How would you spend $100 of taxes on transportation?

Rails to Trails Conservancy national poll showed that American voters want a transportation system that allows them to choose whether to drive, take public transit, or walk or bike to their destinations. The public is prepared to invest in a multi-modal system. When asked to distribute $100 of hypothetical taxes on transportation, voters on average allocated $27 to walking and biking—a remarkable 18 times the current share.

Read the entire article here.

Personal behavior major cause of accidents

• Always wear a safety belt.
• Always wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle or bicycle.
• Be safe. Be seen! Use lights and/or wear bright clothing when walking, cycling, or riding a motorcycle.
• Obey all traffic laws.
• Share the road safely - be courteous!
• Don’t tailgate – keep safe distances while driving.
• Avoid distractions while driving, biking, and walking.
• Reading, typing, or sending a text while driving is illegal in Michigan.

Personal behavior major cause in traffic accidents

Personal behavior is a major cause in traffic accidents. Below are some tips to avoid traffic crashes:

According to SEMCOG, More than half of Southeast Michigan traffic fatalities in the last five years were from single-vehicle crashes. Other factors that were involved in a high percentage of traffic fatalities include lane departures (39%), young drivers (31%), intersections (27%), and pedestrians (25%).

• Always wear a safety belt.
• Always wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle or bicycle.
• Be safe. Be seen! Use lights and/or wear bright clothing when walking, cycling, or riding a motorcycle.
• Obey all traffic laws.
• Share the road safely - be courteous!
• Don’t tailgate – keep safe distances while driving.
• Avoid distractions while driving, biking, and walking.
• Reading, typing, or sending a text while driving is illegal in Michigan.

MTPA Conference Offering Student Rate!

The 2015 MTPA Conference is offering a student rate this year to encourage students to network, learn, and participate in a statewide transportation planning conference.

Student Rates for 2015 will be:

• $175 for Full Conference (Includes awards dinner)
• $75 for Wednesday Only
• $100 for Thursday Only (Includes awards dinner)

The full conference price is $350.  The conference registration will close on June 28, 2015.

Register today at the 2015 Conference website

For Conference questions please contact Suzann Flowers flowerss@miwats.org or 734-994-3127.

Rumble Strips saving lives on rural highways

Fast facts:

-  A new study by WSU's Transportation Research Group shows rumble strips on state highways are reducing crashes and saving lives in Michigan.

- Between 2008 and the present, MDOT has installed centerline rumble strips on 5,700 miles of two-lane high-speed roads.

-  In the crash categories examined, the study showed a 47 percent reduction in total crashes and a 51 percent reduction in fatal crashes.

-  In Michigan, rumble strips are expected to eliminate 337 crashes, saving 16 lives and preventing 62 serious injuries, each year.

MDOT Planning for Bridge Repair on M-14/US-23 BR Set for 2016

MDOT is holding a public meeting on May 12, 2015 from 4-6pm at Skyline High School Media Center 2552 N Maple Ann Arbor to discuss bridge construction in 2016 for M-14/US-23 Business Route over Huron River.

For more info, click on the link

http://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MIDOT/bulletins/1019282

North-South Commuter Rail (WALLY) Public Meetings Set

The North-South Commuter Rail (WALLY) is a proposed 27-mile long commuter rail service that would connect Ann Arbor and Howell, with intermediate stops along the way. It is being evaluated as a way to improve mobility along US-23 and to promote economic development and job creation in the region.

A study is being undertaken by the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority (AAATA) to assess in detail the feasibility of the North-South Commuter Rail service. Results of this assessment, which includes in-depth public and stakeholder involvement, will be used to determine project costs, ridership, potential station locations, and the capacity and willingness of the affected communities to build, operate and help fund the project. If the project is found feasible, the study will help to prepare the project for future federal funding.

The first set of community meetings has been scheduled for the following dates and locations:

Thursday, March 12, 7-9 p.m.
Brighton Community Center
555 Brighton, MI 48116

Monday, March 16, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Ann Arbor District Library – Downtown
343 S. Fifth Avenue
Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Contact: Michael Benhan, AAATA.
 

MDOT says "spring forward" means be alert for pedestrians and bicyclists

Fast facts:
- Daylight saving time begins Sunday, March 8.
- Pedestrians and bicyclists are encouraged to wear bright, reflective clothing to be more visible.
- In 2013, more crashes occurred in dark conditions (72 percent) than in daylight conditions (25 percent).

March 5, 2015 -- The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) urges motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians to "spring forward" safely when daylight saving time begins at 2 a.m. Sunday, March 8. Motorists should be aware that sunrise will occur one hour later, meaning that it will be darker later in the morning.

            "Driving through school zones becomes more challenging for motorists during the first week of the time change," said State Transportation Director Kirk T. Steudle. "Pedestrians and bicyclists should wear brighter, reflective clothing in order to be seen more easily, and those behind the wheel need to pay close attention and eliminate distractions while driving."

            According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 4,735 pedestrians died in traffic crashes in 2013 and 66,000 were injured (7,000 of these injuries happened to children 14 and younger). NHTSA reports more crashes occurred in dark conditions (72 percent) than in daylight conditions (25 percent). 

            Motorists are reminded that bicyclists are permitted to ride on most roadways in Michigan. Bicyclists are reminded that, as legal roadway users, they are required to obey all traffic laws, signs and signals. A person operating a bicycle upon a highway or street at less than the existing speed of traffic shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway.