This report that tracks progress in America’s regions toward a vision of complete communities. The report highlights the benefits that complete communities offer all Americans, tells stories about the work being done across the country to create complete communities, and measures progress in every region with a population above 55,000. Transportation plays a key role in this report, including gauging access for low-income and disadvantages communities, whether cities have invested in fixed guideways, and the development implications of in transit, bicycling and walking infrastructure.
Livability
Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities: Traveler Response to Transportation System Changes (TRB, 2012)
This report is an update to a series from TRB examining how travelers respond to different types of transportation infrastructure, facilities, and policies. This chapter examines pedestrian and bicyclist behavior and travel demand outcomes in a relatively broad sense. It focuses on the travel behavior and public health implications of facilities such as sidewalks, bicycle lanes, and on-transit accommodation of bicycles, street-crossing treatments, bicycle parking, and showers. Discussion of the implications of pedestrian and bicycle “friendly” neighborhoods, policies, programs, and promotion is also incorporated.
Low-Stress Bicycling and Network Connectivity (Mineta Transportation Institute, 2012)
For a bicycling network to attract the widest possible segment of the population, its most fundamental attribute should be low-stress connectivity, that is, providing routes between people’s origins and destinations that do not require cyclists to use links that exceed their tolerance for traffic stress, and that do not involve an undue level of detour. The objective of this study is to develop measures of low-stress connectivity that can be used to evaluate and guide bicycle network planning.
Federal Resources for Sustainable Rural Communities (Partnership for Sustainable Communities and USDA, 2012)
This guide to HUD, DOT, EPA, and USDA programs highlights federal resources rural communities can use to promote economic competitiveness, protect healthy environments, and enhance quality of life. It provides key information on funding and technical assistance opportunities available from the four agencies, as well as examples of how rural communities across the country have put these programs into action.
The Innovative DOT: A Handbook of Policy and Practice (SSTI & SGA, 2012)
State officials across the country are facing the same challenges. Revenues are falling and budgets are shrinking while transportation demands grow. Most state Departments of Transportation (DOTs) have ambitious goals: improve safety, reduce congestion, enhance economic opportunity, improve reliability, preserve system assets, accelerate project delivery, and help to create healthier, more livable neighborhoods, just to name a few.
The handbook provides 31 recommendations transportation officials can use as they position their agencies for success in the new economy. The handbook documents many of the innovative approaches state leaders are using to make systems more efficient, government more effective and constituents better satisfied.
Transportation, Mobility, and Older Adults in Rural Michigan (University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute Behavioral Sciences Group, 2012)
This report explores issues related to transportation and mobility in rural areas generally, and in rural areas of Michigan specifically. The information from this report is intended to assist Michigan in meeting the transportation needs of its rural older adult population.
Complete Streets: Policy Analysis 2011 and Local Policy Workbook (Smart Growth America and National Complete Streets Coalition, 2012)
Smart Growth America has released a report that summarizes surveys of the more than 350 complete streets policies that have been approved by communities across the United States. Also available is the latest edition of the Complete Streets Local Policy Workbook, which is intended to assist transportation experts and local leaders with developing complete streets policies.
Land Use Impacts on Transport: How Land Use Factors Affect Travel Behavior (Victoria Transportation Policy Institute, 2012)
This paper examines how various land use factors such as density, regional accessibility, mix and roadway connectivity affect travel behavior, including per capita vehicle travel, mode split and nonmotorized travel. This information is useful for …
Public Bikesharing in North America: Early Operator and User Understanding (Mineta Transportation Institute, 2012)
This study evaluates public bikesharing in North America, reviewing the advances in technology and major events during its rapid expansion. It looks at several angles, including current operational practices, business models, and environmental and social impacts in …
Model Design Manual for Living Streets (Los Angeles County, 2011)
A new design manual was issued by Los Angeles County for use by all municipalities to improve the livability of streets. The manual encourages transportation engineers to apply flexible standards to accommodate all modes of travel, encourage economic development, and revitalize neighborhoods.