News and Events

Moving Forward Public Review Session
Recordings Now Available

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Council (NYMTC) held a 30-day comment period from June 28, 2021 to July 27, 2021 for its draft Regional Transportation Plan for Federal Fiscal Years 2022-50, titled Moving Forward - Your Region Connected, and the draft 2021 Congestion Management Process (CMP) Status Report.

During the comment period, virtual public review sessions were held on three dates: July 8, July 14, and July 22, 2021. On each date, there were two virtual sessions at 12:00 PM. and 7:00 PM, held as webinars to provide an overview of the draft plan and CMP report. At the sessions members of the public were encouraged to share their comments on the draft plan and CMP report in two ways: through an interactive polling platform, Poll Everywhere, and the session’s chat message board. Comments received will be addressed in the final plan document.

To view recordings of each session, visit the NYMTC YouTube page:
https://bit.ly/379yDN3

FAA Approves La Guardia Airport AirTrain

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a Record of Decision approving the construction of a $2.1 billion AirTrain to La Guardia Airport. The project will be led by the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey which has put out a Request for Proposals for designing and building the AirTrain. The project is scheduled to be completed by 2025. The FAA Record of Decision can be viewed here.

NYC Department of Transportation Seeks Public Input on Streets Plan

The New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) is developing the NYC Streets Plan, a five-year transportation plan to improve the safety, accessibility, and quality of the City’s streets for all New Yorkers. Public outreach begins with the launch of the NYC Streets online survey, which will allow the public to give feedback to NYC DOT regarding the City’s streets. Use the link for more information and to take the online survey:  https://on.nyc.gov/378QiV6

Texas A&M 2021 Urban Mobility Report Available

The Texas A&M Transportation Institute with cooperation from INRIX has published the 2021 Urban Mobility Report. The report details changes in a variety of transportation trends between 2019 and 2020. It is not yet clear what the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic will be on U.S. urban transportation systems. The report can be downloaded here: https://bit.ly/3zLzsb6.

NYS Traffic Safety Statistical Repository Publishes Crash and Ticket Data

The New York State Traffic Safety Statistical Repository (TSSR) has recently published crash and ticket reports. The crash data snapshot is as of 6/15/21 and the ticket data snapshot is as of April 2021. Each report includes finalized data for 2010-2019 and preliminary data for 2020 and 2021.

For more information visit https://www.itsmr.org/tssr/.

MTA Wins Award for Online Subway Map

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) won the Gold Lion award for its “Live Subway Map for Digital Craft” at the 2021 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. MTA’s new online display has real-time train locations and allows riders to plan trips more easily. The map was the outcome of an 18-month-long public-private partnership between the MTA, the Transit Innovation Partnership, and a Brooklyn-based firm Work & Co.

More information can be found at https://bit.ly/2UVFpDI

Electric Vehicles on the Market

The New York League of Conservation Voters’ “Plug It In, NY” initiative has published a factsheet of the various types and brands of electric vehicles (EVs) currently on the market.

This link provides more information on “Plug It In, NY”:  https://bit.ly/2TLIYvA

The EV factsheet can be found here:  https://bit.ly/3zRbz1E

NYC Department of Transportation Publishes 2021 Mobility Management Resource Guide

The New York City Department of Transportation has published the 2021 Mobility Management Resource Guide. This resource guide is a compilation of all accessible transportation information in the New York City region. The guide educates New Yorkers on existing transportation infrastructure, resources, and programs that cater to people with disabilities, older adults, people with limited English proficiency, and low-income populations.

The development of the guide was supported by one of NYMTC’s September 11th Memorial Program for Regional Transportation Planning students. The September 11th Memorial Program is a lasting memorial to the three NYMTC staff members who died in the attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001: Ignatius Adanga, Charles Lesperance, and See Wong Shum. The Program provides funding to graduate students to work on transportation planning projects with NYMTC or its member agencies.

The 2021 Mobility Management Resource Guide 

NYC Department of Transportation Launches Electric Vehicle Charging Pilot Program  

The New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) has introduced a pilot program to install curbside electric vehicle (EV) charging stations for public use. The NYC DOT goal is to have 100 charging ports installed and energized by October 2021. Another 20 ports will serve the city’s fleet of EVs. The first new charging station has been installed in the Norwood section of the Bronx and was unveiled June 24, 2021.

NYC DOT has partnered with Con Edison and FLO, a charging network operator for this pilot. The chargers cost $2.50 per hour during the day and $1 per hour overnight. The program is funded by a grant from the New York State Public Service Commission.

2021 Transportation Alternatives Program Solicitation Announced

The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) has issued a Notice of Funding Availability for project proposals under the Transportation Alternatives Program, or TAP. (https://www.dot.ny.gov/tap-cmaq).

TAP funding supports bicycle, pedestrian, multi-use path and transportation-related projects and programs as well as projects that reduce congestion and will help meet the requirements of the Clean Air Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Applications for this funding opportunity must be received by September 29, 2021. Application pre-review requests must be submitted via email to TAP-CMAQ@dot.ny.gov by August 17, 2021.

To facilitate the development of applications, NYSDOT will be hosting two webinars/workshops. Documented webinar attendance is required to be awarded funding. The informational webinars are scheduled as follows, and registration is required using the links below:

Wednesday, July 14, 2021
1 pm to 4 pm
https://bit.ly/3kcfHFc

Tuesday, July 20, 2021
9 am to Noon
https://bit.ly/3i164Xd

For additional information on TAP, including eligible project activities, contacts, and other program requirements, please refer to the program guidance and application resource materials at https://www.dot.ny.gov/tap-cmaq.

Please note that an associated solicitation for the Congestion Mitigation/Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ) that is mentioned in the NYSDOT announcement will not be undertaken for the NYMTC planning area.

Comments and questions regarding the TAP solicitation may also be submitted via email to TAP-CMAQ@dot.ny.gov.

NYMTC’s Program, Finance and Administration Committee (PFAC) Hosts a Virtual Statewide Public Transportation Update

On June 17, 2021, the Program, Finance and Administration Committee (PFAC) of the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council (NYMTC) held a regularly scheduled meeting in an on-line format as allowed under the Governor’s emergency Executive Order 202. The meeting featured a presentation by Bob Zerrillo, Policy Director for the New York Public Transit Association titled “Statewide Public Transportation Update”. The presentation provided an overview of New York State’s transit systems, and the impacts that COVID-19 has had on those systems. The presentation also included information on current and proposed State and Federal funding for transit, as well as service and technology improvements underway or being considered for the transit systems including increased use of electric vehicles and microtransit

The meeting also featured a brief update by NYMTC staff on the upcoming public comment period for the next Regional Transportation Plan, Moving Forward.

In addition to these presentations, PFAC adopted these resolutions at this meeting:

• Resolution #522 – Support of Public Transportation Agency Safety Targets Under the Federal Transportation Performance Management Requirements
• Resolution #523 – Amendments to the State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2021-2022 & 2020-2021 Unified Planning Work Programs (UPWPs)

The next PFAC meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 19, 2021.

Click here for Meeting Video, Synopsis, Resolutions, and Presentation:
Meeting Synopsis of the Council/PFAC

NYMTC’s Regional Trends Series: Traffic Safety During COVID-19

On June 9, 2021, NYMTC’s ongoing Regional Trends Series featured a virtual Brown Bag Lunch presentation by Chuck DeWeese, Assistant Commissioner of Governor Cuomo’s Traffic Safety Committee on Traffic Safety during COVID-19. Mr. DeWeese has held this position since September 2007. Prior to his appointment, he spent 15 years working for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Mr. DeWeese focused first on national trends for 2020 recently made available by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. He then presented detailed trends for New York State from January 2017 through December 2021 regarding speeding; speed-related crashes and fatalities; impaired driving; and impairment-related crashes and fatalities. In both the national and state-level trends, traffic-related fatalities increased during 2020 while vehicle miles travelled were significantly lower.

NYMTC’s Regional Trends Series provides the public with access to leaders in the transportation field and offers information about trends and developments that are shaping the future of the transportation system.

Click here to download the presentation:
Traffic Safety During COVID-19

Click here to view a recording of the meeting: NYMTC’s YouTube Page

NYMTC’s Regional Trends Series: Route 59 Area Transportation & Land Use Study

on may 26, 2021, nymtc’s ongoing regional trends series featured a virtual brown bag lunch presentation on the route 59 area transportation & land use study in rockland county, which was funded through the nymtc unified planning work program.

doug schuetz, acting commissioner of the rockland county department of planning & public transportation provided background on the steps that led to this study to address mobility issues and new demands in and around the route 59 corridor. the study began in 2018 with the goal to identify and evaluate transportation and land use development issues and future scenarios in and around route 59 in the village of spring valley, village of airmont, and town of ramapo.

ali mohseni, nymtc’s project manager for the study described the existing conditions in the study area and the study scope and schedule. the study included a robust effort to engage stakeholders and the public in the area through a series of workshops and pop-up events at area fairs and festivals. community input helped shape the study’s recommendations.

graham trelstad aicp, vice president at wsp usa and consultant team lead for the study, reviewed its transportation and land use recommendations that address short-, medium-, and long-range implementation timeframes. these recommendations address community design, bicycle and pedestrian features, roadways, and transit. the community engagement efforts provided opportunities for the public to rank the various suggestions using on-line polling software, the results of which are highlighted in the presentation.

nymtc’s regional trends series provides the public with access to leaders in the transportation field and offers information about trends and developments that are shaping the future of the transportation system.

click here to download the presentation:
route 59 area transportation & land use study

click here to view a recording of the meeting.

NYMTC’s Regional Trends Series: Westchester, Suffolk, and Nassau Suburban Mobility Studies

On April 28, 2021, NYMTC’s ongoing Regional Trends Series featured a well-attended virtual Brown Bag Lunch panel presentation on suburban mobility studies in Westchester, Suffolk, and Nassau counties, many of which have been funded through the NYMTC Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP).

Naomi Klein, Director of Transportation Planning for the Westchester County Department of Planning, presented on the County’s current redesign of their Bee-Line System to address declining ridership. The study is taking a clean slate approach to reexamine routes and redeploy resources more efficiently. She also highlighted other County initiatives including a Transportation Demand Management Plan for the Valhalla Campus at Grasslands; improvements to the White Plains TransCenter; and a study of the impacts of COVID-19 on Bee-Line ridership. The County is engaging the public and other stakeholders throughout these efforts.

Ankita Rathi, AICP, ENV SP, Planning Consultant with the Suffolk County Department of Economic Development and Planning, focused on the Suffolk County Mobility Study implementation plan to align transit resources and investments with community goals and priorities. The implementation plan looks to redesign the fixed route bus network and explore the feasibility of integrating on-demand transit service. Public engagement is currently underway. She also briefly presented on an upcoming pilot program in Southampton to demonstrate microtransit options such as demand responsive, curb-to-curb service, and mobile app and call-based transit services.

Sean Sallie, AICP, Deputy Commissioner of the Nassau County Department of Public Works, presented on a number of County initiatives. These include a series of ongoing mobility/complete streets capital projects; the status of the Motor Parkway/Nassau Hub Trail; a study of the impacts of COVID-19 on transportation and land use in the County, including a resurgence of non-motorized trips throughout the County; and a Shared-Mobility Management Plan. He also focused on the Nassau Hub Transit Improvements project being implemented in phases. Lastly, he covered a battery-electric bus pilot program.

NYMTC’s Regional Trends Series provides the public with access to leaders in the transportation field and offers information about trends and developments that are shaping the future of the transportation system.

Click here to download the presentations:
Westchester County UPWP Funded Studies
Reimagining Transit in Suffolk: Mobility Implementation Plan & Microtransit Pilot
Nassau County Suburban Mobility Studies

CLICK HERE to view a recording of the meeting.

NYSERDA Announces New York Clean Transportation Competitions

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has announced three challenges designed to electrify transportation, reduce air pollution, and enhance clean mobility in disadvantaged communities in New York State. The competitions will each run in two phases. In the first phase, participants must register by July 22, 2021, to be eligible to submit proposals. 

The three prize competitions are:

• Clean Neighborhoods Challenge – up to three $10 million grand prizes will be awarded to innovative projects that address local air pollution reduction at scale in disadvantaged communities. The submission deadline is August 24, 2021.
• Electric Mobility Challenge – up to three $7 million grand prizes will be awarded to projects that demonstrate innovative safe and convenient electric mobility options that help solve disadvantaged community transportation needs. The submission deadline is August 25, 2021.
• Electric Truck & Bus Challenge – up to three $8 million grand prizes will be awarded to projects that demonstrate electrified solutions to the deployment of medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicles or their replacement through other electrified transportation modes. The submission deadline is August 26, 2021.

For additional information about the program, CLICK HERE.

U.S. Department of Energy Announces $162 Million to Decarbonize Cars and Trucks

The U.S. Department of Energy has unveiled two funding opportunities totaling more than $162 million to improve efficiency and reduce carbon emissions among cars, trucks, and off-road vehicles. The funding will support the next stage of the SuperTruck initiatives – aimed at electrifying freight trucking – along with efforts to expand electric vehicle infrastructure and lower emissions for on- and off-road vehicles.

CLICK HERE for additional information.

US DOT Announces 5th Round of Alternative Fuel Corridor Designations

The US Department of Transportation announced the 5th round of “Alternative Fuel Corridors” designations. This program, created by the FAST Act in 2015, recognizes highway segments that have infrastructure plans to allow travel on alternative fuels, including electricity. The first four rounds of designations included portions of 119 Interstates and 100 US highways and state roads. Round 5 includes nominations from 25 states for 51 interstates and 50 US highways and state roads.

Below is a list of corridors in the NYMTC planning area that have been designated as “ready” in the recent announcement.

• I-278: Between the NY/NJ border and the I-278/I-95 interchange in Throggs Neck
• SR-27: Between the NY-27/I-278 interchange in Brooklyn and Montauk

CLICK HERE for additional Information..