Transportation For America

State-owned roadways are some of the deadliest in the nation for people walking. However, design changes on these deadly roadways often face pushback from state DOTs—even when those same DOTs claim that safety is their number one priority. We can’t curb the danger with more of the same. Here's how state DOTs and our federal leaders can help find new solutions that put safety first.

High-speed designs deprioritize those walking, biking, or rolling, making our roads #dangerousbydesign for everyone but drivers. In order to better protect those outside of cars on our streets, road designs must prioritize #safetyoverspeed. Learn more in this blog post by Jaibin M. ⤵ https://lnkd.in/ekucyPha Current federal spending often leads to road expansion, which increases congestion and emissions. Federal dollars should fund road designs that save lives, not ones that encourage speeding. It’s not enough to lower speed limits—roadways must be redesigned to encourage slower, safer driving. Federal and local policies must focus on creating roads that serve everyone safely, not just vehicle efficiency.

In order to meet our emissions reduction targets, we need to rethink our transportation and land use system. Check out this resource from Transportation For America that shares strategies for zero-emission fleet transition that work in concert with smart growth: https://lnkd.in/dhznfwMu

As our country faces a growing backlog of infrastructure repairs, it’s time to prioritize fixing what we have before building new. It’s crucial to shift our focus from expansion to maintenance. Check out this blog from London Weier, that shares practical examples of how states are applying #FixitFirst policies, saving money, and ensuring more equitable outcomes: https://lnkd.in/eb7-cf5S

Our nation’s infrastructure is in desperate need of repair, yet we continue to prioritize expansion over maintenance. Ignoring necessary upkeep leads to crumbling roads, increased costs for taxpayers, and longer commutes for everyday Americans. Read more in this blog by Abigail Araya: https://lnkd.in/e-HV6aV3 It’s time to focus on fixing what we already have. #FixItFirst

For too long, Congress has allowed states to neglect their maintenance needs in favor of costly road expansions with no clear plan to keep them in good condition. Allowing for roadway expansion at the expense of maintenance is not only a wasted opportunity to invest in a more inclusive transit system—it also impacts our social, economic, and environmental health. We believe in an approach that values fixing what we have first. Learn more about our #FixitFirst principle in this blog from our Senior Policy Associate Mehr Mukhtar 👉 https://lnkd.in/ePbnGMRQ

Our federal transportation investments have often focused on highway expansions rather than building out our entire transportation network 👎 In this blog post, T4A's Policy Manager, Corrigan Salerno, offers four actionable steps for federal leaders to shift this imbalance and ensure all communities can thrive 👉 https://lnkd.in/ePubQm7M It’s time for smarter, more inclusive infrastructure policies that #InvestintheRest, prioritizing equity and access for everyone.

At Transportation for America, we've identified three key principles for the next federal investment in transportation and infrastructure. This week, we're focusing on our newest principle, #InvestintheRest. Find out more in this blog by Elisa Ramirez: https://lnkd.in/eqSk7Cvi For decades, funding public transit and options to walk and bike has been severely deprioritized. In order to decrease emissions and pedestrian deaths, and reduce congestion, federal leaders must invest in more transportation alternatives.

Federal transportation policy is at a crossroads. Our roads, bridges, transit, and sidewalks are in disrepair; pedestrian fatalities and emissions are rising; and many people lack safe, affordable access to jobs and services. Yet, Congress continues to throw more money at the same failing system. With the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act expiring in 2026, it’s time for a smarter approach. We're calling on Congress to prioritize maintenance, design for safety over speed, and invest in a full, multimodal transportation system that works for everyone. Learn more about our three principles for for future federal investments in our nations infrastructure ⤵ t4america.org/platform

The RECHARGE-EV Act, introduced by Representative David Trone could boost rural communities and travelers’ experience by allowing EV funds to serve economic development. Read our take on the RECHARGE-EV Act here: https://lnkd.in/eMgBPbYn At Transportation for America, we coined the term "charger-oriented development," which describes what this act aims to do: co-locate chargers with other services to support small-town business and a better traveler experience. This is a big deal, considering a new paper from MIT finds that spending increases around where EV chargers are sited, even outside of high-income areas.