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The Innovative DOT: a Handbook of Policy and Practice

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The Innovative DOT: a Handbook of Policy and Practice The Innovative DOT A handbook of policy and practice 2012 1 This handbook is a product of Smart Growth America and the State Smart Transportation Initiative. Smart Growth America is the only national organization dedicated to researching, advocating for and leading coalitions to bring smart growth practices to more communities nationwide. From providing more sidewalks to ensuring more homes are built near public transportation or that productive farms remain a part of our communities, smart growth helps make sure people across the nation can live in great neighborhoods. For additional information visit www.smartgrowthamerica.org. The State Smart Transportation Initiative, a network of 19 state DOTs, promotes transportation policies and practices that advance environmental sustainability and equitable economic development, while maintaining high standards of governmental efficiency and transparency. Housed at the University of Wisconsin, SSTI operates in three ways: as a community of practice, where participating agencies can learn together and share experiences as they implement innovative smart transportation policies; as a source of direct technical assistance to the agencies on transformative and replicable smart transportation efforts; and as a smart transportation resource to the wider transportation community, including local, state, and federal agencies. Learn more at www.ssti.us. This report was produced with the generous support of the Rockefeller Foundation. The Rockefeller Foundation fosters innovative solutions to many of the world’s most pressing challenges, affirming its mission, since 1913, to “promote the well-being” of humanity. Today, the Foundation works to ensure that more people can tap into the benefits of globalization while strengthening resilience to its risks. Foundation initiatives include efforts to mobilize an agricultural revolution in Sub-Saharan Africa, bolster economic security for American workers, inform equitable, sustainable transportation policies in the United States, ensure access to affordable and high-quality health systems in developing countries, accelerate the impact investing industry’s evolution, and develop strategies and services that help vulnerable communities cope with the impacts of climate change. For more information, please visit www.rockefellerfoundation.org. The Rockefeller Foundation, 420 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10018 This project was also supported by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration. Any errors and all interpretations are the responsibility of Smart Growth America and the State Smart Transportation Initiative. Please direct questions about this handbook to Roger Millar, PE, AICP, Vice President, Smart Growth America at (406) 544-1963, [email protected] or Eric Sundquist, Managing Director, State Smart Transportation Initiative at the University of Wisconsin, (608) 265-6155, [email protected]. ii Acknowledgements This project was made possible by the following organizations and individuals. Project Team Geoff Anderson, President and CEO, Smart Growth America Rayla Bellis, Research Associate, Smart Growth America Alex Dodds, Online Communications Manager, Smart Growth America Mary Ebeling, Transportation Policy Analyst, State Smart Transportation Initiative Anthony Gad, Policy Director, Center for State Innovation (University of Wisconsin) Ann Grodnik, Senior Associate, Center on Wisconsin Strategy (University of Wisconsin) Bill Holloway, Transportation Policy Analyst, State Smart Transportation Initiative Tom Madrecki, Press Manager, Smart Growth America Roger Millar, PE, AICP, Vice President, Smart Growth America Sam Munger, Managing Director, Center for State Innovation (University of Wisconsin) Eric Sundquist, Managing Director, State Smart Transportation Initiative Robbie Webber, Senior Associate, State Smart Transportation Initiative The following consultants provided research and writing support: Kittelson & Associates, Inc. Mary Raulerson, Principal Planner; Joel Mann, Senior Planner; Conor Semler, Planner. Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates Karina Ricks, Principal; Stephanie Wright. Senior Associate; Lisa Jacobson, Associate. Spitfire Strategies Beth Kanter, Vice President; Lisa Falconer, Director; Samantha Yale, Senior Account Executive. Project Advisors The research design and content of this handbook benefited greatly from an advisory committee of experts. These experts provided feedback and guidance at critical stages in the project. The committee consisted of: Allen Biehler (Chair) Former Secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Paul Morris Deputy Secretary, North Carolina Department of Transportation. Adetokunbo “Toks” Omishakin Assistant Commissioner/Chief of Environment and Planning, Tennessee Department of Transportation. Lynn Peterson Transportation and Sustainability Policy Advisor to Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber. In addition, Smart Growth America and The State Smart Transportation Initiative would like to thank the following individuals who reviewed and provided feedback on this handbook: Niles Annelin, Michigan Department of Transportation Rob Balmes, Michigan Department of Transportation Lina Chapman, Michigan Department of Transportation iii Aarne Frobom, Michigan Department of Transportation Chris Hundt, Michigan Department of Transportation Polly Kent, Michigan Department of Transportation Chris McNeilly, Michigan Department of Transportation Michelle Myers, Michigan Department of Transportation Jim Ritzman, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Jennifer Toth, Arizona Department of Transportation Kim Young, Michigan Department of Transportation Additional Contributors Smart Growth America and the State Smart Transportation Initiative would also like to acknowledge the following individuals for their contributions to this project: Allen Greenberg/U.S. Department of Transportation, Debbie Kolp, Barbara McCann/McCann Consulting, Stefanie Seskin and Catherine Vanderwaart/The National Complete Streets Coalition, and Nicholas Chang, Sarah Chatterson Absetz, Moira Gillick, Shelly Hazle, Jessica Holmberg, Iqbal Khaiy, Masumi Kikkawa, Ella Krivitchenko, Jeri Mintzer, Elizabeth Schilling and Zachary Smith/Smart Growth America. Photo Credits Cover: “Highway Car Lights.” By Janos Gafert via Flickr. Focus Area 1: “Visiting the new work site - One NoMA Station.” By bankbryan via Flickr. Focus Area 2: Perimeter Center Parkway in Atlanta. Photo by the Atlanta Regional Commission. Focus Area 3: “Southbound I-15 past Layton Parkway.” Photo by Country Lemonade via Flickr. Focus Area 4: Ramp meters in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. Photo by Michael Hicks via Flickr. Focus Area 5: “People Crossing the Street.” Photo by Dave Hoefler via Flickr. Focus Area 6: “UP 5525 Crosses Washington Street in West Chicago.” Photo by vxla via Flickr. Focus Area 7: “Community Planning.” Photo by La Citta Vita via Flickr. Focus Area 8: “Mercer Corridor Project Aerial December 2011.” Photo by Seattle DOT via Flickr. iv The Innovative DOT A handbook of policy and practice Smart Growth America and the State Smart Transportation Initiative September 2012 v Contents 1 Introduction 5 User’s Guide to This Handbook 8 Focus Area 1: Revenue Sources 10 Identify Mechanisms for Funding Non-Roadway Transportation 17 Implement Value Capture 24 Establish a Next-Generation User Fee 29 Focus Area 2: Revenue Allocation and Project Selection 31 Establish Revenue and Funding Flexibility: Mode-Neutral Evaluation and Funding Distribution 36 Incorporate Asset Management 43 Develop a Performance- and Outcome-Focused Project Selection Process 51 Remove Barriers to Off-System Investment 55 Update Funding Formulas and Implement Competitive Fund Distribution for Smart Transportation 62 Focus Area 3: Pricing 64 Use Variable Tolling to Manage Demand 72 Implement Pay-As-You-Drive Insurance 77 Focus Area 4: Increasing Transportation System Efficiency 79 Reform Level of Service 84 Use Practical Design and Context Sensitive Solutions 94 Improve Street Connectivity 100 Modernize Access Management Standards 106 Use Transportation Demand Management 111 Invest in System Management 117 Focus Area 5: Improving Options for Mobility and Access 119 Make Urban and Metropolitan Transit a Key Partner 124 Support Statewide Transit for Job Access and Economic Growth 128 Enact Policies That Support Complete Streets 135 Provide Leadership in Promoting Bicycle and Pedestrian Travel 143 Focus Area 6: Providing Efficient, Safe Freight Access 145 Support Freight Rail Service 152 Support Intermodal Freight Connections 157 Foster Win-Win Outcomes for Freight and Passenger Rail 162 Encourage Innovative Freight Delivery 168 Focus Area 7: Integrating Transportation and Land Use Decision-Making 170 Pursue Policies that Integrate Transportation and Land Use Decision-Making 176 Conduct Scenario Planning 181 Improve Public Facility Siting 186 Coordinate Infrastructure Investments Across Agencies 191 Promote Transit-Oriented Development 196 Focus Area 8: Improving DOT Processes 198 Set and Achieve Comprehensive Goals for Transportation Investments 203 Streamline Project Development and Delivery Processes vi Introduction State officials across the country are facing the same challenges. Revenues are falling and budgets are shrinking while transportation demands grow. The traditional means of funding and delivering transportation services are no longer adequate, jeopardizing the path to tomorrow’s economy. The only answer is innovation. Forward-thinking state and
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