What's New in Law

Recycling is a concept that most of society supports as a practice that can benefit the environment and overall well-being, as well as reduce the needs and costs associated with raw materials. However, the conversation needs to shift from just recycling to responsible recycling. This is the focus of a feature article in the November-December 2020 issue of TRB's magazine, TR News (Issue 330). TR...

A new congressionally mandated report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine provides comprehensive recommendations for improving the U.S. electric power system so that it can adequately provide electricity to the nation in a safe, reliable, clean, resilient, and equitable way, especially as the U.S. pursues decarbonization of the energy supply. The report also recom...

Fundamental shifts in preparedness planning are needed to ensure health, safety, and smooth operations during emergencies in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. To prepare for emergency events requiring evacuation, it is necessary to revise shelter planning and mass care operations, shelter staffing, and shelter design and operations with a focus on reducing virus transmission and ensuring sa...

Using electronic devices while driving is unsafe, but legislation and enforcement is inconsistent throughout the United States. TRB will host a webinar on Monday, March 15, 2021 from 1:00-2:30 PM Eastern that will review current electronic device use laws and enforcement strategies. Presenters will discuss public awareness strategies and successes in various jurisdictions. They will also ident...

The ACRP is now seeking nominations for serving on project panels. Three additional Fiscal Year 2021 projects on air quality and stormwater have been selected. These panels will develop requests for proposals, select contractors, and review draft deliverables. Please nominate yourself or other candidates to serve on the expert panels of these research projects online at MyACRP . If you have a M...

In the latest episode of TRB's Transportation Explorers podcast, BART Chief Communications Officer Alicia Trost discusses where San Francisco is in the vaccination effort and how communications plays a crucial role in getting people to and from vaccine sites. Listen to the podcast here and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. It is now available on all major podcast providers.

The first episode of a webinar series on equity and the Black experience in transportation is now available to view online . TRB Executive Director Neil Pedersen moderated the event, which was hosted by the Council of University Transportation Centers - CUTC and included speakers Dorval Carter, Jr., President, Chicago Transit Authority; Jackie Grimshaw, Vice President, Government Affairs, Cente...

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine New Voices in Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine is now accepting applications for the next cohort. Outstanding early-to-mid-career leaders can provide new perspectives on issues and public communication modes for the National Academies, and help identify activities designed to expand the diversity of expertise that is engaged in th...

Distracted driving is a complex and ever-increasing risk to public safety on roadways. Drivers’ use of electronic devices significantly diverts human attention resources away from the driving task. The enforcement community faces significant challenges as electronic device use has expanded beyond simply texting or talking. Legislation regulating electronic device use while driving is inconsiste...

Public transit, ridehailing, and airport employees are risking their health during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Even before the pandemic, transportation operators experienced more health and safety problems than the general workforce, primarily as a result of a combination of physical demands, environmental factors, and stresses related to their jobs. Decision-makers in the ind...

Airport attorneys spend considerable time drafting and negotiating airport contracts that involve specialized legal and business issues. Some are general commercial issues, while others are unique to airports. As governmental entities, airports are subject to a variety of governmental law principles that can affect their contracts for commercial services. The TRB Airport Cooperative Research Pr...

British–Hungarian Nobel Prize physicist Dennis Gabor wrote: “The future cannot be predicted, but futures can be invented." Considering in a reasonable and logical way what the implications of new technologies may be and acting on our conclusions is how the future is invented. This is the focus of a feature article in the November-December 2020 issue of TRB's magazine, TR News (Issue 330). TR Ne...

Dorval Carter, Jr. and Marcia McNutt's featured sessions are topping the list so far of most viewed/attended events during the TRB Annual Meeting , which took place in January. The sessions are all still available online to attendees through March 18.

TRB's Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) is seeking potential synthesis study topics for the 2021 TCRP Synthesis Program. TCRP will fund seven (7) new synthesis topics. Anyone may propose topics. A synthesis study documents current practice and experience for specific public transportation topics.   The following factors are considered in the selection process for new topics. The ...

In the latest episode of TRB's Transportation Explorers podcast, Chris Hendrickson discusses how transportation, still dependent on petroleum, is now the single-largest sector for greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. Dr. Hendrickson is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and a professor emeritus of civil and environmental engineering at Carnegie Mellon University. Listen to the podc...

The nation is facing several serious challenges that the Biden administration has identified as top priorities — the COVID-19 pandemic, economic recovery, racial equity, and climate change. A new series of articles explores how the National Academies are providing timely, actionable advice to inform the new administration’s efforts on these multiple crises. https://www.nationalacademies.o...

Session and workshop recordings for the 2021 TRB Annual Meeting are still available . Full registrants can view the recordings and access the Poster Sessions and Exhibit Hall through March 18, 2021.

Issue 328 of TRB's magazine, TR News , is dedicated to water and the role of transportation agencies in the stewardship of this vital resource, particularly as the way humans use water is changing dramatically. Authors explore the evolution of stormwater regulation; how departments of transportation manage water in planning, design, construction, and operations; and more. TR News  is TRB's...

The nation is facing several serious challenges that the Biden administration has identified as top priorities — the COVID-19 pandemic, economic recovery, racial equity, and climate change. A new series of articles explores how the National Academies are providing timely, actionable advice to inform the new administration’s efforts on these multiple crises. https://www.nationalacademies.o...

Issue 327 of TRB's magazine is a special edition illuminating the many hidden aspects of tunnels as well as the benefits of tunnel technology to modern transportation systems. Articles highlight the contribution of tunnels to the economy and how transportation operators use the best technology to keep tunnels efficient and safe. TR News  is TRB's bimonthly magazine featuring timely article...

Leaders and influencers at national, state, and local levels can affect change with segments of the public that are hesitant about vaccinating themselves against COVID-19. Strategies for Building Confidence in the COVID-19 Vaccines is a new rapid expert consultation from the National Academies that describes a variety of public engagement and communication strategies that can be implemented in ...

The January 2021 TRB Annual Meeting is generating headlines from press and participants alike. From trade publications to universities sharing the work of their students, we've got the full picture. Catch up on your reading, watching, and listening!         Video YouTube Dorval R. Carter, Jr . Deen Lecture, "Our Work is Never Done: Examining Equity Impacts in Public Transpor...

Snap Searches provide a succinct summary of TRB resources and activities on a given topic. Now featuring over 60 topics, the newest Snap Searches are on: Procurement Public Commenting Shared Mobility Tribal Transportation Work Zones

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has undeniably changed our normal routines and established practices. These changes, along with ongoing advancements in technology, may present opportunities to offer better mobility options to a wider segment of the American population than ever before. If carefully combined with public transit and substantially scaled up, the concept of offering co...

The National Academies of Sciences LabX program has launched a new weekly social media feature called Scientist Show & Tell.  Scientist Show & Tell is all about scientists sharing the most interesting, strange, and/or meaningful (non-science) objects they own. Marcia McNutt, President of the National Academy of Sciences, who shared an amazing World War II family heirloom. Check out...

The nation is facing several serious challenges that the Biden administration has identified as top priorities — the COVID-19 pandemic, economic recovery, racial equity, and climate change. A new series of articles explores how the National Academies are providing timely, actionable advice to inform the new administration’s efforts on these multiple crises. https://www.nationalacademies.o...

Research problem statements are now being accepted for Transit Cooperative Research Program's (TCRP) Fiscal Year 2022. To submit a problem statement, first review and follow  the format in this outline . Problem statements may be submitted electronically . Previously submitted proposals may be resubmitted. The deadline for consideration is June 18, 2021.   TCRP is managed by TRB and s...

The nation is facing several serious challenges that the Biden administration has identified as top priorities — the COVID-19 pandemic, economic recovery, racial equity, and climate change. A new series of articles explores how the National Academies are providing timely, actionable advice to inform the new administration’s efforts on these multiple crises. https://www.nationalacademies.o...

TRB is pleased to announce the fourth episode of our new podcast, Transportation Explorers. The series gives voice to the many volunteers of the Transportation Research Board and other leading transportation experts. The co-hosts explore the latest and most critical research and innovations in transportation. In this episode, Carlos Braceras, Executive Director for the Utah Department of Transp...

The live sessions are over, but the conversation doesn't have to stop now! The beauty of a virtual meeting means that you can attend FAR more sessions than you could in person. Recordings from the workshops and sessions are available and the Exhibit Hall is still accessible for full registrants through February 16 .