Transportation projects have the potential to stimulate local economies through workforce development, job access, and local economic development. FHWA and FTA are proposing new rules and launching a pilot program to potentially allow use of local hiring programs for these projects.
FHWA
FHWA releases separated bike lane guide
FHWA has released a guide for designing and building separated bike lanes. The guide includes elements that are not found in other guides in North America, such as recommendations for lane widths based on bicycle traffic volumes, guidance for where separated bike lanes (SBL) are appropriate based on motor vehicle speed and volume, and the horizontal separation of these facilities from motor vehicle lanes at intersections.
New critique identifies troubling errors in FHWA’s report on driver distraction from digital signs
The federal government began allowing the construction of digital billboards along interstate highways in 2007. In response to concerns over the potential effects on driver attention, FHWA conducted a study and found that while drivers may look at digital signs slightly more than they look at standard billboards, this was not associated with a decrease in drivers’ attention to the roadway or an increase in unacceptably long glances away from the roadway. However, an extensive, peer-reviewed, January 2015 critique has raised concerns about both the methodology and results of the FHWA study.
For the first time in a decade, U.S. per capita highway travel ticks up
After declining every year since 2004, vehicle-miles traveled (VMT) per capita in the U.S. ticked up by 0.9 percent in 2014 compared to 2013, according to figures released on Thursday, March 12, by FHWA. Accounting for the effect of population growth, total miles driven increased by 1.7 percent.
Both per capita and total VMT remain below their peaks, in 2004 and 2007, respectively. From World War II until the 1990s, highway travel grew year after year, but more recently that trend slowed and—in the case of per capita travel—actually reversed.
States discovering new partners, tools, and uses for bridge monitoring
Monitoring bridges and managing their maintenance can be challenging and costly for transportation agencies. Innovative techniques being used in some states make this task easier, save money, and provide new information about how travelers are using the nation’s bridges.
FHWA report details impact of occupancy exemptions on managed lanes
States with high-occupancy vehicle lanes or high-occupancy toll lanes may also allow certain categories of vehicles to use the lanes without having the required number of occupants. However states are required to show that allowing these vehicles does not degrade the speed and efficiency of the managed lanes. A new report from FHWA shows the impact of these exemptions on managed lane performance.
Right-size parking calculator showcased at TRB annual meeting
How much parking is just the right amount? Developers and policymakers have mulled over this question for decades. King County Metro in Washington state has taken a big step toward better understanding this variability through a study conducted with the Center for Neighborhood Technology, which they presented at a session focused on parking impacts at this year’s annual meeting of the Transportation Research Board in Washington, DC.
Connecticut DOT earns national recognition for roundabout conversion
Rotaries—or large, high-speed traffic circles—are common in Northeastern states and are scattered throughout the U.S. In light of their poor performance and safety record, however, some transportation agencies are ditching rotaries in favor of smaller modern roundabouts. The Connecticut DOT chose several sites to test these conversions, and FHWA recognized one of those projects for its improved safety success.
State DOTs and MPOs develop adaptive strategies with help of climate change pilot program grants
Recent severe weather events have levied significant damage on transportation systems in states across the country. Many states, particularly those recently affected, are paying attention to the climate-related vulnerabilities in their transportation systems. Some are using grant money from FHWA to complete analysis on how to respond to the changes and how to build a more resilient system.
FHWA to study safety and design of cycle tracks
At the March AASHTO meeting, U.S. DOT Secretary Ray LaHood urged the attendees to update their guidance for bicycle facilities such as cycle tracks, also known as protected or separated bike lanes. Last week FHWA issued a task order proposal request to study the safety of cycle tracks and issue recommendations on their design and implementation.