Environmental Technical Assistance Program Newsletter

The Utah Department of Transportation is using Light Detection and Ranging or LiDAR technology as a design tool to improve safety at intersections, specifically for pedestrians and bicyclists. [Above image by Utah DOT] LiDAR is a remote sensing system that uses light in the form of a pulsed laser to ...
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The Washington State Department of Transportation recently awarded $26.5 million to 11 state ports to help them electrify their operations. [Above photo by WSDOT] These are the first awards through the Port Electrification Grant Program created by the state legislature in 2023 and funded by Washington’s Climate Commitment Act. The ...
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FEDERAL ACTION

Southeastern State DOT Projects Receive Awards for Projects that Improve Mobility, Safety for Road Users –AASHTO

State DOTs Supporting Local Transportation Projects -AASHTO Journal

DC appeals court tosses Biden administration pipeline safety rules -The Hill

NPS completes environmental review for continued management of e-bikes in parks -National Park Service (media release)

 

INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCE AND SUSTAINABILITY

The Next Challenge for the US Charging Network: Congestion -Bloomberg Green

Complete Streets Drive Housing, Jobs, and Retail Gains -American Planning Association

 

ELECTRIC VEHICLES, INFRASTRUCTURE AND POLICIES

How E-Mobility is Redefining the Future of Sustainable Transportation –CIOLook

EV Incentives Can Address Equity and Polluting Vehicles -Government Technology

Mapping clean energy on the highway -Cipher (commentary)

‘Critical knowledge’: Weekly radio show deconstructs local, global environmental concerns -Rice University (media release)

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE/EQUITY

Michigan updates data sharing tool on environmental justice -Great Lakes Echo

NATURAL RESOURCES

ITD research on monarch habitat, repair of earthquake-damaged bridges win AASHTO honors -Idaho Transportation Department (media release)

Road Trip Will Explore Connectivity Across California and Unveil “California Wildlife Reconnected” Campaign to Reconnect Wildlife and Protect Biodiversity -National Wildlife Federation (media release)

CULTURAL RESOURCES

NYSDOT Completes Rebuild of Historic Stone Bridge -AASHTO Journal

New Jersey Girl Scouts focus on noise pollution -Quiet Communities

F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix transportation management plan released, highlights ‘less intrusive’ build -KLAS-TV

 

HEALTH AND HUMAN ENVIRONMENT/ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION

Portland to upgrade bike lanes with concrete barriers over five years -KATU-TV

Canadian Communities receive funding for active transportation projects –Newswires

Pedestrian-Friendly Cities: The Impact of Walkability Grants –Planetizen

Houston’s Pat Walsh Bikeway makes headway -Axios Houston

Shared e-scooter operations in 3 cities adapt after 2023’s turbulence -Smart Cities Dive

Bicycle rolling-stop laws don’t lead to unsafe behavior by riders or motorists, research shows -Oregon State University (media release)

Bike Plan and Pedestrian Plan Updates -City of Raleigh (media release)

 

TRB RESOURCES/RESEARCH/ANNOUNCEMENTS

Developing a Guide for Rural Highways: Reliability and Quality of Service Evaluation Methods –NCHRP

Developing a Guide for Transporting Freight in Emergencies: Conduct of Research –NCHRP

Reliability and Quality of Service Evaluation Methods for Rural Highways: A Guide –NCHRP

Transporting Freight in Emergencies: A Guide on Special Permits and Weight Requirements –NCHRP

Day-to-Day Practices to Reduce the Carbon Footprint of Asphalt –TRB

 

FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICES

Transportation for Individuals With Disabilities; Adoption of Accessibility Standards for Pedestrian Facilities in the Public Right-of-Way -Office of the Secretary, USDOT (Notice of proposed rulemaking)

National Offshore Safety Advisory Committee; September 2024 Meeting -United States Coast Guard (Notice of open Federal advisory committee meetings)

Finding of No Significant Impact for the Use of Electric Bicycles in the National Park System Programmatic Environmental Assessment -National Park Service (Notice of availability)