The House Subcommittee on Highways and Transit continued its review of TEA-21 renewal with a May 21 hearing on ways to relieve highway congestion through capacity enhancements and increased efficiency. FHWA Administrator Mary Peters provided perspectives on the nation's traffic congestion problems, providing testimony that dealt with capacity enhancements, improved efficiency, system preservation and asset management. While noticing that passenger travel "is expected to grow more slowly," she indicated, as many others have recently, that truck travel "is expected to grow by more than 3 percent annually, "nearly doubling between 1998 and 2020."

Joining witnesses on the largely industry-oriented panel, Environmental Defense's Michael Replogle told panel members, "Throwing more money into road-building and streamlining project reviews to curtail consideration of environmental factors won't solve congestion. But better accountability, planning, consideration of alternatives, and support for new smart incentive strategies can help local and state agencies, businesses, and citizens cut their way through the traffic mess and boost transportation equity."

Industry witnesses continued to press for additional resources and environmental streamlining as their priorities for TEA-21 renewal legislation. Peters' testimony gave credence to industry claims about the lack of investment in capacity enhancement, stating that "highway mileage increased only 2 percent during the period 1980-2000." For the full story about highway capacity, see STPP's Decoding Transportation Policy & Practice on the subject.

Testimony from the hearing can be found at TEA3.org

STPP Leaders Testify Before Senate Panel On Transportation & Smart Growth 

On May 15, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee held a hearing on "Transportation Planning and Smart Growth" at which STPP Board Members Judith Espinosa and Thomas M. Downs shared their perspectives.

Espinosa, who leads the University of New Mexico's Alliance for Transportation Research Institute, appeared on behalf of STPP, telling the panel members that "despite progress under ISTEA and TEA-21, we haven't fully capitalized on these laws." She noted the alliance that has formed to promote the New Transportation Charter and emphasized "the public has a strong appetite for improvements," wanting more choice and balance in their transportation systems. Espinosa talked about the need for good data and research to support better planning and smart growth efforts and called for more transparency in funding decisions by the states.

In concluding her oral remarks, Espinosa indicated that it was likely that "in 2003, legislation on air, rail, highway, and transit will be considered," urging action on an integrated approach to deal with transportation challenges.

Downs, who spoke as Director of the University of Maryland's National Center for Smart Growth, Research, Education, and Training, provided perspectives on the state of knowledge on the connections between transportation and land use patterns.

"Smart growth is about growth," Downs told the Senate panel, "the question is how we choose to cope with it." He added that systems "must be accountable for how we absorb that growth." Downs noted how little research has been conducted on the impact of transportation investments on density, land uses, and other factors.

“While we as a nation have spent hundreds of millions of dollars on developing better pothole material, better cement, and better bridge steel, we have spent almost nothing on the most important aspect of transportation – how it has changed the way we live and work.”

Others testifying on smart growth and transportation included anti-transit consultant Wendell Cox and Joy Wilson, president of the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association.

For more information on the Senate hearing, click here. 

This analysis of information from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) shows that automobile use has leveled off, while transit trip-making reached its highest level in 40 years.

To view the Decoder, click here. 

A sampling of articles on the new statistics:

    An Albuquerque Alibi Weekly guest editorial by STPP’s New Mexico Director

    The Charlotte Observer

    The Seattle Times

    Connecticut Post Editorial

 
Susie Stephens' Killer Charged With Misdemeanor

The driver of the tour bus that killed bicycle advocate Susie Stephens in St. Louis in March has been issued a summons for failure to yield to a pedestrian, a misdemeanor. He faces a $500 fine or 90 days in jail, and is still driving for Vandalia Bus Lines. For more information, see the St. Louis Riverfront Times, or this private website with more information on the case.

California Bill Would Relax Standards, Encourage Smart Growth 

An STPP-sponsored bill in California designed to relax state-mandated traffic "Level of Service" (LOS) standards around transit stations and along bus rapid transit corridors throughout the state has been making its way through the state legislature. LOS standards require that housing or mass transit projects with any discernable traffic impacts fund and prepare "deficiency plans" that usually include expensive intersection enhancements and road widening measures. The unintended consequence of the policy is to force development projects into areas where there will be no major traffic impacts -- typically greenfield sites far away from existing city and town centers. This bill, SB1636, is expected to appear before for a vote on the floor of the State Senate the week of May 27th and, if approved, will be taken up in the State Assembly in early June.

For more information, click here.

"Understanding Senior Transportation" Report Released 

A new survey by AARP finds that older Americans take significantly fewer trips as they age, and identifies the problems older Americans have with everything from driving to ride sharing to public transportation and walking. The report includes specific recommendations for improving transportation for seniors. It was presented at the first national Aging and Mobility conference in Phoenix Arizona March 25-28.

The paper, "Understanding Senior Transportation: Report and Analysis of a Survey of Consumers Age 50+" is available here, or you can request a free paper copy by calling Vanessa Woodard at AARP, 202-434-3860.

Call for TE Project Nominations

The National Transportation Enhancements Clearinghouse (NTEC) is writing a new publication showcasing Transportation Enhancements projects that have served as a catalyst for further development and investment in a community, city, or region. The ideal project will have documented economic and community benefits as well as a clear relationship to surface transportation. Community benefits may include social, health, and transportation benefits. Project nominations need to be received by Friday, June 28, 2002. For more information, click here.

California Firemen/Paramedics to Use Bikes 

In an effort to provide more mobile support to rescue crews, the local fire and police forces in Capitola, California are joining together to provide bicycle-based firefighter/paramedics in order to better reach people who need medical assistance during the summer festival season. For more information, click here. 

^{House T&I Committee Schedule}

June 6
Subcommittee on Railroads
Hearing on Recent Derailments And Railroad Safety
10:00 a.m.
2167 Rayburn House Office Building

June 18
Subcommittee on Highways and Transit
Hearing on Intermodalism: Moving America’s People and Goods
10:00 a.m.
2167 Rayburn House Office Building