Post Tagged with: "MTC"

Job Alert: Clipper Program Coordinator (Implementation & Expansion) – Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) @ Oakland, CA

October 29, 2014 at 3:12 pm

Under the supervision and direction of the Clipper Senior Program Coordinator, Implementation & Expansion, the Assistant/Associate Program Coordinator will manage, organize, and implement the following tasks. In most cases, execution of these tasks requires coordination/collaboration with other members of MTC’s Clipper® project management team, transit agency staff, staff with the Clipper Contractor and other consultants.

Clipper® is an all-in-one transit card that keeps track of any passes, discount tickets, ride books and cash value that you load onto it, while applying all applicable fares, discounts and transfer rules. The Clipper card can hold multiple passes, ride books or tickets (which are specific to the transit system being used), as well as up to $300 in cash value at one time and lets the holder customize their card for own transit needs:

The person in this position must have:

  • Strong analytical skills necessary to perform and present quantitative analysis.
  • Advanced Excel skills
  • Strong written and oral communication skills and presentation of quantitative information; including the ability to translate technical and financial data/information into a format understandable to internal and external stakeholders, and the general public.
  • Strong meeting planning, management, and facilitation skills.
  • Attention to detail and data accuracy.

Must be able to:

  • Analyze problems,
  • Develop strategies and make practical recommendations;
  • Prepare correspondence, and reports to a wide variety of audiences
  • Manage competing assignments and priorities to meet critical deadlines within short time constraints.
  • Work independently.
  • Use initiative and sound judgment within established procedural guidelines.
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
  • Develop consensus among local agencies and consultants on various issues.
  • work efficiently as part of a team, and develop and maintain strong and effective working relationships with key internal and external staff.
  • The ability to interpret, comply, and quickly respond to frequently changing priorities.
  • The ability to creatively solve problems, take personal initiative, and carry out assignments with minimum supervision.
  • Be flexibile and willing to evolve to challenges

Click here to learn more and to apply.

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Job Alert: Bay Area Bike Share Program Coordinator – Bay Area Bike Share @ Oakland, CA

July 7, 2014 at 5:40 pm

The Planning Section has a position open for a Bay Area Bike Share Program Coordinator to support contract management of the Bay Area Bike Share program’s operations and the hardware procurement and installation. The individual in this position will be working for Local Government Services (LGS) and be assigned to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) in Oakland, California.

All interested parties MUST APPLY BY: Monday. 07/28/14 5:00 PM Pacific Time
The individual will oversee the fiscal oversight of the program, the strategic planning for growth of the system, including logistics planning; fundraising and sponsorship activities for existing and new jurisdictions; and the development and execution of a regional marketing plan.

For a more in-depth job description please direct all interested individuals, or if you wish to apply go to http://jobs.mtc.ca.gov/. We also appreciate your forwarding the information to any organizations that may further distribute the information.

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Job Alert: Transportation Planner / Analyst – Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) @ San Francisco, CA

April 15, 2014 at 5:22 pm
The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) has an exciting job opportunity for a bright, self-motivated individual with expertise in transportation planning, transportation engineering, public policy, or economics. As part of MTC’s performance-based planning team, this Transportation Planner/Analyst position will help answer critical regional policy questions by analyzing transportation projects and evaluating planning scenarios. Using quantitative and qualitative methodologies – including benefit-cost and economic impact analyses – this position will help to address policy challenges including:
·         How can the region best invest in BART to prepare it for decades of projected ridership growth? Which extensions should be constructed (if any) and what reinvestments should be made into the core of the existing system?
·         Can we most effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions by pursuing auto-based solutions, such as subsidizing electric vehicles or improving signal timing? Or should we put a greater emphasis on shifting individuals’ mode choices to public transit, walking, and bicycling? Which projects will help us most efficiently pursue either solution?
·         Should the region pivot from transportation megaprojects to smaller, more localized investments (such as bus rapid transit lines)? Where in the region might this be a cost-effective approach, and if so, how do we fund these smaller, less visible investments?
·         What will it take to boost Muni reliability – increased frequencies, dedicated lanes, new transit vehicles, technology-based solutions, or all of the above? And how much will this really cost?
·         Are we striking the right balance between maintaining our existing system and building new infrastructure to serve rapidly growing areas? Are there innovative policies or projects that would boost the cost-effectiveness of existing investments into the transportation system?
This full-time position pays $35.00 to $50.00 per hour (depending on qualifications) and includes an attractive benefits package.Applications are due by May 7, 2014 – for more information and to start your application, go to:https://www.calopps.org/ViewAgencyJob.cfm?ID=17094&kw=Planner.
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FHWA Transportation and Climate Change Newsletter March-April 2011

April 19, 2011 at 7:20 pm

Prepared by the Office of Planning, Environment and Realty

Federal Highway Administration

Recent Events and Reports

FHWA Publishes Transportation Planning for Sustainability Guidebook. Individual states and metropolitan areas have begun to develop policies, programs, and methodologies for improving transportation system sustainability. This FHWA sponsored guidebook examines how sustainability considerations could be better incorporated into transportation planning through case studies identified from a review of sustainability planning practices at state DOTs and from a literature review of US and international practices. HTML version or PDF version (18Mb)

EIA Releases Annual Report on US GHG Emissions. The U.S Energy Information publication, Emissions of Greenhouse Gases in the U.S., reports a 5.8 percent decline in U.S. GHG emissions between 2008 and 2009, the largest yearly decline since the report was first published 18 years ago. Transportation sector CO2 emissions declined for the second year in a row.

Texas A&M Report Examines Integration of Climate Change Adaptation into Transportation Planning. Transportation Planning, Policy and Climate Change: Making the Long-Term Connection reviews research on adapting transportation to climate change, and it discusses Houston-Galveston, Texas as a case study example of trying to incorporate climate change adaptation into transportation planning and decision making. The document is the final report of a research project by TTI’s University Transportation Center for Mobility, funded by a grant from USDOT.

Pew Climate Center Releases Pair of White Papers in Anticipation of Transportation Legislation. As the title suggests, Primer on Federal Surface Transportation Authorization and the Highway Trust Fundgives an overview of federal surface transportation funding. In Saving Oil and Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions through U.S. Federal Transportation Policy the authors propose GHG reduction and fuel saving strategies that could be incorporated into new legislation. They highlight implementation options and strategies for overcoming obstacles to inclusion in legislation. The authors also discuss fuel saving and GHG reduction strategies that could be undertaken or expanded under current law. The documents were jointly written by Cindy Burbank of PB and Nick Nigro of the Pew Center.

UK Engineering Academy Reports on Climate Change Adaptation for Infrastructure. Infrastructure, Engineering and Climate Change Adaptation – Ensuring Services in an Uncertain Future, published by the Royal Academy of Engineering, examines vulnerabilities of four infrastructure sectors (including transportation) to the effects of climate change in the U.K. and the modifications that would be needed to increase resilience. It includes an examination of vulnerabilities that arise as a result of interdependencies between different sectors and have the potential to cause cascading failures (for instance, a power failure shutting down rail transport). The study also considers the impact on infrastructure of climate change mitigation efforts and climate induced changes in behavior and demographics.

Transportation Research Record Focuses on Energy and Climate Change. TRB’s TRR Journal number 2191 includes 22 papers on transportation energy and climate change issues. All articles are downloadable for free on TRB’s website.

State and Local News

MTC Releases Vision Scenario Integrating Regional Land Use, Housing, and Transportation Investments to Achieve GHG Reduction Goals. Plan Bay Area – Initial Vision Scenario, was prepared in response to California S.B. 375, which requires regional transportation plans to include a Sustainable Communities Strategy that integrates land use and transportation planning with the goal of reducing GHG emissions. The Initial Vision Scenario identifies a land use development pattern to meet those targets. Using this as a starting point, over the next two years regional agencies will engage local agencies and the public to help identify and assess several detailed Sustainable Communities Strategy scenarios that demonstrate ways that land-use strategies, transportation investments, pricing and other strategies could achieve adopted goals and targets. The scenarios will also address how the Bay Area’s land use plans can assist adaptation to climate change. The final Sustainable Communities Strategy will be incorporated into the area’s 2013 Regional Transportation Plan.

Maryland Releases Phase II of State Adaptation Plan.

Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Maryland’s Vulnerability to Climate Change Phase II: Building societal, economic, and ecological resilience, includes sector-based adaptation strategies to reduce impacts of climate change. A chapter on population growth and infrastructure identifies potential impacts to the State’s transportation system and identifies strategies for resilience (such as leading by example in development decisions in climate sensitive areas, and strengthening building and infrastructure design standards). It also includes strategies to institutionalize consideration of climate change (such as integrating climate vulnerability data into spatial planning frameworks), and it identifies tools, research and education needed to better inform decisions.

NYSDOT and NYSERDA Select 13 Projects to Promote Reductions in Transportation GHG Emissions. New York State DOT and the private New York State Energy Research and Development Authority joined to provide $1.5 million in funding to 13 organizations and municipalities to advance projects that could lead to GHG emissions reduction in the transportation sector. Projects involve traffic flow improvement/ITS, transportation demand management, electric vehicle fleets, efforts to reduce truck idling, and other efforts.

Announcements

FHWA Seeks Participants for GIS Applications in Climate Change Peer Exchange. This peer exchange is intended for practitioners seeking to share and learn about effective practices, methodologies, and lessons learned in applying GIS to support climate change analysis in transportation. Date and location of the peer exchange have not yet been determined. FHWA is currently seeking potential participants. Practitioners interested in participating in the peer exchange should contact Gina Filosa at 617-494-3452 or by e-mail at Gina.Filosa@dot.gov as soon as possible.

AASHTO Seeks Environmental Research Ideas. AASHTO is soliciting submissions to their Transportation and Environmental Research Ideas database. They will consider input received by April 22nd in their recommendations for research projects to be undertaken by the NCHRP. Last year, AASHTO used the TERI database to put forward eighteen research ideas for funding through NCHRP, including thirteen ideas for the quick turnaround, environmentally-focused NCHRP “25-25” program (research that can be completed in less than one year and under $100,000) and five ideas for funding as full-scale NCHRP projects, which typically range from $200,000 to $750,000 and take two to three years to complete. Four of the full-scale NCHRP projects and eight of the 25-25 studies were selected for funding. You can submit your research ideas directly though the TERI database. On the webpage you will find a template for submitting research ideas, please be sure to include a clear title, a detailed scope and information about the approximate timeframe and budget.

FHWA Webinar to Highlight Sustainable Pavements. On Earth Day, April 22, from 11:00-12:00 Eastern, FHWA is hosting a free webinar on in-place recycling of highway pavements, “Sustainable Environment – Putting EARTH DAY Into Practice on Our Nation’s Roads and Highways”. Registration is free and open to everyone.

FHWA Holding Series of Webinars on Congestion Pricing. The FHWA Offices of Operations and Innovative Program Delivery have launched a new webinar series, entitled “Overcoming the Challenges of Congestion Pricing.” These webinars are aimed at state and local agencies that are currently in the process of implementing or would like to implement congestion pricing; decision-makers/political leaders who want to better understand the benefits of congestion pricing; MPOs that may be interested in incorporating pricing into their planning activities; and others who just want to learn more about congestion pricing strategies. Congestion pricing strategies can often have a co-benefit of reducing GHG emissions. Registration is free and open to everyone who is interested.

Webinar Schedule – April 2011

  • April 14, 2011 2:00 – 3:30 pm ET – Congestion Pricing Benefits, Challenges and Opportunities
  • April 19, 2011 2:00 – 3:30 pm ET – Institutional Issues in Congestion Pricing

Webinar Schedule – May through December 2011 (dates are tentative and subject to change)

  • May 26 – Congestion Pricing Equity Impacts
  • June 23 – Technology to Enable and Complement Congestion Pricing
  • July 28 – Integrating Transit with Congestion Pricing and Increasing Congestion Pricing Acceptance
  • August 25 – Economics of Congestion Pricing and Impacts on Business
  • September 22 – Best Practices in Parking Pricing
  • October 27 – Dynamic Ridesharing and Congestion Pricing
  • November 17 – Pay-as-You-Drive Insurance
  • December 15 – Results of the Urban Partnership and Congestion Reduction Demonstration Programs.

Reminders

2011 Transportation Planning, Land Use, and Air Quality Conference, May 9-10. TRB is cosponsoring the 2011 Transportation Planning, Land Use, and Air Quality Conference on May 10-11, 2011, in San Antonio, Texas. The conference will explore the latest research on integrating transportation planning, land use decisions, and improving air quality. The spotlight theme for the conference will be Integrating Transportation, Land Use, and Air Quality to Meet Sustainability and Livability Objectives. For more information see: http://www.ucs.iastate.edu/mnet/tpluaq/home.html

If you have any suggestions for inclusion in future issues of Transportation and Climate Change News, or if someone forwarded this newsletter to you and you’d like to receive it directly in the future, please send your suggestions or request to Becky Lupes at Rebecca.Lupes@dot.gov.

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FHWA Transportation and Climate Change Newsletter – September/October 2010

December 14, 2010 at 6:27 pm

Recent Events

FHWA Selects Vulnerability and Risk Assessment Pilot Locations. FHWA has selected five applicants to pilot a draft conceptual model for conducting climate change vulnerability and risk assessment of transportation infrastructure. The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (San Francisco Bay), New Jersey DOT/North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (Coastal and Central New Jersey), Virginia DOT (Hampton Roads), Washington State DOT (State of Washington), and Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization (Island of Oahu) were selected to conduct the pilots over the next year. Based on the feedback received through the pilots, FHWA will revise and finalize the model for national application.

FHWA Launches Beta Version of Sustainability Tool. The Sustainable Highways Self-Evaluation Tool can help transportation agencies make highway projects and programs more sustainable. The tool is modeled after similar evaluation systems, such as GreenRoads, GreenLites, and I-Last for roads, and LEEDs for buildings. It provides a practical tool for integrating sustainability best practices into transportation projects and programs. Climate change considerations (GHG emissions and climate effects) are incorporated as elements of the tool. This is a beta version of the tool, and the site is still under development, so it will evolve as additional components are added or updated. We encourage you to try out the website, and we welcome any feedback.

FHWA Summary of Climate Language in Transportation Plans posted. Climate Change – Model Language in Transportation Plans provides excerpts from various MPO and DOT transportation plans that illustrate how climate change considerations have been integrated into the documents. Agencies that are looking for ideas about how to incorporate climate change into their transportation plans could find the model language very useful.

Report Provides Estimates of GHG Emissions in Transportation Construction, Maintenance, and Operations Activities. This NCHRP 25-25 Task 58 “Quick-Turnaround” research includes a spreadsheet tool to provide estimates of GHG emissions from transportation agencies’ construction, maintenance, and operations activities. The research also includes a synthesis of current research on the topic and identifies research gaps. A TRB webinar presentation with the principal investigator of the project is scheduled for November 10 (see below).

DOT and EPA Propose GHG Standards for Truck and Buses. On October 25, NHTSA and EPA proposed the first-ever fuel economy and GHG emissions standards for medium- and heavy-duty trucks and buses. The new heavy-duty national program (or HD National Program) for model years 2014-2018 would potentially reduce GHG emissions by nearly 250 million metric tons over the life of the vehicles. The HD National Program was developed in response to President Obama’s memo to agency heads at DOT, DOE, EPA, and NHTSA on improving energy security issued in May. Much information on the proposal, including the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, a fact sheet, a draft EIS, a draft regulatory impact analysis and more is available on the NHTSA’s Fuel Economy Website.

DOT and EPA Publish NOI on 2017-2025 CAFE and GHG Emissions Standards. In an October 13 Federal Register Notice, NHTSA and EPA published a joint Notice of Intent and to develop fuel economy standards for 2017-2025 model year vehicles and an accompanying technical assessment report. The NOI does not propose specific standards but is the first step in the longer rulemaking process and discusses key elements of the program. A final rule is expected by July 31, 2012. As with the rulemaking for model years 2010-2016, EPA and NHTSA have committed to work closely with the California Air Resources Board to coordinate requirements and allow for a single, nationwide fleet. The accompanying technical report includes an initial assessment of the expected technology costs, effectiveness, and lead time to implementation. It also includes assessments on electric vehicle and hydrogen infrastructure and impacts on the economy and auto manufacturing jobs. For more information, see NHTSA’s Fuel Economy Website.

USDOT Releases Sustainability Plan and Progress Report.USDOT has released its Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan, a required report on the agency’s progress implementing E.O. 13514. The plan establishes a goal of 12.3 percent reduction in GHG emissions by 2020. DOT identified three program areas to achieve sustainability goals listed in the plan: sustainable facilities and fleet, sustainable acquisition, and sustainable technology. Sustainability performance plans from other agencies are also available on the CEQ website.

Columbia Law School Creates Databases of Climate Change in EISs. Columbia Law School has compiled and posted two databases of recent environmental studies that include consideration of climate change impacts. The first includes EISs submitted under NEPA. The second includes EISs submitted under CEQA, California’s environmental act. The databases are searchable by project type, lead agency, and State.

EPA, DOT, and HUD Release Partnership Progress Report. This document reports on the first year of the HUD/DOT/EPA Interagency Partnership for Sustainable Communities. The agencies are coordinating investments and aligning policies with the goal to help create more livable communities. For example, DOT used EPA and HUD’s expertise in the review of applications for Recovery Act TIGER grants. Twenty-two of the projects were selected because they would increase transportation choice, promoting livability principles. DOT and HUD also teamed up for a joint TIGER II-Community Challenge Grant Program that will award up to $75 million to support local planning activities that integrate transportation, housing, and economic development. And FTA and HUD developed a Mixed-Income Transit Oriented Development Action Guide to assist local governments foster diverse housing choices near transit stations available to a mix of incomes. These efforts and more are detailed in the report.

Federal Climate Change Adaptation Task Force Releases Progress Report. On October 5, CEQ released the report: Progress Report of the Interagency Climate Change Adaptation Task Force: Recommended Actions in Support of a National Adaptation Strategy. The report discusses the role of the federal government in adapting to climate change, federal policy goals, and next steps. To implement a goal to encourage and mainstream adaptation planning across the federal government, the Task Force recommends federal agencies employ a flexible framework for agency adaptation planning:

  • Set a mandate with clear objectives and metrics;
  • Understand how climate is changing;
  • Apply to mission and operations;
  • Develop, prioritize, and implement actions;
  • Evaluate and learn; and
  • Build awareness and skills.

USDOT and FHWA are active in the Task Force. While FHWA has incorporated many elements of the flexible framework to its own activities, the Vulnerability and Risk Assessment Pilots discussed at the top of this newsletter are serving as FHWA’s pilot of the flexible framework. Read about all of the Task Force’s policy goals and recommended implementation strategies in the report.

State News

CAPCOA Releases Resource on Quantifying Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Measures. The California Air Pollution Control Officers Association released this Resource for Local Government to Assess Emissions Reductions from Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Measures. It includes calculation methodologies for 50 transportation measures. Information includes a range of effectiveness, detailed description, applicability (urban, suburban, rural), calculation method, inputs, assumptions, examples, and literature references for the measures.

Announcements

Seeking Pilot Projects for Sustainable Transportation Design Tool. The Sustainable Transportation Access Rating System (STARS) is a life-cycle, performance-based design and rating system helping transportation projects to improve access, reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions and improve cost-effectiveness. STARS is seeking pilot projects to testVersion 1.0.STARS was developed by a partnership between the North American Sustainable Transportation Council, Portland (OR) Bureau of Transportation and the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission. For more information on STARS please contact Peter Hurley, Portland Bureau of Transportation Project Manager, at 503.823.5007 or peter.t.hurley@portlandoregon.gov.

AASHTO/FHWA Webinar: “How can state DOTs communicate climate change and energy challenges to the public?” Thursday, December 2 at 2:00-3:30 p.m. ET. Edward Maibach of the Center for Climate Change Communication at George Mason University will give a presentation on “Global Warming’s Six Americas,” a market segmentation analysis of different groups of Americans and their views on climate change: Alarmed; Concerned; Cautious; Disengaged: Doubtful; and Dismissive. Based on an awareness of different views about climate change, the webinar will focus on ways that state DOTs and other transportation organizations can communicate with the public about climate change and energy issues. The webinar will also include discussion of the state DOT role in communicating about climate change with other state and Federal agencies. Registration is free and open to all.

If you have any suggestions for inclusion in future issues of Transportation and Climate Change News, or if someone forwarded this newsletter to you and you’d like to receive it directly in the future, please send your suggestions or request to Becky Lupes at Rebecca.Lupes@dot.gov

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