PennDOT works to dismantle systemic racism

The Pennsylvania DOT recently unveiled a report from its Dismantling Systemic Racism and Inequities Working Group that details recommendations to establish anti-racist principles at the core of the work done by the DOT. Collecting input from the community, staff, leadership, and other DOTs, the report lays out strategies to balance the PennDOT workforce, invest in disadvantaged communities, reduce disparity in contracting, engage with communities of color, and increase diversity on advisory boards and commissions. 

National Opportunity Zones Ranking Report

The newly created federal Opportunity Zones program will likely go down as the largest and most significant federal community development initiative in U.S. history. One way to make the most of that investment is by directing state transportation funds to further catalyze economic development in those distressed communities. This report helps identify which Opportunity Zones should be prioritized for investment in order to deliver positive economic, environmental, and social returns. It ranks 7,800+ Opportunity Zones, broken out by state, according to their smart growth potential and current social equity. It also provides a policy framework and case studies to ensure equitable, inclusive development in Opportunity Zones through transportation, land use, and development decisions.

Foxx decries highways’ effects on cities; US DOT can help the cause with rulemaking

In a widely covered March 29 speech and interviews, U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx described some of the negative effects that highway building has had on cities— particularly middle- and lower-income neighborhoods. The former Charlotte, N.C., mayor recalled his own childhood in an urban neighborhood, where highways moved through traffic but degraded local conditions.

Complete Streets: Policy Analysis 2011 and Local Policy Workbook (Smart Growth America and National Complete Streets Coalition, 2012)

Smart Growth America has released a report that summarizes surveys of the more than 350 complete streets policies that have been approved by communities across the United States. Also available is the latest edition of the Complete Streets Local Policy Workbook, which is intended to assist transportation experts and local leaders with developing complete streets policies.

Walk this Way: The Economic Promise of Walkable Places in Metropolitan Washington, D.C. (Brookings, 2012)

An economic analysis of a sample of neighborhoods in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area using walkability measures, this study offer useful insights for a diverse set of interests, including lenders, developers, economic planning professionals, as well as those interested in the economic healthy of cities.

CNT unveils updated Housing + Transportation Affordability Index

Last week, the Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT) unveiled its updated Housing and Transportation Affordability (HTA) Index. HTA provides a comprehensive measure of affordability by quantifying the combined costs of housing and transportation in communities across the U.S. The updated HTA Index provides a wealth of economic, demographic, geographic and environmental data to support improvements in equity and economic well-being through better transportation options and reductions in transportation-inefficient development.

Traffic Congestion: Road Pricing Can Help Reduce Congestion, but Equity Concerns May Grow (GAO, 2011)

Traffic Congestion: Road Pricing Can Help Reduce Congestion, but Equity Concerns May Grow is a report issued by the Government Accountability Office. It examines whether road pricing can reduce congestion, both for those who use toll lanes and for those that do not. It also examines concerns over geographic and income equity surrounding road pricing.

Traffic Congestion: Road Pricing Can Help Reduce Congestion, but Equity Concerns May Grow (GAO, 2011)

Traffic Congestion: Road Pricing Can Help Reduce Congestion, but Equity Concerns May Grow is a report issued by the Government Accountability Office. It examines whether road pricing can reduce congestion, both for those who use toll lanes and for those that do not. It also examines concerns over geographic and income equity surrounding road pricing.