in implementing the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program. The program, established in 2005, provides $612 million over five years to state DOTs to support projects that encourage children to walk and bicycle to school. The report includes recommendations that FHWA develop a comprehensive plan for monitoring and evaluating the SRTS program and that it formalize efforts to work with other federal agencies in developing health and environmental outcome measures. The report also recommends that Congress require a state or local match to encourage additional investments. For more information, link to highlights and the full report, Safe Routes to School: Progress in Implementing the Program, but a Comprehensive Plan to Evaluate Program Outcomes is Needed. (7-31-08)

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The American Planning Association and the National Complete Streets Coalition have launched a research project on complete streets. The effort is intended to transform community planning, urban design, and engineering street design practices to better meet the needs of all forms of vehicular and non-vehicular transportation, including cars, transit, pedestrians, and bicyclists. For more information, link to the Complete Streets page on the APA website. (7-3-08)

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The National Transportation Enhancements Clearinghouse has published its annual report on how states spent transportation enhancements (TE) funds. The report covers the period from fiscal year 1992 through the end of FY 2007, with a detailed emphasis on the last seven years. The report also addresses the distribution of funds across the 12 eligible TE activities. For more information, link to Transportation Enhancements: Summary of Nationwide Spending as of FY 2007. (May 2008)

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American Trails hosts a database on its website providing information on approximately 1,000 trails in all 50 states that have been designated as exemplary trails of local and regional significance under the National Recreation Trails (NRT) program. Local trail managers may nominate trails for NRT designation each year. The online database includes searchable information provided by the trail manager regarding trail details such as length, type, and uses; visitor information, and contacts. For more information, link to the National Recreation Trails Database. (5-27-08)

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The National Transportation Enhancements Clearinghouse has published the Spring 2008 issue of its quarterly newsletter, Connections. Highlights include an article exploring the argument in support of the Transportation Enhancements program, including what it has contributed since its inception in 1991 and its possible future role. The issue also includes a success story on the Katy Rail-Trail in Missouri. For more information, link to Connections, Vol. 11, No. 2. (April 2008)

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Information about the Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program established under Section 1807 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) is available on the SmartMobility website. The program introduced a network of nonmotorized transportation infrastructure facilities in four selected communities that connect directly with transit stations, schools, residences, businesses, recreation areas, and other community activity centers. The website includes details about each of the four pilot communities: Columbia, Mo.; Marin County, Calif.; Minneapolis, Minn.; and Sheboygan County, Wisc. For more information, link to SmartMobility. (3-25-08)

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Nominations for the biennial National Trails Awards are being solicited by American Trails. The awards recognize the contributions of volunteers, professionals, businesses, and other leaders who are working to create a national system of trails. Awards will be presented at the 19th National Trails Symposium in Little Rock, Ark., in November 2008. Nominations should cover accomplishments during the period of June 1, 2006 - May 31, 2008. The deadline for nominations is May 31, 2008. For more information, link to www.americantrails.org/2008/awards.html.

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The National Transportation Enhancements Clearinghouse has published the Winter 2007 issue of its quarterly newsletter, Connections. Highlights include a feature on North Carolina DOT’s receipt of a preservation award for restoring railroad stations and an article on a green infrastructure project in Portland, Ore. For more information, link to Connections, Vol. 11, No. 1. (December 2007)

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The Federal Transit Administration is requesting proposals for approximately $25 million in fiscal year 2008 funding under the Alternative Transportation in Parks and Public Lands Program. The program, which is administered in partnership with the U.S. Department of the Interior and U.S. Forest Service, funds capital and planning expenses for alternative transportation systems such buses, trams, and nonmotorized transport in federally-managed parks and public lands. Proposals are due Feb. 29, 2008. For more information, link to Notice of Funding Availability: Alternative Transportation in Parks and Public Lands Program. (12-13-07)

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The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy has developed a new online resource intended to assist trail managers, advocates, and builders with rail-trail development. The new Trail-Building Toolbox provides an index of topics under the categories of Corridor Research; Railbanking; Acquisition; Outreach; Plan, Design, Build; Management and Maintenance, and includes other resources for trail builders. For more information, link to the Trail-Building Toolbox. (12-3-07)

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America Walks and the National Center for Safe Routes to School have developed the Safe Routes Coaching Action Network, which will present a series of teleconference seminars on current topics related to advocacy for safe routes to school. The first seminar, scheduled for early December 2007, will focus on ``Getting Your Story Out.’’ Tentative upcoming seminars will address issues including sparking new parent volunteers, working in Latino communities, and getting local DOTs to take children more seriously. Online registration is required. For more information, link to the America Walks website, Safe Routes Coaching Action Network, and the National Center for Safe Routes to School. (11-28-07)

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The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy has posted five issue briefs from its biennial TrailLink 2007 conference held in August 2007 in Portland, Oregon. The conference included the launch of the group’s 2010 Campaign for Active Transportation to increase biking and walking as mainstream transportation options. The conference also focused on five benefits of active transportation highlighted in the issue briefs: mobility, economic development, climate, family and community, and public health. For more information, link to the issue briefs on the TrailLink 2007 Wrap-up webpage. (10-23-07)

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The House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Highways and Transit hears testimony on implementation of the federal Safe Routes to School program, and progress is documented in a report issued by the Safe Routes to School National Partnership. Rep. James Oberstar (D-Minn), chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee says “states have done a great job in using the flexibility built into the program to find safety solutions for their unique situations.  State coordinators are now working in all fifty states and the District of Columbia." For more information, link to the 2007 State of the States report. (10-2-07)

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The Summer 2007 issue of Connections, the quarterly newsletter of the National Transportation Enhancements Clearinghouse, is now available. The issue’s feature story is: "A New Toolbox for Evaluating Potential TE Wildlife Projects." View this issue. (August 2007)

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The National Center for Safe Routes to School and the Safe Routes to School National Parternship will host the 1^st Safe Routes to School National Conference Nov. 5-7, 2007, in Dearborn, Mich. The conference will offer participants in the areas of education, transportation, design, community advocacy, and others opportunities to consider issues related to reversing the decline in children walking and biking to school, including workshops and networking opportunities. For more information, link to the 1^st Safe Routes to School National Conference. (7-31-07)

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The National Transportation Enhancements Clearinghouse has published a report on how states spent transportation enhancements (TE) funds from fiscal year (FY) 1992 through the end of FY 2006, with special emphasis on the last six years. The report also addresses the distribution of funds across the 12 eligible TE activities. For more information, link to Transportation Enhancements: Summary of Nationwide Spending as of FY 2006. (May 2007)

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AASHTO, in cooperation with the America's Byways Resource Center and the Federal Highway Administration, has presented the 2007 Scenic Byway Awards: Sharing Success and Honoring Excellence. The 2007 awards honor exemplary Scenic Byway projects in nine states. For more information, link to the 2007 Scenic Byway Awards. (6-5-07)

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Case studies describing exemplary Transportation Enhancements projects are provided in an updated report from the National Transportation Enhancements Clearinghouse. The report provides historical background on the TE program, describes the stages of the application process, and describes 15 projects from around the country that highlight contributions TE projects make to improve local communities. For additional information, link to Enhancing America’s Communities: A Guide to Transportation Enhancements.

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