Obama and the Transportation Budget

Obama recently unveiled his budget for transportation projects.

The text below echoes these statements.

President's Budget Includes $1.82 Billion for 27 Major Transit Construction Projects Across the Nation

02-02-10
Contact: Paul Griffo
Telephone: (202) 366-4064

FTA 08-10

Request includes $834.6 million for 19 new projects

On Monday, President Obama proposed $1.82 billion in funding for 27 major transit construction projects that will create jobs and increase transportation options throughout the United States. A complete list of projects – which are located in metropolitan areas across the nation – is available here.

"These projects, planned and developed at the state and local level, are crucial investments that will boost economic vitality in cities and towns across the country," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "From New York City to Honolulu and areas in between, these projects will create jobs, diversify local transit options for consumers, and stimulate economic activity at a critical juncture in our continuing recovery."

The spending plan included in President Obama's Budget submitted to Congress yesterday announces recommendations to invest $834.6 million in 19 new transit construction projects — 10 of which are new funding recommendations in FY 2011, and 9 of which have been recommended for funding in previous years, but still await construction grant agreements. The plan also provides $924.6 million for the continued funding of eight projects already under construction in New York, Dallas, Denver, Salt Lake City, Seattle, and Northern Virginia.

"Projects like these are at the very heart of President Obama's agenda to clean up our environment, reduce our dependence on oil from overseas, and put people back to work" said Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff. "They will give our citizens a way out of punishing traffic jams and improve their quality of life."

FTA's Annual Report on Funding Recommendations for Fiscal Year 2011 also provides information and ratings for all projects in the New Starts and Small Starts programs.

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Bullet Train Coming to US

The JR Central is trying to get japanese bullet trains to America. With the $8 Billion dollar stimulus that was recently awarded to states for HSR development, this story from the WSJ further details how international players are getting involved.

WSJ Article Here

TDM in Action

With regard to today's lecture about TDM and transportation planning, here are two great links that demonstrate TDM and transportation planning in action.

First, is this episode of the Amazing Race, where they required participants to get from LAX to downtown LA using only public transportation. (Shuttle to green line....)

AMAZING RACE LAX TO DOWNTOWN

Second, is a from reconnecting America, which highlights how bicycle lanes can be designed to accommodate specific types of communities and developments.

How does this relate to TDM? Well, in class there was mention about how to implement TDM in rural areas.

Design and creation or implementation of infrastructure is one of those methods. By creating the necessary infrastructure to help create a culture that embraces alternative methods of transportation, there can be an increase in mode use density.

But, lets take it a step farther, can we use design and TDM to increase density for developments that are already made for alternative methods of transportation like, TODS?

Absolutely, and the following link displays that. By creating the necessary and accomodating bike infrastructure to supplement the transit hub created by the TOD, then the TOD can potentially be even more effective because it allows for increased connectivity and mobility.

Just a little bit of food for thought.

Bicycle Connection Design