News and Events

Clean Freight Corridors Planning Study Recommendations Presented to NYMTC’s Program, Finance and Administration Committee (PFAC)

The June 16, 2022 PFAC meeting featured a presentation by Leslie Fordjour, NYMTC Project Manager, on the recommendations of the recently completed Clean Freight Corridors Planning Study. Funded through NYMTC’s Unified Planning Work Program, the Clean Freight Corridors Planning Study fulfilled a recommendation of the Freight Element of NYMTC’s Regional Transportation Plan. The study examined clean fuels infrastructure to advance high-efficiency, low-emission alternative transportation technologies in the multi-state New York City metropolitan region‘s freight fleet. It also developed a strategic plan to enable the continuing development of alternative fuel and electric charging infrastructure for goods movement. The study was developed in coordination with the Metropolitan Area Planning (MAP) Forum, a consortium of ten metropolitan planning organizations and councils of government in eastern Pennsylvania, northern New Jersey, metropolitan New York, and southwestern/central Connecticut.

PFAC adopted the following resolutions at the meeting:

• Resolution #539 – Selection of Projects for Funding Through the Federal Fiscal Years (FFYs) 2020 and 2021 Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors & Individuals with Disabilities Program
• Resolution #540 - Amendment to the State Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Unified Planning Work Program
• Resolution #541 - Recognition of Service by Sean Sallie, Nassau County Department of Public Works
• Resolution #542 - Recognition of Service by Naomi Klein, Westchester County Department of Planning
• Resolution #543 – Recognition of Service by Sandra Fusco, Putnam County Department of Planning, Development and Public Transportation

The next PFAC meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 22, 2022, at 11:30 AM.

The next meeting of NYMTC’s Council principals is scheduled for Thursday, October 13, 2022, at 11:00 AM.

Click here to download the presentation: 
Clean Freight Corridors Planning Study

Click here to download the synopsis: 
June 16, 2022 Meeting Synopsis

MAP Forum Holds 2022 Spring Meeting

The Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (NVCOG) hosted the 2022 Spring Meeting of the Metropolitan Area Planning (MAP) Forum on Friday, June 3. Waterbury Mayor Neil O’Leary, Chair of the NVCOG and Central Naugatuck MPO led the meeting.

The meeting featured Fred Nangle, deputy director of Service Planning Projects Operations Planning & Analysis at MTA Metro-North Railroad, discussing the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on ridership and rail service as well as how Metro-North service has adjusted to a post-pandemic market. Mark Abraham, Executive Director of DataHaven, presented the results of a COVID-19 and Community Wellbeing Survey, highlighting data collected on experiences with discrimination, quality of the built environment, financial insecurity, and mental health. The meeting also featured a presentation on the Route 8 & Waterbury Rail Lines Alternative Modes Assessment Study and its recommended improvements to the Waterbury Rail Line, with goals to ensure a better-integrated transportation system and address connectivity between our regions.

The presentations made during the meeting can be viewed here and a recording of the meeting can be accessed from this link: https://bit.ly/3QSDoQL

“Infrastructure School” Webinars Available for Viewing

Over the months of February and March 2022, a series of webinars was offered to provide a deeper look at important information and upcoming milestones for each of the major areas of investment in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Recordings of these webinars are available for viewing through the following links:

How to Use the Guidebook: https://youtu.be/b8qdnj1O94A
Roads, Bridges, and Major Projects: https://youtu.be/O0YudCZ0r1Y
Passenger & Freight Rail: https://youtu.be/pIGglKyFt1c
Public Transportation: https://youtu.be/H_jz_f9wWYk
Airports: https://youtu.be/jnZqWD7Sx6o
Ports and Waterways: https://youtu.be/lC2bc6d3c1M
Safety: https://youtu.be/2pFiHduYShU
Electric Vehicles, Buses & Ferries: https://youtu.be/ps4GPnbKTag
Clean Energy and Power: https://youtu.be/O3gxxJ1t6T
Water: https://youtu.be/vso7z8hqCLA
Resilience: https://youtu.be/jB8AFCAezy4
Environmental Remediation: https://youtu.be/r0_ziYoIgY0
Broadband: https://youtu.be/t7rM1uTAl9

NYMTC Regional Freight Land Use Study Highlighted at May 12th Freight Meeting

The Multi-State Freight Working Group of the Metropolitan Area Planning (MAP) Forum hosted a well-attended virtual meeting on May 12, 2022, the focus of which was a status report on NYMTC’s Regional Freight Land Use Study. The meeting featured a detailed presentation on the progress of the study to date and discussion of its preliminary findings. Funded through NYMTC’s Unified Planning Work Program, the study is assessing the current mix of land uses related to goods movement in the multi-state New York City metropolitan region, as well as the impacts of changing business models among retailers and shippers as they develop, adapt, and deploy new technologies. The study has also evaluated local, regional, and national development pressures on freight-related and industrial land uses in the multi-state metropolitan region. This region includes the planning areas of the 10 Metropolitan Planning Organizations and Councils of Government in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania which comprise the MAP Forum. Study next steps include engaging technical advisors to review trends, scenarios, and draft land use typology, finalize the scenario analysis and land use typology, and transfer geodata to the Freight Data Portal.

Click here to download the presentation:
Regional Freight Land Use Study

Click here to view the meeting:
YouTube video

NYMTC’s Regional Trends Series: Astoria-Broadway Capacity Study

On May 5, 2022, NYMTC’s ongoing Regional Trends Series featured a virtual Brown Bag Lunch presentation on the Astoria-Broadway Capacity Study. This presentation was given by Kevin Gurley, Acting Manager of Rail Network Planning and Operations Improvement with MTA New York City Transit’s Division of Operations Planning and Glenn Lunden, Deputy Chief of Rail Planning.

The study, which was funded in part by NYMTC, identified and analyzed key chokepoints throughout numerous interconnected B Division lines, recommended strategies to address these chokepoints, and built a rail simulation model of the areas studied which is now an invaluable tool used by the agency for its planning work. Key findings from the study include:

• Phased implementation of Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) signal systems across the subway network will reduce congestion and provide capacity improvements;
• CBTC signaling mitigated the need for other costly capital improvements analyzed; and
• CBTC capacity gains on the Broadway and 6th Avenue lines could provide increased service in the future on those lines, improving subway services to Midtown and Lower Manhattan.

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.

NYMTC’s Program, Finance and Administration Committee (PFAC) Hosts a Virtual Presentation on the Suffolk County Reimagine Transit Initiative

On April 14 2022, the Program, Finance and Administration Committee (PFAC) of the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council (NYMTC) held a regularly scheduled meeting in a hybrid format.

The meeting featured a presentation by Ankita Rathi, AICP, ENV SP, Planning Consultant at the Suffolk County Department of Economic Development and Planning. Ms. Rathi thanked NYMTC for funding and supporting the study. She reviewed the project goals which are to align transit resources and investments with community goals and priorities. The project looks to redesign the fixed route bus network and explore the feasibility of integrating on-demand transit service. The project is currently seeking feedback from community members with expected final recommendations by August 2022.

PFAC adopted the following resolutions at the meeting:

• Resolution #536 – Updated Operating Procedures for the Congestion Management Process and for Revisions to the Transportation Improvement Program and Regional Transportation Plan
• Resolution #537 – Amendment of the Federal Fiscal Years 2020-2024 Transportation Improvement Program to Include the Cross Harbor Freight Movement Planning Study

The following resolution was tabled:

• Resolution #538 – Amendments to the State Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Unified Planning Work Program

The next PFAC meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 16, 2022, at 11:30 AM.

Click here to download the presentation: 
Suffolk County Reimagine Transit Initiative

Click here to download the meeting synopsis:
PFAC 041422 Synopsis
 

NYMTC Hosts Metropolitan Mobility Network Meeting

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Council (NYMTC) and the Metropolitan Area Planning (MAP) Forum held a meeting of the Metropolitan Mobility Network on Tuesday April 12, 2022. The keynote presentation was given by Kim Lucas, Acting Director of MovePGH: Mobility as a Service in Pittsburgh, PA. Her presentation focused on the integration of micromobility and shared mobility options with public transit. She focused on Move PGH initiatives that have set up scooter share and mobility hubs at Port Authority bus and light rail stops, and creation of an integrated app for all mobility options across micromobility, shared mobility, and transit providers. Following the keynote, representatives from Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester Counties, MTA, and NJ TRANSIT each discussed mobility initiatives at their respective counties or agencies. MTA and Westchester County gave updates on their proposed or in progress bus network redesigns, as did NJ TRANSIT for their more localized network redesign in Newark. Suffolk County discussed their Reimagine Transit initiative while Nassau County discussed their Shared Mobility Management Plan, both of which have partial bus route network redesigns while also focusing on shared mobility services.

The meeting and presentations can be viewed here:

Recording: Meeting Recording (YouTube)
Presentations: MovePGH: Pittsburgh’s Mobility as a Service Program (PDF)

NYMTC Principals Adopt 2022-2023 Unified Planning Work Program

Eddie Bautista, Executive Director of the NYC Environmental Justice Alliance Presents Keynote Remarks

The Principal members of the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council met on February 24, 2022, to adopt NYMTC’s State Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP). This year’s UPWP proposes about $57 million of matched federal funding for transportation-related planning activities to be undertaken by NYMTC’s staff and its members for the upcoming program year. This includes more than $30 million in new funding. NYMTC’s UPWP is developed annually and defines the planning priorities in the 10-county planning area within a given program year.

The meeting was co-chaired by New York State Department of Transportation Executive Deputy Commissioner Ron Epstein and Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone. Eddie Bautista, Executive Director of the New York City Environmental Justice Alliance provided keynote remarks. The theme of the meeting was “Transportation Equity and Access under the Federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act”.

Co-chairs Epstein and Bellone in their opening remarks emphasized the hard work by NYMTC’s member agencies in keeping the region operational during the pandemic. They discussed the region’s transportation needs and the opportunities provided by the funding made available through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and the New York State Capital Plan.

Executive Director Bautista discussed the disproportionate impacts of transportation-related pollution to communities of color, such as the South Bronx. He cited the additional impacts of COVID-19 to these communities in terms of higher rates of illness and fatalities. He stressed the need for more investment in transit infrastructure to address these environmental disparities by taking advantage of the flexibility available to the NYMTC agencies in the new Federal statute.

This presentation was followed by an engaged NYMTC members’ roundtable discussion on the need to make sure that equity is considered in project decision-making, and the challenges to building consensus throughout the region on a framework of equity.

In addition to adopting the UPWP, the principal members recognized the service to NYMTC of Laura Curran, former Nassau County Executive; Henry Gutman, former New York City Transportation Commissioner; and Marisa Lago, former New York City Department of City Planning Director.

The members also recognized the service of NYMTC Co-Chair Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone and confirmed New York City Department of City Planning Director Dan Garodnick as the incoming co-chair for 2022-2023.

The next Council meeting is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, September 8, 2022, at 11:00 a.m.

Click here to download the meeting synopsis: 

Be a Part of the First New York State Cycling Census

The New York State Cycling Census is underway! Supported by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and administered by Urban Cycling Solutions (UCS), the Cycling Census will collect a statewide dataset on bicycle integration with mass transit. The purpose of this short survey is to collect insights from cyclists and transit customers from all over New York State to better understand opportunities and barriers for active first/last mile transportation. Each participant will be entered to win one of three $150 Planet Bike gift cards offered by UCS. Click here to fill out the survey.

Multi-State Freight Working Group Meets on Clean Freight Movement

The Metropolitan Area Planning (MAP) Forum hosted a well-attended virtual meeting of its Multi-State Freight Working Group on March 24, 2022. The meeting theme was Clean Freight Movement and featured an array of speakers from the private and public sectors. These included representatives from MAP Forum members as well as FedEx and Mack Truck. NYMTC is a member of the MAP Forum, which is a consortium of metropolitan planning organizations and councils of government in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania that have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the coordination of planning activities in the multi-state metropolitan region.

The meeting and presentations can be viewed here:

Recording: Meeting Recording (YouTube)
Presentations: Meeting Presentations (PDF)

C2SMART Survey on Automated Vehicle Perceptions

C2SMART, a USDOT Tier 1 University Transportation Center is conducting a survey on the public’s perception of automated vehicles as a travel mode. The purpose of this survey is to collect automated vehicle (AV) stated preference data and revealed preference data of the daily travel patterns of NY/NJ individuals. Data collection on typical trips made by individuals (travel time, cost, distance, etc.) within NYC, in addition to travelers commuting from suburban New York and New Jersey, is expected. The survey asks respondents to fill out demographic information, trip characteristics, perceived timing of willingness to adopt AVs, and opinions on AV willingness to pay and the general impacts of AVs on society and environment.

This survey can be found here: https://bit.ly/3utBpsQ

NYMTC and FHWA Complete Pedestrian Safety Workshops

NYMTC and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) completed an initial round of virtual pedestrian safety workshops on March 8-10, 2022. These workshops gathered state and local transportation professionals to address pedestrian safety issues through design and engineering solutions.

The over 50 participants examined the following:

• That pedestrians belong in all geometric design, operations, and safety considerations.
• The significance of land-use, street connectivity, and site design in helping to make a safer pedestrian environment.
• Human behavior issues related to pedestrians and drivers interacting safely and common pedestrian crash types.
• The role that planning and street design play in pedestrian safety.
• Effective solutions and best practices in design and operations for pedestrian safety.
• Real world examples for possible pedestrian safety improvements.

U.S. DOT Announces Funding for MTA Bus Depot Rehabilitation

As part of a $409 million award for 70 transportation projects in 39 states, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Transit Administration announced on March 14, 2022, that the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) will receive $12,337,280 in funding to rehabilitate the Michael J. Quill Bus Depot. The project will improve the efficiency of transit operations for riders in and around Manhattan. The depot is located on West 41st St. and 11th Ave. These funds have been made available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

New York State Climate Action Council Announces Public Hearing Schedule

New York State’s 22-member Climate Action Council , established under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), will hold 10 public hearings across the State to receive public input on the Draft Scoping Plan and advance work on a Final Scoping Plan to guide the implementation of the State’s nation-leading climate goals under the CLCPA. The Council released the Draft Scoping Plan on December 30, 2021, and is accepting public comments on the draft through June 10, 2022.

Click here for more information

Suffolk County Holding Virtual Community Meetings for Reimagine Transit Initiative

Suffolk County will be hosting two Virtual Community Meetings to hear reactions from the public on proposed updates to its bus network. The first of these meetings is March 30th, 2022 from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm, and the second is on March 31st, 2022 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. To learn more about this initiative and to register for these meetings, see https://connectli.org/RTGetInvolved.html. This website also includes a survey for the public to gather additional input.

Staff Distinguished Career Awards 

Three NYMTC staff members were honored by NYS Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez and presented with Distinguished Career Awards in recognition of their careers of excellent public service.

During his 28 years with NYTMC, Chris Hardej has earned respect among his staff, his peers, and senior managers and has served as a role model in fostering collaboration and building consensus. Chris’ fingerprints can be found throughout the program management process and his contributions have benefitted NYMTC’s staff and the region’s transportation system.

During his 27 years at NYMTC, Jan Khan has helped shape regional transportation planning that extends over a period from 1997 through horizon year 2050. With humble and steady leadership, Jan has steered the development of the past four Regional Transportation Plans with integrity, reliability, and earnest consensus building.

Throughout her 42 years of service with NYSDOT and NYMTC, Chris Rodrigues-Moore has modelled goodness in the workplace. For more than four decades, Chris has brought her positive energy and can-do spirit to support the Department. Since joining the “NYMTC family” 23 years ago, Chris’ leadership and stability have been the heart of the agency.

U.S. Department of Transportation Releases 2020 Traffic Crash Data

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released its 2020 annual traffic crash data, showing that 38,824 lives were lost in traffic crashes nationwide. That marks the highest number of fatalities since 2007. The estimated number of police-reported crashes in 2020 decreased by 22% as compared to 2019, and the estimated number of people injured declined by 17%. While the number of crashes and traffic injuries declined overall, fatal crashes increased by 6.8%. For more information, see
https://www.nhtsa.gov/press-releases/2020-traffic-crash-data-fatalities.

U.S. Department of Transportation Reports Driving Surpassing Pre-COVID-19 Levels

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration has published traffic volume trends through December 2021. These data show that December 2021 travel on all U.S. roads and streets changed by +11.2% as compared with December 2020. The northeast region’s driving has increased by 15.3% in that same period. Travel for December 2021 is estimated to be 268.4 billion vehicle miles. Travel for December 2019 was estimated to be 261.8 billion vehicle miles. 

Download
Traffic Volume Trends December 2021

NYMTC’s Program, Finance and Administration Committee (PFAC) Hosts a Virtual Presentation on the Putnam County Southeast to Danbury Rail Link Feasibility Study

On February 10, 2022, the Program, Finance and Administration Committee (PFAC) of the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council (NYMTC) held a regularly scheduled meeting in a virtual format in conformance with the New York State Open Meetings Law.

The meeting featured a presentation by Vincent Tamagna, Project Manager, Putnam County Department of Planning, Development & Public Transportation, and Drew Galloway, WSP as lead consultant on the Putnam County Southeast to Danbury Rail Link Feasibility Study. Mr. Tamagna thanked NYMTC for funding and supporting the study. He cited the strong potential for positive regional impacts to transportation, air quality, greenhouse gas emission reductions, and economic development should the rail link be implemented. The feasibility study began in March 2021 and serves as a model for interstate and interagency cooperation.

Mr. Galloway presented the study details which assessed the regional market, interest for services, and feasibility for passenger rail service connecting the Southeast station on Metro-North Railroad’s (MNR) Harlem Line to the MNR Danbury line, or further northeast. The study examined 10 different main track and station connections for linking these lines. The study’s preliminary findings show that this rail link is operationally feasibly without impeding existing MNR services. The study is expected to be completed in late winter, 2022. Public comments can be submitted to SE2D@AKRF.com.

The PFAC Chair reported on the following resolution that was adopted unanimously by mail ballot:

• Resolution #531 – Addendum to the Distribution of Federal Transit Funding from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act and the American Rescue Plan Act

In addition, PFAC adopted the following resolutions at the meeting:

• Resolution #532 – Recommendation of the State Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Unified Planning Work Program for Council Adoption
• Resolution #533 – Amendment of the Federal Fiscal Years 2020-2024 Transportation Improvement Program and FFYs 2022-2050 Regional Transportation Plan to Include Public Transit Safety Assessments of Progress
• Resolution #534 – Amendment of the Federal Fiscal Years 2022-2050 Regional Transportation Plan to Include the Reimagining the Cross Bronx Expressway Study
• Resolution #535 – Appending the Federal Fiscal Years (FFYs) 2020-2024 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) With the Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division’s FFYs 2022-2025 TIP

The Council meeting is scheduled for Thursday February 24, 2022, at 11 AM.

The next PFAC meeting is scheduled for Thursday April 14, 2022, at 11:30 AM.

Click here to download the presentation: 

Putnam County Southeast to Danbury Rail Link Feasibility Study

Click here to download the meeting synopsis: 

Annual Listing of Obligated Transportation Improvement Projects for FFY 2021

NYMTC has published the Annual Listing of Obligated Transportation Improvement Projects for Federal Fiscal Year 2021. During FFY 2021 (October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2021), over $4.2 billion were federally obligated for 466 transportation projects from NYMTC's current FFYs 2020-2024 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). For more information and to view the searchable map of project locations., visit the TIP page.

Annual Meeting of the Metropolitan Area
Planning Forum

The 2021 Annual Meeting of the Metropolitan Area Planning (MAP) Forum, hosted by the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council (NYMTC), was held by webinar on December 3, 2021. The MAP Forum is a consortium of 10 metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) and councils of government from New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania that are committed to better coordination of planning activities in the multi-state metropolitan region.

The keynote speaker at the meeting was Erich Zimmerman, the Deputy Director/Transportation Director of the National Association of Regional Councils (NARC). Erich provided an overview of the newly passed Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act its transportation funding programs and the legislation’s impact on the influence of MPOs across the country.

Next, NYMTC and the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA) discussed their recently adopted regional transportation plans. Their presentations described the role of each plan in guiding the use of federal transportation funding, each plan’s guiding vision and goals, recommended projects and programs, and public outreach conducted to inform and get feedback about the plan.

After public participation, the meeting concluded with updates on the MAP Forum’s collaborative activities, including its working groups and multi-state studies. These updates included an overview of the Data Collaboration Workshops in progress at the time of the meeting, recent activities of the multi-state freight and resiliency working groups, and the status of the Clean Freight Corridors Planning Study and Regional Freight Land Use Study.

To view a recording of the presentation, CLICK HERE 

To download the presentation given by NARC, CLICK HERE

To download the presentation given by NYMTC, CLICK HERE

To download the presentation given by NJPTA, CLICK HERE

NYMTC’s Regional Trends Series: The Port of NY & NJ Managing Through COVID and Beyond

On December 1, 2021, NYMTC’s ongoing Regional Trends Series featured a virtual Brown Bag Lunch presentation by Michael P. Bozza, Assistant Director of Commercial Development for the Port Department at the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey (PANYNJ), titled The Port of NY & NJ Managing Through COVID and Beyond.

Mr. Bozza provided an overview of the Port of NY & NJ, its operations, and the initial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Port and its intermodal rail facilities. The Port is the third largest in the nation. He discussed the actions and mitigation measures taken by the PANYNJ community, along with current supply chain issues.

Mr. Bozza presented cargo volumes for year 2019, 2020, and 2021. The Port of NY & NJ reported handling record-setting numbers of 7.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in 2019. In 2020, during the pandemic, cargo volumes decreased from March-June with the decline of manufacturing overseas and general economic uncertainty. In July of 2020, the Port of NY & NJ experienced a snapback of increased cargo volumes that continues to this day. The cargo volume increase from July to December of 2020 resulted in the surpassing of the annual TEU volume of 2019 by 1 million TEUs. New monthly TEU records are continually being set. For example, in October 2021 the Port of NY & NJ saw a record 800,000 TEUs; the highest cargo volume ever recorded. Consumer pattern shifts to at-home spending increased supplier demand for preordered items to ensure sufficient inventory to meet customer demand.

Mr. Bozza acknowledged the coordinated and dedicated work of many parties, public and private, to maintain the overall relative fluidity of the Port’s operations during these challenging times.

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:
The Port of NY & NJ Managing Through COVID and Beyond

Click here to view a recording of the meeting.

RAISE Grants Awarded in NYMTC Planning Area

The US Department of Transportation (DOT) recently announced the 2021 recipients of the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) capital and planning discretionary grants program. Three of these recipients are in the NYMTC region:

Planning Grant:

• Reimagining the Cross Bronx Expressway – a $2 million grant to the NYC Department of Transportation Capital Grants:
• The LINC: Safety, Mobility & Economic Opportunity – a $12 million grant to the City of New Rochelle
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accessibility and Circulation – a $15 million grant to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority

The RAISE program enables US DOT to use a rigorous merit-based process to select projects with exceptional benefits, explore ways to deliver projects faster and save on construction costs, and make needed investments in infrastructure across the country.

This link provides more information about these awards and this program: https://www.transportation.gov/RAISEgrants

FHWA Launches Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Website

With President’s Biden’s signing of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has launched a Bipartisan Infrastructure Law website. The website will serve as a one-stop shop online for people interested in learning more about new and existing FHWA programs as well as how to apply for grants and other discretionary funding opportunities available under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. FHWA will be populating the website with fact sheets, funding information, and guidance. There is also a link on the website to a Request for Information for public comments on implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Visit the website here: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/bipartisan-infrastructure-law/

NYMTC’s Program, Finance and Administration Committee (PFAC) Hosts a Virtual Presentation by The Eastern Transportation Coalition

On November 18, 2021, the Program, Finance and Administration Committee (PFAC) of the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council (NYMTC) held a regularly scheduled meeting in a virtual format in conformance with the New York Open Meetings Law.

The meeting featured a presentation by Dr. Patricia Hendren, Executive Director of The Eastern Transportation Coalition (TETC) titled, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Passed – Now What? Dr. Hendren reviewed the funding allocations in the legislation noting differences from past transportation funding bills include providing resources for water and wastewater infrastructure, updating the electric grid, and expanding broadband access. She also noted the increase in discretionary funds which will be competed for nationally. She sees an opportunity for partnerships between Metropolitan Planning Organizations, such as NYMTC, to work with TETC in developing programs to improve transportation in the region. She presented examples of initiatives that TETC is undertaking in partnership with its member state Departments of Transportation along the east coast.

In addition, PFAC adopted the following resolutions at the meeting:

• Resolution #527 – Amendments to the Federal Fiscal Years (FFYs) 2022-2050 Regional Transportation Plan
• Resolution #528 – Support of Statewide 2022 Safety Targets Under the Federal Transportation Performance Management Requirements and Related Amendments
• Resolution #529 – Amendments to the State Fiscal Years (SFYs) 2020-2021 & 2021-2022 Unified Planning Work Programs (UPWPs)

The PFAC Chair reported on a resolution that had been adopted prior to this meeting by mail ballot:

• Resolution #530 –  Distribution of Federal Transit Funding from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act and the American Rescue Plan Act

The next PFAC meeting is scheduled for
Thursday February 10, 2022, at 11:30 AM.

The Council meeting is schedule for
Thursday February 24, 2022, at 11 AM.

Click here to download the presentations:
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Passed – Now What?

Click here to download the meeting synopsis.

NYMTC Principals Adopt Next Regional Transportation Plan to Enable Federal Transportation Funding for Region

Federal Transit Administrator Nuria Fernandez Addresses NYMTC

NYMTC’s principal members convened by webinar on September 9, 2021 to adopt NYMTC’s next Regional Transportation Plan. Federal Transit Administrator Nuria Fernandez provided keynote remarks. The meeting was chaired by New York State Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez and Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone.

Administrator Fernandez discussed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which has been passed by the Senate. This legislation could enhance the mobility, economic competitiveness, and resiliency of the greater New York metropolitan region. Key provisions of the IIJA that would benefit the region include the largest federal investment in public transportation and intercity passenger rail in our nation’s history, and the prioritization of investments that support resilience and carbon emission reductions. Administrator Fernandez stressed that NYMTC’s work is vital to realizing these potential benefits to address the needs of everyone in the region.

This presentation was followed by County Executive Bellone leading an engaged NYMTC members’ roundtable discussion on climate change and resiliency, and how the region can best work together to address these challenges. The members identified their efforts to address emergencies from extreme weather events, and the need for continued federal and local investments in projects to address climate change and its impacts on the transportation system.

NYMTC’s new Regional Transportation Plan, titled Moving Forward, Your Region Connected, will enable and guide federal funding for transportation projects throughout NYMTC’s planning area. Its adoption is an important step for the region’s continuing receipt of federal transportation funds. A copy of the final Plan is available at: https://www.nymtc.org/Planmovingforward. In addition to adoption of the Plan, the members also adopted the 2021 Congestion Management Process Status Report.

The members also recognized the service to NYMTC of former Metropolitan Transportation Authority Chair and CEO Patrick Foye.

The next Council meeting is scheduled for Thursday February 24, 2022.

Click here to download the presentation:
Regional Transportation Plan for Federal Fiscal Years 2022-2050

Click here to download the meeting synopsis:
September 9, 2021 meeting synopsis

September 11th Memorial Program Students Present the Results of their Projects

As a capstone to their year-long research and planning projects under NYMTC’s September 11th Memorial Program for Regional Transportation Planning, four student scholars presented the results of their efforts at a Brown Bag Lunch event on September 15, 2021. David Anton, Carla Tejada, Seth Kerr, and Niloufar Nouri are the selected September 11th Program scholars for the 2020-2021 academic year.

The September 11th Program is NYMTC’s living memorial to Ignatius Adanga, Charles Lesperance and See Wong Shum, the three NYMTC staff members lost during the attacks on the World Trade Center. Through the September 11th Program, NYMTC provides stipends and research/planning opportunities to graduate students on a competitive basis each academic year.

The September 11th Program began in the 2005-2006 academic year. The projects undertaken by each year’s selected students are developed by NYMTC’s members and staff to address identified regional planning and research needs.  The 2020- 2021 student scholars were assigned mentors and worked with them to undertake a planning or research project, gaining professional experience on a practical and applied project.

The 2020-2021 September 11th Program student scholars and their projects are described below:

David Anton is a second-year student in the Master of Public Administration program at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA). For his September 11th Memorial Program research, David worked with NYMTC staff to study the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on NYMTC’s socioeconomic and demographic forecasts and travel demand models. The project focused on assessing how the increase in telework due to the pandemic impacted the location of job opportunities across the New York metropolitan area and commuting patterns over time.

Carla Tejada is a Ph.D. student in Transportation Engineering at the City College of New York (CCNY). Carla’s September 11th Memorial Program internship was with The New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) in the Pedestrian Unit. Carla’s work focused on developing a Pedestrian Network Flow Model that will allow NYCDOT to identify pedestrian generators, dense walking areas, and walking trip flows within NYC. This model will provide information to the New York City Comprehensive Pedestrian Map that will help create more rationality in the decision-making process within NYC streets.

Seth Kerr is pursuing a Master of Urban Planning degree at New York University’s Wagner School of Public Service. Seth worked with NYMTC staff to research ways to improve NYMTC’s long-range infrastructure needs assessment and financial forecasting processes. Seth had the opportunity to undertake benchmarking research involving regional councils and state DOTs across the country for best practices. Seth also helped NYMTC staff develop internal procedural checklists for long-range financial forecasting.

Niloufar Nouri is pursuing her Ph.D. in the civil engineering program at CCNY. Niloufar worked with NYMTC staff to research new methods of collecting travel data and identify how such methods can complement traditional travel surveys. She identified potential alternative travel data sources such as cellular data and Location Based Services (LBS). Niloufar analyzed the methodology, statistical properties, strengths, and limitations of these travel data sources.

NYMTC is proud to remember its fallen colleagues by providing opportunities to talented students interested in transportation technology, research and planning. At the conclusion of the 2020-2021 students’ presentation on September 15th, NYMTC welcomed the selected student scholars for the 2021- 2022 academic year: Julia Amaral working with NYMTC staff, and Cristina Mejia, Fabian Barch, and Liang Tao working with New York City DOT.

To view a recording of the brown bag, click here.

To view David Anton’s presentation, click here.

To view Carla Tejada’s presentation, click here. 

To view Seth Kerr’s presentation, click here.

To view Niloufar Nouri’s presentation, click here.

For more details on the memorial program, click here.

Suffolk County Executive Bellone Praises First-of-its-Kind “Suffolk Transit On-Demand” Service

At the recent Council meeting, NYMTC co-chair Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone discussed a new partnership with Hampton Jitney and Via to provide a first-of-its-kind mobility service for Suffolk County that will expand access to public transit. The service, which launched on June 16th, provides a new on-demand public transit option, “Suffolk Transit On-Demand,” that complements and extends the county’s existing transit system and provides transit coverage around Southampton and Sag Harbor in an area formerly served by the Suffolk Transit 10A bus route.
For more information visit: https://sct-bus.org/ondemand.html

New York Truck Voucher Incentive Program Announces Additional $900,000

The New York Truck Voucher Incentive Program (NYTVIP) has an additional $900,000 available for non-road port cargo handling equipment incentives. Equipment operators at eligible ports in the New York Metropolitan Area may receive incentives up to $170,000 per vehicle. The transition of cargo handling equipment to battery electric powered vehicles will significantly reduce associated greenhouse gas emissions and pollution for local residents and workers. This funding is subject to requirements included in the Program Implementation Manual.

NYC DOT Seeks Input for Green Loading Zone Pilot Program

The New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) is looking for feedback on a Green Loading Zone pilot program. The concept of Green Loading Zones is proposed to help facilitate low- and zero emission vehicle deliveries. The zones will be situated at sections of the curb exclusively for use by green vehicles for loading and unloading delivery activities.

• • Online Survey: Participate in the Green Loading Zone online survey here. The survey is designed for participation from managers in the freight logistics, trucking, and fleet management sectors as well as consumer brands. The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete. The deadline for responses is October 15, 2021.
• • Virtual Interviews: The Freight Mobility Unit will also conduct focused group interviews with survey participants to inform the Green Loading Zone pilot development and the broader carbon neutrality milestones and initiatives that are NYC goals.

MTA Announces Virtual Public Meeting Schedule for the Central Business District Tolling Program

A schedule of ten virtual public meetings has been announced for the proposed Central Business District Tolling Program. To find out more about the Program and how you can participate in, or watch, 10 virtual public meetings, click here: new.mta.info/project/CBDTP. To find out more about how to participate in, or watch virtual meetings focused on potential effects on Environmental Justice (EJ) communities and how you can join or suggest a person for the EJ Stakeholder Working Group, click here: new.mta.info/project/CBDTP. Written comments can be provided through the website: new.mta.info/project/CBDTP and by mail: CBD Tolling Program - 2 Broadway, 23rd Floor New York, NY 10004 and email: CBDTP@mtabt.org. They can also be provided by phone at 646-252-7440.

NYMTC’s Program, Finance and Administration Committee (PFAC) Recommends Council Adoption of New Regional Transportation Plan

On August 19, 2021, the Program, Finance and Administration Committee (PFAC) of the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council (NYMTC) held a regularly scheduled meeting in a hybrid format in conformance with the New York Open Meetings Law. At the meeting, PFAC adopted a resolution to recommend Council adoption of the Draft Federal Fiscal Year’s 2022-2050 Regional Transportation Plan, titled Moving Forward, and the Draft 2021 Congestion Management Process Status Report.

PFAC heard a presentation from NYMTC staff project manager for Moving Forward, Jan Khan providing an overview of the Regional Transportation Plan that covers all modes of surface transportation from a regional perspective and defines the region’s long-term transportation needs and desires. The Plan is a guide for Federal funding on investments in the NYMTC planning area based on the Council members’ vision for the region. As a Metropolitan Planning Organization, NYMTC is responsible for updating its Regional Transportation Plan every five years. NYMTC conducted a robust public outreach effort as part of the development of Moving Forward.

The meeting also featured a presentation by Adam Ruder, Assistant Director, Clean Transportation for the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA) titled NYSERDA’s Clean Transportation Program. NYSERDA’s goal is to develop, demonstrate, and deploy cutting edge technologies, policies, and business models that expand the use of electric vehicles, public transportation, and mobility management. Mr. Ruder described the elements of NYSERDA’s Program which manages and invests more than $200 million in research and development, demonstrations, and incentives.

In addition, PFAC adopted the following resolutions:

• Resolution #524 – Transportation Conformity Determination for the Federal Fiscal Years (FFYs) 2022-2050 Regional Transportation Plan and the FFYs 2020-2024 Transportation Improvement Program, as amended
• Resolution #526 – Amendments to the State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2021-2022 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP)

The Council meeting is schedule for September 9, 2021, at 11 AM.

The next PFAC meeting is scheduled for November 18, 2021, at 11:30 AM.

Click here to download the presentations:
Moving Forward: NYMTC’s Draft Regional Transportation Plan
NYSERDA’s Clean Transportation Program

Click here to download the meeting synopsis.

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.

The draft Plan and CMP Status Report can be accessed through the following link: https://www.nymtc.org/Planmovingforward

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

NYC DCP Spotlights Employment Trends

The New York City Department of City Planning (NYC DCP) has published an interactive dashboard that reports employment patters prior to and since COVID-19 in the New York Metro Area. The dashboard reports monthly employment change since January 2019. See link for more information. https://tabsoft.co/3xz87r2

LET’S MOVE LI Website Promotes Active Transportation

LET’S MOVE LI launched its website in June to encourage active transportation. LET’S MOVE LI is a collaboration among municipalities, schools, businesses, and other organizations across Long Island. It promotes walking and biking, alone or connected to public transit; encourages bike and pedestrian safety education for students; and supports safe walkability and biking infrastructure. For more information click this link. https://letsmoveli.com

Nassau County Surveys Public and Employers about Shared Mobility Management

The Nassau County Department of Public Works has launched two surveys for the Nassau County Shared Mobility Management Plan (SMMP) – a public survey for residents and an employer survey for medium-to-large employers in Nassau County. Survey responses will help guide the development of the SMMP to shape future transportation investments and solutions. Both surveys are now available and are open through Friday, September 3, 2021. This study is funded through NYMTC. Click here to take the surveys. https://www.nassaumobility.com/survey

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..