Seeking an Expert on School Siting

Does anyone have know an expert to provide guidance on public school siting issues as they relate to VMT reduction, healthy communities and safe routes?

Federal Complete Streets Bill

In early May, Representatives Doris Matsui (D-CA) and Steven LaTourette (R-OH) jointly introduced The Safe and Complete Streets Act of 2011 (HR 1780). The legislation is a bipartisan initiative, implementing policy to ensure the safety and ease of access for all users of the transportation system, by requiring the accommodation of their needs during planning and development. The bill directs all states and MPOs to adhere to a policy that all transportation projects will comply with Complete Streets principles, though the implications of that policy can vary widely depending on the context and is sensitive to local needs. To date, over 200 local jurisdictions and 23 states have adopted Complete Streets policies.

A previous version of Complete Streets legislation was introduced by Rep. Matsui in 2009 and collected 62 cosponsors, but was not taken up in committee. With the addition of Rep. LaTourette as a lead sponsor, the bill continues to build momentum in the 112th Congress.

APA is a member of the steering committee of the Complete Streets Coalition and we have joined a national organization letter of support for this legislation.

We recommend all TPD'ers sign up on the Legislative Action Center to receive action alerts and hep send e-mails to your federal and state representatives:
http://www.planning.org/_offsite/capwiz.htm

Twitter

We've got a new twitter account! Follow the TPD - @APATPD

We'll follow you back!

Transportation’s Economic Impact, a more complete picture

Check out APA's Economic Development Division's blog entry on this subject. The author challenges transportation and economic development professionals to work together to create dynamic, accessible and equitable communities that will provide the foundation for continued national economic success.

Direct link:

http://apaeconomicdevelopment.blogspot.com/2010/03/transportations-economic-impact-more.html

From @RayLaHood

(via Twitter) Got ideas? Read our 2010 preview, let us know what's on your transportation agenda. http://bit.ly/4Yvj9S

GAO Study on State Transportation Planning

House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman James Oberstar has asked the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a study on state transportation planning. GAO has identified four questions that their report will address:

1. What transportation planning activities are performed by state DOTs?

2. To what extent do state DOTs make use of performance measures in their decision-making and planning processes?

3. What challenges do state DOTs encounter in developing transportation plans?

4. What role does the U.S. Department of Transportation have in overseeing state transportation planning activities, and what opportunities, if any, exist to improve oversight and enhance statewide planning activities?

APA has been invited to offer comments and information to GAO as part of their work. APA will be compiling information and meeting with GAO in early December.

The Transportation Planning Division invites you to provide input on these questions, particularly issues related to the challenges (both for the state and for the MPOs and localities in working with the state) and opportunities to improve state transportation planning.

As always, specific comments are most helpful and we need input by December.

Straw Poll Results

Our straw poll regarding changes to our bylaws is complete. The proposed changes will be voted on at the next Transportation Planning Division business meeting which will be held in Boston during the Rail~Volution conference. The conference is from October 29th through November 1st.

The straw poll indicated strong support for changes. 88 voted in favor; and, 2 voted against. In accordance with our bylaws, these changes must be voted on during a Division business meeting. Thanks to all!

Division Bylaw Changes

Dear TPD Members:

As TPD strives to be your go-to resource for information, grows, and develops programs, the amount of work being undertaken by the Division officers and volunteers has greatly expanded. The idea of expanding the number of elected officers for the Division has been discussed and the Division Bylaws have been modified to accomodate proposed changes aimed at transforming the office of Vice-Chair currently held by one individual to three seperate Vice-Chair offices to be held by three individuals.

Please take the time to review the proposed changes to the Division Bylaws. These can be found at http://www.apa-tpd.org/bylaw/Division_Bylaw_October_2008_Revisions.pdf.

After you have reviewed the proposed changes, please cast your vote in the poll to the right. This poll will end August 1st.

Top 10 Free Web Applications for Planning | Planetizen

Top 10 Free Web Applications for Planning | Planetizen

Survey

Well I spoke (typed?) too soon and the division is doing a formal survey of how you think we've done. It's here.

Also, don't forget to vote for the next group of TPD leaders! I'm stepping down from the vice-chair position; I've enjoyed my time working with the TPD leadership, but it's time for me to move on. Good luck to the new leaders, as well as the returning ones!

Hilary

TPD Communication & Networking sites

• apa-tpd.org (TPD website)
• apa-tpd.blogspot.com (TPD blog)
• apatpd.ning.com (Ning online networking)
• http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=41884958915 (Facebook)
• http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1178607&trk=hb_side_g (LinkedIn)

Check them out!

LinkedIn

Check out the TPD group on LinkedIn! All existing TPD members are pre-approved!

AICP Certification Maintenance - Differential Charges for non-AICP Members

Please read, review, & comment on the Division's draft letter to the AICP Commission regarding fees for CM courses.

States Forced to Delay Millions of Dollars in Highway Contracts

States have put the brakes on millions of dollars of highway construction projects and are scrambling to substitute scarce state funds for the federal funds that have been cut off due to the crisis in the Highway Trust Fund. "States are suspending new contract awards, halting right-of-way acquisition and looking for ways to stop on-going construction while maintaining public safety," said AASHTO Executive Director John Horsley. "It is truly a crisis that Congress must resolve immediately. Every day the federal IOUs are piling up and the states' financial hole gets deeper." U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters announced on Friday that the federal government would slow down reimbursements to the states, and would likely be able to make only partial payments beginning next week, due to insufficient funds in the Highway Trust Fund. She has urged Congress to enact by the end of the week, a $8 billion transfer from the General Fund to preserve the solvency of the Highway Trust Fund. Action is pending in the Senate. More than a dozen states have detailed the impacts of the federal default on state programs, either in news releases or via media reports. Those impacts are available on the AASHTO website www.transportation. org or at the following links:

ALABAMA
Diminished Fuel Taxes Causes Rationing of Federal Fundinghttp://www.dot. state.al. us/NR/rdonlyres/ 2124AC24- B723-467D- 9C4D-DC8D78FB52B5/ 0/99HTF.doc

ARIZONA Federal Highway Fund Bankruptcy Hits Arizona: ADOT to Delay New Federally Supported Projectshttp://www.azdot. gov/ccpartnershi ps/news/NRel2175 .asp Arizona Highway Projects Stall Out in Face of ShortfallLink to story in The Arizona Republic:http://www.azcentra l.com/arizonarep ublic/local/ articles/ 2008/09/06/ 20080906adot0906. html

CALIFORNIA
Statement from Caltrans Director Will Kempton: Today, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced that effective Monday, September 8, the Federal Highway Administration will delay financial reimbursements from the Highway Trust Fund to all states. Here is a statement from California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Director Will Kempton in response: "This latest announcement from the U.S. Department of Transportation aggravates an already tight budget problem for California's transportation program. We had projected that the state budget impasse could impact ongoing transportation construction projects by October. However, delays in federal reimbursements could exacerbate this situation. Failure to resolve this issue will have a significant impact on California and the rest of the nation. Unless resolved, this situation could result in delaying, reducing, or canceling transportation projects. The ripple effect could impact the state's economy through loss of revenues, reduced productivity and increased unemployment. In July, I wrote a letter to California's congressional delegation emphasizing the need to resolve this issue at the earliest possible date. We will continue working with Congress and federal transportation officials to secure the passage of legislation that will address the funding shortfall in the Highway Trust Fund."

COLORADO
Colorado Trying to Cope with Federal Cuts to Road FundsLink to story in the Rocky Mountain News:http://www.rockymou ntainnews. com/news/ 2008/sep/ 06/state- trying-to-cope-with-federal- cuts-to-road/

KANSAS
State of Kansas Department of Transportation expresses some funding concernsLink to story in The Fort Scott Tribune:http://www.fstribun e.com/story/ 1459509.html

MICHIGAN
US Road Fund Short, May Pinch Big Projects in MichiganLink to AP story:http://www.freep. com/apps/ pbcs.dll/ article?AID=/20080906/ NEWS07/809060334 MINNESOTAMinnesota Projects Not EffectedLink to story in the Star Tribune:http://www.startrib une.com/local/ 27914954. html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUo aEyqyP4O: DW3ckUiD3aPc: _Yyc:aULPQL7PQLa nchO7DiUsA

MISSOURI
Missouri DOT Watches Washington Money SituationLink to story on KRMS Radio:http://www.1150krms .com/?q=node/ 3220 Highway Trust Fund Shortfall Could Cause State Highway Projects to be Canceledhttp://www.modot. org/newsandinfo/ District0News. shtml?action=displaySSI& newsId=21745

NEW HAMPSHIRE
New Hampshire Worries Feds Might Hamper Road WorkLink to AP story:http://www.boston. com/news/ local/new_ hampshire/ articles/ 2008/09/06/ nh_worries_feds_ might_hamper_ road_work/ OKLAHOMAHighway Construction Halted by

Oklahoma DOT
http://www.okladot. state.ok. us/newsmedia/ press/08_ 051_highway_ construction_halted_ by_odot.pdf

PENNSYLVANIA
PENNDOT Secretary Says Federal Funding Shortfall Could Impact PA'S Highway, Bridge ProgramCongress Needs to Enact Fix to Restore Fundhttp://downloads. transportation. org/PA_Rls_ Trust Fund 0905081.doc $8 Billion in State Highway Funding at Risk in PennsylvaniaLink to story in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:http://www.pittsbur ghlive.com/ x/pittsburghtrib /news/state/ s_586804. html

TEXAS
TxDOT says highway fund close to depletionLink to story in the San Antonio Business Journal:http://www.bizjourn als.com/sananton io/stories/ 2008/09/08/ daily12.html

WASHINGTON
Gov. Gregoire's Statement on the Federal Highway Transportation Funding Bankruptcyhttp://www.governor .wa.gov/news/ news-view. asp?pressRelease= 985&newsType= 1 Washington Projects Could be Affected as Federal Fund for Roads Runs DryLink to AP story:http://seattletimes .nwsource. com/html/ localnews/ 2008161902_ roads06.html

NATIONAL
Highway Fund Bailout Now Backed by Bush AdministrationLink to story in The Los Angeles Timeshttp://www.latimes. com/news/ nationworld/ nation/la- na-highway6-2008sep06,0, 4699247.story Senator Inhofe Urges Immediate Action to Prevent Highway Trust Fund Insolvencyhttp://media- newswire. com/release_ 1072317.html Highway Fund Shortfall May Halt Road ProjectsLink to story in The New York Times:http://www.nytimes. com/2008/ 09/06/us/ 06highway. html?_r=1&scp=2&sq= highway%20fund& st=cse&oref= slogin

Thoughts on AICP Recertification Maintenance Program Changes

At Planetizen.

What do you think? Are they making worthwhile progress?

TRB or Railvolution?

Would you be more inclined/interested to attend the mid-year TPD meeting if it were not held so close to the National meeting? TRB has been a good fit for us over the years, but we are considering moving the mid-year meeting to Railvolution (October 26-29, San Francisco) to spread things out a bit on the calendar.

One upside is that it isn't so close on the calendar to APA National. One downside is that Railvolution is heavily oriented to transit, and may not be of interest to non-transit TPD members.

Please answer the polls on the right. Feel free to add you comments about this idea to this post.

Thanks!

ISO: TPD webmaster

The TPD is looking for one volunteer to edit and maintain our website. It shouldn't be a bit commitment of time - mostly just posting new content.

Drop me an email (hilary dot perkins at gmail dot com) if you are interested.

Thanks,
Hilary

Transportation Communications Newsletter

This is a great - and brief - daily newsletter that is packed with transportation-related news. It's also conveniently sorted by topic (aviation, tolling, GIS, etc). It's a great daily read!

You can subscribe this way:

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe send an e-mail to: TCNL-subscribe@googlegroups.com

TCN archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transport-communications

APA's Draft Policy Guide on Planning & Climate Change

APA is encouraging members to read and comment on the Draft Policy Guide on Planning and Climate Change. Please let us know your thoughts and we will summarize and submit to APA.

Other APA policy guides can be found here.

TPD's letter to AICP regarding certification maintenance

Based on the survey results, the letter that the TPD Executive Committee sent to AICP is here.