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Environmental Protection Agency
Potential Changes in Emissions Due To Improvements in Travel Efficiency - Analysis of Potential Co-Benefits (84-page PDF)
This report provides information on the effectiveness of travel efficiency measures for reducing criteria and greenhouse gas emissions at the national scale. It also describes an approach that uses regionally derived travel model data and other travel activity information, and sketch-planning analysis to estimate potential emission reductions from urban areas of varying size and characteristics. |
Federal Highway Administration
An Agency Guide on Overcoming Unique Challenges to Localized Congestion Reduction Projects (67-page PDF)
FHWA's Localized Bottleneck Reduction Initiative (LBR) program focuses attention on mitigating the operational causes of recurring congestion "hot spots" (i.e., traffic bottlenecks) at ramps, merges, lane drops, intersections, weaves, etc. One of the efforts of the LBR program is to encourage agencies to adopt a defined, "named" annualized spot-congestion program in the same manner that they might have an annualized spot-safety program for high crash locations.
This document was developed to provide guidance to state and local transportation personnel on how to overcome barriers and challenges to implementation of localized congestion relief projects. It presents and describes examples of institutional, design, funding and safety challenges that agencies face when trying to develop unique solutions to localized congestion problems.
The main questions that this guidance helps an agency address are:
1. What are the most common barriers and challenges with addressing localized congestion problems? 2. What are some case study examples that highlight how barriers and challenges were overcome? 3. What are some of the key factors in successful implementation of localized bottleneck projects?
The document also presents nine detailed case studies of projects and programs that illustrate how to overcome common barriers and challenges. The case studies were chosen to highlight agencies that have implemented effective projects in a unique and praiseworthy fashion. The final section provides some high-level guidance and practical ideas on how to implement successful solutions to localized congestion problems based on experience and information gathered during this project. |
National Highway Research Cooperative
A Guidebook For Sustainability Performance Measurement For Transportation Agencies (203-page PDF)
This guidebook provides state DOTs and other transportation agencies with a practical and easy-to-use approach to identify and apply sustainability-related performance measures, some number of which may already be integrated into agency business practices, to produce a new lens through which decision makers can view their agency's performance. It describes the underlying principles of sustainability as it relates to transportation, possible goals that can be used to address those principles, and performance measures that can be used to address those goals. Aspects of sustainability-related performance measures, including data sources and examples of use, are discussed. A reference compendium of performance measures has also been provided.
Practical Resources for Recruiting Minorities for Chief Executive Officers at Public Transportation Agencies (52-page PDF)
The report provides strategies to recruit minorities for chief executive officer positions and offers resources to assist governing boards of public transportation agencies in the recruitment of minority CEOs. The report also assesses the transit industry's recruitment processes for CEOs and provides a case for diversity that documents the benefits of minorities in public transportation leadership positions. This report will be helpful to members of public transportation governing boards, executive search firms, directors of human resources, and other key transit officials.
The Relationship of Title VI Requirements to Planning Processes in Florida (74-page PDF)
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and MPOs in Florida are required to address Title VI and environmental justice (EJ) in the transportation planning process. This study reviews those practices and suggests future enhancements based upon a review of the literature, agency documents, and input received from Florida MPO and FDOT District staff.
Interviews with FDOT District and Florida MPO staff revealed a widespread understanding of and commitment to Title VI and EJ ideals and intent. Many stated that Title VI and EJ principles are now ingrained into their agency's activities. Florida MPOs indicated that their efforts to address Title VI and EJ in development of long-range transportation plans (LRTPs) had noticeably increased over the last few planning cycles.
A review of LRTPs confirmed that several MPOs have goals or objectives that address the needs of low-income and minority populations and other special needs groups. Public involvement is currently the primary method used by MPOs to address these needs. FDOT District staff address Title VI and EJ in planning through Florida's Efficient Transportation Decision Making (ETDM) process, in coordination with the MPO transportation planning process, and through participation in the statewide Title VI Program.
This study suggests specific future efforts to further enhance these processes in four key areas: 1) identifying protected populations 2) public involvement; 3) evaluating benefits and burdens; and 4) training of staff and consultants. |
Miscellaneous Reports
Building a Better Gas Tax - A New 50-State Report from the Institute of Taxation and Economic Policy.
A first of its kind, 50-state report reveals that state governments are losing out on over $10 billion in transportation revenue every year, contributing to an estimated $130 billion drain on the economy resulting from higher vehicle repair costs and travel time delays. The report, shows that the average state has not increased its gas tax rate in over a decade, and fourteen states have gone twenty years or longer without an increase.
Click HERE for the 24 page PDF report and HERE for the website.
The Case for Business Investment in Public Transportation (90-page PDF) from the American Public Transportation Association
Transport Report - November 2011 - National Council of State Legislatures (5 page PDF) |
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Marta Perales
Illinois MPO Advisory Council |
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