Transportation Planning Overhaul: Focus on Climate, Transit, and Active Travel.
This bill mandates that states and transportation planning agencies prioritize projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and decrease the miles citizens drive in their cars. It establishes new national standards for public transit accessibility and imposes financial penalties on states that fail to meet climate targets, forcing them to invest in public transit, sidewalks, and bike lanes. Citizens can expect cleaner air, better infrastructure for walking and cycling, and improved access to essential services via public transportation.
Key points
New Goals: Transportation planning must now actively aim to reduce emissions and improve road resilience against climate change impacts.
Highway Restrictions: Building new traffic lanes for single-occupancy vehicles is restricted; such projects must prove they are more cost-effective than investing in public transit or operational improvements.
Financial Penalties: States failing to meet emission reduction targets will have a portion of their federal highway funds redirected to expanding public transit, sidewalks, and bike lanes.
Improved Accessibility: New national standards will measure how easily (within 45 minutes) public transit can connect people to jobs, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities.
Expired
Additional Information
Print number: 118_S_3669
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Process start date: 2024-01-25