Research update 10/10/07

Report urges goals for state transportation panel
Virginia's transportation agencies need to adopt goals that help citizens understand in plain language how their policies are improving mobility
Tom Holden, The Virginian-Pilot, 10/10/07

Final Report of the Virginia Transportation Accountability Commission
Virginia's transportation agencies need to adopt goals that help citizens understand in plain language how their policies are improving mobility
Transportation Accountability Commission, 10/10/07

Critics give new I-35W bridge design good marks
Although not finalized, the design is the result of a rushed rebuilding process known as 'design-build,' in which construction and design overlap each other.
Jason Hoppin, Pioneer Press, 10/10/07

Speakers argue for SD road funds
Some the benefits that can be derived from a road system involve safety, travel time, fuel savings and emissions reduction.
Gordo Weixel, Bismarck Tribune, 10/10/07

TxDOT knows where you went
Texas Department of Transportation wants to know, and a company it hired may have videotaped your license plate, then sent you a survey to find out. The survey is being done in the name of sound transportation planning.
Peggy Fikac, 10/10/07, 2007 Houston Chronicle Austin Bureau

Wanted: World Class Rail Transit
London's political leaders are worried that people don't consider it to be a world-class city without a rail transit line
The Antiplanner, 10/10/07

Boom fades as ethanol floods market
The growing pains of a young industry sting some ethanol producers; with plant capacity outstripping immediate demand, many expect profits to be depressed through next year.
MN Star Tribune, 10/09/07

Some worry Santa Fe Rail Runner issues not being addressed
Among the issues are noise, location of additional stations, traffic impacts and public safety.
Julie Ann Grimm, The New Mexican, 10/09/07

Is Ethanol the 'Energy Security' solution?
But is ethanol a truly renewable energy source, and is it more secure and dependable than oil? The answer to both of those questions, surprisingly, is no.
Eaves, Cato Institute, 10/08/07

Judge wants toll-road study explanations
A NJ Superior Court judge orders Corzine officials to appear in court to explain why they are keeping under wraps a study of the revenue-raising potential of three toll roads.
J. Donohue, Star Ledger, 10/05/07

Parking space tax?
In Chicago, officials are backing away from a sales tax hike and opening up to ideas like a property tax on parking spaces
J. Ryan, Daily Herald Staff, 10/05/07

Transport crunch thwarting grain sales
Colorado farmers scrambled to move the wheat to market. A market that now is flooded with grain. Much of the harvest is stuck in storage or on the ground, partly because of a shortage of rail cars and commercial carriers.
Erin Emery, Denver Post, 10/05/07

MN Highway budget headed for cash shortage
The state budget for highway construction and maintenance is on a track to run short of cash even if it gets all of the money authorized by the federal government to rebuild the Interstate 35W bridge
Pat Doyle, Star Tribune, 10/04/07

NM state is almost $500 million short of what's needed for highway and transportation projects
Funding shortfall threatens to delay road projects across the state while the $400 million Road Runner commuter rail service moves ahead without a slowdown.
B. Massey, AP, 10/4/07

NW Foes of road and transit measure contest informational mailing
A group [Sierra Club Cascade Chapter] opposes the $47 billion, three-county road and transit ballot measure on the November ballot
Seattle P.I., 10/04/07

Quiet pavement installation
The New Jersey Department of Transportation has spent $19 million for new, eco- friendly, quiet pavement.
Jeff Trently, The Times, 10/04/07

Chesterfield , Virginia, may require developers to pay more toward county roads
In the coming years, if homes were built on all 9,000 lots, the county would get about $52.4 million for road projects.
J. Walker, Richmond Times Dispatch, 10/04/07

Heartburn over roads: WA State fears $1.5B shortfall
Washington could fall about $1.5 billion short of what's needed to pay for state transportation projects over the next 16 years because drivers are expected to buy less gasoline than the state had forecast.
A. Garber, Seattle Times, 10/04/07

Managing Congestion Through Innovative Pricing and Financing
Innovative pricing and financing are commanding growing attention in transportation planning and engineering, many new proposals and projects are under development and potential exists for making a significant impact on congestion in critical locations of the U.S.
R.Kirby, NTOC, ITE 2007

Value Pricing Project Quarterly Report
National Projects and Costs for Highways
USDOT FHWA, Office of Operations, Apr-Jun 2007

In NY Traffic s Jam, Who s Driving May Be Surprising
It s a common enough thought among city drivers inching through traffic: Everyone around me came from the suburbs, making my life miserable. But it s wrong, because more than half the drivers who crowd into Manhattan each workday come from the five boroughs.
W. Neuman, NYT, 1/12/07

The Congestion Initiative: Working for Relief
Several factors are known to contribute to traffic congestion, as detailed by the Federal HIghway Administration. Bottlenecks are most signigicant factor.
USDOT FHWA, Oct 2007

Where Now on U.S. Toll Road Concessions?
Setbacks obscure several positive developments for tolling and long-term concessions across the nation
R. Poole, Reason Foundation, September 2007

Virtual Exclusive Busways
Improving Urban Transit while Relieving Traffic Congestion, a summary
R. Poole and T. Balaker, Reason Foundation, September 2005