Active Transportation

A study of commercial arterials across the U.S. recommends actions and practices to make corridors safer and promote healthy communities. The study, Blind Spots: How Unhealthy Corridors Harm Communities and How to Fix Them, by the Urban Land Institute and Smart Growth America, included an audit of 6,925 urban and suburban commercial arterials from 100 of the most populous U.S. metropolitan areas. Using a range of indicators, the study found many primary arterials tend to be dangerous, have high instances of traffic deaths, and cost communities in terms of safety, economic productivity, and transportation efficiency. The study recommends a range of land use and transportation policies and practices to improve the health of the nation’s corridors. For more information, link to the report. (2-20-19)

[back to top]

The League of American Bicyclists has issued the 2018 edition of the Bicycling and Walking in the United States Benchmarking Report. The report says that bicycling to work is increasing but that 10 cities contributed about 44 percent of new bicycle commuters. The report also says that states with a low rate of active transportation also have a high rate of chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity. In addition, the report says that the number of trips on foot is increasing overall but that some states are showing a decrease. Finally, the report says that the number of states and communities with a Complete Streets policy has continued to increase since 2007, and that cities are moving more aggressively than states to plan for bicyclists and pedestrians. The report is the continuation of the benchmarking project started in 2007 by the Alliance for Biking and Walking. For a copy of the report, link to the announcement.

[back to top]

The Safe Routes to School National Partnership has issued an explanation of its review of how state departments of transportation are getting Transportation Alternatives Program money out the door. The group, which issues quarterly analyses of funding for active transportation, explains the components of its evaluation, including TAP funding available per state; amounts each state has transferred to fund non-TAP programs; amounts that states have let lapse; percentages of TAP funds transferred or lapsed; total amounts and percentages obligated; and funds at risk. The group explains that low rates of funding put toward awarded TAP projects means fewer active transportation projects are built, and a higher risk that the funds will need to be returned to the federal government. For more information, link to the article and the Dec. 2018 quarterly report. (2-8-19)

[back to top]

The Upper Great Plains Institute at North Dakota State University has issued a report outlining the results of the National Community Livability Survey. The survey of 25,000 adults in all 50 states indicated that transportation conditions influence community livability. It suggested that residents are looking for improvements to road conditions and public transportation, reducing congestion in metro areas, and making overall walkability and accessibility better. The report also said that improved livability would include improving the availability of jobs, affordable housing, affordable transportation options, access to quality healthcare in non-metro areas, and reducing crime in metro areas. Furthermore, a majority of respondents from both metro and non-metro communities agree that it is important for public transit to be available in their community. For more information, link the report. (2-7-19)

[back to top]

The Federal Transit Administration has issued a report to Congress on its Pilot Program for Innovative Coordinated Access and Mobility Grants. The pilot program is intended to find and test promising, replicable public transportation solutions that increase access to health care, improve health outcomes; and reduce health care costs. For more information, link to the report. (December 2018)

[back to top]

The Safe Routes to School National Partnership has issued a new guide on ways to for create a local safe routes to school program. The guide provides an overview of how the programs work and why they matter. It also provides insight on the stages of establishing a system and the essential components—including action plans and policies—for creating a sustainable program. The guide is accompanied by several sample documents that can be used to establish a program. For more information, link to the guide. (1-8-19)

[back to top]

The Safe Routes to School National Partnership has issued a report that provides an overview of the key role active transportation financing can play in developing healthy communities. The report explains active transportation financing—which can include bonds, fees, fines, taxes, and other funding mechanisms—and how it works to support infrastructure for bicycles, walkers, and other non-motorized transportation. The report also sets out the benefits to local government of increased active transportation financing, examines different approaches, and explores important considerations regarding policy goals and campaign directions. For more information, link to the report, a fact sheet, and a brief on securing funding. (1-11-19)

[back to top]

An introduction to complete streets policies and bicycle and pedestrian plans has been issued by the Safe Routes to School National Partnership. The report outlines key information about processes and benefits of active transportation. It focuses on why complete streets policies and bike and walking plans are important for healthy communities, how these instruments work, and ways to get them adopted in local communities. The report also includes case studies of successful implementation. For more information, link to the report. (11-7-18)

[back to top]

Strategies for accelerating multimodal transportation projects are provided in a workbook issued by the Federal Highway Administration. The document provides 13 key strategies, such as prioritization, improved public involvement, use of categorical exclusions, and communicating project benefits. The strategies are organized by project development phase, including planning and project scoping, environmental review, design, and funding. The document also outlines which strategies can address key challenges, such as limited funding and lengthy environmental reviews, and provides case study examples. For more information, link to the workbook. (11-8-18)

[back to top]

A handbook detailing approaches to better connect communities through multimodal improvements and revitalization efforts has been issued by the Federal Highway Administration. The Community Connections Innovations Handbook is intended to help transportation planning and project development practitioners integrate innovative approaches that include community outreach, assessing the needs of all users, building partnerships, and embracing innovation. The handbook provides a series of guiding principles as well as tools, strategies, and 16 case studies. For more information, link to the handbook. (10-30-18)

[back to top]

Equity and safety related to the use of dockless scooters and bike share systems are the goals of a new pilot program in Detroit. The City of Detroit, in partnership with the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) and SharedStreets, a developer of data systems, will be gathering data to give cities a universal way to collect and aggregate critical information on the operation of scooters and bikes—including trip origins and destinations, neighborhood availability, travel times, and usage, while protecting privacy. The resulting data standards will allow urban areas to make better planning and investment decisions. For more information, link to the announcement. (10-29-18)

[back to top]

The Federal Transit Administration has issued a report that examines the feasibility of transferring 13 automated systems technologies currently developed for light-duty and commercial vehicles to diesel transit buses. The report evaluates the potential of connected and automated vehicle systems as they relate to transit vehicles by scoring them on a scale of green/yellow/red. The report says that while sensors could be adapted to buses relatively easily, other automation systems will require modifications to brakes, steering, and powertrains. The report says that heavy-duty vehicle steering solutions that enable automation may not require extensive changes, but implementation of automatic bus brakes appears to be a major challenge. Automated applications may require a new communication system architecture and buses will require new human-machine interfaces. For more information, link to FTA Report No. 0125. (September 2018)

[back to top]

Strategies to help cities effectively engage with communities on mobility initiatives, with a particular focus on bikeshare, are outlined in a guidance document issued by the National Association of City Transportation Officials and the Better Bike Share Partnership. The guidance focuses on three broad goals: increasing mobility access, getting more people on bikes, and increasing bike share awareness and support. It outlines strategies, tools, and examples that can help ensure that bike share is useful to all users, including communities that have been historically underserved by transportation services. For more information, link to the guidance. (9-26-18)

[back to top]

The National Park Service has released a guidebook on improving active transportation to and within national parks. The guide includes an overview of NPS policies that support biking and walking projects and of state and regional transportation planning. The guide also includes strategies for improving multimodal activity and visitor programming for guided tours and specials events as well as the benefits of non-motorized, ‘car-free’ opportunities in national parks. In addition, the guide includes case studies on bicycle sharing and rental systems and highlights active transportation opportunities for employees. For more information, link to the guide. (7-24-18)

[back to top]

A report describing an expanded functional classification system (FCS) has been issued under the National Cooperative Highway Research Program. The report (NCHRP Research Report 855) serves as guidance for developing a classification system for highways and streets that would be a more flexible framework and would replace the existing scheme. The expanded FCS system would include enhanced sidewalks and connectivity for pedestrians, narrower traffic lanes for speed control, physical separation of bicycles and motorized traffic, and target speeds to reduce driver injuries. The report also proposes functional classes for bicycles to confer structure and priority for bicycle networks. The report includes case studies from Kentucky on the implementation of the expanded FCS to display the benefits in high density and mixed commercial areas and at school bus stops. For more information, link to the report. (6-29-18)

[back to top]

The Safe Routes to School National Partnership has issued a report card regarding state support for biking, walking, and physical activity for children and adults as of 2018. States were ranked based on their adoption of complete streets and active transportation policies, safe routes to school funding, active neighborhoods and schools, and state physical activity planning support. The report suggests that states are taking important steps but they need encouragement to make deeper commitments. Mid-Atlantic states showed the highest overall scores, while the Midwest, South, and Mountain West scored the lowest. For more information, link to the report card. (6-20-18)

[back to top]

A report from the International Transport Forum looks at ways to manage growing competition for access to curbs in cities. The study evaluates a shift from parking vehicles on the street to use of pickup and drop-off zones, both for passengers and for freight. The report finds the need for a strategic approach to allocating public space in cities, including at the curb. It includes a series of recommendations, including developing a system of designating streets according to their primary purpose, making room for ride services, and managing curb space dynamically. For more information, link to the report. (6-8-18)

[back to top]

The Federal Transit Administration has issued new private investment project procedures (PIPP) under a final rule intended to help spur private participation in transit project planning, development, construction, maintenance, and operations. The PIPP system will allow funding recipients to request modification or waiver of FTA requirements that would discourage the use of public-private partnerships. The PIPP system will not be used to waive requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act. For more information, link to the announcement. (5-30-18)

[back to top]

The Federal Highway Administration has announced the availability of technical assistance for developing multimodal corridors. FHWA will provide training to five communities at the state and local transportation agency level that will use the Multimodal Corridor Planning Framework to establish partnerships with key stakeholders; gather data and analysis; ask questions to consider; highlight case study examples; and develop resources. Participants will receive support from research teams to facilitate partnerships with health leaders and to provide analysis tools. The agency plans to have corridors to test the framework between August 2018 and July 2020. Letters of interest are due June 29, 2018. For more information, link to the fact sheet. (5-30-18)

[back to top]

The Federal Transit Administration has announced the availability of $25.8 million in grants under the Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development Planning. The program supports the integration of land use and transportation planning efforts to facilitate transit ridership, multimodal connectivity, and mixed-use development near transit stations. Applicants must be either a project sponsor of a transit project or an entity with land use planning authority in an eligible transit capital project corridor. The program was established under the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act. Applications are due July 23, 2018. For more information, link to the announcement. (5-24-18)

[back to top]

The Institute for Transportation and Development Policy has released a new paper as part of its “Access for All” series. The paper addresses the diverse mobility patterns and needs in transportation systems based on gender. The paper examines how women experience modes of transport differently than men and the gender gap in the transport sector. The paper examines how climate change is disrupting transportation systems, in cities especially. The paper recommends that women’s rights and women themselves be incorporated into planning processes, and that streets be safe for all users and all modes. The paper also recommends that communities have integrated land use and transportation, and that systems meet varied trip patterns. For more information, link to the Access for All: Access and Gender. (5-21-18)

[back to top]

The Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) has entered into a memorandum of understanding with Streetsmart to develop a tool to make data on public health and transportation engineering more accessible. The development of an evidenced-based transportation tool will help incorporate environmental and livability concerns into engineering and planning practice. ITE will help review and translate research results, manage pilot projects, facilitate funding opportunities, and educate professionals on the benefits of the tool. For more information, link to the announcement. (4-26-18)

[back to top]

The National Center for Sustainable Transportation has issued a report for identifying how bikeshare stations could be spatially allocated to serve low-income households and people of color. The study uses a spatial index to test the hypothesis that existing bikeshare systems in larger urban areas are designed to target certain riders. The report analyzes systems in 34 U.S. cities and finds that such systems tend to be located in areas with an affluent and white population. The report also indicates that locating stations near underserved communities has the potential to increase household access. For more information, link to the report. (March 2018)

[back to top]

The International Transport Forum has released a report regarding a January 2018 roundtable held in Paris for improving the safety of cyclists. The report indicates that despite the net health benefits of cycling, which are larger for senior citizens, cycling continues to be unpopular in many countries and that a fear of crashes is often cited as a deterrent from cycling. The report also finds that the safest areas tend to be where cycling infrastructure is most developed. The report has a number of recommendations, including providing more bicycle infrastructure, requiring motor vehicles to reduce speeds, setting ambitious targets for collecting injury data and reducing fatalities, and the regulating electric bikes to ensure safety and ergonomics. For more information, link to the report. (5-17-18)

[back to top]

The Federal Highway Administration has released a guidebook for implementing multimodal network connectivity measures into state, metropolitan, and location transportation planning processes. The guide highlights five components for implementing such measures that include identifying the planning context, defining the analysis methods and measures, gathering data, computing metrics, and packaging the results. The guide also includes factsheets on connectivity analysis methods such as network completeness, network density, and route directness, as well as related case studies. The guidebook supplements the 2016, Guidebook for Developing Pedestrian and Bicycle Performance Measures. For more information, link to the guide. (5-9-18)

[back to top]

Bike share and transit systems have the potential to be complementary modes of travel, but more can be done to further integrate them, according to a synthesis report issued under the Transit Cooperative Research Program. The report, TCRP Synthesis 132: Public Transit and Bikesharing, said that there are still significant barriers to making bike share and transit more integrated. These include locating bike share docks near transit stops, integrated branding, having single payments for both transit and bikes, and combining operations and maintenance. However, bike share systems have helped expand transit catchment areas, increase first-mile and last-mile connections, and alleviate transit capacity concerns. Further research is needed on technology compatibility, economic impacts, and impacts on ridership. For more information, link to the report. (4-10-18)

[back to top]

A featured article from the Jan.-Feb. 2018 issue of TR News provides highlights of the Transportation Research Board’s 2017 State Partnership Visits Program. Issues the TRB discussed with state departments of transportation during the visits include ways in which state agencies should prepare for automated and connected vehicle technologies, the collection and maintenance of high-quality transportation data, and the efficient movement of freight. Other issues discussed include public transportation and the effects of transportation network companies, state experiences with assuming responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act, the use of recycled materials in highway construction, and highway maintenance and operations. For more information, link to the TRB article. (3-7-18)

[back to top]

A report issued under the Transportation Research Board’s Transit Cooperative Research Program describes the process of creating two original tools for sustainability managers at transit agencies. The project is documented in a pre-publication version of TCRP Research Report 197: Tools for a Sustainable Transit Agency. The first tool, the Sustainability Routemap, is an interactive PDF, similar in feel to a website, which guides the user to improve a transit agency’s sustainability program through application of change management principles, best practice examples, and references to online tools. The second tool, the S+ROI Calculator, is an excel workbook that quantitatively evaluates potential sustainability projects in terms of financial, social, and environmental return. The tools are available from TRB for download. The creation of the tools was part of TCRP Project H-53. For more information, link to the report. (2-27-18)

[back to top]

The National Association of County Transportation Officials has released guidance for establishing bicycle facilities suitable for all ages and abilities. The guidance recommends that facility planners consider seniors, children, women, low-income riders, and people riding bike share when selecting a bikeway design. The guidance analyzes five types of bikeway used for most bike network needs that include low-speed share streets, protected bicycle lanes, and shared-use and bicycle paths. In addition, strategies to reduce sources of stress—such as intersections, large vehicles, and curbside activity—are provided. The guidance supplements the Urban Bikeway Design Guide. For more information, link to the guidance. (December 2017)

[back to top]

The Shared-Use Mobility Center is seeking proposals for technical assistance under the On-Ramp Program for the development of mobility-on-demand (MOD) projects. The program is being implemented in partnership with the Federal Transit Administration to exchange MOD best practices and help integrate mobility tools for bike-sharing and car-sharing. Transportation providers will receive assistance to conduct workshops to determine mobility needs; participate with peer agencies; use research and analysis from the center; and develop a MOD business plan. A webinar is scheduled for Feb. 21, 2018. Proposals are due March 21, 2018. For more information, link to the announcement. (2-6-18)

[back to top]

The Institute for Transportation and Development Policy has released a tool to help decision-makers and city planners understand and measure features that promote walkability in urban environments. Pedestrians First: Tools for a Walkable City provides a framework for measuring various infrastructure features, including, crosswalks, visually active frontage, physical permeable frontage, and small blocks within metropolitan urban areas, neighborhoods, and street blocks. The tool includes best practices to understand walkability in specific contexts. It also provides policy recommendations for adopting parking maximums, building code changes, and implementing dense grids of streets. For more information, link to the announcement. (2-7-18)

[back to top]

The Transit Cooperative Research Program has released a report to address how app-based transportation network companies (TNC) such as Lyft and Uber are affecting the use of public transit and personal automobiles. The report, Broadening Understanding of the Interplay between Public Transit, Shared Mobility, and Personal Automobiles (TCRP Report 195), builds on previous research and analyzes TNC trip origin-destination data in Chicago, Los Angeles, Nashville, Seattle, and Washington, DC, including a survey of several transit and shared mobility users. The report finds that the heaviest use of TNC is during evening hours and on weekends and that such trips are mostly short and concentrated in downtown neighborhoods. The report also shows that TNC usage occurs among all income levels and is associated with a decrease in vehicle ownership. For more information, link to the report. (1-25-18)

[back to top]

Smart Growth America has launched a monthly podcast series, Building Better Communities with Transit, to address the benefits of transit-oriented development. The podcast is part of an initiative of the Federal Transit Administration and will include experts from different communities to discuss how they facilitate development around transit stations and along corridors. Developing local policies, stakeholder engagement, and obtaining funding also will be discussed. The first episode, focused on Pittsburgh, is available for download. For more information, link to the announcement (1-5-18)

[back to top]

The Federal Highway Administration’s recent activities related to pedestrian and bicycle research and program efforts are outlined in a summary document. The summary indicates that states increased their commitment in federal-aid highway program funds to $970 million in fiscal year 2017, and it highlights a long list of resources related to the four strategic goals of the U.S. DOT: safety, infrastructure, innovation, and accountability. Examples include a pedestrian and bicycle safety information search tool, a guide on small town and rural multimodal networks, a pooled fund study on fostering innovation in pedestrian and bicycle transportation, and a traffic monitoring guide. For more information, link to the report. (1-8-18)

[back to top]

The Safe Routes to School National Partnership has released a report to make the case for investing in walking and biking within communities. The report says that developing sidewalks, street lighting, bike lanes, and crosswalks can reduce deaths, injuries, and associated medical costs. The report also says that studies indicate that the benefits of better air quality and more physical activity would be $8 billion per year if only half of short trips in the summer in Midwestern cities were taken by bike instead of car. In addition, examples from California, Colorado, and Tennessee are provided in which models and reports were created to calculate the economic and health benefits of active transportation. For more information, link to the report. (December 2017)

[back to top]

The Transit Cooperative Research Program has issued its annual report of the Transit Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis (IDEA) Program. The report provides a summary of progress on investigations into new concepts for technologies, processes, and methods. Projects include the development of a tool for evaluating and optimizing bus stop locations, a model for planning and designing transit terminals, the development of regional mobility management centers, advanced wayside energy storage systems for rail transit, carpooling to transit stations, and various projects dealing with smart fare systems and automated vehicle location. For more information, link to the annual report. (12-29-17)

[back to top]

The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy has developed BikeAble, a tool to evaluate community connectivity. BikeAble displays bike route options from any origin to any destination that avoid high-stress highways. The tool can be used by communities to learn whether areas with poor health outcomes have low-stress access to stores selling healthy foods, trails for low-cost exercise, and health care facilities, or whether certain communities lack access to government offices. The tool was used in Milwaukee to illustrate connectivity to employment and schools. For more information, link to the tool. (12-12-17)

[back to top]

The National Complete Streets Coalition has released a report concerning the incorporation of health equity into complete streets development, using Greater New Orleans as a case study. The report includes a list of performance measures for the City of New Orleans and Jefferson Parish to enhance transportation planning processes, develop new complete streets projects, facilitate change in travel behavior, and change long-term health trends. The report recommends offering street design training to all transportation staff and to record who participates in such training. The report also recommends issuing surveys to better understand barriers to active transportation and improving collaboration between the city and parish to better connect their bicycle and pedestrian networks. For more information, link to the report. (12-20-17)

[back to top]

The National Association of City Transportation Officials has released guidance to help designers and planners develop bicycle infrastructure for riders of all ages and abilities. The guidance provides information on design tools aimed at improving safety and increasing bicycle ridership. The guidance specifies that on higher-volume streets with vehicle speeds above 20 mph, certain methods such as painted lanes can be insufficient for more vulnerable riders. The guidance also addresses how to mitigate factors, such as bicycle left turns in traffic and cars that cross into bikeways, that can discourage biking. The guidance serves a companion to the Urban Bikeway Design Guide. For more information, link to the guidance. (12-6-17)

[back to top]

Smart Growth America has released a policy grading framework and scoring methodology to provide guidance on areas for improvement in complete streets policies. The report includes several point structures for addressing a policy’s vision and intent, how well a policy benefits all users, design, jurisdiction, and project selection and criteria. The report serves as an update to the coalition’s 2017 revision to the Complete Streets policy framework to meet the needs of vulnerable users. For more information, link to the report. (11-30-17)

[back to top]

The League of American Bicyclists has announced 65 new and renewing bicycle-friendly communities under the Bicycle Friendly Community Program. Portland, Oregon has renewed its platinum status for bike commuter benefits, and Battle Creek, Michigan moved to a silver status for requiring all new police hires to become bike-certified. Bellingham, Washington, which has renewed its silver status, developed a Bicycle Master Plan that created a 170-mile primary bicycle network. Boca Raton, Florida, also renewing its bronze status, offered a three week bicycle education program that includes off-bike and on-bike components. For more information, link to the announcement. (11-30-17)

[back to top]

The Transportation Research Board has released a series of papers concerning travel behavior and values in Volume 2664 of its Transportation Research Record journal. The issue addresses measuring stability of mode choice behavior, activity duration analysis, and car ownership amongst the millennial generation. The record also addresses monetary valuations of travel time and quality of travel, week-long work episode scheduling models, evaluation of time use and goods consumption, and short-distance trips. For more information, link to the report. (10-2-17)

[back to top]

The National Cooperative Highway Research Program has issued two reports regarding the development of the software tool TFGuide, for travel forecasting. TFGuide aids in the selection of methods and techniques based on application needs, resource constraints, available data, and existing model structure. NCHRP Report 852 provides an overview of how to use the tool and a case study to demonstrate how a metropolitan planning organization used the software to perform a transit corridor study. The report also addresses the role of the travel forecaster, transportation planner, and decision maker. The NCHRP also issued a companion document that addresses the current state of practice in travel demand models, the software design and functionality of TFGuide, pilot tests conducted using the tool, and a history of travel forecasting legislation. For more information, link to the web-only document and the research report. (10-20-17)

[back to top]

Effective practices and considerations for accommodating pedestrians with vision disabilities on shared streets are described in a report issued by the Federal Highway Administration. The guide discusses strategies people with vision disabilities use to navigate in the public right of way, and challenges with shared streets used by pedestrians, bicyclists, and motor vehicles. It provides an overview of U.S. guidance, a toolbox of strategies for designing shared streets, and ideas on how accessibility for pedestrians with vision disabilities can be addressed in the planning and design process. For more information, link to the report. (10-27-17)

[back to top]

The National Physical Activity Plan Alliance has issued a report card that evaluates the state of walking and walkable communities in the United States. The report assigns grades based on percentages of people who engage in a category of walking activity and the percentage of states that meet a specified standard. The report gives the U.S. a grade of F for overall pedestrian infrastructure because less than 30 percent of states met the standard of $5.26 per capita for biking and walking project funding. The U.S. also received an F for public transportation because less than 30 percent of states have a transit commute share greater than the 6 percent benchmark, with only seven states meeting the standard. For more information, link to the report card. (10-16-17)

[back to top]

The Institute for Transportation and Development Policy has issued a guide for planning bus rapid transit (BRT) systems. BRT systems provide high capacity and speed at low costs and combines segregated bus lanes and other quality-of-service elements. The guide addresses the initiation of a project and the preparations and calculations, such as demand analysis and service planning, needed for creating a BRT project. The guide also addresses stakeholder engagement, how to educate customers on using the system, and the necessary infrastructure required. In addition, financial modeling, fare policies, and businesses structures are highlighted for ensuring a financially stable project. For more information, link to the announcement. (10-13-17)

[back to top]

A report presenting an overview of the challenges and opportunities for governments to enable automated transit systems has been published under the National Cooperative Highway Research Program. The report, Impacts of Laws and Regulations on CV and AV Technology Introduction in Transit Operations (NCHRP Web-Only Document 239), analyzes the state of technology and various deployment scenarios for fully automated transit. The report also discusses the impacts of the technology on public safety, workforce development, and operating agency planning. In addition, the report discusses possible necessary changes to laws and regulations that govern public transportation to ensure continued financial and regulatory support and remove barriers to industry. The report was prepared under NCHRP Project 20-102. For more information, link to the report. (10-9-17)

[back to top]