Environmental News Highlights – September 18, 2024  

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)

Environmental News Highlights – September 11, 2024

FEDERAL ACTION

Clear Roads Featured at AASHTO’s National Briefing on Winter Maintenance and Road Weather –Crossroads



U.S. Geological Survey Climate Science Plan — Future Research Directions -U.S. Geological Survey (link to pdf)

ASU travel behavior research center provides insights on the future of transportation -Arizona State University

FHWA Opens Applications for $800 Million in Funding to Reduce Climate Pollution from Transportation, Encourage Cleaner Construction Materials -FHWA (media release)

 

INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCE AND SUSTAINABILITY

Delaware Law requires climate planning comprehensive plans -WRDE-TV

Maryland to Provide $21.5 Million in Waterway Improvement Funds –PropTalk

U.S. Department of Transportation Provides Connecticut $3 Million in ‘Quick Release’ Emergency Relief Funding to Repair Roads and Bridges Damaged by Flooding -FHWA (media release)

 

ELECTRIC VEHICLES, INFRASTRUCTURE AND POLICIES

Arizona DOT Taps Firms to Add EV Charging Sites -AASHTO Journal

Why Public EV Chargers Almost Never Work as Fast as Promised -Bloomberg Green

Oregon gets millions to build electric vehicle, hydrogen fueling stations -Oregonian/OregonLive

What’s Stalling Electric Vehicle Adoption in Wyoming? -Inside Climate News

AIR QUALITY

Blue skies and healthy lives: How active travel is transforming our cities -C40 Cities

Did lawmakers know role of fossil fuels in climate change during Clean Air Act era? -Harvard Gazette

Can Hydrogen Help the Energy Transition? Panel Explores the Benefits and Challenges -National Academies

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE/EQUITY

Virginia Governor appoints environmental justice advocate to council -Virginia Mercury

Connecticut DOT aims to improve transportation equity through new survey –WTIC

Weaving equity into infrastructure resilience research: a decadal review and future directions -Nature Portfolio

 

CULTURAL RESOURCES

Transportation 101: Inside the free class that teaches future advocates -Baltimore Banner

PennDOT announces enhancements to 511PA website and app to assist with Penn State Football travel -KDKA-TV

Zion National Park shuttles are now electric -National Park Service (media release)

HEALTH AND HUMAN ENVIRONMENT/ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION

County seeks feedback on active transportation and trail network -Fairfax County Times

Coon Rapids Launches New Bike Lane Initiative for Enhanced Safety and Improved Active Transportation –Hoodline

TRB RESOURCES/RESEARCH/ANNOUNCEMENTS

Airport Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory: A Primer –ACRP

Intermodal Passenger Facility Planning and Decision-Making for Seamless Travel -ACRP/NCHRP

Tactile Wayfinding — Improving Access for People with Vision Disabilities –TRB

Address Climate Change and Breathe Easier with Research on Transportation Emissions -TRB (blog)

FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICES

Application Package From the State of Ohio to the Surface Transportation Project Delivery Program and Proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Assigning Environmental Responsibilities to the State -FRA (Notice, request for comments)

Environmental News Highlights – September 4, 2024

FEDERAL ACTION

Four State DOT Projects Receive EV Charging Grants -AASHTO Journal

Sustainable Transportation: A Comprehensive Overview -Transport Topics



Hundreds of Mayors Agree to Set the Pace for Electric Vehicle Adoption –Governing

Buttigieg is pouring billions into accessibility. He says it will benefit all travelers. -USA Today

Making Good on the Potential of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law -Volpe Center Thought Leadership Series (speaker announcement)

 

NEPA

Feds, oil train proponents ask high court to reverse NEPA ruling -Westlaw Today

 

INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCE AND SUSTAINABILITY


Desire Lines: The Unofficial Pedestrian Paths That Shape The City –Forbes

Walking (or riding) the talk: Gaining momentum with active transport –Infrastructure

The Mobility Revolution Envelops The Motor City -WWJ-TV’s Michigan Matters (video)

Rice engineers develop AI system for real-time sensing of flooded roads -Rice University (media release)

 

ELECTRIC VEHICLES, INFRASTRUCTURE AND POLICIES

Small AV Shuttles Not Yet Suitable for Transit Operations -Government Technology

ChargePoint Launches AI Tool To Boost Charger Reliability -The EV Report

California Leaders Host Battery-Swap Electric Truck Forum to Explore New Opportunities to Decarbonize Transportation -California State Transportation Agency

 

AIR QUALITY

Dense Cities With Low Emissions Suffer Most From Air Pollution, Study Finds –CityLab

 

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE/EQUITY

‘Environmental justice and economic mobility matter the most to me’: Insights from a young voter -WNYC Radio

Equality In The Transportation Profession And Beyond -ITE Talks Transportation (podcast)

Bringing environmental justice to disadvantaged communities -The Ohio State University

Philly is creating its own environmental justice mapping tool with input from residents –WHYY

 

NATURAL RESOURCES

Idaho Transportation Department clears 12 miles of hazardous trees for safer roads -KAYU-TV

Florida DOT Launching Anti-Littering Campaign -WJAX-TV


Too much to lose: Preparing national park museum collections for climate change -National Park Service

Thrush hour: study suggests birdsong can ease commuter stress – The Guardian

 

CULTURAL RESOURCES


Large mural unveiled in East Baltimore meant to slow down traffic -WMAR-TV

This man travelled from Canada to Mexico on only public transport –BBC

TD and Boise Bicycle Project team up to teach road safety to young cyclists -KBOI-TV

 

HEALTH AND HUMAN ENVIRONMENT/ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION

Connecticut’s e-bike voucher program is back – with a twist to make it more equitable -CT Insider

Navajo Nation adopts changes to tribal law regulating the transportation of uranium across its land -Las Vegas Sun

Advocates sue to stop rail trail construction -Eagle/Tribune


Second phase of the Adirondack rail trail opens with a celebratory bike ride -Adirondack Reporter

Utah cities teaming up to increase access to walking/biking trails and pathways -KTVX-TV

Newport, Covington adopt plan to expand bicycle transportation infrastructure in Northern Kentucky -Northern Kentucky Tribune


New Tool to Track Pedestrian and Bicyclist Traffic -City of Tampa (media release)

 

TRB RESOURCES/RESEARCH/ANNOUNCEMENTS

Development of a MASH Barrier to Shield Pedestrians, Bicyclists, and Other Vulnerable Users from Motor Vehicles –NCHRP

Intermodal Passenger Facility Planning and Decision-Making for Seamless Travel -ACHRP/NCHRP

Digital Construction Management in the Highway Industry -TRB (webinar)

TRB’s International Conference on Women and Gender in Transportation -TRB (conference)

 

FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICES

Americans With Disabilities Act and Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Guidelines; EV Charging StationsArchitectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Notice of proposed rulemaking)



Membership in the National Parks Overflight Advisory Group (NPOAG) -FAA (Notice of selection to the National Parks Overflight Advisory Group)

Clean Air Act Advisory Committee (CAAAC): Notice of Meeting -EPA (Notice)

Notice of Meetings of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Public Advisory Committee -Office of the Secretary, Interior (Notice)

Air Plan Disapproval; Texas; Control of Air Pollution From Visible Emissions and Particulate Matter -EPA (Proposed rule)

Environmental News Highlights – August 28, 2024

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)

Environmental News Highlights – August 21, 2024

FEDERAL ACTION

USDOT Unveils National V2X Deployment Plan -AASHTO Journal

America’s ‘Greenest’ Cities And What Makes Them Such –Blavity

Major New Commitment from Nearly 350 Mayors to Accelerate US Electric Vehicle Transition -Clean Technica

 

INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCE AND SUSTAINABILITY

Stuck bridges, buckling roads − extreme heat is wreaking havoc on America’s aging infrastructure -The Conversation

Boston’s Broke and Broken Transit System Hurts Downtown Recovery –CityLab

Massachusetts Launches $54 Million Electrification of Fairmount Commuter Rail Line, Boston to Reap Environmental and Transit Benefits –Hoodline

Detroit showcases green transit wins at annual conference -WDET Radio

North Carolina Explores More Sustainable Transportation Funding Options -Southern Scoop

 

ELECTRIC VEHICLES, INFRASTRUCTURE AND POLICIES

Understanding the Carbon Impact of Electric Vehicle Charging – Environment + Energy Leader

Get the facts before supporting electric vehicles -Tribune Democrat (opinion)

AIR QUALITY

After Nike Leaders Promised Climate Action, Their Corporate Jets Kept Flying — and Polluting –ProPublica

Will 2028 Olympics Energize L.A.’s Race to Zero Emissions? -Government Technology

California seeks Biden administration approval for controversial diesel truck ban –CalMatters

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE/EQUITY

Chicago’s unique bike giveaway program is a win for mobility justice -Next City Stacker

NATURAL RESOURCES

Florida is building the world’s largest environmental restoration project –BBC

Improving salmon habitat and transportation for generations to come -WSDOT (blog)

SpaceX faces accusations it violated the Clean Water Act -The Verge

CULTURAL RESOURCES

New website lets NYers use traffic cams to turn streets into instant photo booths -New York Post

Offensive names dot the American street map − a new app provides a way to track them -The Conversation

Dodger Stadium gondola: Judge rejects lawsuit from project’s opponents -City News Service

Right on Red: The Culture War Comes for Traffic Lights -Politico Magazine (commentary)

How The Government Canceled Classic Muscle Cars -Motorious (commentary)

HEALTH AND HUMAN ENVIRONMENT/ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION

‘Yield to Your Neighbor’ Campaign Promotes Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety in Brown County, WI -WTAQ-WLUK Radio

Fairfax County’s Plan for Active Transportation -Fairfax County Government NewsCenter

Every Boston neighborhood to get a Bluebikes station, mayor says -Boston.com

The biking boom: Expanding bicycling in the National Capital Region -Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments’ Think Regionally (podcast)

Corporate denial of aircraft noise pollution -Quiet Communities (opinion)

TRB RESOURCES/RESEARCH/ANNOUNCEMENTS

TRB’s Transportation Symposium on Environment, Energy, and Livable Economies –TRB

Constructing Valid Geospatial Tools for Environmental Justice –TRB

Carbon Utilization Infrastructure, Markets, and Research and Development: A Final Report –TRB

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

New CEQ Regulations Effects on Transportation Industry -TRB (webinar)

FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICES

Proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Assigning Certain Federal Environmental Responsibilities to the State of Maine, Including National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Authority for Certain Categorical Exclusions (CEs) -FHWA (Notice; request for comments)

Public Land Order No. 7948; Extension of Public Land Order No. 7613; Withdrawal of Public Lands for a Runway Safe Zone, Nevada -Bureau of Land Management (Notice)

Air Plan Approval; Delaware; Motor Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance Program -EPA (Proposed rule)

2025 Clean Air Excellence Awards Program -EPA (Request for Nominations, Correction)

Notice of Public Meeting of Scientific Earthquake Studies Advisory Committee -U.S. Geological Survey (Notice of teleconference Meeting)

Notice of Availability of a Final Environmental Assessment for Commercial Wind Lease Issuance on the Pacific Outer Continental Shelf, Oregon -Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (Notice of availability)

Request for Information Regarding Interregional and Offshore Wind Transmission -Grid Deployment Office, U.S. Department of Energy (Request for information)

Environmental News Highlights – August 14, 2024

FEDERAL ACTION

Rail Resiliency Bulletin July 2024 –FRA


Court rules against LNG terminal and pipeline project at Port of Brownsville, TX -Border Report/KMID-TV

Leveraging Active Transportation to Meet State Carbon Reduction and Climate Goals -Rails to Trails Conservancy

 

INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCE AND SUSTAINABILITY

Congestion pricing is indefinitely ‘on pause.’ NYC doesn’t have a backup plan to meet climate goals. -City & State New York

E-Bikes Discount Program Launched to Boost Sustainable Transportation in Boston -Beacon Hill Times

Growing crops for fuel is not a climate solution. Sustainable agricultural practices aren’t going to change that. -Earth Justice (commentary)

Michigan DOT announces grants to support critical maritime infrastructure projects -Michigan DOT (media release)

 

ELECTRIC VEHICLES, INFRASTRUCTURE AND POLICIES

Oklahoma DOT asks for your input on EV infrastructure plan -KSWO-TV

Getting Appalachian Airports Ready for Electric Aircraft -Plane & Pilot



Bad data is souring the EV-charging experience. Here’s how to fix it. -Canary News

Workplace Charging Webinars -Best Workplaces for Commuters

AIR QUALITY

Can Clean Hydrogen Fuel a Clean Energy Future? -World Resources Institute

Critics push back on proposal to end NC car emission inspections -Port City Daily

Much of the urban forest is scattered in back yards and that’s a climate challenge –Anthropocene

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE/EQUITY

Public transportation is solution to climate crisis in Black communities -Florida Courier (commentary)

NATURAL RESOURCES

Baltimore harbor gains “floating wetlands” and a hint of its marshy past -Bay Journal

Severe storms and flooding? Mayor Adams has a drone for that. –Gothamist

Mimicking beaver dams, tackling invasive plants, and preventing harmful algae blooms with Ecology funding -State of Washington Department of Ecology (media release)

CULTURAL RESOURCES

Los Angeles Olympic venues will only be accessible by public transportation -AP

HEALTH AND HUMAN ENVIRONMENT/ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION

Rutland, Vermont Adds Bike Bridge To Growing Trail Network -WCAX-TV

SCDOT seeks public input on East Coast Greenway expansion -WCSC-TV

More Bostonians are biking as bike lanes boom, but barriers remain -Boston Globe

Dayton looks to maintain ‘Bike Friendly’ status, seeks community input

Dayton looks to maintain ‘Bike Friendly’ status, seeks community input -Spectrum News 1


Denver considering plan to add hundreds of miles of bike lanes -KUSA-TV


Michigan opens thousands of miles of trails to e-bikes with new policy -Bridge Michigan

TRB RESOURCES/RESEARCH/ANNOUNCEMENTS

Reviving the Los Angeles River: Engineering Alongside Nature and Society -National Academies


New CEQ Regulations Effects on Transportation Industry -TRB


Mitigate Tree Obstructions Near Airports -TRB (webinar)

Climate Change Impacts on the Seismic Performance of Bridges -TRB (webinar)

Optimizing green and gray infrastructure planning for sustainable urban development -npj Urban Sustainability


Cars and Chargers in the Country: Rural PEV Owner Accounts of Charging and Travel in California -The University of California Institute of Transportation Studies

FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICES

Notice of Meeting of the National Parks Overflights Advisory GroupFAA (Notice of meeting)

Environmental News Highlights – August 7, 2024  

FEDERAL ACTION

Balancing Infrastructure and Environment: Challenges and Solutions -The Stream by AASHTO (podcast)



As US bets big on hydrogen for clean energy, local communities worry about secrecy and public health –Grist



Meat mess on Oakland freeway spurs calls for nationwide safety changes -KNTV-TV



The 5 Coastal States That Face the Most Devastating Flood Risk –CityLab



The 9-to-5 commute may be over: The U.S. commuter rail renaissance is just beginning -Mass Transit (op-ed)

 

COVID-19

The Pandemic’s Tenacious Grip on Traffic Safety –AAA



Post-Pandemic, Micromobility Ridership, Cost on the Rise -Government Technology

 

NEPA

Beyond NEPA: Understanding the complexities of slow infrastructure buildout -Clean Air Task Force (commentary)

 

INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCE AND SUSTAINABILITY

Derelict vessels present problems for ports -Peninsula Daily News



Using AI in pursuit of better bike paths -UC Santa Barbara



MassDOT Unveils Final Plan for Beyond Mobility PlanMassachusetts DOT (media release)



Caltrans Unveils New Tool to Prioritize Multimodal Infrastructure Investments to Combat Climate Change -California DOT (media release)

 

ELECTRIC VEHICLES, INFRASTRUCTURE AND POLICIES

How Texas Is Using Technology To Curb High Pedestrian Fatality Rates -Route Fifty



FAA Announces $427 Million in Grants from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to Modernize Airports -FAA -(media release)

 

AIR QUALITY

Alabama Researchers Get Grant Focused On Reducing Diesel Emissions At Ports -WVUA-TV



On Lake Michigan, a coal-fired steamship and ferry eyes a clean-energy future -Bridge Michigan

 

NATURAL RESOURCES

E-Bikes Are Half the Bicycle Traffic in Maine’s Acadia National Park -Bangor Daily News



A Vast Wetland Park Seeks to Slake a Thirsty Megacity –CityLab

 

CULTURAL RESOURCES

For one Austin summer camp, public transit is part of the adventure -Texas Standard



What a Beautiful Bus Stop Can Do –CityLab

 

HEALTH AND HUMAN ENVIRONMENT/ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION

Bikeshare Is More Popular Than Ever. But It’ll Cost You –CityLab



A new pedestrian and bike bridge for Cloverdale -Sonoma Gazette



As bike and scooter ridership soars, safety challenges grow -Route Fifty



Aviation Walk opens in Hickory, North Carolina -WSOC-TV



Adventure Cycling unveils Arkansas’ second U.S. Bicycle Route -KUAF Radio

 

TRB RESOURCES/RESEARCH/ANNOUNCEMENTS

Visualizing Risk for Resilience -TRB (webinar)



Creating Self-Directed Resiliency Plans for General Aviation Airports –ACRP



Cycling and Scooting Through the Years -USDOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics



Guru Madhavan’s New York Trilogy -Issues in Science and Technology

 

FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICES

Announcement of Meeting of the National Environmental Education Advisory Council -EPA (Notice of meeting)



National Environmental Justice Advisory Council; Notice of Charter Renewal -EPA (Notice of charter renewal)



Notice of Availability of a Final Environmental Impact Statement for US Wind Inc.’s Proposed Wind Energy Facility Offshore Maryland -Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Interior (Notice of availability; final environmental impact statement)



Notice of Rail Energy Transportation Advisory Committee Vacancies -Surface Transportation Board (Notice of vacancies on Federal advisory committee and solicitation of nominations)

Environmental News Highlights – July 31, 2024  

FEDERAL ACTION

Northeastern State DOT Projects Win Regional Awards -AASHTO Journal



White House Says Better Tech Could Help Environmental Permitting Process -Nextgov/FCW

US Bike Share Ridership Hit Record High in 2023 –Planetizen

 

INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCE AND SUSTAINABILITY

Arkansas coalition receives $100 million in federal funds for energy, environment projects -Arkansas Advocate

 

ELECTRIC VEHICLES, INFRASTRUCTURE AND POLICIES

Bill replacing alternate fuel tax with annual fee signed by Pennsylvania governor -WHTM-TV

US Public EV Chargers Set to Surpass Gas Stations in Eight Years -Bloomberg Green

How electric vehicles could improve our mental health -BBC (video)

 

AIR QUALITY

Air pollution impacts from warehousing in the United States uncovered with satellite data -Nature Communications

EPA announces $38 million to cut climate pollution, improve air quality, and advance environmental justice in Alaska -EPA (media release)

 

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE/EQUITY

Rural Minnesota communities gain expanded public transportation options -Public News Service

Seven Best Practices for Prioritizing Transit Equity -Kimley-Horn (commentary)

NATURAL RESOURCES

How TxDOT Crews Helped Battle Major Wildfire -AASHTO Journal

Great Salt Lake dry-up may be increasing greenhouse gas emissions -The Hill


CULTURAL RESOURCES

A Love Song to Smelly, Inconvenient, Glorious Mass Transit –CleanTechnica

A return to remember: Long Beach Airport welcomes public back to its Historic Terminal -Press Telegram

Sheepskin Trail (PA) gets $1 million boost for expansion -Herald Standard

 

HEALTH AND HUMAN ENVIRONMENT/ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION

New Orleans to expand bike network, offer rebates for e-bikes -Axios New Orleans

Florida law enforcement cracking down on drivers who don’t stop for pedestrians -WOFL-TV

Pedestrian river bridge connecting North Side, northeast Minneapolis draws excitement -Star Tribune

Coastal path added to U.S. Bike Route 95: National designation could bring tourist dollars to Ventura County, California -VC Reporter

Creating a Statewide Biking and Walking Database for California -Portland State University

Massachusetts Receives $360,000 for Mobility Management Pilot Program -Massachusetts DOT (media release)

 

TRB RESOURCES/RESEARCH/ANNOUNCEMENTS

Examination of Transit Agency Coordination with Electric Utilities, from TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program –TCRP

Designing the Transportation Agency of the Future -TRB (webinar)

Day-to-Day Practices to Reduce the Carbon Footprint of Asphalt -TRB (webinar)

Visualizing Risk for Resilience – NCHRP (webinar)

Mitigate Tree Obstructions Near Airports -ACRP (webinar)


Design Guide for Bus Stops Adjacent to Cycling Infrastructure – British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (link to pdf)

 

FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICES

Announcement of Fiscal Year 2024 Low or No Emission Program and Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program and Project Selections -FTA (Notice and implementation guidance)

Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards for Passenger Cars and Light Trucks for Model Years 2027– 2032 and Fuel Efficiency Standards for Heavy-Duty Pickup Trucks and Vans for Model Years 2030–2035; Correction -NHTSA (Final rule; correction)

2025 Clean Air Excellence Awards Program; Request for Nominations -EPA (Notice)

Notice To Renew the Transforming Transportation Advisory Committee (TTAC) -Office of the Secretary of the Department of Transportation (Notice)

 

Environmental News Highlights – July 24, 2024  

FEDERAL ACTION

DOT Report to Congress: Decarbonizing U.S. Transportation -USDOT (link to PDF)

The first zero-emission train in the US has arrived in San Bernardino and you can ride it later this year –Laist

FRA’s Final Accident Report on Norfolk Southern Derailment in East Palestine Reaches Similar Conclusions as NTSB, and Supports USDOT’s Continued Calls for Safety Improvements and Need for Congress to ActFRA (media release)

USDOT Convenes Transportation Stakeholders and Administration Partners to Celebrate Climate Progress and Set the Stage for Continued Action -USDOT (media release)

 

INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCE AND SUSTAINABILITY

Utah DOT Deploys Weather-Resistant Asphalt for Roads -AASHTO Journal

America’s Aging Dams Are a Catastrophe Waiting to Happen –Wired

ADOT reports recovering millions for damage to Arizona highways-Daily Independent

Washington State Ferries announces partnership for new hybrid-electric vessels -Washington State Department of Transportation (media release)

State accepting applications for innovative sustainability projects for airports -Washington State Department of Transportation (media release)

 

ELECTRIC VEHICLES, INFRASTRUCTURE AND POLICIES

Bill replacing alternate fuel tax with annual fee signed by Pennsylvania governor -WHTM-TV

US Public EV Chargers Set to Surpass Gas Stations in Eight Years -Bloomberg Green

 

AIR QUALITY

EPA to review Texas plan for cleaning up air quality at the state’s national parks after legal set -Texas Public Radio

 

NATURAL RESOURCES

Oklahoma DOT Earns National Accolades For Beautification Efforts -Oklahoma DOT (media release)

NOAA announces nearly $220 million for transformational habitat restoration and coastal resilience projects -NOAA (media release)

BLM issues decision on herbicides to control noxious and invasive weeds -Bureau of Land Management (media release)

 

CULTURAL RESOURCES

The federal government is giving away a northern Wisconsin lighthouse, but with strings attached -Green Bay Press Gazette

How Multiple Meetings With Multiple Officials, Agencies Finally Led To A Plan To Reopen Pennsylvania Route 611 In Delaware Water Gap -WFMZ-TV

Infrastructure woes around New Orleans ahead of Super Bowl -WWL-TV (video)

 

HEALTH AND HUMAN ENVIRONMENT/ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION

Nationwide long-distance bicycle route expands in the West -Wyoming Public Radio

Golden Gate Bridge suicide prevention net already showing signs of workingKTVU-TV

Atlanta Cyclists Warn of E-Bike Dangers on Shared Paths -Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Biking Gone International: A Look at Michigan’s Growing Biking System -Hour Detroit

Crowdsourcing Meets Transportation Planning With Bike And Pedestrian Data Counts -Crossroads (blog)

 

TRB RESOURCES/RESEARCH/ANNOUNCEMENTS

Day-to-Day Practices to Reduce the Carbon Footprint of Asphalt -TRB (webinar)

Planning for Future Electric Vehicle Growth at Airport –ACRP

Understanding Airport Air Quality and Public Health Studies Related to Airports, Second Edition –ACRP

GHG Emissions and Climate Change in Environmental Reviews –NCHRP

Considering Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Climate Change in Environmental Reviews: Conduct of Research Report –NCHRP

TRB’s National Summit on the Future of the Transportation Workforce -TRB (event announcement)

 

FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICES

Notice of Availability of the Record of Decision for the Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for the Approval of Herbicide Active Ingredients for Use on Public Lands -Bureau of Land Management (Notice of availability)

Air Plan Approval; GA; Revisions to the State Implementation Plan Gasoline Transport Vehicles and Vapor Collection Systems Rule -EPA (Final rule)

Federal Management Regulation; Accessibility Standard for Pedestrian Facilities in the Public Right-of-Way; Correction -GSA (Final rule; correction)

Environmental News Highlights – June 17, 2024

FEDERAL ACTION

How extreme heat is damaging American transportation infrastructure -PBS News Weekend

State DOTs could fuel a resurgence in intercity bus travel -State Smart Transportation Initiative

The Federal Transit Program: 60 Years of Improving Communities -FTA (media release)

MARAD Announces Funding for 15 Small Shipyards in 12 States to Boost Productivity and Create Jobs -MARAD (media release)

 

INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCE AND SUSTAINABILITY

Iowa DOT begins preparations on noise wall replacement project -WGEM-TV

Transportation a top 10 target of cyberattackers, cases nearly triple last year -Commercial Carrier Journal

White House requires infrastructure to be raised above flood levels -E&E News

Officials announce $6.8B grant to fund long-delayed Gateway tunnel between NJ, Penn Station -WABC-TV

Why Cities Need Public Transport To Be Well-Funded, Equitable, and Resilient -Institute for Transportation & Development Policy (blog)

Caltrans Awards $51.4 Million for Sustainable Transportation Projects to Strengthen California’s Climate Resilience -California DOT (media release)

 

ELECTRIC VEHICLES, INFRASTRUCTURE AND POLICIES

Missouri governor to sign bill banning local EV charging mandates -KYTV-TV



Report Finds Opportunities, Obstacles for Electric Vehicles -Transport Topics

First Federally Funded EV Charging Station Opens in Ohio -Government Technology

San Francisco neighbors hot over EV cooling fans causing noise nuisance -KGO-TV

Maryland Governor Announces $12.1 Million in Federal Funding to Expand Electric Vehicle Charging Across State -Maryland Governor’s Office (media release)

AIR QUALITY

Ohio Joins California Climate Plan Opponents in US Supreme Court Plea -US News and World Report

 

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE/EQUITY

As Boulder considers closing its municipal airport to address housing shortage, lead concerns also emergeBoulder Reporting Lab



Mineta Report Examines Building Equity into VMT Mitigation Program –Metro

 

CULTURAL RESOURCES

Spokane uses art with hopes to improve traffic safety -KXLY-TV

The race is on to keep a 150-year-old lighthouse from crumbling into the Hudson River -WNBC-TV



Treasure Hunters Battle for Chance to Unearth London’s Past –CityLab

 

HEALTH AND HUMAN ENVIRONMENT/ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION

Arizona DOT working to keep outdoor crews cool in the summer heat -KNXV-TV

Bike Lane Violation Crackdown Delayed By Technology Challenges, Chicago DOT Says -WGN-TV

E-Bikes Pedaling Tech into Urban Mobility -Boss Magazine

Prioritizing Bicycles Can Save Cities Money and Boost Local Economies -Momentum Mag

Data bikes chart the condition of bike paths in more cities -Route Fifty

Sustainable Solutions to Your Commute Challenges – Minneapolis Regional Chamber (webinar)

 

TRB RESOURCES/RESEARCH/ANNOUNCEMENTS

Effective Low-Noise Rumble Strips –NCHRP

Public Infrastructure for Effective Climate Mitigation and Adaptation: Proceedings of a Workshop – in Brief -National Academies

Reducing Traffic Noise Pollution with Improved Sound Barriers -The Hearing Review

 

FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICES

Air Plan Revisions; California; Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance Contingency Measure -EPA (Final rule)

Air Plan Approval; Connecticut; Low Emissions Vehicles Program -EPA (Final rule)

Notice of Lodging of Proposed Modification of Consent Decree Under the Clean Water Act and Oil Pollution Act -Department of Justice (Notice)

Notice of Funding Opportunity for the FY 2023 – FY 2024 Railroad Crossing Elimination ProgramFRA (Notice of funding opportunity)

Establishing an Advisory Council Pursuant to the National Marine Sanctuaries Act and Solicitation for Applications for the Proposed Lake Erie National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council -Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (Notice of solicitation)

Request for Information To Identify Barriers to Planning for Climate Resilience in U.S. Ports -U.S. Committee on the Marine Transportation System (Notice of request for Information)

National Maritime Security Advisory Committee; August 2024 Meeting -United States Coast Guard (Notice of open Federal advisory committee meeting)