As traditional transportation funding mechanisms increasingly struggle to pay for the construction, maintenance, and operations of state transportation systems, new mechanisms are being introduced around the country. These new mechanisms come with equity questions. This …
Best Practices
Moving Forward on Public Private Partnerships: U.S. and International Experience with PPP Units (Brookings Institution, 2011)
This report examines how states can create Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and still avoid the pitfalls of these often complex financial contracts. Download the full report.
Bicycling and Walking in the U.S.: 2012 Benchmarking Report (Alliance for Biking and Walking, 2012)
This 3rd biennial benchmarking report looks at data and policies in all 50 states and the 51 largest US cities to examine how they stack up for walking and biking. This is a useful tool for local and state officials that would like to improve conditions and safety for bicyclists and pedestrians, or to promote non-motorized transportation.
Metropolitan Planning Organization Reform
Overview Since the early 1990s, federal law has increased the authority of Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), and pending federal legislation is likely to give them additional spending powers and responsibilities. Yet, as important arms of …
SSTI Review of PennDOT’s Smart Transportation (SSTI, 2011)
Smart Transportation is Pennsylvania DOT’s integrated response to the crisis of crumbling infrastructure, limited revenues to address it, and the need to better align transportation with community revitalization and sound land use policy. PennDOT was the first state program reviewed in detail by SSTI, and remains one of our prime examples of a thoughtful DOT wrestling with the challenges of fiscal austerity, sustainability, and system preservation. The review was done at the request of PennDOT to assess the effectiveness of its Smart Transportation program in integrating land use and transportation in its decision-making and to identify areas of opportunity to advance the Smart Transportation agenda.
SSTI Review of Washington State DOT’s Sustainability Efforts (SSTI, 2011)
This review was performed at the request of Washington State DOT (WSDOT) to assess its sustainability efforts. SSTI convened a panel of experts that included people who have led transformative initiatives as heads of state DOTs. The panel combined practical and academic thinking. The expert panel reviewed background materials on WSDOT’s efforts and then interviewed stakeholders with varying perspectives on WSDOT’s work, including WSDOT staff; personnel from other state, federal, and local entities; and representatives from the not-for-profit sector. Intended as a peer review rather than an audit, the expert panel members brought their knowledge of transportation policy and trends to bear in assessing where WSDOT has succeeded and how its sustainability efforts could be strengthened.
Road Pricing: Public Perceptions and Program Development (NCHRP Report 686, 2011)
This report describes road pricing concepts and discusses their potential effectiveness and applicability. It also provides guidelines for project planning and integrating pricing into regional and state planning processes, and for communicating strategies and engaging …
California S.B. 375 (CARB, n.d.)
CA’s S.B. 375 is the strongest state statute on reducing carbon from transportation by requiring local governments to rein in sprawl. Read more here.
Performance Measures Report for Bridges (PennDOT, 2010)
PennDOT produces performance measures reports similar to this statewide version, tailored to each MPO in the state to aid them in managing their assets. Also see PennDOT’s Performance Measures Annual Report for Pavements. Download 2010 …
Roadway Lighting Curfew Implementation Plan (RIDOT, 2010)
Action plan for implementing a roadway lighting curfew in Rhode Island during early morning hours, when traffic volumes are lowest, as a cost-saving measure. Download Curfew Implementation Plan