Environmental Technical Assistance Program Newsletter

The Maryland Department of Transportation is currently developing what it calls a “landmark action plan” to improve and expand trail connectivity statewide. The agency said this plan will guide future investment in shared-use paths, helping to advance efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, boost alternatives to driving, and prioritize the ...
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The Federal Highway Administration, along with the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation, recently issued a Request for Information or RFI regarding electric vehicle (EV) charging technologies and infrastructure needs for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. [Above image by FHWA] That RFI seeks input in four areas to support medium- and ...
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FEDERAL ACTION

Quiet Roads Ahead: Understanding and Managing Transportation Noise -The Stream by AASHTO (podcast)

US Driving and Congestion Rates Are Higher Than Ever –CityLab

A Map That Visualizes Walkable Neighborhoods Across the US -Bloomberg MapLab

USDOT Announces $802 Million to Repair Roads and Bridges Damaged by Natural Disasters and Extreme Weather Events -FHWA (media release)

EPA Launches New Website to Support the Development of Climate-Resilient Projects -EPA (media release)

 

INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCE AND SUSTAINABILITY

Kentucky Issues State Funds for River Port Projects -AASHTO Journal

Design for reduced carbon emissions and climate resilience in Ithaca -Public Square

How Architecture Impacts Everyone, Every Day -Holy Cross Magazine

Resilience Hubs: A Critical Aspect of Climate-Smart Real Estate -Urban Land

Could permeable pavement ease flooding woes in New York City? -Route Fifty

 

ELECTRIC VEHICLES, INFRASTRUCTURE AND POLICIES

US awards $521 million in grants to boost EV charging network –Reuters

EV Charging Business Is About More Than Just Electricity -Government Technology

 

AIR QUALITY

Judge Slaps Ford Dealer With $40k Fine For “Deleting” Diesel Trucks –Carscoops

Nationwide Port Emissions Screening For Berthed Vessels: Prioritizing US Port Electrification To Improve Air Quality For Near-Port Communities -The International Council on Clean Transportation

 

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE/EQUITY

StreetNav app plots path to accessible city travel beyond Paris Paralympics –RFI

How Can Airports Be More Inclusive For People With Invisible Disabilities? -WXVU Radio (link to audio)

Mapping transit equity as the region’s ridership rebounds -Greater Greater Washington

 

RESILIENCY

Increasing Lightning Strikes From Stronger Storms Could Cripple Airports And Airbases –Jalopnik

NATURAL RESOURCES

Environmental Compliance and Protection -U.S. Forest Service

From Louisville, a Push to Plant Trees for Public Health –CityLab

Invasive vegetation management post-fire could cost $13 million -Buffalo (WY) Bulletin

Another Midwest drought is causing transportation headaches on the Mississippi River -Mississippi Today

 

CULTURAL RESOURCES

NCDOT Culvert Inspection Team Uncovers History -AASHTO Journal

Virginia’s Eastern Shore looking to convert old railroad corridor into trail for residents and visitors -WHRO Radio (link to audio)

 

HEALTH AND HUMAN ENVIRONMENT/ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION

‘Follow the dots’: Speckled roads aim to improve pedestrian safety in Portland, ME -WCHS-TV

Burlington, VT Airport makes progress on sound mitigation -The Other Paper

Meet India’s ‘Bicycle Mayors’ advocating cycling for a better tomorrow -Indian Express

Urban trail expected to improve ‘very scary’ downtown Fort Wayne bicycle, pedestrian travel -Journal Gazette

New Haven rolls out new rental bikes -Yale Daily News

 

TRB RESOURCES/RESEARCH/ANNOUNCEMENTS

Gender-Inclusive Transportation Safety -TRB (webinar)

 

FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICES

Notice of Request for Information (RFI) on Medium- and Heavy-Duty Electric Charging Technologies and Infrastructure Needs -FHWA (Notice)

Notification of Request for Nominations to the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council -EPA (Notice)

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area; Motor Vehicles -National Park Service (Proposed rule)

Notice of Final Federal Agency Action on the Authorization for the New England Wind Farm and New England Wind Project -U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Notice of limitation on claims for judicial review of actions by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)

Notice of Rail Energy Transportation Advisory Committee Meeting -Surface Transportation Board (Notice)

National Boating Safety Advisory Committee; Vacancies -U.S. Coast Guard (Notice; request for application)

National Boating Safety Advisory Committee; October 2024 Virtual Meeting -U.S. Coast Guard (Notice)

National Offshore Safety Advisory Committee; Vacancies -U.S. Coast Guard (Notice; request for applications)

Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation; Exemption for Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association -Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (Notice of final disposition; grant of application for exemption)