Quarterly Newsletter - June 2020

TRAVEL During COVID

While continuing our regular planning efforts as much as possible, the COVID-19 related restrictions have provided an interesting case study on traffic under abnormal conditions. We have compiled in the PDF linked here some data on the impacts seen in our region in the past few months on freight, Vehicle Miles Traveled, trips taken, commercial activity, and policy. Understanding these impacts will be important to continue transportation planning in an unpredictable time. PDF: View PDF here.

The Memphis MPO Coordinated Transit (CPT-HSTP) Plan Video

MPO staff have been producing short, simple, informational videos that explain our plans and initiatives. The latest covers our Coordinated Plan (CPT-HSTP), which is now being updated. Currently in the data collection phase, it is hoped that stakeholder and public engagement can go forward this fall. Check out the video here.

AMPO Spotlight

The Memphis MPO was featured for the Association of Metropolitan Planning Organization (AMPO) member spotlight for the month of May. AMPO shared Memphis MPO's Biteable video tool as an engagement effort to build awareness for various MPO planning efforts and activities. The MPO's range of planning products were also highlighted, sharing purpose and the collaboration efforts taken to address transportation in the region. To view Bitable videos or plans and studies,visit the Memphis MPO's website.  https://memphismpo.org/

MPO Website

What's Rolling with the Regional Walk and Roll Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan?

The Walk and Roll plan virtual open house and survey which was launched in May 2020 is now closed. We would like to THANK everyone who participated and provided feedback .    So, what's next?   We are currently analyzing the data from the virtual public meeting and summarizing the results. All this information will be used in the draft plan which will be released in the next few months. Please make sure to stay tuned for more updates about our plan on the Memphis MPO Walk and Roll website .

Re(Introducing) New Staff Planner: Andrew Ray

Andrew joined the Memphis MPO team as a Transportation Planner in June. He grew up in the Memphis area and attended the University of Memphis. After a short hiatus in Chattanooga, he is excited to return to West Tennessee. He has worked for the Memphis MPO in the past, and most recently worked for the Chattanooga Regional Planning Agency and Chattanooga TPO. His work has primarily focused on transportation planning, and he enjoys employing GIS and other data-driven analysis to find solutions to planning questions. His work at the MPO will focus on the Regional Transportation Plan, Transportation Improvement Program, Land Use Modeling, and GIS data management.

Headlines

EPA Provides Grant Funding to Support Environmental Justice Communities Impacted by COVID-19 The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is working to improve the environment and public health conditions of low-income and minority communities through our daily efforts to ensure all Americans have clean air, safe water, and access to information to make decisions to protect personal and public health.  Early Estimates of 2019 Motor Vehicle Traffic Data Show Reduced Fatalities for Third Consecutive Year The nation saw a decline in traffic deaths during 2018 and 2017, and these newest estimates suggest a continuing decline in traffic-related deaths. How to reboot shared mobility in a post-pandemic world Shared mobility must reinvent itself somewhat to adapt to the coming challenges resulting from COVID-19. Operators, software developers, vehicle manufacturers, and public services will all need to be creative in order to find ways to deal with a wide range of social/technical/business issues created or exacerbated by the pandemic. Federal Highway Administration to Assist States with Innovative Reopening Efforts In response to State requests, FHWA will consider short-term FMV exceptions for the temporary use of sidewalks and public parking that offer more area for restaurants and stores to serve their customers at a safe distance. Drivers license stations set to reopen in state Mississippi’s drivers license stations, including Nesbit and Olive Branch in DeSoto County, are about to reopen under specific guidelines, announced Gov. Tate Reeves. Transportation lab predicts “extreme traffic” for some cities following COVID-19 As communities and cities across America embark on paths for reopening, a transportation group at Vanderbilt is asking the question: What will traffic look like if transit riders become car drivers?

Program & Funding Opportunities

TDOT Multimodal Access Grant TDOT’s Multimodal Access Grant is a state-funded program created to support the transportation needs of pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit users through infrastructure projects that address existing gaps along state routes. The application cycle will open on June 8, 2020. Communities that are interested in competing must submit a Notice of Intent to Apply (NOI) to TDOT.MultimodalPlanning@tn.gov by 7/31/20 at 11:59 pm.  Delta Regional Authority Economic Development Assistance Program The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) supports state and local governments, public bodies, and nonprofit entities in Delta communities through its annual States Economic Development Assistance Program (SEDAP). SEDAP funding may be used to fund projects in a number of priority areas, including basic public infrastructure and transportation infrastructure.  Applications are due June 28, 2020. Transit Planning For All Mobility-on-Demand Project Program This program provides funding for inclusive transportation planning, development, and implementation projects with grassroots-driven mobility-on-demand solutions. Selected grantees will engage people with disabilities, older adults, and caregivers in partnership with transportation, planning, and human services organizations; projects should identify, develop, and implement mobility-on-demand solutions that respond to local transportation barriers and test a standard way of sharing trip data to support coordination and implementation of mobility-on-demand services. Full proposals are due by July 3, 2020.

MPO Planners in Quarantine

Staying Flexible: How Public Agencies are Pivoting Engagement Methods During the COVID-19 Pandemic : Featured MPO Planner, Mavrick Fitzgerald

Talking Freight - Freight Beyond the City: Approaches to Improving Freight Mobility in the Suburban Context

Exploring Census Data Webinar Series: Transportation Statistics

March: 2: Walk and Roll Transit Stakeholder Meeting 3: Virtual Meeting:Walk and Roll Equity Stakeholder Meeting (MCIL) 3 :MS TIP Project Status Meeting 4: SR-385 Memphis Smartway ITS Expansion Project Meeting 5: Virtual Meeting : Walk and Roll Equity Stakeholder Meeting (Whole Child Strategies) 9: Webinar :AMPO Public Involvement Working Group 11: Virutal Meeting : Walk and Roll Equity Stakeholder Meeting (Latino Memphis) 17: Virtual Meeting: ATAC Meeting 18: TN Safety Working Group Conference Call 18: Virtual Meeting: Knoxville 23: Webinar:Florida Local Assistance Program Training 23 :Virtual Meeting: Walk and Roll Equity Stakeholder Meeting (The Works CDC) 25: Webinar : Eno Center Rapid Response 25: Virtual Meeting :Knoxville TPO Executive Board Meeting 27: Webinar: Maryland DOT/Smart Growth America Webinar 30: Virtual Meeting: CPT-HSTP Meeting 31 : Webinar: Exploring Census Data Series: Transportation Statistics

April: 1: IAC Statewide Conference Call 7: Virtual Meeting : City of Memphis Bicycle Advocacy Council Meeting  7: Webinar: Smart Growth Network 7: Webinar: CARES Act 8: Virtual Meeting : City of Memphis Pedestrian Advocacy Council Meeting 8 :ETIP Demo Call 9: Webinar: E-Builder: Navigating the New Normal  14: Virtual Meeting: Knoxville TPO Executive Board Meeting 14: Webinar: TRB: Start your Transportation Research with TRID 15: TN Safety Working Group Conference Call 15: Webinar: Talking Freight 22: Virtual Meeting: TDOT TASP Modal Integration Working Group 23: Webinar: Public Engagement for Planning 28: Webinar: Enhancing Mobility, Access and Safety for Pedestrian 28: Webinar : FHWA TMIP 29: Webinar: EPA Air Quality Flag 30: Webinar : Enhancing Mobility, Access and Safety for Pedestrian Part ll

May:  5 :Webinar: AMPO Public Involvement Working Group 6: Webinar: Staying Flexible: Staying Flexible: How Public Agencies are Pivoting Engagement Methods during the COVID-19 Pandemic 7: Webinar :Advocating for and Creating Effective Public Transit 7: Webinar : Smart Growth Network Webinar: Advocating for and Creating Effective Public Transit 12: Webinar: COVID-19 Impact on Freight 13: Webinar: Walking and Walkability in the time of COVID-19: Changing Policies and Practices 15: PM3 Midpoint Target Review Call 19: Webinar: INRIX Mobility Pane 21: Webinar: Smart Growth Network Webinar: Designing Cities Amid Urban Migration 28: Webinar: Research in Action: Trends in How Municipalities Are Addressing Increased Demand for Safe Public Space 29: Webinar: Autonomous Vehicle Implementation: Implications for Transportation Planning 29: TDOT MPO TIP Project Status Call

Upcoming Events: July 3 : Independence Day - MPO Offices will be Closed August 20 : Joint TPB/ETC Meeting day

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Meeting Calendar July - September 2020

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Memphis Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization 125 North Main Street | Room 450 |Memphis, TN 38103 PH: 901.636.7190 | FAX: 901.636.7272 memphismpo.org