The Transportation Research Board recently released the following Transit Cooperative Research Program publications:

Report 155: Track Design Handbook for Light Rail Transit, Second Edition. This report provides guidelines and descriptions for the design of various common types of light rail transit track. These include ballasted track, direct fixation (“ballastless”) track, and embedded track.

Report 156: Guidebook for Evaluating Fuel Purchasing Strategies for Public Transit Agencies. This report is designed to help identify and evaluate risks and uncertainties with respect to fuel prices. It describes tools and techniques for minimizing the impact of fuel price uncertainties over time, such as the concept of fuel price risk management.

Report 95, Chapter 16: Traveler Response to Transportation System Changes Handbook, Third Edition; Chapter 16, Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities. This report examines pedestrian and bicyclist behavior and travel demand outcomes in a relatively broad sense. It covers traveler response to non-motorized transportation facilities both in isolation and as part of the total urban fabric, along with the effects of associated programs and promotion. Complementing the report are illustrative photographs provided as a “Photo Gallery” at the conclusion of the report; PowerPoint slides are available for download.

LRD-40: Issues Involving Surety for Public Transportation Projects. This digest reviews applicable federal law, provides examples of state and local laws, and highlights industry practices related to surety.

Copies of these reports are available online.