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Resources Hard copies of back issues of Transit for Livable Communities' publications can be ordered by calling us at 651-767-0298 or emailing us at tlc [at] tlcminnesota.org. Educate Candidates on Transportation Issues Complete Streets Sample Caucus Resolution MAPS STATEMENTS Letter to Congressman Oberstar regarding the St. Croix River Crossing Project. TLC believes it is time to re-evaluate the $670 million bridge proposal by taking into account new economic realities and the new federal direction to emphasize livable communities and multi-modal transportation. Letter to the Metropolitan Council Chairman Peter Bell regarding TH169/I-494 Interchange expansion. Another interchange expansion project is moving ahead --this one with a price tag of $172 million. For over a decade, Mn/DOT and the Metropolitan Council have said that Minnesota can't build its way out of congestion. Official comments by Transit for Livable Communities about St. Paul's off-street parking requirements. TLC is very supportive of the changes being proposed to St. Paul's off-street parking requirements. The changes will facilitate development and redevelopment, encourage transit use, bicycling, and walking, and reduce air and water pollution. Statement by Transit for Livable Communities about investment choices for transportation stimulus spending in the metropolitan area. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act or “stimulus” provided slightly more than $300 million to the metro region for transportation projects. While the majority of that money has been erroneously characterized across the country as “highway” money, the funding can be used for nearly any transportation capital project by any agency. None of it requires a local match and it shouldn’t. Response to the MnDOT 2008 Statewide Transportation Plan. This letter from TLC provides several big‐picture comments and then provides a listing of specific chapter by chapter comments. TLC Position on Congestion Pricing. Congestion pricing refers to charging drivers a variable, time of use fee on a road, bridge, or highway lane. Congestion pricing offers the potential to more efficiently use highway capacity and to substantially increase transit ridership. TLC Position on Central Corridor LRT. The Central Corridor will be the core transit connector for the Twin Cities region, connecting the two largest downtowns, the University of Minnesota, and the state Capitol. Improving transit in the Central Corridor will provide current and new transit riders with faster, more reliable, more frequent and more cost-effective service. TLC Position on Southwest Corridor LRT. Southwest LRT will be the high speed, high frequency transit connector for the southwest portion of the Twin Cities metropolitan region, linking four suburban cities with downtown Minneapolis (and beyond). LRT is a key piece of an expanded regional transit system that includes LRT, streetcars, commuter rail, bus rapid transit (BRT) and a greatly expanded bus service. TLC Position on Minnesota's Investment in Intercity High-Speed Rail. Intercity high-speed rail provieds a critical investment to spur regional economic development, provides an energy-efficient transportation option for travelers, and provides a travel option that contributes to reduced car and airline congestion. Reports Pedestrian and Bicycle Count Results: Bike Walk Twin Cities 2009. (2010). This annual report provides a detailed local view of bicycling and walking at numerous locations across the Twin Cities. This ongoing collection of accurate, timely data about nonmotorized traffic suplpements existing data on motorized traffic to develop a more complete picture of overall travel behavior in our communities. Stranded at the Station: The Impact of the Financial Crisis in Public Transportation (2009). A new report released by Transportation for America and the Transportation Equity Network shows that service cuts and fare increases in Minnesota’s public transportation systems are part of a national epidemic, making it harder for families as well as some our most vulnerable citizens to get to work and access essential services. Minnesota and the Stimulus: Did Minnesota use the federal stimulus to Spending the Stimulus: How Minnesota Can Put Thousands Back to Work Building a 21st Century Transportation System (2009). As families all over America struggled during this recession, elected officials are under pressure to spend the federal stimulus money soon to pour into state capitols. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), better known as "the stimulus," provides a critical opportunity to boost our economy by advancing a 21st century transportation system. Pedestrian and Bicycle Count Results: Bike Walk Twin Cities 2008 (2009). At locations where counts were performed in both 2007 and 2008, walking increased by six percent and bicycling increased by 29 percent. By itself, this information is little more than an interesting statistic. Over time, counts and other data collection—combined with strong collaboration with local governments, businesses, organizations, and residents—can help local leaders make better informed decisions about bicycling and walking investments. Transportation Performance in the Twin Cities Region (2008). Are the Minnesota Department of Transportation and the Metropolitan Council adequately measuring the key indicators that would drive Minnesota to address the challenges of rising gas prices, an aging population and climate change? Policy Briefs Highway Lane Miles (2010). The Twin Cities region has one of the nation's largest regional highway systems -- more lanes don't necessarily mean less congestion. Minnesota Complete Streets Case Study (2010). Focusing on four sites throughout the state, the Minnesota Complete Streets Coalition completed case studies to highlight the successes and missed opportunities for creating Complete Streets that are safe and accessible for pedestrians, trasnit riders, bicyclists, and drivers - all users, regardless of age or ability. Vancouver Gets the Gold for Transportation (2010). The influx of visitors and athletes to an Olympic host city will test any transportation system but Vancouver is well prepared. This breif goes over the systems Vancouver has in place and what the Twin Cities could learn from Vancouver's experience. Twin Cities Traffic Congestion (2009) The Twin Cities congestion ranking is lower than many peer regions. Transit Fares in Peer City Regions (2009). Many regions have comparable fares to the Twin Cities, but have more extensive systems so a transit fare buys more service in those regions. Highway Lane Miles (2009). The Twin Cities have more highway lane miles per capita than cities like Los Angeles and Detroit. Sources of Funding for Transit in Peer Regions (2009). A dedicated sales tax is the funding mechanism of choice in most regions. Climate Change (2008). Minnesota joined the growing list of states developing plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. Minnesota's plan was released in 2008 and it identified numerous transportation and landuse strategies long supported by TLC. You Can Help Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Transportation (2008). In Minneosta, the transportation sector is responsible for 25% of greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate Change. Everyone can do something to reduce emissions --policy makers, employers, and you! Transit Fares (2008). Minneapolis and St. Paul have some of the highest transit fares in the country. Transit Funding in Peer City Regions (2006). Investment in public transit in the Twin Cities is 23 percent lower than the average spent in peer regions. Transit Ridership in the Twin Cities (2006). 81 million people rode transit in 2006. Denver, Colorado:The Next Transit Metropolis (2005).Nearly every major metropolitan area in the United States has made a strong financial commitment to a transit system. Learn how Denver is making a difference. Driven to Spend (2005). The average Twin Cities household spends 17 percent of its income on transportation. This is $1,500 more than the amount spent by the average U.S. household. Transit Routes and Ridership in Major U.S. and Canadian Metro Regions (2004). New York, Washington D.C., and Boston have the highest transit ridership per capita. E-Newsletters On the Way. On the Way is Transit for Livable Communities' monthly e-newsletter. To subscribe, send an email to AmberC [at] tlcminnesota.org. 2010 You can view all content from our e-newsletters plus much more on our blog.
Transit for Livable Communities' paper newsletter provides in-depth coverage of transportation issues in Minnesota and Transit for Livable Communities' work to address those issues. |
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