Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has announced the awarding of a $2.9 million grant to the Link Transit authority in Chelan and Douglas counties, Washington, to replace five diesel-powered circulator buses with new lithium-ion battery electric-powered buses. The grant is the first of $100 million made available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for 43 Transit Investment in Greenhouse Gas and Energy Reduction (TIGGER) grants to support transit capital projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy use. In addition to the new buses, the project will include the purchase of two “rapid recharge” charging stations and supporting equipment at Link Transit’s intermodal transit center. The project is projected to remove 688 metric tons of greenhouse gases annually. For more information, link to the DOT press release. (2-4-10)

[back to top]

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has announced that the proposed $79 billion fiscal year 2011 budget for the Department of Transportation includes continued investments in transportation infrastructure and livable communities, among other agency priorities. A highlight of the budget is a proposed $4 billion National Infrastructure Innovation and Finance Fund (NIIFF) to issue grants and loans for infrastructure projects that have a national or regional impact. The budget also provides $1 billion for high-speed rail and includes $527 million to support livable communities, include the establishment of an Office of Livable Communities, creation of a program to improve local and state project planning and development, and funding for expanded transit access to low-income communities. In a separate announcement, the Federal Transit Administration highlighted the president’s $1.82 billion budget request to fund 27 major transit construction projects across the country. For more information, link to the press release and to the DOT website. (2-1-10)

[back to top]

The Federal Highway Administration has posted new guidance on procedures for the redistribution of $60 million in funding under the America Recovery and Reinvestment Act to supplement the Forest Highway Program. The program, which is administered by the Federal Lands Highway Office, funds the planning, design, construction, reconstruction, or improvement of designated Forest Highways that provide access to or are within a National Forest System or Grassland. The guidance addresses critical dates associated with redistribution of the ARRA funding and project ranking criteria. For more information, link to the ARRA Forest Highway Program Redistribution Guidance and to the Forest Highways website. (1-29-10)

[back to top]

The Federal Highway Administration has published the January 2010 issue of its Research and Technology (R&T) Now news update on research, technology, and development activities conducted within the agency. The newsletter features updates on general/administrative activities and topics including advanced research, infrastructure, safety, operations, and recent periodicals. For more information, link to FHWA R&T Now – January 2010. (1-28-10)

[back to top]

The Department of Transportation has awarded $8 billion in grants under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to states across the country to develop high-speed intercity passenger rail service. The funding will go to the development of 13 new, large-scale high-speed rail corridors and to smaller projects and planning work in a total of 31 states. A proposed high-speed rail corridor between Los Angeles and San Francisco received the largest single grant at $2.25 billion. The second-largest award, $1.25 billion, went to Florida for its planned high-speed rail line between Orlando and Tampa. A Midwest network was another major grant recipient, including $1.1 billion for improvements to boost train speeds to 110 miles per hour between Chicago and St. Louis. For more information, link to the DOT press release and to a summary of the Recovery Act High Speed Rail Awards (1-28-10)

[back to top]

The Research and Innovative Technology Administration has announced the awarding of over $2 million in grants to four universities under its University Transportation Centers (UTC) program “to advance research and education programs that address critical transportation challenges.” The recipients include four university research centers at the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa; University of Nevada, Las Vegas; University of Rhode Island; and Northwestern University that will conduct research addressing issues such as traffic congestion and decisionmaking tools for transportation planning and policy analysis. For more information, link to the press release and to the UTC program website.(1-26-10)

[back to top]

The Federal Highway Administration has posted to its website the latest in a series of biennial reports to Congress on the status of U.S. highways, bridges, and transit. The report "is intended to provide decision makers with an objective appraisal of the physical conditions, operational performance, and financing mechanisms of highways, bridges, and transit systems based both on the current state of these systems and on the projected future state of these systems under a set of alternative future investment scenarios." For more information, link to the 2008 Status of the Nation’s Highways, Bridges, and Transit: Conditions and Performance Report. (1-25-10)

[back to top]

The Federal Highway Administration’s Highways for LIFE program has published the 16th issue of its Innovator newsletter on advancing implementation of innovative technologies and processes in the highway industry. The current issue includes a Q&A session on innovation with the Minnesota’s transportation commissioner and an article highlighting a bridge project on the Pamlico-Tar River in North Carolina that used an innovative overhead launching gantry method to minimize environmental impacts to sensitive wetlands. The newsletter also features an article on the benefits of warm-mix asphalt, including lower emissions and energy costs, and includes a calendar of upcoming events and other resources. For more information, link to the Innovator, Issue 16. (December/January 2009-2010)

[back to top]

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has announced a change in funding guidelines for major transit projects under the Federal Transit Administration’s New Starts and Small Starts programs. Under the new policy, evaluations of transit projects will include their environmental and economic development benefits, making more types of projects eligible for funding. As part of the change, FTA will immediately rescind budget restrictions issued by the previous administration that focused primarily on how much a project shortened commuting times in comparison to its cost. For more information, link to the FTA’s New Starts Policy Shift webpage. (1-13-10)

[back to top]

The Federal Highway Administration has published the January/February issue of its bimonthly Public Roads magazine. The current issue includes articles on highlights of the Highways for LIFE pilot program, integration of design visualization into the highway project development process, and lessons learned from a European scan tour on bicycle and pedestrian mobility and safety. Also featured are articles on the evolving landscape of flexible and context sensitive highway design and the successful application of the practical design approach by the Missouri Department of Transportation. Current and upcoming activities and updates on communication products and training are also included. For more information, link to Public Roads, Vol. 73, No. 4. (1-12-10)

[back to top]

The Federal Highway Administration’s Surface Transportation Environment and Planning Cooperative Research Program (STEP) has published a series of bulletins highlighting success stories of current STEP research. The success stories feature research in four topic areas: advancing the border planning research state of practice; facilitating the “Eco-Logical” ecosystem-based approach to infrastructure development; addressing climate change impacts on transportation system and infrastructure under the Gulf Coast Study, Phase I; and advancing the metropolitan travel forecasting state of practice. To access the STEP success stories and other resources, link to the STEP Resources homepage. (1-11-10)

[back to top]

The Research and Innovative Technology Administration is seeking stakeholder input on the development of a strategic plan to guide the Department of Transportation’s research, development, and technology activities over the next five years, as required by the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU).  The agency requests suggestions on the strategic research direction, research priority areas, and performance metrics for resource outcomes for the U.S. DOT’s 2010-2015 strategic plan. Suggestions should address the following key priority areas: safety; livable communities; state of good repair; economic competitiveness; and environmental sustainability. Comments are due Feb. 8, 2010. For more information, link to the Federal Register notice. (1-8-10)

[back to top]

The Federal Highway Administration’s Office of Real Estate Services has published the latest issue of its newsletter, which includes a message from director Gerald Solomon on the 2009 Joint Planning, Environment, Air Quality and Realty (PEAR) Disciplines training seminar for division field specialists held in August in Phoenix. The newsletter also includes field articles on the Arizona Department of Transportation’s Statewide Action Plan and the Environmental Justice Mitigation Plan for Rockford, Ill; information on right-of-way cost estimating; and highlights of the 2009 National Alliance of Highway Beautification Agencies conference for outdoor advertising sign professionals. In addition, the newsletter features updates on research, training, and upcoming conferences. For more information, link to the Office of Real Estate Services Newsletter Third Edition, 2009. (12-10-09)

[back to top]

The Department of Transportation has awarded $14 million to the Dallas and San Diego metro areas to demonstrate intelligent transportation system (ITS) technologies that monitor traffic and communicate information to drivers in an effort to reduce congestion. The funding is part of DOT’s Integrated Corridor Management Systems initiative to showcase the use of ITS technologies to manage congestion in busy transportation corridors. Dallas Area Rapid Transit will contribute $3 million toward an $8.3 million project to use a transportation management model to predict travel conditions on US-75 30 minutes ahead of time, allowing for diversion of traffic during freeway incidents and special events. The San Diego Association of Governments will provide $2.2 million toward a $10.9 million project to install a “smart” traffic management system on Interstate 15 that includes road sensors and electronic signs to direct drivers to HOV and HOT lanes and other options to reduce congestion. For more information, link to the press release. (12-7-09)

[back to top]

The Federal Highway Administration has posted the winners of its biennial Environmental Excellence Awards program that recognizes agency partners, projects, and processes that use FHWA funding to “go beyond environmental compliance and achieve environmental excellence.” An independent panel of judges selected 13 winners in the following 12 categories: Air Quality Improvement and Global Climate Change; America’s Byways; Context Sensitive Solutions; Cultural and Historical Resources; Ecosystems, Habitat, and Wildlife; Environmental Research; Environmental Streamlining; Nonmotorized Transportation; Roadside Resource Management and Maintenance; Wetlands, Watersheds and Water Quality; Judges’ Award for Special Recognition; and Environmental Leadership. According the FHWA Administrator Victor Mendez, each of the 2009 recipients demonstrate the use of “innovative methods to promote environmental sensitivity and sustainability without sacrificing mobility.” For more information, link to 2009 Environmental Excellence Awards. (12-7-09)

[back to top]

The Federal Highway Administration has posted to its website a presentation from a webinar conducted on Nov. 16, 2009, on the Surface Transportation Environment and Planning Cooperative Research Program (STEP). The webinar included an overview of the program, which is intended to “improve understanding of the complex relationship between surface transportation, planning, and the environment.” The webinar also included STEP emphasis area research highlights presentations and a questions and answers session. For more information, link to STEP: A Federal Research Program - Conducting Research That Links to Practice Webinar, Nov. 16, 2009. (11-25-09)

[back to top]

The Federal Transit Administration has issued a proposed policy statement on the eligibility of pedestrian and bicycle improvements for FTA funding under federal transit law. The proposed policy, which is intended to advance the Department of Transportation’s livable communities agenda, would expand the radius within which projects near public transportation facilities will be eligible. Pedestrian projects within a half-mile, and bicycle infrastructure within three miles, would automatically be eligible for agency funding. Pedestrian and bicycle improvements beyond those distances may be eligible if they are “within the distance most people can be expected to safely and conveniently walk or bicycle to use that particular transit service.” Comments are due Jan. 12, 2010. For more information, link to the proposed policy statement. (11-13-09)

[back to top]

The Federal Highway Administration has released the latest issue of its Research and Technology (R&T) Now news update on research, technology, and development activities conducted within the U.S. Department of Transportation. The newsletter features updates on general/administrative activities and topics including advanced research, the environment, infrastructure, safety, and recent periodicals. For more information, link to FHWA R&T Now – September 2009. (9-30-09)

[back to top]

The Federal Highway Administration has released the September/October 2009 issue of Public Roads magazine. The current edition features articles on integration of the latest camera technology with traffic control, a seminar on nondestructive evaluation techniques for bridge inspections, advances in wildlife crossing technologies, and road safety audits for pedestrian facilities. The magazine also lists current and upcoming activities and updates on communication products and training. For more information, link to Public Roads, Vol. 73, No. 2. (9-22-09)

[back to top]

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood has announced the awarding of $100 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to 43 transit agencies across the country to support projects that reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The projects were chosen following a nationwide competition under a new discretionary grant program announced in March 2009, the Transit Investments for Greenhouse Gas and Energy Reduction (TIGGER) grant program. Winning proposals include projects to replace gasoline and diesel buses with electric hybrids and installation of solar panels at transit facilities. For more information, link to the new release and to DOT’s Recovery Act website. (9-21-09)

[back to top]

The Federal Highway Administration’s Highways for LIFE program has published the 14th issue of its Innovator newsletter for advancing implementation of innovative technologies and processes in the highway industry. The current issue features a Q&A session with the American Road and Transportation Builders Association President and CEO Peter Ruane, highlights of a meeting soliciting stakeholder input held in May 2009, and an article on public-private partnerships under the National Partnership for Highway Quality. The newsletter also includes a calendar of upcoming events and other resources. For more information, link to the Innovator, Issue 14. (August/September 2009)

[back to top]

The September 2009 issue of the Federal Highway Administration’s Successes in Stewardship Newsletter features highlights of a seminar held from Aug. 31-Sept. 3, 2009, in Phoenix, to train agency staff on the four key discipline areas within FHWA’s Office of Planning, Environment, and Realty. The Planning, Environment, Air Quality, and Realty (PEAR) Learning and Development Seminar provided opportunities for multidisciplinary training on topics including climate change, livability, and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and offered training sessions in the separate disciplines. Highlights of the seminar include a session on development of FHWA’s fiscal year 2010 strategic plan and the status of the next highway authorization; a demonstration of the online Realty Competency Building Navigator tool; and state-of-the-practice and emerging issue sessions on issues impacting the delivery of transportation projects and programs. For more information, link to the September 2009 Successes in Stewardship Newsletter, The Planning, Environment, Air Quality, and Realty Learning and Development Seminar: Bringing FHWA Disciplines Together. (9-11-09)

[back to top]

The Federal Highway Administration has published the Summer 2009 issue of its Environmental Quarterly newsletter. The current edition includes the second of a two-part series of Frequently Asked Questions about the agency’s National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reevaluation process; presentations on the use of geographic information systems (GIS) from environmental sessions of the 2009 GIS for Transportation symposium; and information on the new federal Partnership for Sustainable Communities. The issue also describes FHWA’s Web-Biological Assessment (BA) tool and includes environmental calendar updates. For more information, link to Environmental Quarterly, Vol. 5, Issue 3. (9-9-09)

[back to top]

The Federal Highway Administration has announced the availability of the proposed 2010 implementation strategy for the Surface Transportation Environment and Planning Cooperative Research Program (STEP). The program was established under the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), which expires at the end of fiscal year 2009. However, the agency anticipates that funding for STEP or a similar program for national research on issues related to planning, environment, and realty will be included in future transportation legislation. The draft FY 2010 implementation strategy is available on the STEP website. The agency also requests feedback on the draft strategy and on suggested lines of research for FY 2010.The deadline for submitting feedback is Dec. 3, 2009. For more information, link to the Federal Register notice and the September 2009 STEP Bulletin. (9-4-09)

[back to top]

The Federal Transit Administration has issued additional 2009 final guidance on policies and procedures for the New Starts and Small Starts programs. The guidance covers policy changes under three topic areas: the local financial commitment rating, New Starts and Small Starts “other” factors criteria, and the New Starts project planning horizon year. The guidance also addresses changes to FTA internal practices regarding pre-award authority and letters of no prejudice. In addition, the final guidance responds to comments received on the July 29, 2009, proposed guidance. For more information, link to the final guidance. (9-2-09)

[back to top]

The Federal Highway Administration’s Office of Planning, Environment, and Realty has published its annual report on activities of the Surface Transportation Environment and Planning Cooperative Research Program (STEP) for fiscal year 2008. The report provides an overview of the STEP program; highlights of FY08 research; and details of stakeholder collaboration, outreach, and feedback. For more information, link to the STEP Fiscal Year 2008 Annual Report. (9-1-09)

[back to top]

The Federal Highway Administration has announced the availability of $2 million in grants under the Highways for LIFE (HfL) Technologies Partnership Program. The program funds the testing and evaluation of innovative highway technologies and approaches that improve work zone safety, reduce congestion, and speed construction and that are ready for implementation. Proposals are due Sept. 23, 2009. For more information, link to the HfL Technology Partnerships Program website. (9-1-09)

[back to top]

The August 2009 edition of the Federal Highway Administration’s Surface Transportation Environment and Planning Cooperative Research Program (STEP) Bulletin highlights a current “hot topic” of program research: transportation and climate change. The bulletin offers examples of how FHWA is using STEP funds to address climate change, including the Carbon Sequestration Pilot Program; the recently-launched Transportation and Climate Change Newsletter and website; the Gulf Coast Study of potential climate change impacts on transportation infrastructure; and U.S. DOT’s Transportation and Climate Change Clearinghouse. The bulletin also includes highlights of fiscal year 2009 research and upcoming climate change related training and events. For more information, link to the August 2009 STEP Bulletin. (8-28-09)

[back to top]

The Federal Highway Administration’s Office of Real Estate Services has published the first anniversary edition of its newsletter, which includes highlights of the 2009 AASHTO Right of Way and Utilities Conference held in April 2009 in Oklahoma City. The conference featured panel sessions with professionals from FHWA, state departments of transportation, and Canada and Australia discussing issues such as expediting delivery of Recovery Act projects and the associated right-of-way (ROW) and utility implications, implementing compatible uses of highway ROW for activities such as carbon sequestration or renewable energy projects, and others. The newsletter also features the latest update to the Office of Real Estate Services’ Project Development Guide, FHWA-funded workshops in Kansas City on the ecological framework for making infrastructure more sensitive to wildlife and ecosystems, and the Kansas DOT salvage control program. Also featured are the Nevada DOT’s efforts to integrate ROW information and geographic information systems and other ROW topics and linkages. For more information, link to the Office of Real Estate Services Newsletter Second Edition, 2009. (8-7-09)

[back to top]

The Federal Highway Administration is requesting applications for participation in its Value Pricing Pilot (VPP) Program for fiscal years 2009 and 2010. The program supports the implementation and evaluation of VPP projects to manage congestion on highways through tolling and other pricing mechanisms. The current notice requests only applications for statewide, regionwide, or areawide transportation pricing studies and implementation projects that do not involve tolling roadways. Applications are being accepted for fiscal year 2009 funding, and for 2010 funds if Congress extends SAFETEA-LU VPP program funding. Grant applications are due Nov. 3, 2009. For more information, link to the Federal Register notice and FHWA’s VPP Program website. (8-5-09)

[back to top]

The Federal Transit Administration has published on its website a report highlighting the agency’s impact on public transportation in the United States. Highlights include FTA’s capital investments in a variety of public transportation systems, including more affordable and accessible public transit; contributions to job growth and transit-oriented, mixed-use development; and environmental stewardship initiatives. FTA’s leadership efforts are also cited, including initiatives to improve the state of repair of aging transit infrastructure, a successful cooperative research program, and the development of a national transportation policy. For more information, link to Highlights of the Federal Transit Administration’s Impact on Public Transportation in the United States. (8-4-09)

[back to top]

The Federal Transit Administration has issued a final guidance document on policies and procedures for the New Starts and Small Starts programs. The guidance implements provisions of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) and covers three topic areas: the New Starts project justification rating, the Small Starts project justification rating, and procedures for considering the benefits of project alternatives that include a tunnel. The final guidance includes responses to comments received on the draft guidance issued in May 2009. In a concurrent notice, the agency has published additional proposed guidance on New Starts/Small Starts policies and procedures, including modifications to the evaluation and rating process, clarification of existing policies, and potential changes to FTA’s internal practices for the programs. Comments are due Aug. 18, 2009. For more information, link to the final guidance and the additional proposed guidance. (7-29-09)

[back to top]

The Federal Highway Administration has published the July/August 2009 edition of Public Roads magazine. The issue features articles on context sensitive solutions, including reconstructing the I-90 Snoqualmie Pass in Washington State, the Safe Routes to School program, and retaining walls in assisting management efforts at the National Park Service. The magazine also includes current and upcoming activities and updates on communication products and training. For more information, link to Public Roads, Vol. 73, No. 1. (7-29-09)

[back to top]

Gregory G. Nadeau will join the Federal Highway Administration as Deputy Administrator on July 8, the agency has announced. Since 2002, Nadeau served as Maine Department of Transportation's Deputy Commissioner for Policy, Planning and Communications. He also served on the Maine Turnpike Authority's Board of Directors, and was the state transportation department's liaison to Maine's congressional delegation.  He has also been very involved in numerous statewide economic growth initiatives. For more information, link to the FHWA press release. (7-1-09)

[back to top]