AASHTO Journal, 14 September 2012
State transportation department officials have a few weeks to provide information on their priorities and strategies for the new transportation bill, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21).
The U.S. Department of Transportation announced Thursday it has launched two National Online Dialogues focused on the implementation of MAP-21 so that all stakeholders can have the opportunity to provide input. Two specific topics have been outlined.
The dialogues are open and available through Sunday, Sept. 23. The system is interactive so that participants can submit ideas, comment on others ideas, and interact with colleagues to form ideas.
One dialogue, titled “National Online Dialogue on MAP-21 Transportation Performance Measures,” seeks input and suggestions on the establishment of performance measures and standards for states, metropolitan planning organizations, and transit grantees to use in order to evaluate:
- Conditions of the nation’s roads and bridges, minimum levels for interstate pavement condition, and highway system performance;
- Progress toward reducing traffic fatalities and serious injuries on public roads;
- Progress toward reducing emissions and traffic congestion;
- National freight movement;
- Needs to prioritize investments in public transit systems; and
- Transit safety.
A separate dialogue, “National Online Dialogue on MAP-21 Freight Policy,” seeks input from stakeholders on what should be included in the development of guidance for state freight plans, as well as potential measures for performance and conditions of a national freight system. MAP-21 focuses on specific goals in freight policy, including:
- Enhancing economic efficiency, productivity, and competitiveness;
- Reducing congestion;
- Improving safety, security, and resilience;
- Improving state of good repair;
- Using advanced technology, performance management, innovation, competition, and accountability in operating and maintaining the freight network; and
- Reducing adverse environmental and community impacts.
According to the USDOT web page, the dialogue seeks input on how performance measures can be used to track progress towards the MAP-21 goals, where the gaps might be in developing measures for the MAP-21 goals, and if there might be any other goals that progress should be measured toward.