This week we look at context-based street design, GHG measures, real-time travel information, and more. Graphic credit: Florida DOT Context Classification
Florida DOT hits milestone in context-based street design
As part of its Complete Streets implementation, the Florida Department of Transportation recently adopted eight context classifications to guide road design decisions. Under this new system, planners and engineers will consider characteristics such as land uses, building configuration, and street connectivity to ensure that roads are designed for the right vehicle speeds, road users, and trip types. More >>
Wisconsin budget amendment threatens future of bike and pedestrian facilities
The recently passed Wisconsin state budget contains an amendment that removes the ability of local communities and the state DOT to use eminent domain for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. This provision, added anonymously at the last minute and passed by the legislature without discussion, will make it much more difficult to construct or even plan for paths and sidewalks that connect destinations and facilitate active transportation. More >>
Greenhouse gas emissions measure back on – for now
After a temporary suspension, a Federal Highway Administration rule went into effect last Thursday requiring state departments of transportation to measure on-road greenhouse gas emissions. In their notice, however, FHWA specifically mentions that it has “initiated additional rulemaking procedures proposing to repeal the GHG measure and anticipates publishing a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in 2017 with a goal of issuing a Final Rule in Spring 2018.” More >>
Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards may be easier to meet than previously thought
Consumers are more willing to purchase vehicles that accelerate more slowly, if the vehicles are also much more fuel conscious and greenhouse gas friendly. Slower acceleration in vehicles can also help transportation agencies manage local safety, according to a study from the Environmental Science & Technology by researchers at Carnegie Mellon, UC-Berkeley, and University of Michigan. More >>
Using real-time travel information to encourage transit
Real-time travel information in an easy-to-access format can empower travelers and support transit-oriented development. Smartphone apps have been providing this service, but few reliably show all travel options on a small screen. Many of these apps miss important local information, such as the distance to transit stops or bikeshare kiosks. New screens installed in public locations are better enabling travelers, including those unfamiliar with the area, to see all their travel options in one convenient place. More >>
Fall 2017 Community of Practice
SSTI’s fall 2017 Community of Practice meeting will be held Oct. 17-18, 2017 in Seattle. The meetings focus on peer-to-peer interaction between CEOs of state departments of transportation. These meetings allow attendees to share ideas and learn from one another’s experiences leading state DOTs. The meeting is open to state DOT CEOs and is by-invitation to others. For more information, contact Eric Sundquist, [email protected].
In case you missed it
- A framework for determining where congestion really matters
- House and Senate release bills on AVs
- SmarterRoads: Virginia’s public-private transportation data sharing strategy
- Measuring bike traffic increases after infrastructure installation
- Unable to remove expressway, New Orleans reclaims space underneath
- BlaBlaCar now an option in Google Maps transit, but not in the U.S.