Streetsblog readers delivered

Cross-posted courtesy of Streetsblog.

Since March, I've been doing a monthly video series called "On the Go with Ray LaHood," where I respond to questions from the public.  I want to thank Streetsblog readers for supplying the bulk of the questions we received this month.

But in my latest "On the Go" video, I was only able to answer a few of them.  Since you provided so many great questions, I thought it would be nice to answer a few extra ones right here on Streetsblog.

On my Fast Lane blog, Josef Szende asked, "Does the USDOT consider its job on creating a sustainable transit system to be over once the majority of the country is using electric vehicles?"

Josef, it's true that I'm excited about Electric Vehicles. They've got a lot of potential to help reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and they really help solve the problem of tailpipe emissions.  But many people don't want to own cars--electric or otherwise.  And, with transportation costs as the number two item in most household budgets, we know Americans need access to affordable transit options.

So this DOT is pushing forward to continue growing innovative transit systems across the U.S.  For example, our Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has a very popular Urban Circulator program and a successful New Starts program that, on Monday, announced nearly $1.6 billion for 27 projects nationwide.

And earlier this week, to support President Obama's emphasis on sustainability, the FTA announced more than $100 million in competitive grants for emerging clean fuel and hybrid or electric propulsion technologies for transit buses.

On Facebook, Kyle Merville asks, "How could DOT encourage a more even spread of transportation money to cities?  How can the DOT invest in urban infrastructure and modernize it to better serve the citizens who depend on these systems daily?"

Well, Kyle, the answer is that DOT awards a number of grants to America's urban areas.  The FTA has a specific Urbanized Area Formula program for transit capital investments--including the kind of system maintenance you ask about.  In addition, FTA also offers a Bus and Bus Facilities program, a Metropolitan and Statewide Planning program, and several other programs that make awards to cities.

We may not have a road program dedicated to urban areas, but that doesn't mean the state departments of transportation don't balance urban, suburban, and rural needs appropriately.  In fact, many of the largest highway and bridge improvement projects our Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) funds are located in urban areas.  The FHWA also has programs to improve air quality, and most of those awards end up in our nation's cities.

Then we have our very popular TIGER I and TIGER II discretionary programs, where cities and regions applied directly for support.  Our competitive TIGER awards funded many creative projects to solve problems across America--multi-use paths, transit systems, road and bridge projects--and many of these were in urban areas.  And, if you look at the transportation recommendations the President has sent to Congress for 2012, we’ve made sure to include programs where cities and regional partnerships can come directly to us.

The last question comes from Clarence Eckerson, Jr., who asks, "Would you go for a bike ride with Streetfilms?"

I'm sorry to tell you this, Clarence, but Washington, DC's Jay Mallin has beaten Streetfilms to the punch on this one.  Earlier this month, Jay joined us for a DOT bicycle commute and produced the video below.  I hope everyone enjoys his video, and, once again, thanks for the terrific questions. Please keep them coming!

Comments

[stephanie pedro]

Dear Secretary LaHood,

ABetterShreveport needs your help. We have three intersections, combined into one project that are not mandated to include our state DOTD Complete Streets Policy due to the design predating the policy. The project has been in design since 1989. I spoke to our mayor and city council at their work session this week about the issue and being a relatively new council, they are trying to find out how this can be resolved. I have asked Kent Rogers, MPO, three times for any planning and public input for these intersection and have received nothing. It is likely that our traffic volume along those corridors have decreased since 1989 as development has moved from that area to southeast Shreveport, thus the widening of Youree Drive may not be needed.

ABetterShreveport.org is a volunteer civic group of 175 members who are devoted to increasing the quality of life in Shreveport by using the best practices in urban planning, transportation, and economic development that have worked elsewhere. As you know, one of the correlates of quality life has consistently been a city's walkability. We strongly believe that crosswalks and pedestrian countdown signals are needed at these intersections in order to cross safely. Many pedestrians are crossing the intersection with children at their own risk today.

The redesign that ABetterShreveport is calling for almost exclusively relies on signals and paint. Recently, Transportation For America, a broad coalition of national, state, and local organizations that champion improving transportation options for all users, released the new report Dangerous By Design 2011, which documents how the poor design of America’s streets and roads has contributed to over 47,700 pedestrian deaths over the last decade. Louisiana ranks #3 in pedestrian fatalities under their pedestrian danger index (Appendix C).

ABetterShreveport strongly advises that the design be performed by a professional engineering firm that exhibits innovation and utiltizes best management practices, as well as the DOTD Complete Streets Policy. Kent Rogers, NLCOG (MPO) overseeing this project, has stated that the engineers are too far along in the design to include bike and ped facilities. This is not acceptable. I contacted the engineering firm who is assisting the City of Shreveport in their in-house design of the project, and Brad Graff of Colath, Graff, and Smoak Engineering did not know what Complete Streets Policy was.

Our citizens have waited a long time for this intersection correction, but we are willing to be patient to ensure that the design will be done right the first time, even if it means starting over with a professional engineering firm performing the design work.

Thanks for your time and attention to this matter.

Respectfully,

Stephanie Pedro
Strategic Director
ABetterShreveport.org
spedro1@gmail.com

[get more followers]

Hi Guys nice blog and thank you for all information and be continued, good luck

[Terry]

Yes, electric cars hold a lot of potential as an environmentally friendly transport option, but relative prices remain high and public acceptance has been relatively poor. Add to this the high greenhouse cost in the production of the batteries, and they become even less viable.

What amazes me with regard to city transport options, is the lack of serious effort being put into encouraging the use of bicycles, in inner city areas at least. Again, I recognize the limited response by the US public to date. Bike hire and exchange programs however, work extremely well in many European cities and are heavily patronized. It could do a lot for our obesity epidemic at the same time.

Webmaster of parkpcs10

[massachusetts web design]

Great comment Stephanie - I hope your requests are taken seriously. I think no matter what it's important to incorporate bike and walking usage into design.