WATS' Draft FY 2014/2015 Unified Planning Work Program is available for comment. The UWP guides WATS’ and TheRide's federally funded planning efforts. WATS encourages the public to comment on the draft document, which will be approved pending comment at the January 15, 2014 Policy Committee meeting. Click here for the Draft UWP, or here to view our Administrative Budget. View the full list of WATS' UWP's here.
WATS is rolling out a redesign of its website! The new design attempts to simplify access to important documents for the public and local elected officials. View a screenshot and markup of the new homepage below.
The design will allow us to highlight what opportunities are available for public participation, and will integrate the blog into the site as well. WATS will continue to crosspost to the old blog at Blogger.
Since the new website was designed and created by WATS staff, if you have any thoughts or comments, we would be happy to consider integrating them. We hope you like the new site, and are excited about the opportunities that a enhanced yet simplified web presence provides.
Visit www.miwats.org to see the new site. If it doesn't display yet, check back in a day or two!
The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is seeking public comment on its draft 2014-2018 Five-Year Transportation Program. The draft document includes information about MDOT's funding picture and a list of specific transportation projects planned for the next five years in each of MDOT's seven regions. You can view the location, description and proposed construction year of upcoming MDOT projects on an interactive map online at www.michigan.gov/mdot5yearplan.
The Five-Year Transportation Program creates a continuous, interactive dialogue with the users of the state transportation system and anchors MDOT's project development and delivery systems. An integrated, multi-modal program that emphasizes system preservation and safety, it carries out the goals and policies outlined by the State Transportation Commission (STC). In addition to providing a list of MDOT-managed road and bridge projects, the document addresses investment strategies, funding assumptions, and economic benefits and impacts for all modes of transportation in Michigan, including highways, public transit, rail, air, marine and nonmotorized transportation.
MDOT presented the draft 2014-2018 Five-Year Transportation Program to the STC on Dec. 5, 2013. It will remain a draft program until it receives final approval by the STC in January 2014. The full document is available on the MDOT Web site at www.michigan.gov/mdot5yearplan.
Comments will be accepted until Friday, Jan. 10, and should be directed to Bob Parsons, Public Involvement and Hearings Officer, Bureau of Highways, Michigan Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 30050, Lansing, MI 48909; fax: 517-373-9255; or e-mail: MDOT-Five-Year-Program@michigan.gov. Alternative formats, such as print, large type and language translation, are available upon request by contacting MDOT's Public Involvement and Hearings Officer.
Two Swedish inventors, Anna Haupt and Terese Alstin, may have found a way to encourage self conscious cyclists to protect themselves. Their Invisible Bike Helmet, Hovding, will protect cyclists in case of a crash by inflating quickly like an airbag around their head. The inventors hope it will encourage more widespread helmet use, and make helmet-hair less of an issue for commuters. Watch the video above to learn more!
WATS is managing planning efforts to design a non-motorized crossing on Huron Street over I-94 as part of Washtenaw County’s HUD Sustainable Communities grant. Click here to fill out a brief survey and tell us your priority for a Huron/I-94 crossing location. Additional opportunities to participate will be posted on the WATS website.
MDOT is considering a $63.7 million investment in the US-23 corridor from M-14 to 9 Mile Road. The project includes:
During peak hours, vehicles will be able to drive on the upgraded shoulders.
On December 12, 2013, MDOT hosted public meeting at Northfield Township Hall. View the presentation and video from the meeting at this link. You can also learn about the project at MDOT's project page, or in recent coverage by MLive's Ann Arbor News.
The FY 2014-2017 Transportation Improvement Program is available. Click to view the program. The TIP is a programming document used to implement the goals, objectives, and projects found in the Long Range Transportation Plan. Click here to learn more about the TIP and view past programs.
Below we've embedded a map of the projects programmed in the TIP. Click any of the lines or points for more information on each project. Please contact WATS with any questions.
WATS is seeking interested candidates for five special interest seats on the agency's Technical Committee. Special interest seats include, freight, senior, non-motorized, environmental and disabled community. Click on the regular or large print application to apply.
Technical Committee members advise WATS staff and make recommendations to the Policy Committee on multi-year federal and state funding programs and Plan adoptions. The Technical Committee meets on 1st Wednesdays starting at 9:30am in Scio Township. The voting membership is for two years (with opportunity for reappointment) beginning February 1, 2014 through January 31, 2015.
Applications are due by December 2, 2013.
Technical Committee Special Interest Application
The CTPP data product based on 2006 – 2010 5-year American Community Survey (ACS) Data is designed to help transportation analysts and planners understand where people are commuting to and from, and how they get there. The information is organized by where workers live, where they work, and by the flow between those places. The CTPP Data Access Software is a powerful tool to access the nearly 350 gigs of data provided by the Census Bureau. The Data set consists of almost 200 residence based tables, 115 workplace based tables and 39 flow tables (Home to work) for over 325,000 geographies.
WATS uses this data to understand commute trends and the future needs of our region's transportation system. Look forward to future posts and analysis on this data!
The Washtenaw Area Transportation Study (WATS) will present a Transportation Forum at Hatcher Graduate Library on the University of Michigan Campus November 18, from 4-7PM. As the number of transportation initiatives in Washtenaw County grow, it has become difficult for projects to differentiate themselves and for the public to track their progress. The event brings together many of the projects and people advancing a comprehensive vision for the county’s transportation system. The public will be able to discuss the initiatives, learn more, and get involved. Initiatives and experts at the event include:
Refreshments will be provided.
