INTERIM. Sharing Economy Moves to University. University Saves Infrastructure Costs.

What university is trying its own car share program? The University of Nevada at Reno

What are the program requirements?

  • Any university faculty, student or staff can use the service if over the age of 18
  • Any member of thecommunity can use the service if over the age of 21
  • Designated & convenient  campus parking spots for the cars

What are the goals of the university based car share program?

  • transportation demand management
  • decrease the drive-alone rate to campus
  • delay high cost parking structure construction
  • the company, Zipcar, will also offer grant programs to the university

KOLO | UNR Partners With Zipcar for Campus Carsharing

TX Road Funding Trend: Lower Revenues. 3 Points to Know Now.

  • Lower oil prices have resulted in less revenue for transportation.
  • In FY16 Texas severance taxes led to $1.1 billion in transportation funding
    • FY 17 is estimated to be $594 million
    • FY 18 is estimated to be $740 million
  • As for other deposits into the State Highway Fund
    • Sales and use a $2.5B deposit is estimated in 2018
    • Motor vehicle sales and rental taxes is estimated to be $375 million transfer in 2020

Texas Tribune | Falling Oil Prices Leading to Drop in Texas Road Funding

INTERIM Self Driving Cars Want Federal Action. Too Many Pesky States. 5 Quick Points.

Which group is pushing Congress to act over the states? Consumer Technology Association

Why should Congress resgulate self driving cars and not states? “transportation is a national issue”

Even without Congressional action federal regulators will tell the states what to do with new guidelines. Transportation Department & its National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will create guidelines for state policymakers to draw on when regulating self-driving cars.

What’s the timeline for federal guidance? 6 months

What stakeholders? American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators and state officials

The Hill | Tech seeks green light for self-driving cars

INTERIM. Lege Trend. Ride Share Data Use. 1 State Lege Author Killed His Own Bill.

What state legislature is active on ride share legislation? California

The bill’s author killed his own bill? Yes, asserting misunderstandings by all stakeholders

What groups supported the bill? Consumer Federation of California

What would the bill have done? “ Require passengers to opt in before ride-hailing apps could share their contact information or any other personally identifying data with third parties.”

California Assembly Bill 886

The Recorder | Lawmaker Drops Ride-Hailing Privacy Bill

Calling Japan to Stop High Speed Rail. 3 Quick Points to Be Informed.

Texas elected officials are reaching out to Japan? Indeed, 33 East TX Officials, opponents to high speed rail, have contacted the Ambassador to Japan 

Who signed the letter? Local Officials, like county judges, county commissioners and members of sub-regional planning commissions, and legislators

  • 11 Republican members of the Legislature: Sens. Brian Birdwell of Granbury, Lois Kolkhorst of Brenham and Charles Schwertner of Georgetown, and Reps. Trent Ashby of Lufkin, Cecil Bell of Magnolia, Byron Cook of Corsicana, Kyle Kacal of College Station, Will Metcalf of Conroe, John Raney of College Station, Leighton Schubert of Caldwell and John Wray of Waxahachie.

​What case were they making? The rail will only burden, without any benefit, their rural communities

Star Telegram | East Texas officials write Japanese envoy to derail high-speed rail project

Trend from the West: Have your TCEQ open Clean Transportation Centers.

Where did the California Energy Commission opened a Clean Transportation Center?  San Joaquin Valley

Why? 2 reasons. 

  1. accelerate the use of clean vehicles and fuels
  2. assist the region quickly meet its air quality targets

What will the clean energy center provide?

  • technical assistance
  • project development expertise
  • support with acquiring funding for San Joaquin Valley vehicle fleet owners, local governments, businesses and residents.
  • Expand the use of zero-emission vehicles, clean trucks and high-efficiency non-road equipment.

NGT News | State-Funded Clean Transportation Center Opens in California

Midwest Trend: Republican House Leaders Propose $500 Million in Funding for Roads. Key Points from the Plan.

Republican House Members in Indiana have a plan, a transportation funding plan to:

  • Raise fuel taxes by 4 cents a gallon to 22 cents
  • Raise cigarette taxes by $1
  • Raise sales tax on fuel by 4 cents a gallon (about $24 per year per motorist)
  • Charge electric car owners a $100 yearly registration fee
  • Allow cities to charge a “wheel tax,” which is a charge of up to $25 on car registrations to help fund local projects.
  • Study turning freeways into tollways

Republican leaders say:

  • this plan will end transportation funding diversions
  • and increase funding to other programs, like to pay for Medicaid and health programs
  • “Hoosiers want investment in roads and infrastructure.”

Opponents say now is not the time to put a burden on hardowrking Hoosiers.

Supporters include Tobacco Free Indiana.

Republican House Leadership Plan counters the Governor’s plan which calls for:

  • Earmark $1 billion toward road funds from:
    • a combination of state reserves
    • new bond money
    • financial commitment from the legislature for additional spending.
    •  no additional taxes
    • fund needed highway repairs for four years

IndyStar | House Republicans outline tax plan for additional road funding

Northwest Indiana Times | House Republicans’ transport bill hits the road