Publication Showcase

National Transportation Atlas Database 2007 CD Released

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics has made available the most updated version of its national geographic databases of transportation facilities. These databases include geospatial information for transportation modal networks and intermodal terminals.  To learn more, go to https://www.bts.gov/pdc/user/products/src/products.xml?p=2559&c=-1.

FHWA’s Transportation Planning Update Newsletter Online

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has released the latest issue of its quarterly Transportation Planning Update newsletter. Topics in this issue include: Planning & Climate Change, Land Use & Transportation, Performance Measures and more. See www.fhwa.dot.gov/resourcecenter/teams/planning/tpu12.pdf

New Resources on Transit Published

The ITS Joint Program Office has made available a new resource on implementing ITS in rural transit to save agency staff time and create a more user-friendly system.  The article examines the experience of five states and suggests actions such as: implementing computer aided dispatch along with automatic vehicle location and mobile data terminals to provide greater service to riders; implementing a wireless communications system; using Web-based tools to aid in rider convenience; and automating fare reconciliation and general accounting.  To read the full article, go to www.itslessons.its.dot.gov/its/benecost.nsf/Lesson?OpenForm&2B118F4E270883D18525728F00085A2E
TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Report 111: Elements Needed to Create High-Ridership Transit Systems provides case studies of successful transit agency strategies that increase ridership and overcome ridership challenges.  A companion CD-ROM contains a database of individual agency ridership strategies linked to the examples presented in the report.  To view the report online, go to onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/tcrp/tcrp_rpt_111.pdf.  

In addition, TCRP Report 118: Bus Rapid Transit Practitioner's Guide explores the costs, impacts and effectiveness of bus rapid transit (BRT).  The report examines planning and decision making, and costs and impacts related to implementing various components of BRT systems.  To read the report, please see onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/tcrp/tcrp_rpt_118.pdf.

The U.S. Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has launched the new website www.fta.dot.gov/planning/programs/planning_environment_6932.html to highlight its transit-oriented and joint development programs.  The site also includes general information of transit-oriented development and links to joint development guidance, case studies, outreach and training material.

FHWA Releases Regional Operations Report

FHWA's Office of Operations has released Regional Concept for Transportation Operations: The Blueprint for Action.  This report assists in planning and implementing management and operations strategies and analyzes a regional concept for transportation operations, the development of its elements, and its application.  To view the report, go to www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/rctoprimer/rcto_primer.pdf.

New Safety Resources Available

The Transportation Safety Planning Working Group (TSPWG) has released the latest issue of its quarterly newsletter at tsp.trb.org/assets/FHWA%20Nwsltr_Vol3_Issue%203_July07_FINAL.pdf.  TSPWG is an informal, ad hoc partnership of select U.S. Department of Transportation agencies and associations representing safety, traffic engineering, and planning professionals as well as state departments of transportation. 

In addition, FHWA has published Road Safety Audit Guidelines to help agencies develop policies and procedures for road safety audits (RSA).  The guidelines provide an overview of RSAs, a step-by-step process for conducting an RSA, and information on tools, including audit prompt lists for identifying potential safety issues, and case studies of how RSAs have been used in the field.  Download a copy at safety.fhwa.dot.gov/rsa/rsaguidelines/html.

FHWA also published the Pedestrian and Bicyclist Intersection Safety Indices Final Report.  The report examines models that use easily collected, observable characteristics of an intersection in order to produce safety index values, which may guide efforts to prioritize projects that improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety.  For more information, go to www.tfhrc.gov/safety/pedbike/pubs/06125/06125.pdf.

Air Quality Data and Tools

The Center for Transportation and the Environment has made files from a seminar on data and tools for air quality professionals available on its website at cte.ncsu.edu/CTE/TechTransfer/Teleconferences/epa2007.asp.  The EPA staff who spoke during the seminar explored tools designed to help all levels of air pollution control agencies conduct analyses and communicate air quality information.