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2013 Excellence in Regional Transportation Awards

Carrie Kissel — Thu, 02 May 2013 17:37:35 +0000

2013 marks the seventh year that regional transportation-related programs and projects are being recognized for their innovation and impact on communities throughout the nation. In 2013, 16 projects from organizations in 8 states are being recognized through the Excellence in Regional Transportation Awards program for their innovative and excellent approaches to regional transportation planning and program implementation.

This year’s winning projects help meet their regions’ needs through various program areas, including: bicycle and pedestrian planning, air quality, equity, project implementation, public involvement, safety, and transit. Contact information for each award-winning organization is also provided.

The Excellence in Regional Transportation Award is a program of the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) Research Foundation and its program affiliate RPO America. RPO America serves as the network for the nation’s rural and small metropolitan transportation planners and other professionals.
This awards program is partially funded under a cooperative agreement with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

View the 2013 award winners (PDF)

Looking for award winning projects from prior years? See the awards reports below:

2012 awards (PDF)
2011 awards (PDF)
2010 awards (PDF)
2009 awards (PDF)
2008 awards (PDF)
2007 awards (PDF)

For more information on the Excellence in Regional Transportation Awards program, visit www.RuralTransportation.org.

To view PDF files, get free Adobe Reader.

NADO Announces 2013 Excellence in Regional Transportation Award Winners

Carrie Kissel — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 19:07:36 +0000

The NADO Research Foundation and RPO America have announced the 2013 Excellence in Regional Transportation Award-winning projects. This is the seventh year that the program has honored projects for their innovation, effectiveness, and impact on communities throughout the nation. The projects will be recognized during a special networking reception at the 2013 National Rural Transportation Peer Learning Conference, which will take place from April 24th – 26th, in Greenville, South Carolina. This year, 16 projects from 8 states were recognized for their approaches to transportation planning and projects. For more information, visit www.RuralTransportation.org or contact NADO Associate Director Carrie Kissel at 202.624.8829 or ckissel@nado.org.

GEORGIA

River Valley Regional Commission, Prison to Peanuts Bicycle Adventure

River Valley Regional Commission, RVRC Mobility Management

Three Rivers Regional Commission, Regional Mobility Management

KENTUCKY

Kentuckiana Regional Planning and Development Agency, Vanpooling Services

MAINE

Eastern Maine Development Corporation, Linking the Rural Regions of Four Counties in Maine to Enhance Transportation Opportunities and Improve Quality of Life

NORTH CAROLINA

Isothermal Planning and Development Commission, Pockets of Rural Poverty

Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments, North Carolina Lakes District

Land of Sky Regional Council of Governments, From Cradle to Construction – Project Tracking

Piedmont Triad Rural Planning Organization and UNC Highway Safety Research Center, Rural Comprehensive Speed Management Planning

Western Piedmont Council of Governments, Western Piedmont Annual Air Quality Conference

PENNSYLVANIA

North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning, Engage North Central Pennsylvania

SOUTH CAROLINA

Lower Savannah Council of Governments, Lower Savannah Regional Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan

Lower Savannah Council of Governments, Resuscitation of Transit ( and Senior) Services in Allendale, SC

Lowcountry Council of Governments, Regional Mobility Management in the Lowcountry–From Cooperation to Consolidation

VERMONT

Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission, Transportation Surveys: Attitudinal Changes and Trends in Chittenden County VT, 2000 – 2012

VIRGINIA

New River Valley Planning District Commission, Regional Transit Organization Study – Regional Transit Coordinating Council

FTA Opens Dialogue on Transit Representation on MPO Boards

NADO Admin — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 15:44:57 +0000

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is inviting participation in a National Online Dialogue on Transit Provider Representation in Metropolitan Planning Organizations. The new Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21^st Century (MAP-21) law sets forth new requirements for representation of providers of public transportation in Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs). This Dialogue will provide public transportation stakeholders with an opportunity to provide comments to FTA in advance of FTA issuing policy guidance on the topic. Comments will also be taken when the policy guidance is published in the Federal Register.

FTA Specifically Seeks Input On:

The relationships or interactions between transit providers and the MPO in your region today (board level representation, advisory committee participation, etc.). How is this effective in advancing transit priorities in MPO planning and investment decisions? How could it be improved?

How are transit providers represented in the MPO organizational structure(s) in your region and how does this structure support the advancement of transit investments?

What should FTA take into account when defining the range of transit providers that should be represented at the MPO, particularly in regions with multiple providers of public transportation?

Under MAP-21, providers of public transportation are expected to be represented on MPO boards as voting members. How does this impact your current MPO organization and structure? Please describe any opportunities or challenges this may impose on your policies, practices, and decision making processes.

The dialogue will run from March 4- March 25, 2013. To join the conversation, click here: http://transitmpo.ideascale.com/ You may register using the button on the top right.

Who Should Participate?

Transit agencies
MPOs
Local governments
States
Non-profits and transit advocacy groups

Why Participate?

FTA wants to hear from stakeholders who have experience and knowledge of current transit provider representation in MPOs and who will be affected by the new requirement. Thoughtful responses will help to ensure that FTA’s policy guidance on this issue is clear and straightforward.

How Can I Participate?

Give FTA an idea, comment on someone else’s idea or vote on someone else’s idea, or comment. There are lists of questions that can guide users’ initial thoughts, but any feedback on Transit Provider Representation in MPOs is welcome! Users may register online at any time between March 4 and March 25.

To learn more, visit http://transitmpo.ideascale.com.

What Happens to the Information Captured in the Dialogue?

Once the online dialogue has closed, stakeholders will be able to receive a report highlighting the full range of comments and suggestions. This information will help to guide us in the preparation of the policy guidance.

Future Transportation Funding Options Studied

Carrie Kissel — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 19:14:39 +0000

As states across the nation are considering proposals for transportation funding within their borders, two new reports are considering vehicle-miles-traveled-based user fees as one option. The Government Accountability Office released the report Review of the Highway Trust Fund: The Viability of Mileage Fees for Certain Vehicles (PDF), which determines that the fees can lead to more efficient roadway use, but describes challenges such as privacy concern and the difficulty of developing a cost estimate. The report also examines whether mileage fee rates are necessary to replace and supplement current Highway Trust Fund revenues. RAND Corporation has released Mileage-Based User Fees for Transportation Funding: A Primer for State and Local Decision Makers, which presents promising and innovative mileage fee system designs and transition strategies for states or localities considering or refining mileage fees. The report also summarizes the activities of states that have commissioned studies or piloted VMT-based fees, including Minnesota’s, which includes a pilot of volunteers in two counties that contain rural, suburban, and urban areas.

Submit Your Projects: NADO’s Excellence in Regional Transportation Awards

Carrie Kissel — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 22:32:21 +0000

The NADO Research Foundation and RPO America have opened the annual call for applications for the Excellence in Regional Transportation Awards. Submit information about your initiatives in the online application until March 1.

This awards program recognizes noteworthy projects and practices in rural and small metropolitan transportation planning, programming, and service delivery. Click here for information about the Excellence Award program and to view past winners.

Eligibility:

The organization applying to receive the award must be a member of NADO; if multiple organizations collaborated on a project, they may apply jointly, but the lead applicant must be a NADO member
Up to three projects per organization may be submitted
Projects must show substantive quantitative or qualitative results
A competitive application should address one or more of the following issues: uniqueness/level of innovation; regional impact; ability to be replicated; long-term viability of the program and its impact; innovative partnerships and collaborations; and creative funding

Award winners will be recognized at a roundtable reception during the National Rural Transportation Peer Learning Conference (April 24 – 26, 2013 in Greenville, SC). For more information, visit www.RuralTransportation.org. To send supporting documents or ask questions, contact NADO Associate Director Carrie Kissel, at 202.624.8829 or ckissel@nado.org.

Transportation for America Webinar: How to Use the 2012 Federal Transportation Bill to Strengthen Rural Economies

Carrie Kissel — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 15:22:24 +0000

How does the new 2012 federal transportation bill affect rural communities? Join Transportation for America on Wednesday, February 27th at 1 p.m. Eastern for an online presentation to learn how to use MAP-21 to fund rural transportation priorities and strengthen your community. Click here to register. Elected officials from non-metropolitan areas are especially invited to join this online presentation.

NADO members and their local communities and board members are invited to attend a free webinar presentation by Transportation for America. Rather than being a technical overview of MAP-21, which other sources have covered, this webinar will be an opportunity to engage stakeholders and decisionmakers on funding a variety of modes public transportation, vanpool, biking, walking, and road/bridge maintenance and repair projects that support in support of strong communities. Please share the following announcement to invite your RDO and RTPO board members and others in your region to this presentation.

Investing in a variety of transportation options—like public transportation, vanpooling, bicycling, walking, and safe roads and bridges—are crucial for stronger, more resilient communities in our nation’s rural areas. It’s important to know how our new federal transportation bill (MAP-21) has changed the way communities can access transportation dollars and what these funds can be used for.

Panelists for this discussion include:

Commissioner Kathy Rinaldi, Teton County, Idaho
Charles W. Fluharty, President and CEO, Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI)
Chris Zeilinger, Director of Policy Development, Community Transportation Association of America Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA)
Georgia Gann, Deputy Director of Government Affairs, Transportation for America
John Robert Smith, President and CEO, Reconnecting America and Former Mayor of Meridian, MS (moderator)

Webinar logistics:

Title: How to use the 2012 federal transportation bill to strengthen rural economies
Date: Wednesday, February 27, 1 p.m. Eastern/10 a.m. Pacific
Click here to register

NADO Participates in Transportation Research Board Conference

Carrie Kissel — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 19:44:24 +0000

On January 13 – 17, NADO Associate Director Carrie Kissel participated in the 92^nd Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board. The conference attracted over 11,000 individuals to Washington, DC for information and networking on a variety of transportation topics. During the conference, Kissel presented highlights from the NADO Research Foundation report Lessons Learned from Irene: Vermont RPCs Address Transportation System Recovery during a session on research in small and medium-sized communities (presentation posted below). Kissel also participated as a nominated member in several standing committees, including Transportation and Economic Development, Rural Public and Intercity Transportation, and Metropolitan Policy and Planning, as well as other groups. Kissel also attended training sessions and networked with other transportation professionals from across the country and around the world.

For more details on the RPCs’ work, read the NADO Research Foundation report Lessons Learned from Irene: Vermont RPCs Address Transportation System Recovery, which was published in July 2012. For more information, contact Kissel at 202.624.8829 or ckissel@nado.org.

View the presentation slides below:

Lessons Learned from Irene: Vermont RPCs Address Transportation System Recovery from RPO America

FHWA to Hold MAP-21 Freight Provisions Webinar

Carrie Kissel — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 21:11:03 +0000

On November 28, 1 – 2:30 EST, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will hold the webinar “Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21^st Century (MAP-21) Freight Provisions” as a special session of its monthly Talking Freight series of professional development webinars. Individuals from FHWA’s Office of Freight Management and Operations will discuss a number of freight provisions that address the need to improve goods movement. This session will highlight the sections of MAP-21 which have direct or indirect impacts for freight, including the National Freight Policy. Register online for the free webinar at http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freight/fpd/talking_freight/index.htm.

In addition, FHWA will hold the November seminar of its regularly scheduled series on November 14, on the topic “Freight Transportation’s Role in Economic Development.” Registration for both webinars are available at the link above. Receive notification about this series and other opportunities on the Freight Planning LISTSERV.

FTA Schedules Environmental Justice Webinar

Carrie Kissel — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 16:19:48 +0000

On Thursday, October 11, 1 – 3 p.m. ET, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) will hold the webinar “Environmental Justice: What does it mean?” To register for the webinar, go to: http://ftaenvironmentaljustice.eventbrite.com. For more information on EJ from FTA, visit http://fta.dot.gov/EJ.

In July, FTA released final guidance in the form of a Circular on incorporating environmental justice (EJ) principles into plans, projects, and activities that receive funding from FTA. This final guidance provides recommendations Metropolitan Planning Organizations, public transportation providers, State Departments of Transportation, and other recipients of FTA funds on how to fully engage EJ populations in the public transportation decision-making process; how to determine whether EJ populations would be subjected to disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects as a result of a transportation plan, project, or activity; and how to avoid, minimize, or mitigate these effects. FTA’s Webinar on the Circular will explore the details of these recommendations and provide specific guidance for how FTA grant recipients should incorporate EJ review into their transportation planning and NEPA efforts.

Introductory Remarks
- Therese McMillan, FTA Deputy Administrator

Speakers:
- Lucy Garliauskas, Associate Administrator, Office of Planning and Environment
- Cecelia Comito, Regional Counsel, Office of Chief Counsel
- Maya Sarna, Environmental Protection Specialist, Office of Planning and Environment

FTA Releases Final Transit in the Parks Solicitation

Carrie Kissel — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 15:10:31 +0000

On August 27, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) released the final solicitation for its Paul S. Sarbanes Transit in Parks grant program, established as a discretionary program in SAFETEA-LU and not reauthorized in MAP-21. Applications may include support for capital and planning expenses for new or existing alternative transportation systems in the vicinity of national parks and other federal lands. This includes transit and non-motorized transportation. Eligible entities include state, tribal, or local governmental authorities with jurisdiction over land in the vicinity of an eligible area, as well as Federal Land Management Agencies. A total of $12 million is available, with maximum awards of up to $2 million, and the federal share may be up to 100 percent of the project cost. The grant application is due September 28, 2012.

Visit FTA’s program website for more information and Grants.gov for information on how to apply.