Jan. 23, 2014
What's Inside
Budget '14: A Legislative Win
FTA Funds Low Emissions
DOT Staff Changes
Peyton Manning: Carpooler
Free Airport Webinar
ACT Int'l Conference
Chapter News
June 2014 Mobility Summit
RFQ
Calendar

Jan 30
Free Airport Webinar

June 10-11
Mobility Summit

Aug 2-6 
ACT Int'l Conference
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Welcome to ACT Connections, formerly ACT E-News 

 

As the new executive director for ACT, I am very excited about the opportunities that lie ahead for our association, its members, and the TDM community. The first of those opportunities is to enhance ACT communications, highlighting all that is going on with the association and in the industry, and I am happy to introduce the inaugural issue of Connections, our revamped e-newsletter. Connections will publish every other Thursday and include news and updates on advocacy, ACT events, RFPs/business opportunities, chapter news, TDM headlines, and anything else that benefits the industry.

 
I welcome your feedback on this issue, along with your thoughts about potential topics to cover or stories to include in newsletters to come. I can be reached at
[email protected] and look forward to hearing from you.

Now on to the news!

Henry Wallmeyer, ACT Executive Director 
 
Congress Passes FY 2014 Budget: Legislation is a Win for Transportation Community
The FY 2014 budget, just passed by Congress, includes legislation that would fund the federal government through the rest of fiscal year (FY) 2014. It now awaits the president's signature. The legislation reflects a broader budget deal passed at the end of 2013 that ended the sequester cuts. Specifically, the bill fully funds MAP-21 and increases funding for many of the accounts that are subject to yearly appropriations. Highlights of the legislation:
 

Federal Highway Administration

  • Provides an obligation limitation of $40.256 billion in FY 2014, as per MAP-21.
  • Contains a policy provision of interest. Language was added that indefinitely extends the ability of certain qualifying areas to shift Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) moneys to rail or transit projects. We are unsure who requested this provision or what effect it will have. Our initial estimate is that this provision is tied to language in SAFETEA-LU that allowed the State of Maine to use CMAQ funds to support Amtrak within the state. 

Federal Transit Administration

  • Provides $8.595 billion for Federal Transit Administration formula grants in FY 2014, which is the amount authorized by MAP-21. The New Starts/Small Starts programs received $1.9 billion, which is more than in previous years.
  • Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) gets its full $150 million as authorized by law

TIGER Grant Program

  • Funding for TIGER discretionary grants program was provided, with Congress appropriating $600 million for FY 2014, which is significantly more than the $454 million appropriated in FY 2013.  

RITA Moves 

  • Also of note, the legislation moves the Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) under the Office of the Secretary, as proposed by the president (and opposed by the authorizing committees).

Bottom line: The legislation is a significant win for the transportation community just nine months before the expiration of MAP-21.

 
FTA Announces Funds for Low-Emission Vehicles
The Federal Transit Administration has announced the availability of $24.9 million for the deployment of low- or no- emission transit buses. Funds may be used for capital acquisitions and leases of zero-  and low-emission transit buses, including acquisition, construction, and leasing of required supporting facilities such as recharging, refueling, and maintenance facilities. Of that total funding, $21.6 million is available for buses and $3.3 million is available for supporting facilities and related equipment. Applications are due March 10, 2014. To be eligible, an entity must be located in an area designated as a nonattainment area or a maintenance area for ozone or carbon monoxide as defined under the Clean Air Act. For more information click here.
 
Key Staff Changes at DOT
There have been a number of key staff changes at the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). Deputy Secretary John Porcari is leaving DOT and current Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez will replace him. Undersecretary for Policy Polly Trottenberg will leave DOT to head up the New York City Department of Transportation. Peter Rogoff, the current Federal Transit Administrator has been chosen to replace Trottenberg, and current Assistant Administrator Therese McMillan will serve as interim Federal Transit Administrator.
 
Peyton Manning: Carpool Fan

Peyton Manning, record-setting quarterback of the Super Bowl-bound Denver Broncos, has had a ritual for the last two seasons: he and two teammates carpool to Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium. Read about it here.
 
Register now for Free ACT Webinar Jan 30: Exploring Airport Employee Commute and Parking Strategies
Employees are vital to the effective operation of any airport. They staff the airport on a daily basis from well before the first flight until long after the last, which means 24/7 coverage on many properties. The need for continual coverage often means fixed-route public transportation may not fully satisfy airport employee commuting needs, making the private automobile the only realistic way to and from work for many. Airport employees' commute options and mode choices affect more than airport traffic and the environment, however: They influence airport economics, employee quality of life, and workforce recruitment and retention.

 

ACRP Synthesis 36: Exploring Airport Employee Commute and Parking Strategies documents what is known about airport employee commute patterns and modes. The report summarizes what programs are being offered to airport employees by airport operators or transportation management associations. The synthesis also includes what is known about the effectiveness of airport employee commute options programs and identifies several employee commute programs offered by non-airport employers.

 

This free webinar will feature the primary author of the ACRP synthesis and representatives from two of its five case studies. Each case study will provide examples of how employee commute options strategies are applied in their airport environment.

 

The free webinar is co-sponsored by ACT, Best Workplaces for Commuters, and the National Center for Transit Research at the University of South Florida.

 

Jan. 30, 2014 at 2 p.m. EST/11 a.m. PST

 

Register here.
 
Save the Date: 2014 ACT International Conference in San Francisco
Mark your calendar for the 2014 ACT International Conference, Aug. 2-6, 2014, at the Grand Hyatt in San Francisco. The conference brings together TDM and commuting professionals to build legislative support, network, honor award winners, and enhance their knowledge during top-notch professional development sessions. Be on the lookout for more information on registration as well as a call for speakers.
 
ACT Chapter News
  • The ACT Board of Directors voted to approve the transfer of North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska from the Rocky Mountain Chapter to the Midwest Chapter.

  • Join the Valley of the Sun Chapter Board of Directors for its quarterly member luncheon on Feb. 27, featuring a presentation and tour by Executive Director of the Pima Association of Governments (PAG) Farhad Moghimi. RSVP to Bryan Hauwiller at [email protected] by Monday, Feb. 24 to attend.

  • The Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR) at the University of South Florida invites you to attend the 2014 Florida Commuter Choice Summit and SEACT Symposium, March 13-14, 2014. The event is sponsored by the Florida Department of Transportation and SEACT (Southeast Chapter). For more information and to register click here.

  • Want your chapter's news and alerts published in
    future issues of Connections? Send information to [email protected].
     
    Innovation in Mobility Public Policy Summit June 10-11
    ACT and its partners, Mobility Lab and Transit Center, will host the Innovation in Mobility Public Policy Summit at the Hamilton Crowne Plaza in Washington, D.C., June 10-11, 2014. This will provide ACT the opportunity to build on the success of the Shared Use Summit in 2013 and facilitate a lively dialogue among mobility providers, policymakers, governmental agencies, nonprofits, affiliated industries, technology experts, academia, media, and stakeholders on the current state of mobility, opportunities, and obstacles to market expansion. Be sure to save the date and plan to attend. More information and registration will be available soon; in the meantime, contact Gina Manley at [email protected] for sponsorship opportunities.
     
    Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Statewide MichiVan Commuter Vanpool Program>

    The Office of Passenger Transportation, Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is issuing a RFQ to secure a qualified organization to operate and market a statewide vanpool program, called MichiVan, in the State of Michigan. The proposal will be due by 5 p.m. (ET) on Friday, Feb. 14, 2014. Access the RFQ here.
     
    Association for Commuter Transportation I 1330 Braddock Place, Suite 350, Alexandria, VA 22314