John Hennessy III,
P.E.
ADVOCACY ADVANCE
This report examines some of the states that have successfully dedicated federal safety funds to reduce bicycle and pedestrian fatalities and crashes. In a number of cases, advocates have taken a leading role in ensuring the transportation agency had prioritized road safety projects for non‐motorists. Hopefully, these experiences will help advocates and officials in other states access this untapped resource for badly needed bicycle and pedestrian safety projects.
NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Looking beyond the recession, sustainable modes of transportation will likely absorb increased travel generated by economic and population growth – but only if the City and the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) commit the resources to support these modes. The importance of investing in transit and other transportation improvements is illustrated by the two bright spots in the overall picture in the last several years. First, while the bus system as a whole was losing ridership, new Select Bus Services (SBS) in the Bronx and Manhattan attracted increased bus ridership. In a similar vein, continued expansion of the bike network spurred large increases in cycling both into the Manhattan core, and in other areas of the city.
NATIONAL COMPLETE STREETS COALITION
The power of the Complete Streets movement is that it fundamentally redefines what a street is intended to do, what goals a transportation agency is going to meet, and how the community will spend its transportation money. It breaks down the traditional separation of ‘highways,’ ‘transit,’ and ‘biking/walking,’ and instead focuses on the desired outcome of a transportation system that supports safe use of the roadway for everyone, by whatever means they are traveling.
MINETA TRANSPORTATION INSTITUTE
Increasingly, bicycling and transit are receiving attention in planning circles in their own right. Many countries are experiencing rising levels of cycling and available reports of transit ridership suggest that the United States had the highest transit patronage in 52 years in absolute terms in 2008 despite falling gas prices. Several studies suggest that the growth in both modes may in small part be a result of the integration of the two modes.
Go take a ride down 3rd Street and Broadway to see the brand new bike lanes and bike signals!
View this complete post...
LEAGUE OF AMERICAN BICYCLISTS
Rescissions are essentially a book keeping measure when properly administered. It allows USDOT to recoup unspent funds. However, some state DOTs have turned into an opportunity to gut neglected bicycle and pedestrian funding sources in order to preserve favored programs.
LATITUDE & NEXT AMERICAN CITY
Study participants felt that there were a number of inherent benefits to driving less, many of which aligned with their own personal goals—perks like good exercise, reducing one’s carbon footprint, feeling more immersed in their communities, or having more time to read or relax.
If you’ve ever ventured out into one of Chicago’s famous six-corner intersections, you know the streets don’t always feel safe. The facts bear this out. In 2009 there were over 4,500 crashes between Chicago drivers and pedestrians or cyclists, 35 of which were fatal. This is according to the Illinois Department of Transportation, which tracks traffic statistics.
View this complete post...
LATITUDE & NEXT AMERICAN CITY
In late 2010, Latitudeº asked 18 participants (10 from Boston, 8 from San Francisco) not to use their cars for one week. The vast majority of participants had ranked cars as their most necessary form of transportation, with the remainder using their cars at least weekly.
CYCLINGMOBILITY
To the uninitiated, Chicago seems like an unlikely place for cyclists, and with good reason. It’s big: with almost 3 million residents, it’s the third largest city in the United States. It’s intimidating: Chicago’s nearly 596 square kilometers of land area are latticed with congested streets and highways. And its weather is far from cyclist-friendly: the city’s bipolar climate fluctuates between teeth-chattering, snow-spattering winters and sweat-drizzling, sidewalk-sizzling summers. But even so, this metropolis reached a bicycle commuter mode share of 1.15% in 2009 – an increase of 129% since 2000.
    |
Follow InfrastructureUSA
Video, stills and tales. Share images of the Infra in your community that demands attention. Post your ideas about national Infra issues. Go ahead. Show Us Your Infra! Upload and instantly share your message.
Is the administration moving fast enough on Infra issues? Are Americans prepared to pay more taxes for repairs? Should job creation be the guiding determination? Vote now!
What do the experts think? This is where the nation's public policy organizations, trade associations and think tanks weigh in with analysis on Infra issues. Tell them what you think. Ask questions. Share a different view.
The Infra Blog offers cutting edge perspective on a broad spectrum of Infra topics. Frequent updates and provocative posts highlight hot button topics -- essential ingredients of a national Infra dialogue.
It is encouraging to finally see clear signs of federal action to support a comprehensive US infrastructure investment plan.
Now more than ever, our advocacy is needed to keep stakeholders informed and connected, and to hold politicians to their promises to finally fix our nation’s ailing infrastructure.
We have already engaged nearly 280,000 users, and hoping to add many more as interest continues to grow.
We require your support in order to rise to this occasion, to make the most of this opportunity. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to InfrastructureUSA.org.
Steve Anderson
Managing Director
SteveAnderson@InfrastructureUSA.org
917-940-7125
RSS Feed
© InfrastructureUSA | Terms of Use | Site developed by Andigo New Media
InfrastructureUSA.org is a nonprofit project fiscally sponsored by FJC, a Foundation of Philanthropic Funds.