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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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The Federal Highway Administration has posted a fact sheet describing fiscal year 2008 accomplishments of the Surface Transportation Environment and Planning Cooperative Research Program (STEP). The fact sheet includes highlights of environmental and planning research activities, including studies, outreach events, and published reports, that were completed or that made significant progress during FY 2008. For more information, link to the FY2008 STEP Accomplishments Fact Sheet. (6-24-09)

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The Federal Highway Administration is accepting fiscal year 2011 scan proposals under the International Technology Scanning Program, which seeks to connect U.S. highway experts with their international counterparts in an effort to learn about innovative transportation technologies and practices. The program is conducted by FHWA in cooperation with AASHTO and the Transportation Research Board’s National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Project 20-36 “Highway Research and Technology – International Information Sharing.” Over 80 international scan studies have been completed to date, focusing on a topics such as infrastructure; operations; safety; planning, environment, and realty; and policy and administration. Proposals for scan topics may be submitted by FHWA, AASHTO, or NCHRP Project Panel 20-36 and are due Sept. 30, 2009. For more information, link to the FY 2011 International Scanning Program. (6-24-09)

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The Federal Highway Administration has announced the awarding of almost $140 million in additional funding to assist with 249 transportation improvement projects through the Transportation, Community, and System Preservation (TCSP) discretionary grants program. The program supports state, local, and tribal governments with efforts to increase transportation efficiency, roadway improvements, and research. For more information, link to the TCSP Projects website. (6-24-09)

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The Federal Highway Administration announced federal grants to seven states and the District of Columbia for 2009 grants of up to $1 million under the Highways for LIFE (HfL) program. The program funds projects that use innovative technologies and practices to speed construction while improving safety and quality and relieving congestion. The states receiving funding are Colorado, Florida, Maine, Texas, Utah, Vermont, and Wisconsin. The agency also has reopened the solicitation for additional 2009 HfL demonstration projects. For more information, link to the projects announcement on FHWA’s Highways for LIFE program website. (6-12-09)

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U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Shaun Donovan, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson have announced a new interagency partnership to advance policies that improve access to affordable housing, provide more transportation options, and lower transportation costs while protecting the environment. The “Partnership for Sustainable Communities” builds on a joint effort between DOT and HUD on coordinated transportation and housing policies announced in March 2009. The partnership also established six “livability principles” as a foundation for interagency coordination and promotion of sustainable communities. The principles are: provide more transportation choices; promote equitable, affordable housing; enhance economic competitiveness; support existing communities; coordinate policies and leverage investment; and value communities and neighborhoods. For more information, link to the DOT press release and EPA's Partnership for Sustainable Communities Website. (6-16-09)

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A new report published by the federal Bureau of Transportation Statistics documents a decline in transportation energy use relative to gross domestic product over the last decade. The report, which is the first in a series titled Transportation Trends in Focus, finds that transportation energy consumption has declined relative to GDP since 2000, with a steeper decline beginning in the third quarter of 2007 following a dramatic increase in fuel prices. For more information, link to A Time Series Analysis of Transportation Energy Use Per Dollar of Gross Domestic Product. (6-12-09)

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U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood has announced the awarding of 77 grants totaling $909.4 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding for transit capital improvements in 27 states, the District of Columbia, and the Virgin Islands. The grants, made available through Federal Transit Administration assistance program, will be used to fund new equipment, transit facilities, and repair and maintenance. For more information, link to the news release and to the FTA Grants Digest webpage. (6-10-09)

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Vice President Joe Biden and U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood met with governors and state transportation officials at the White House on June 3, 2009, for a roundtable discussion on the future of high-speed rail. The roundtable followed President Obama’s announcement in April of a new national strategic plan for high-speed rail, including $8 billion in funding under the Recovery Act, and a recent fact-finding trip by Secretary LaHood to Europe to observe successful European high-speed rail systems. For more information, link to the news release. (6-3-09)

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The Federal Highway Administration has published the Spring 2009 issue of its Environmental Quarterly newsletter. The current edition includes the first of a two-part series of Frequently Asked Questions about the agency’s NEPA reevaluation process, an article on the North Dakota DOT’s recently completed Cultural Heritage Manual to aid tribal consultation efforts, and an article on the relocation of a Bald Eagle nest by the Missouri DOT. The issue also highlights June as Invasive Species Awareness Month and features a new National Highway Institute course on effective communications for public involvement practitioners. For more information, link to Environmental Quarterly, Vol. 5, Issue 2. (5-22-09)

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The Federal Transit Administration has announced the availability of proposed guidance on policies and procedures for the New Starts and Small Starts programs. The guidance explains proposed changes to the programs as a result of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). The proposed guidance specifies weights to be assigned for the six project justification criteria for New Starts; three project justification criteria for Small Starts in the project evaluation process; and a process for ensuring that the impacts of tunnels are considered in transit project evaluations. Comments are due June 19, 2009. For more information, link to the proposed guidance. (5-20-09)

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The Federal Highway Administration has posted to its website a Powerpoint presentation from a May 13, 2009, webinar 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 addressed the STEP process and information about future activities. For more information, link to STEP: A Federal Research Program - Conducting Research That Links to Practice webinar. (5-19-09)

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The U.S. Department of Transportation has issued a notice of availability of $1.5 billion in grants for capital investments in surface transportation infrastructure provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The funding, referred to as “Grants for Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery” (TIGER Discretionary Grants),  will be awarded to eligible projects including highway or bridge projects, public transportation projects, passenger and freight rail projects, and port infrastructure investments. The notice also specifies project selection criteria and guidance for awarding the TIGER Discretionary Grants and application requirements. Comments on the project selection criteria and guidance are due June 1, 2009. Applications are due Sept. 15, 2009. For more information, link to the Federal Register notice. (5-18-09)

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U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood has announced the first round of fiscal year 2009 grant awards for reducing highway congestion under the Federal Highway Administration’s Value Pricing Pilot (VPP) Program. Four states – California, Minnesota, New York, and Washington - have been awarded a total of $6 million for pilot projects that use innovative highway “pricing” mechanisms that vary toll levels by time of day or traffic volume to manage congestion. Additional FY 2009 grants will be awarded in the months ahead. For more information, link to the news release and FHWA’s VPP Program website. (5-14-09)

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The Federal Highway Administration’s Resource Center has released the latest Issue of its Centered on Service Newsletter. The May 2009 edition includes an article titled  Earth Day 2009, The FHWA and NEPA, 40 Years Later, as well as updates on technical assistance, technology, events, partnerships, and training. For more information, link to May 2009 edition of Centered on Service. (5-13-09)

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The Federal Transit Administration has published final guidance on the acquisition of railroad right-of-way for transit projects. The guidance, issued under a provision of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA–LU), allows a grant applicant under certain conditions to acquire pre-existing railroad right-of-way prior to completion of the environmental review of a transportation project that will eventually use that right-of-way. The final guidance is effective April 30, 2009. For more information, link to the Federal Register notice and FTA’s Real Estate webpage. (4-30-09)

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The Federal Transit Administration has released a report to Congress that assesses the level of capital investment required to attain and maintain a “state of good repair” (SGR) for the seven largest U.S. rail transit systems. The Rail Modernization Study finds that over one-third of the seven rail agencies’ facilities are in marginal or poor condition, indicating that they are near or have already exceeded their expected useful life. The report also estimates the total value of the agencies’ existing backlog of over-age assets and examines inadequacies in their transit asset management practices. In addition, the report suggests four options for Congress and FTA: changing the current fixed guideway modernization funding formula; creating a temporary funding source to eliminate the current SGR backlog; offering the transit industry technical support for asset management; and using the National Transit Database for national capital asset reporting. For more information, link to the Rail Modernization Study - Report to Congress. (4-27-09)

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President Obama, joined by Vice President Joe Biden and U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, announced a two-phase strategy for eventually building a national high-speed rail network connecting large cities between 100 miles and 600 miles apart. The first phase of the President’s strategy will begin with the awarding of grants this summer for “ready-to-go” projects to repair and upgrade existing lines, allowing some current routes to increase speeds as well as ridership and to build public opinion about high-speed rail. The second phase would involve the identification of potential corridors for the creation of “world-class, high-speed rail” systems similar to those found in leading rail countries such as France, Japan, Spain, and China. For more information, link to the press release and the Federal Railroad Administration’s high-speed rail website. (4-16-09)

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