November 2, 2015
Since launching the Safer People, Safer Streets Initiative in 2014, USDOT has engaged safety experts, existing and new stakeholders, local officials, and the public on a range of targeted strategies to encourage safety for bicyclists and pedestrians on and around our streets, including bus stops, transit stations, and other multimodal connections. Through these discussions, a number of common misconceptions have been raised about the use of Federal funding, street design, and the Environmental Review process that can cause confusion and result in project delay.
While efforts to build more bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly streets have increased, advocates and local officials are sometimes told that federal rules and funding guidelines won’t allow innovative designs and facilities. FHWA wants to clear up this up and help states and cities build better streets and in August released a document outlining these common misconceptions.
In addition to the August document, FHWA followed up October 7 with a proposal to reduce the number of controlling design criteria for highways designed for speeds of less than 50 miles per hour from 13 required elements to two required elements. This proposed change is currently open for comment.
Join representatives from FHWA’s Offices of Planning, Environment, and Realty; Infrastructure; Safety; and Operations to hear about new initiatives and proposed rule changes to help communities create safer, better-connected transportation networks.
Pages and links mentioned in the webinar:
Bicycle and Pedestrian Funding Opportunities
Bicycle and Pedestrian Funding, Design, and Environmental Review: Addressing Common Misconceptions
Revision of Thirteen Controlling Criteria for Design; Notice and Request for Comment