Florida Department of

TRANSPORTATION

Office of Policy Planning

Abbreviations in this issue:

AASHTO - American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
BRT - Bus Rapid Transit
DOT - Department of Transportation
FTA - Federal Transit Administration
TIFIA - Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act

1. GAO Reports
   • Bus Rapid Transit: Projects Improve Transit Service and Can Contribute to Economic Development - This report examines features included in BRT projects funded by the FTA; BRT project performance in terms of ridership and service and how they compare to rail transit projects; how BRT-projects’ costs differ from rail transit project costs; and the extent to which BRT projects provide economic development and other benefits.
   • Surface Transportation: Financing Program Could Benefit from Increased Performance Focus and Better Communication - This report reviews the characteristics of TIFIA projects and how DOT tracks progress toward the program’s goals, the process DOT used to evaluate and select projects that submitted letters of interest to apply for credit assistance in fiscal years 2010 and 2011, the factors that affect project sponsors’ decisions about whether to seek TIFIA credit assistance, and the options proposed to modify the program.
2. Transportation, Mobility, and Older Adults in Rural Michigan - This report explores issues related to transportation and mobility in rural areas generally, and in rural areas of Michigan specifically. The information from this report is intended to assist Michigan in meeting the transportation needs of its rural older adult population.
3. Survey of the Status of Truck Safety: Brazil, China, Australia, and the United States - This report reviews the status of truck safety in four countries, Australia, Brazil, China, and the United States. The report describes the role of road freight transportation in each country, characterizes the current level of safety, and identifies the primary safety problems related to trucks within each country.
4. Miscellaneous Reports
   • Data & Synthesis Report: A Collection of Statistics Tracked by State DOTs - This report provides a list of metrics, facts and figures from 41 state DOTs.
   • Early Estimate of Motor Vehicle Traffic Fatalities for the First Quarter (January–March) of 2012 - This brief summarizes traffic fatalities for the first quarter of 2012 and compares them with historical data.
   • Collaborative Leadership: Partnerships between Regional Development Organizations and Community Foundations - This report explores the strategies and rewards behind eight partnerships to demonstrate how foundations and regional development organizations can help each other leverage resources, expand their toolkits, broaden their networks, and align their work programs.