In new rules published in the Federal Register on Wednesday, the Department of Transportation is amending Bush era policies on awarding grants for Light Rail, Subway, and Bus Rapid Transit projects.
Lisa Caruso reports on the proposed changes which have rankled Bush era officials. The new rules, which will consider a project's "effects on air pollution, energy use, greenhouse-gas emissions and safety, and 'social equity impacts' such as affordable housing and job creation" when evaluating grant applications for the agency's New Starts and Small Starts programs may move DOT somewhat towards addressing the civil and human rights related concerns that were the subject of a piece we linked to earlier this week.
The rules would also streamline the approvals process by at least six months according to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.
Not all are happy with the proposed changes, however. "The Federal Transit Administration 'is opening the door to an evaluation that is more subjective than it has been in the past and more prone to forecasting error,' said [David] Horner, a former chief counsel to the agency during the Bush administration."
FULL STORY: ‘Social Equity’ to Be Weighed in U.S. Transit Funding Rule
Federal Transit Grants Delayed by the Trump Administration
Congress has continued to fund transit projects despite the Trump Administration's stated desire to end federal funding for federal transit. Now it appears the Trump Administration is killing transit with bureaucracy.
Five Years Later, 'Smart Cities Challenge' Promise Unfulfilled
The "Smart Cities Challenge" paid Columbus, Ohio $50 million to kick start a revolution of urban technology. The revolution never arrived, according to a recent assessment by Wired writer Aarian Marshall.
A Call for a New Approach to Federal Transportation Policy
According to this blog post, federal transportation policies are misdirected, inconsistent, and destructive. A comprehensive overhaul of federal transportation policy is necessary.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
The Five Most-Changed American Cities
A ranking of population change, home values, and jobs highlights the nation’s most dynamic and most stagnant regions.
San Diego Adopts First Mobility Master Plan
The plan provides a comprehensive framework for making San Diego’s transportation network more multimodal, accessible, and sustainable.
Housing, Supportive Service Providers Brace for Federal Cuts
Organizations that provide housing assistance are tightening their purse strings and making plans for maintaining operations if federal funding dries up.
Op-Ed: Why an Effective Passenger Rail Network Needs Government Involvement
An outdated rail network that privileges freight won’t be fixed by privatizing Amtrak.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions