Rural Transportation Blog http://www.ruraltransportation.org/ en-us Thu, 23 May 2013 14:19:22 GMT Mon, 13 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss SiteOrganic 60 webmaster@ruraltransportation.org EJ Webinar Slides, Recording Available http://www.ruraltransportation.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=60460&articleId=34065 On September 20, the NADO Research Foundation held a webinar on environmental justice in transportation planning.

On Thursday, September 20, 2012 from 2 – 3:30 EDT, the NADO Research Foundation held the free webinar “Addressing Environmental Justice in Transportation Planning Practice” with support from Federal Highway Administration and in partnership with the American Planning Association’s Transportation Planning Division.  This webinar featured speakers from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Federal Rail Administration (FRA), and Federal Transit Administration (FTA), and it has been approved for 1.5 AICP CM legal credits.

In May 2012, USDOT issued an updated Departmental Order, Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations, for the first time since 1997.  This order was developed in response to the 1994 Presidential Order on environmental justice (EJ) and lays out how the department will address EJ in all its programs, policies, and activities.  In addition, FHWA released its own EJ order in June 2012, and FTA released a detailed EJ circular in July 2012 (separate from a Title VI circular in August).

These three EJ orders provide guidance to transportation agencies receiving federal funds on complying with the agency’s policies and regulations.  In the webinar, federal agency specialists reviewed how each of the new orders provide a significant legal framework for conducting transportation planning at the local level, within MPOs and RTPOs, and in state DOTs, as well as for consultants conducting work under contracts using federal funds.

View the slides here (PDF), or watch the recording below.

Addressing Environmental Justice in Transportation Planning Practice from NADO on Vimeo.

Addressing Environmental Justice in Transportation Planning Practice from NADO on Vimeo.

More resources on USDOT, FHWA, and FTA’s recent orders on environmental justice are here.  In addition, FTA will hold the webinar, “Environmental Justice: What does it mean?” on October 11, 1 – 3 p.m. ET.

 

To view PDF files, use Adobe Reader.

]]> Mon, 24 Sep 2012 04:00:00 GMT http://www.ruraltransportation.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=60460&articleId=34065 FTA Schedules Environmental Justice Webinar http://www.ruraltransportation.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=60460&articleId=34067 On October 11, the Federal Transit Administration will provide information on its recently released environmental justice circular.

On Thursday, October 11, 1 - 3 p.m. ET, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) will hold the webinar "Environmental Justice: What does it mean?"  To register for the webinar, go to: http://ftaenvironmentaljustice.eventbrite.com/.  For more information on EJ from FTA, visit http://fta.dot.gov/EJ.

In July, FTA released final guidance in the form of a Circular on incorporating environmental justice (EJ) principles into plans, projects, and activities that receive funding from FTA. This final guidance provides recommendations Metropolitan Planning Organizations, public transportation providers, State Departments of Transportation, and other recipients of FTA funds on how to fully engage EJ populations in the public transportation decision-making process; how to determine whether EJ populations would be subjected to disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects as a result of a transportation plan, project, or activity; and how to avoid, minimize, or mitigate these effects. FTA’s Webinar on the Circular will explore the details of these recommendations and provide specific guidance for how FTA grant recipients should incorporate EJ review into their transportation planning and NEPA efforts.

  • Introductory Remarks
    • Therese McMillan, FTA Deputy Administrator
  • Speakers:
    • Lucy Garliauskas, Associate Administrator, Office of Planning and Environment
    • Cecelia Comito, Regional Counsel, Office of Chief Counsel
    • Maya Sarna, Environmental Protection Specialist, Office of Planning and Environment
]]> Mon, 24 Sep 2012 04:00:00 GMT http://www.ruraltransportation.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=60460&articleId=34067 White House Seeking Input on Measuring Participation http://www.ruraltransportation.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=60460&articleId=27556 Submit your feedback on how to measure meaningful engagement and effective strategies that agencies can use.

The White House is seeking input on best practices for measuring public participation, including feedback on issues such as:

  • What are the appropriate measures for tracking and evaluating participation efforts in agency Open Government Plans?
  • What should be the minimum standard of good participation?
  • How should participation activities be compared across agencies with different programs?
  • What are the most effective forms of technology and web tools to engage with the public and with private sector/nonprofit and academic communities?
  • What mechanisms can agencies use to increase the level of diversity of viewpoints brought to bear in their activities and decisions?
  • What are the most effective strategies for ensuring that participation is well-informed?
  • What are some examples of success stories?

For more information, click here.   

 

]]> Thu, 08 Dec 2011 05:00:00 GMT http://www.ruraltransportation.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=60460&articleId=27556 Planning for the Transportation Needs of Older Adults http://www.ruraltransportation.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=60460&articleId=27324 The National Center on Senior Transportation is holding an online dialogue now through Dec 16. Posted by Carrie Kissel, Associate Director

From November 28 to December 16, the National Center on Senior Transportation will host an online dialogue for individuals and organizations from the aging network and transportation industry. The dialogue is an opportunity to share experiences, methods, strategies, and recommendations related to planning for the transportation needs of older adults. The dialogue will give the aging network, older adults, advocates, volunteers, policy makers, public and private transportation providers, federal, state, and local transportation agencies, human services agencies, and municipal planning organizations the chance to submit, comment on, and rate ideas related to planning for senior-friendly transportation services.   

To join the dialogue, visit http://ncsttalks1.ideascale.com.  This may be of interest to regional planners and aging staff of regional development organizations, as well as local government members and other partners.

]]> Tue, 29 Nov 2011 05:00:00 GMT http://www.ruraltransportation.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=60460&articleId=27324 NADO Holds Webinar on Social Media Outreach http://www.ruraltransportation.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=60460&articleId=21323 Through an overview and two case studies, webinar participants learned tips for using social media in regional planning/economic development outreach. Posted by Carrie Kissel, NADO Senior Program Manager

On March 30, the NADO Research Foundation and RPO America held the webinar “Social Media and Electronic Participation in Regional Planning and Economic Development.” The webinar provided an overview of social media demographics and covered strategies that regional planning and economic development organizations are using to market their programs and reach out to the public through social media. With many options of social media applications available, organizations may find it useful to hear how other regions have used blogs, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and other media to expand their online outreach and engagement efforts beyond their website and newsletter. 

The speakers’ presentations and a recording of the webinar have been posted to www.RuralTransportation.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=69578, and additional resources related to public outreach are available at www.RuralTransportation.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=133434.  The webinar was supported by the Federal Highway Administration and was approved for 1.5 AICP CM credits.  For more information, contact NADO Senior Program Manager Carrie Kissel at transportation@nado.org.]]> Thu, 31 Mar 2011 04:00:00 GMT http://www.ruraltransportation.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=60460&articleId=21323 Social Media Webinar Approved for AICP CM Credits http://www.ruraltransportation.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=60460&articleId=20667 NADO's March 30 webinar on social media in planning and economic development outreach has been approved for 1.5 AICP CMs. Posted by Carrie Kissel, NADO Senior Program Manager

The upcoming webinar “Social Media and Electronic Participation in Regional Planning and Economic Development” has been approved for 1.5 AICP CM credits.  NADO Research Foundation and RPO America will hold the webinar on Wednesday, March 30 from 2 – 3:30 p.m. Eastern.  Through an overview and two case studies, this webinar will provide an overview of social media use and how such tools can be used in transportation, economic development, and communications efforts of regional planning and development organization.

Register for the free webinar at https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/887145003.  This webinar is supported in part by the Federal Highway Administration through the NADO Research Foundation’s Center for Transportation Advancement and Regional Development.   For more information, contact NADO Senior Program Manager Carrie Kissel at 202.624.8829 or ckissel@nado.org.]]> Wed, 09 Mar 2011 05:00:00 GMT http://www.ruraltransportation.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=60460&articleId=20667 NADO to Offer Social Media Webinar http://www.ruraltransportation.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=60460&articleId=19974 On Wed, March 30 from 2-3:30 EST, the webinar Social Media and Electronic Participation in Regional Planning and Economic Development will occur. Posted by Carrie Kissel, NADO Senior Program Manager
On Wednesday, March 30 from 2 – 3:30 p.m. Eastern, the NADO Research Foundation and RPO America will offer the webinar “Social Media and Electronic Participation in Regional Planning and Economic Development.” Learn about the strategies that regional planning and economic development organizations are using to market their programs and reach out to the public through social media. With many options of social media applications available, organizations may find it useful to hear how other regions have used blogs, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and other media so expand their online outreach and engagement efforts beyond their website and newsletter.

Speakers will include:
  • Mia Zmud, NuStats
  • Jeremy Holmes, Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission (VA)
  • Amy Lowe, Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission
  • Moderator: Jeff Moore, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
Register for the free webinar at https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/887145003.

This webinar is supported by the Federal Highway Administration through the NADO Research Foundation’s Center for Transportation Advancement and Regional Development. AICP CM credits may be available for attendees.]]> Wed, 02 Mar 2011 05:00:00 GMT http://www.ruraltransportation.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=60460&articleId=19974