News and Information from August 2022
A Message from the Executive Director
While there was no Planning Committee meeting in August, we did have a busy Board meeting on the 17th. Leading the meeting, the Board passed a resolution supporting the City of Cape's interest in participating in the Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program. The City is seeking grant funds to develop a study analyzing Missouri Highway 74 and how to best enhance social connectivity and north/south mobility. Next, we received a presentation of the draft Electric Vehicle Readiness Plan from our consulting team. A copy of the presentation is provided within this newsletter. The development of this plan is nearing completion with final review by the Planning Committee in September with anticipation of final approval by the Board later in the month. The Board then recognized two guests attending the meeting, Mr. Earl Norman and Mr. Scott Meyer, and opened a discussion on the Transamerica Corridor project. The Board received some history behind the project along with a list of potential benefits the project could bring, not only to the region and the state, but to the broader nation as a whole. The discussion concluded with SEMPO leadership agreeing to assist in pursuing additional avenues in developing a study and model development. This will be a topic of discussion in meetings to come.
With just two months into our fiscal year, things will not be slowing down. Our Board meeting in September will have at least four resolutions for the Board to consider with a likelihood of that number increasing to five before the meeting date arrives. So, if you are unable to attend, please consider sending your alternate representative to ensure we have a quorum!
Three Strategies for Smart Electrification
Focusing on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, Transportation for America (T4America), a transportation advocacy organization made up of local, regional and state leaders, is highlighting three key strategies to employ in transportation electrification. T4America states in their article, "the way we electrify will impact our ability to implement smart growth strategies, influence job creation, equity, and environmental impacts beyond climate change." The following are the strategies prioritized within the article:
- Put public transit operations first
- Integrate electric options and EV charging into communities
- Clean up the trucks and fleets
See further details provided within the report by clicking the button below.
Governor's Transportation Cost Share Program
Applications for the Governor's Transportation Cost Share Program opened August 19 and will accepted through September 30. The program provides financial assistance to public and private applicants for public road and bridge projects satisfying a transportation need. Projects will be based on the following criteria:
- Economic Impact
- Transportation Need
- Applicant's Share of Total Project
- Project Readiness
More information may be found by visiting MoDOT's website via the button below.
MoDOT Draft EV Infrastructure Deployment Plan
As required by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Missouri Department of Transportation has developed a draft Statewide Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment Plan in accordance with the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Funding Guidance. Missouri is slated to received approximately $99 million over the next 5-years in NEVI formula funding for the buildout of electric vehicle infrastructure along the state highway system. A draft of the plan may be reviewed via the buttons below.
Deadliest Road in America
Wanna see a title you don't want to hold? The above picture is an aerial view of traffic at the intersection of US-19 and Main Street in New Port Richey, Florida. The road, according to researchers, is the most perilous in the nation for pedestrians. A recent Vox article looked at pedestrian fatalities nationwide but with a specific focus on Florida routes. The study notes that pedestrian fatalities have been on the rise over the past decade. These problems cannot be addressed if studies such as this are ignored. Click the link below to view the article and learn more about investments being made to reverse this trend.
Draft EV Readiness Plan
At the SEMPO Board meeting in August we received a presentation of the draft Electric Vehicle Readiness Plan by our consulting team. A copy of the presentation slides are available on SEMPO's website as well as the button below. In September, we will be asking the Board of Directors to consider approval of the plan.
Roadway Fatalities Update
The Southeast District has experienced 89 fatalities on the roadways in 2022 as of August 28. This number is higher than the 80 fatalities which occurred in 2021 at this time. Statewide, we have experienced 630 fatalities, which is less than what we experienced in 2021 where 672 fatalities were recorded, yet higher than what was experienced in 2017 (583), 2018 (609), and 2019 (558) at this point in the year. Of these statewide fatalities, 60% of the occupants were not buckled.
SEMPO Trivia
What famous person developed his life-long love for trains while living as a child in Marceline, Missouri? This same person built a destination spot and said, “I want it to look like nothing else in the world and it must be surrounded by a train.”
a. Howard Hughes
b. Tom Hanks
c. Elton John
d. Warren Edward Buffet
e. Walt Disney
f. Buster Keaton
The Fun Theory
Want to change people's habits? Have you tried making it fun? A campaign launched by Volkswagen explores this method through a series of social experiments. The first experiment launched by the company, titled "The Piano Staircase", could be a lesson in developing a more active transportation oriented environment within our communities.
Transportation Quote
“Save money on expensive personalized license plates by simply changing your name to match your existing plate.”
– STG 400H
