Competitive federal transportation grants are reaching communities without political bias, but a technical capacity gap is leaving under-resourced areas behind. A recent study analyzing federal grant awards from 2021 to 2023 shows that project merit and local community need were the main driving factors rather than political party alignment. However, researchers found that communities with the highest economic and social needs often lack the staff and experience needed to submit winning grant applications.
DOTs
Transportation disrupted: Rethinking how we pay for it
In an earlier installment of this blog series, we explored the mounting transportation costs that Americans face, which are now exacerbated by rising gas prices. Efforts to provide relief through gas tax holidays—first in certain states, then nationally—show just how fragile our system is. These temporary measures offer minimal relief while undermining the very foundation of our transportation funding.
Transportation disrupted: People adapt to rising prices
Most traffic models and transportation plans assume people’s travel behavior is largely predictable and unchanging. Usually, this means more and more driving year after year, and investments aimed at meeting that rising demand. But the most recent spike in gas prices shows just how quickly people adapt their behavior to even small price cues.
Building more EV chargers is great. They also need to work
As state DOTs continue to build out an extensive network of electric vehicle chargers, those chargers also need to work consistently. Charging reliability isn’t always fully in a DOT’s control, and many agencies have only recently taken on responsibility for charging infrastructure. Even so, DOTs can still adopt a “fix it first” approach, as some do with their roadways, prioritizing keeping chargers functional as they develop their public networks. Doing so can accelerate the transition to electric vehicles, often a key piece of DOT sustainability goals and climate targets.
Caltrans review finds outdated and misunderstood models hinder project analysis
In California, where travel demand models often guide project-level decisions and analysis, a new report finds many are outdated, poorly documented, and ill-suited to the purposes agencies sometimes use them for. Transportation agencies rely on models to forecast traffic and guide billions of dollars in infrastructure investment. Without updates, these tools risk locking in old assumptions about growth and travel behavior rather than helping agencies plan for a more sustainable and efficient future.
California will let agencies pay for housing to offset increased driving
A new California law gives transportation agencies the option to pay into an affordable housing fund to offset the increased travel demand associated with major road projects. The approach could achieve several goals at once: mitigating emissions from highway expansions, creating a new funding stream for affordable housing, and helping more people live in accessible neighborhoods, reducing their transportation costs.
Innovative partnership spurs Complete Streets in rural Louisiana
There are a number of challenges to implementing complete streets projects in rural communities. From gaining support for projects in car-dominated communities to the increased costs of projects caused by infrastructure needs, such as building sidewalks where none exist and installing modern traffic control devices. Despite these challenges, Louisiana is seeing a surge of rural complete streets projects thanks to a partnership between the Louisiana State University AgCenter and the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development.
Additional staff capacity could help DOTs stretch federal funds
From implementing federally funded projects to keeping highways clear of snow, state DOTs are in need of additional staff capacity and technical expertise to keep the country moving.
New federal vehicle charging requirements aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution for many states
As the federal government significantly invests in vehicle charging infrastructure, states voice their concerns on effectively implementing a consistent and reliable nationwide network while addressing their local needs. Many states are committed to supporting the transition to electric vehicles, but some are looking for more flexibility with funding requirements to coincide with their existing capacity for an effective system.
With the right support and a holistic approach, state DOTs can help address homelessness
People experiencing homelessness often congregate on land owned and managed by state DOTs, especially near overpasses and on other unused rights of way. Unsanctioned encampments, however, can pose risks to DOT staff, public infrastructure, and to the individuals living in them. That often puts the impetus on DOTs to act, but DOTs don’t always have the means to ensure those people and their property are well taken care of. A new source of funding in Washington State aims at changing that.