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Welcome to the summer 2016 Edition of FHWA's Office of Planning, Environment and Realty's (HEP) Quarterly Research Newsletter.
A lack of transportation options is a barrier to upward economic mobility and self-sufficiency. Yet millions of American workers lack access to transportation, limiting not only employment opportunities, but also education, healthcare, nutrition, housing, and recreation.
In 2014, the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) was one of the key Federal agencies charged by the Obama Administration to create a Ladders of Opportunity initiative to help Americans reach a better future. The three emphasis areas of USDOT’s efforts — work, connect, and revitalize — promote thoughtful workforce programs assisting disadvantaged people and businesses, a multimodal transportation system that improves connectivity, and revitalized transportation infrastructure that supports equitable business and residential development.
One example of how a transportation project is focused on overall community goals and quality of life is the Newtown Pike Extension, proposed to address transportation needs near downtown Lexington, KY. Goals of the project included reduced automobile congestion and improved traffic flow; improved safety for drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists; and a more appealing, attractive downtown area — all while considering and protecting surrounding low-income communities. The project relied on strategies to address environmental justice impacts, provided equitable and affordable housing, and preserved community cohesion. A video was also produced about the project and is highlighted in this newsletter.
Through the Ladders initiative, innovative regional planning, and streamlined transportation project development, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) continues to work toward ensuring that transportation is the key to opportunity for millions of Americans. FHWA’s efforts include job training efforts in high-unemployment areas; ensuring direct local employment benefits from highway construction; prioritizing opportunities for women, minorities and disadvantaged individuals; and addressing workforce shortages in highway construction-related fields.
This edition of the newsletter includes information about a new Transportation Research Board (TRB) study on the relationship between shared mobility and public transportation, two recent webinars, the latest research highlights, and an events calendar.
Shari Schaftlein
Director
Office of Human Environment (HEPH)
Videos Showcase the Newtown Pike Extension Project
Two videos, a short 9-minute version and a full-length 30-minute version, were developed to show how effective transportation planning, project development, and design preserved and enhanced the quality of life in the Davis Park Community, Lexington, KY. In “The Road that Rebuilt a Neighborhood,” the Newtown Pike Extension project illustrates the effective implementation of the community impact assessment (CIA) process; collaboration among Federal, State, and local agencies; working with affected communities to understand their needs; the use of a Community Land Trust (CLT); and creative integration of quality of life considerations in transportation projects.
Webinars of Interest
The Office of Real Estate Services (HEPR) recently held two webinars on fiber optics in the highway right-of-way and Federal-Aid Primary (FAP) routes. The fiber optics webinar included a discussion of current issues surrounding fiber optics, utility versus federal requirements, and resources available. A recording of the webinar is available online: Fiber Optics in the ROW. A recently completed research project on FAP routes and impacts on Outdoor Advertising Control (OAC) was also featured in a webinar. The project aimed to help states map FAP urban routes. The session featured an overview of FAP routes and a demonstration of the GIS_MAP, an online tool that replaces paper records and maps. You can access a recording of the webinar online: Federal-Aid Primary Controlled Routes for Outdoor Advertising Control.
Report Looks at Shared Mobility in Seven Cities
A new TRB report, Shared Mobility and the Transformation of Public Transit examines the relationship of public transportation—including paratransit and demand responsive services—to shared modes, including bikesharing, carsharing, microtransit, and ridesourcing services. The research included participation by seven cities: Austin, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington, DC. The report’s conclusion sets out actions that departments, and other local and regional agencies—can take to promote useful cooperation between public and private mobility providers. It also suggests regulatory enhancements, institutional realignments, and forms of public-private engagement that would allow innovation to flourish while still providing mobility as safely, broadly, and equitably as possible.
Planning
A new research report, “The Advancing Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSMO) through Scenario Planning Guidebook”, informs planners, operators, and others on the use of scenario planning; why and when to use it and how to apply it. The report promotes various opportunities to use scenario planning by applying it at multiple geographic scales and for several TSMO-focused planning activities, such as developing work zone management or statewide freight mobility plans. Staff Contact: James Garland, (202) 366-6221.
Real Estate
Urban Routes Study This research project mapped and conflated FAP urban routes with the previously mapped FAP rural routes. The data is used to help Divisions and States provide more effective outdoor advertising control. Staff Contact: Clifford Pearson, (202) 366-9488.
Northern Transportation & Air Quality Summit 2016, Baltimore, MD
The Summit will bring together stakeholders from the transportation and air quality communities to discuss the current and upcoming regulatory environment, new technologies, and current practices. The content is geared toward practitioners in the northern and Mid-Atlantic States involved with public agencies at all levels. A host of speakers from the national and regional levels will present on key topics, best practices, and latest information vital to transportation, planning, and air quality professionals. Staff Contact: Kevin Black, (410) 962-2177.
National Working Summit on Transportation in Rural America, Denver, CO
This summit brings together key leaders and grassroots stakeholders to articulate key safety and transportation issues that impact quality of life and economic prosperity in rural areas, and identifies collaborative opportunities to advocate for and implement initiatives that advance the deployment of a safe, efficient, seamless, and financially sustainable rural transportation network. For more information, please contact: tulberg@meetingsnorthwest.com or (406) 273-7224.
15th Tools of the Trade Conference, Charleston, SC
The FHWA-sponsored conference will focus on economical, ready-to-use, and practical tools and techniques designed to help transportation professionals in planning and programming multi-modal transportation facilities in small- and medium-sized communities. Future research and implementation needs related to transportation planning for small- and medium-sized communities will also be discussed. Staff Contact: Harlan Miller, (202) 366-0847.
Pro Walk/Pro Bike/Pro Place Conference, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
The FHWA sponsored conference is the premier active transportation event in North America for walking and bicycling professionals. It offers training and learning for planning and design practitioners focused on making vibrant and livable communities. The program features about 1,000 participants from around the world including planners, engineers, architects, public health professionals, educators, and advocates. FHWA will give presentations on DOT and FHWA pedestrian and bicycle programs and research. FHWA also will hold a meeting for State pedestrian and bicycle coordinators who are able to attend. Staff Contact: Christopher Douwes, (202) 366-5013.
AMPO Annual Conference, Fort Worth, TX
The conference brings together metropolitan planning organization (MPO) staff, Policy Board members, Federal and State employees, and consultants to share information on a variety of MPO issues. For questions related to the conference, contact: Rachel Farbman, (202) 624-3682.
TRB Partners in Research Symposium: Transformational Technologies in Transportation, Detroit, MI
New technologies have the potential to transform transportation as we know it. This TRB symposium will bring leaders from the public and private sectors and academia together to help generate research and innovations to enable agencies to meet this challenge. The symposium will lay the foundation for research roadmaps and partnerships. Technologies that are expected to be addressed include connected and automated vehicles, shared-use mobility services, smart cities and the internet-of-things, unmanned aircraft systems, NextGen, big data and cybersecurity, and alternate-fuel vehicles.
Street Lights: Illuminating Implementation and Equity in Complete Streets, Sacramento, CA
This day-long conference will be a chance for transportation planners and engineers, community, equity, and health advocates, local officials, and Complete Streets practitioners to share ideas, brainstorm solutions, and celebrate the success of the Complete Streets movement nationwide together. For more information contact: Mary Eveleigh.
The Office of Human Environment's Research and Financial Services Team administers research programs and financial support to HEP for research initiatives. The Team provides leadership, coordination, support and implementation of research activities. It also works toward improving outreach, communication and partnerships between Federal, State, and local stakeholders in managing the research programs. For more information, please contact HEP's Primary Research Coordinator: Patricia Cazenas, (202) 366-4085.
