Overview of Transportation Issues in the States
As traffic congestion worsens each year, state legislatures from across the country are looking at innovative ways to mitigate congestion, improve air quality, save energy and improve quality of life within local communities. State legislators play an integral role as a stakeholder in their state’s transportation planning. It is important that legislators work with all stakeholders, from the state Department of Transportation (DOT) to federal representatives, to ensure a plan that is comprehensive and coordinated among all involved.
As this issue continues to be addressed on the state level women legislators play an integral role in passing transportation legislation in their states. In 30 states women serve as leaders on Transportation committees.
Women In Government State Director, Representative Terri Austin (IN), chairs Indiana’s Roads & Transportation Committee. Representative Austin discusses transportation issues she faces in Indiana, “We have learned in Indiana that the first step is to build a knowledge base of the different federal funding streams and their respective goals/guidelines and flexibilities. Second, legislators need to become familiar with their state's long range plan, short term improvement plan, regional Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), etc. They need to know who the transportation players are in their state and try to build a working relationship with them. This includes their regional U.S. DOT representative, and others at the federal level. Third, I believe legislators need to help set the vision for transportation in their state. This can be a little tricky since DOTs often resist legislative involvement. But I think it is crucial that transportation policy be comprehensive (not just roads) and as coordinated as possible. Fourth, legislators need to become aware of the emerging transportation and infrastructure funding mechanisms.”
State Transportation Demand Management Programs
Transportation Demand Management (TDM) programs main goal is to change and reduce travel demand, especially at peak commute hours. TDM tries to focus on making the current roadway more efficient rather than increasing roadways. Well-designed TDM programs can reduce vehicle trips by 30 to 40 percent. A TDM program may be comprised of: car or vanpooling programs, bus pass subsidies, alternative work schedules, telecommuting options, and parking management.
Studies have indicated that travelers base their travel choices on a number of motivators including the desire to save time and money, to reduce stress or to improve convenience. These motivations should be addressed in order to help encourage a change in transportation habits.
In Washington the legislature issued a mandate in 2007 which put strict deadlines in place for submission of regional transportation plans as well as financing plans. This spurred progress across the Puget Sound region. For an example of a Transportation Demand Management program in Washington state, click here.
State Incentives for Hybrid Vehicles
As the United States tries to promote the use of hybrid vehicles, more states are providing tax incentives and other benefits for their use. In nine states, hybrid vehicle owners are allowed to use state HOV lanes without having to have additional passengers or pay an additional toll. In three states, hybrid cars are exempt from motor vehicle emissions testing and inspection testing requirements.
Last year, Massachusetts passed legislation requiring various state and regional agencies to develop a 10-year statewide plan for the development of hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles and related technologies.
Transportation and Public Health – An Unlikely Connection
While the current transportation structure often provides funding incentives to promote vehicle use, by building or expanding roads, local communaties and state legislatures are beginning to look at ways to provide more mass transit options for communities where it makes the most practical sense. Numerous health studies have linked transit, bicycle, and pedestrian-accessible communities to lower obesity rates and increased rates of physical activity.
In Texas, House Bill 2883 was introduced this year to “establish minimum guidelines to accommodate bicycles, pedestrians, and mass transit riders in all transportation planning construction, reconstruction, street or highway improvements, and transportation facilities, including mass transit facilities.”
For a copy of the bill, click here.
Transportation and Environmental Sustainability
Switching from vehicle use to public transportation is something that will help begin to generate multiple environmental benefits. Some of these benefits include: helping to improve air quality, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, assisting in decreasing travel demand, and saving energy.
Reducing vehicle use and increasing public transportation use is one of the most effective actions to reducing your carbon footprint. Vehicle use alone accounts for 47% of the carbon footprint of a typical American family with two cars. The average passenger car in the U.S. produces just under one pound of carbon dioxide per mile traveled.
To find out how much you’d save on your personal greenhouse gas emissions by switching from driving to public transportation, click here.
Highlighting State Legislation
Georgia Introduces Legislation on Transportation Investment
Senate Bill 200, which was signed by the Governor in May of 2009, requires the director of planning to prepare a report detailing the progress the division has made on developing a state-wide strategic transportation plan. The plan must include: a list of projects realistically expected to begin construction within the next four years, the cost of those projects, and the source of funding.
As the plan is being developed, consideration must be made for growth in private sector employment, reduction in traffic congestion, improved efficiency and reliability of commutes in major metropolitan areas, reduction in accidents resulting in injury or loss of life, and support for local connectivity to the state-wide transportation network, among other considerations.
The report must be submitted to the governor and general assembly by December 31, 2009, and comments and suggestions from the general assembly and the governor should be made no later than February 15, 2010. The final report must be completed by April 10, 2010.
For a copy of this bill, click here.
Representative Alice Hausman Introduces Legislation to Create a “Minnesota Transit Authority”
Representative Alice Hausman (MN) introduced House Bill 1535, creating the Minnesota Transit Authority. This bill would create an independent transit authority with statewide jurisdiction. If enacted, this legislation would require the Minnesota transit authority to prepare a comprehensive integrated statewide mass transit plan and report on that plan by January 1, 2010 to the legislature.
The plan must include: “requirements that local governments must adopt land use and subdivision regulations to reduce reliance on automobiles by allowing transit-oriented developments on lands along dedicated transit routes, and to encourage redevelopment on lands along dedicated transit routes, and encourage redevelopment of existing parking areas for transit-orientated development.”
For a copy of the bill, click here.
New York Introduces Bill to Combat Congestion Mitigation
If enacted, Assembly Bill 6867 would create the “New York City Traffic Congestion Mitigation Commission” and would require the mayor to develop a traffic congestion mitigation plan. This bill would also require the development of an environmental impact statement based on the recommendations made by the New York City Traffic Congestion Mitigation Commission, which would need to be submitted to the governor and legislature on or before January 1, 2011.
For a copy of the bill, click here.
