John Hennessy III,
P.E.
DISTRICT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
The goal of Vision Zero is straight-forward: zero fatalities and serious injuries in our transportation system, because no loss of life is acceptable. Vision Zero was first adopted in Sweden in 1997. Since then, fatal and serious injuries in Sweden have consistently declined, despite a regular increase in people driving, walking, biking, and using transit.
Once the world leader in infrastructure, the United States has fallen far behind in 16th place. So just how bad are America’s roads?
View this complete post...
AMERICAN COUNCIL OF ENGINEERING COMPANIES
The automobile is undergoing a radical transformation. Advancements in technology, along with growing pressure to reduce congestion, trim carbon emissions and improve safety, are fueling the concept of connected cars and smart transportation systems.
How these technological advances will impact America’s roadways is a new challenge facing engineering firms. There’s growing demand to develop smart infrastructure systems that do things such as alter traffic flow dynamically. Motorists are using apps, such as Google Maps and Apple Maps, to bypass congestion and incidents, but far more advanced vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2X) systems lie ahead.
TRANSPORTATION FOR AMERICA
After years of inactivity on the issue, transportation funding has increasingly become a critical issue in states both red and blue and elected state representatives have responded by moving to raise new funding at the state and even local level. With 12 states successfully taking action this year, 2015 had the largest number of successful increases in state transportation funding since Transportation for America began tracking this phenomenon several years ago.
“I do believe with a new Congress and a new administration, whatever the configuration of that is…I think we have a chance to get a blue-ribbon, six-month commission to propose ways to make significant investments in the American infrastructure. And I think that would lead to doing something like all of the G20 countries have done, and that’s a long-term infrastructure revitalization program…I think with Presidential and Congressional leadership looking at one of the most significant long-range problems facing this country, I think we have a chance to start anew. If we had such a commission I would love to be part of it or chair it, and I would do it as a labor of love.”
View this complete post...
TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH BOARD
Information and communication technologies, combined with smartphone applications and location data from global positioning systems, are making feasible transportation services that have long been imagined but never realized on a large scale. These innovations include carsharing; bikesharing; microtransit services; and, most notably, transportation network companies (TNCs) such as Uber and Lyft.
SAN FRANCISCO COUNTY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
The CMP legislation aims to increase the productivity of existing transportation infrastructure and encourage more efficient use of scarce new dollars for transportation investments, in order to effectively manage congestion, improve air quality, and ultimately allow continued development.
“I think all of those who have been surface transportation advocates have in fact been heard by the Congress, because they are supportive of this program, but that said, many of those same groups who are advocating for transportation investment have also made the point that what we really need is that sustainable source of revenue for the longer term. And the Congress did not address that issue. They chose to use what revenues do flow into the Highway Trust Fund but are insufficient to support today’s program levels and supplement those with general funds.”
View this complete post...
Congress has finally approved a new, long-term surface transportation program – the FAST Act. The $305 billion package will boost investments in highway and transit projects, giving State and local transportation agencies five full years of dedicated federal assistance, unlocking stalled projects and unleashing a new wave of contracting opportunities for engineering firms…To preview how the FAST Act will impact the business outlook for A/E/C firms, The American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) presents an exclusive on-line seminar: The New Federal Transportation Program – What It Means for Your Business.
View this complete post...
“…I think unfortunately we’ve come to a point in the U.S. and in Congress that infrastructure writ large is still somewhat a bipartisan issue—and I think this sort of cemented that for at least the next 5 years—but the type of infrastructure is not. So we’d like to see a more performance driven system where you invest in the projects that give you the biggest bang for the buck, and unfortunately I think we’re still going to be stuck in these kinds of 20th century silos for the next 5 years.”
View this complete post...    |
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.