Discussion:
[CARFREE_CITIES] Fwd: USDOT needs to make everybody count
Richard Risemberg rickrise@earthlink.net [CARFREE_CITIES]
2016-05-05 19:45:23 UTC
Permalink
Subject: USDOT needs to make everybody count
Date: May 5, 2016 at 11:22:56 AM PDT
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News from Transportation for America
May 5, 2016
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WE CAN’T MEASURE CONGESTION BY ONLY MEASURING VEHICLES
Millions would be ignored by USDOT’s new proposal
<http://action.smartgrowthamerica.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=ZRNbldHbZWg6VjdDGW2NT2YI2FsJ1zze>You can’t manage what you don’t measure.
And USDOT’s current proposal for how states and metro areas would have to measure (and fix) congestion would ignore the millions of people — perhaps like you — who avoid congestion entirely by taking transit, carpooling, telecommuting, walking or biking. Simply put: this proposed measure treats a corridor filled with buses or carpoolers the same as a corridor filled with single-occupancy vehicles.
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If you haven’t done so already, send in a comment to USDOT that we’ll hand deliver for you <http://action.smartgrowthamerica.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=ID2QoAPwXODy8nOVfepJUmYI2FsJ1zze>. We know that USDOT is listening to feedback, and we have a real opportunity to improve this measure for the better.
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SEND A LETTER <http://action.smartgrowthamerica.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=yyi9JyABXlwI6oAPyp1ra2YI2FsJ1zze>
#MAKEMECOUNT
Would you be ignored by this proposed, narrow measure of congestion? Has your city or community invested in making it easier to avoid congestion by taking transit, carpooling, telecommuting, walking or biking?
Tell USDOT to #MakeMeCount: Find a picture on this page <http://action.smartgrowthamerica.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=NaOcHAKJOKDykj2elqSH%2BWYI2FsJ1zze> that reflects other ways you travel from time to time and click that image to post it to Twitter. Or download any image and email to friends, or share to Facebook or other social networks
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Registration is now open for our Capital Ideas conference on state transportation funding & policy
Are you involved in any way at the state level when it comes to raising new money for transportation or improving the policies for spending those dollars? Sign up today for our second Capital Ideas conference focused on state transportation funding and policy coming to Sacramento, CA this November 16-17. Read more <http://action.smartgrowthamerica.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=rDiE0CZHARx8o5Uj9a4PPWYI2FsJ1zze>.
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Senate appropriations bill is good news for TIGER, public transit and passenger rail
T4America recently sent a powerful letter from over 170 elected officials to congressional appropriators telling them that the competitive TIGER and New Starts programs are crucial for local economic prosperity and competitiveness. Senate appropriators listened and provided $525 million for TIGER and $2.3 billion for transit New Starts in next year’s budget for transportation and housing. Read more <http://action.smartgrowthamerica.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=jHZclWW845DleyaCBwPBhOXSxrTxUawG>.
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What progress did states make this year on raising new funding or improving policy?
Though most states have wrapped up their legislative sessions, transportation funding fights still loom large on the agendas for many states still in session. Here’s our regular look at the progress made in states. Read more <http://action.smartgrowthamerica.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=YzZSh1CoNQfGYq9GXZt4e2YI2FsJ1zze>.
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ICYMI: Ten things to know about the new congestion rule from USDOT
We can’t emphasize this enough—how we measure congestion matters. If you haven’t already read up on USDOT’s proposed performance measure for congestion and other metrics, don’t miss this detailed breakdown of what you need to know. Read more <http://action.smartgrowthamerica.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=6QI3A0dk9Rt3ZL7X8XLILGYI2FsJ1zze>.
ARTICLES WE'RE TALKING ABOUT
After big push from mayors, TIGER in line for slight funding boost — Streetsblog <http://action.smartgrowthamerica.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=6w1tFiMOLxgmfBQ0c47jdmYI2FsJ1zze>
Transportation secretary pushes equity message, but options are limited — National Journal <http://action.smartgrowthamerica.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=tM6%2FsPrgRYsfEnPv%2BqupI2YI2FsJ1zze>
A new Obama emissions play — Politico <http://action.smartgrowthamerica.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=UF2BnVzH1hoZAShrpzB5LWYI2FsJ1zze>
Excessive expectations: A first look at the DOT’s new road performance rules — City Observatory <http://action.smartgrowthamerica.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=15COZw8L0t4GHC3AgERtu2YI2FsJ1zze>
FROM THE DIRECTOR'S DESK
I hope by now you’ve seen the news about USDOT’s draft rules setting the framework for how states and cities should measure transportation “system performance.” As dry and mundane as it might sound, make no mistake: the final rule from USDOT will set the guidelines for how we will judge the success or failure of local communities when it comes to transportation.
The feds have essentially proposed rules for measuring traffic congestion that would punish local communities for pursuing smart growth, promoting telecommuting or investing in mass transit options for their citizens. No one wants traffic congestion, but the rule as proposed establishes a completely flawed yardstick for success. Want get rid of congestion quickly and meet the mandates from USDOT? Try an economic recession. If that’s not your community’s definition of success then it’s time to make your voices heard and send your letter today <http://action.smartgrowthamerica.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=xcDFClxLq4Pmqw1Sfn1R8uXSxrTxUawG>.
James Corless, Director, Transportation for America
LOOKING BACK, LOOKING AHEAD
Mayor John Robert Smith was Spokane this week, where voters will decide on a major expansion of transit service <http://action.smartgrowthamerica.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=CS%2FSAl9oEmOZQqp2O9KYWGYI2FsJ1zze> and the addition of a new bus rapid transit line at the ballot this November. Voters will consider a 0.1 percent sales tax increase in April 2017 with a second 0.1 increase to follow two years later and both running through 2028.
New principles for a smarter federal transportation program. The Century Foundation will be releasing a new paper next week by T4America’s Beth Osborne on how to build a much more effective federal transportation program, focused on four key fixes that the next president and congress should make. Look for more information early next week on our blog and Twitter feed.
Did you miss last week’s webinar on the USDOT rule proposal? T4America Policy Director Joe McAndrew gets even more in-depth with the proposed rulemaking in this recorded webinar. Watch the recording <http://action.smartgrowthamerica.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=Ez3ct%2Fxw%2BV1yI%2FW5Ye0MUeXSxrTxUawG> and then take action <http://action.smartgrowthamerica.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=98Acc2vayRR2ROeZxZhkvWYI2FsJ1zze> by calling on USDOT to measure success beyond just moving vehicles fast.
Equitable transit-oriented development. LOCUS, a national coalition of real estate developers and investors and initiative of Smart Growth America, released a place-based strategic plan and recommendations report <http://action.smartgrowthamerica.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=1n6gm6%2Fo5aVpygY%2B529PzGYI2FsJ1zze> for Union Square in Somerville, MA. Union Square is a walkable neighborhood on the brink of transformation with a new Green Line transit station under construction. As new development comes in, LOCUS's strategic planning and community benefits process was designed to make sure current residents and businesses remain part of the community, and that everyone benefits from the new investment.
@T4AMERICA TWEET OF THE WEEK
One is a street, one is a road. So why would USDOT measure congestion the same on each? May 2, 2016 <http://action.smartgrowthamerica.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=Xbp8PLGEf345zW5HZIKJUGYI2FsJ1zze>
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Richard Risemberg
http://www.bicyclefixation.com
http://www.SustainableCityNews.com
http://gridlogisticsinc.com
http://www.rickrise.com

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