Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

LightNews

Transportation for America

@t4america.bsky.social

460 followers 54 following 120 posts

Safely, affordably, and conveniently connecting people to jobs, services, and opportunity through multiple modes of travel. A program of @smartgrowthusa.bsky.social

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Transportation for America @t4america.bsky.social · 1h

In Episode 1, hosts @bethosborne.bsky.social and Martha Roskowski sit down with Adie Tomer to unpack new research on how federal transportation money flows—and why cities should get funds directly.

Check it out 👇
www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVRC...

Roadmaps and Roadblocks: Episode 1 — Beyond the Interstates with Adie Tomer

YouTube video by The Funders Network

www.youtube.com

Transportation for America @t4america.bsky.social · 1h

Ever wonder how our highways, transit, and rail systems got to be the way they are—and how we can make them better?

Introducing Roadmaps and Roadblocks, a new video series from T4A and the Funders Network.

Learn more ➡️ www.fundersnetwork.org/mobility-acc...

Transportation for America @t4america.bsky.social · 5h

The administration froze $18 billion in USDOT funding for major transit and rail projects, continuing a pattern of canceling congressionally authorized spending and blocking funds for political reasons.

Find out more 👇
t4america.org/2025/10/02/u...

USDOT initiated another arbitrary freeze sowing chaos for chaos's sake: Congress should take note - Transportation For America

The Trump administration’s delay of the nation’s largest public transit and intercity passenger rail project underscores what Congress should already know: the Trump administration is a bad-faith part...

Transportation for America @t4america.bsky.social · 1d

Many states set safety targets that are not grounded in reality or are even worse than the status quo.

The next surface transportation reauthorization can enforce measurable safety improvements and hold states and MPOs accountable.

Learn more👇
t4america.org/2025/10/08/h...

Holding states and MPOs accountable for road safety - Transportation For America

Everything in the federal transportation program has the word “safety” plastered all over it, but the program fails at nearly every turn to actually require safety improvements from those who are pick...

Transportation for America @t4america.bsky.social · 14d

Previous delays, grant cancellations, and staffing cuts have already weakened USDOT's ability to deliver on federal transportation programs.

Here's how the government shutdown further impacts these programs 👇
t4america.org/2025/10/01/h...

Here’s what’s making Congress’s funding deal so tough for transportation and what a shutdown means for USDOT - Transportation For America

With both parties failing to reach an agreement on how to extend appropriations for federal agencies last night, we’ve entered a government shutdown, the first since 2019. While the main driver of thi...

Transportation for America @t4america.bsky.social · 15d

@corrigansalerno.bsky.social, T4A policy manager, said the Trump administration may have intentionally run out the clock on the grants.

“By leaving them in the lurch like this, they knew this would result in the funding no longer being [the administration’s] problem.”
www.eenews.net/articles/ev-...

EV-charging projects to lose millions in federal funds

Some cities won't make the Tuesday deadline for obligating Biden-era grants, raising questions about whether the Trump administration ran out the clock.

Transportation for America @t4america.bsky.social · 16d

States and metro areas are required to assemble multi-year plans detailing how they'll spend billions in federal funding.

But these public plans are often hard to decipher and fail to advance safety in meaningful ways.

Find out how this can change 👇
t4america.org/2025/09/24/r...

Reforming state transportation plans to make safety the priority - Transportation For America

Finding and deciphering the lists of transportation projects planned by states and metropolitan planning organizations are nearly impossible for the average person. The plans they do have often involv...

Transportation for America @t4america.bsky.social · 19d

Passenger rail in the U.S. is gaining momentum, but a severe shortage of trains threatens to stall progress.

A National Equipment Pool would standardize procurement, cut costs, and ensure operators have the trains they need to expand service.

See more👇
t4america.org/2025/09/24/w...

We can’t expand passenger rail without the trains to run it - Transportation For America

Communities want more options to travel quickly, safely, and affordably by train. Yet there is a fundamental problem holding us back: we don’t have enough trains to run the service people are asking f...

Transportation for America @t4america.bsky.social · 20d

This move is a finger in the eye of countless locally led and supported street safety and active transportation projects in communities across the country, suggesting faraway DC bureaucrats know better than your own elected leaders.

Find out more 👇
t4america.org/2025/09/17/g...

Grants are under attack on two fronts: Congress should stand up to USDOT and assert its power over the purse - Transportation For America

Not only is the Trump administration’s USDOT potentially trying to run out the clock for FY22 grants it does not like, but it’s also in parallel cancelling competitive grants awarded to localities and...

Transportation for America @t4america.bsky.social · 20d

We signed a letter alongside 44 other organizations demanding that Congress protect the infrastructure funding it has already allocated that are being clawed back for being too "green," "equitable," or "hostile to cars."
usa.streetsblog.org/2025/09/25/e...

Everyone to Congress: Stand Up and Fight for the Infrastructure Funding You Allocated (And Your Constituents Need) — Streetsblog USA

The People's House must stand up because "the president has made it clear that programs outside the administration’s narrow vision for transportation will not be faithfully implemented," advocates sai...

usa.streetsblog.org

Reposted by Transportation for America

bethosborne.bsky.social @bethosborne.bsky.social · 22d

Is your state making progress on roadway safety, repairing roads and bridges, and investing in transit/walking/biking? Find out!

Join Steve Davis and Corrigan Salerno for a conversation on @t4america.bsky.social's State of the State data hub on Sep. 24, 12-1pm ET.
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Understanding the State of the System: Walking through our data hub for better transportation advocacy. After registering, you will receive a confirmation e...

With Transportation for America’s interactive State of the System (SOS) data hub, you’ll learn how to use the foundational transportation data we’ve assembled and synthesized that answers these critic...

us02web.zoom.us

Transportation for America @t4america.bsky.social · 28d

It appears that USDOT is trying to run out the clock for FY22 grants it does not like and cancel competitive grants awarded to localities and communities across the country.

Find out more👇
t4america.org/2025/09/17/g...

Grants are under attack on two fronts: Congress should stand up to USDOT and assert its power over the purse - Transportation For America

Not only is the Trump administration’s USDOT potentially trying to run out the clock for FY22 grants it does not like, but it’s also in parallel cancelling competitive grants awarded to localities and...

Transportation for America @t4america.bsky.social · 29d

We're thrilled to see that the twice-daily passenger rail service in the Gulf Coast is off to a great start!

Learn more about the return of services from New Orleans to Mobile in our timeline ⤵️
t4america.org/gulf-coast-r...

Transportation for America @t4america.bsky.social · 29d

“Based on 41 years of my experience at Amtrak, I don’t think I’ve been part of a more outstanding start of service.” -Mike Jerew, Sr., manager of state-supported services.
www.trains.com/pro/passenge...

Mardi Gras Service off to a solid start: Analysis (updated) - Trains

First of two parts NEW ORLEANS — Confetti cannons that showered Amtrak’s 10-car Mardi Gras Service inaugural special as it headed to Mobile, Ala., on Aug. 16, 2025, have moved on to other celebrations...

Transportation for America @t4america.bsky.social · Sep 11

Current road design standards prioritize speed over safety.

See how federal guidance falls short and what ideas we have to improve these measures to actually put safety at the forefront of our design practices 👇
t4america.org/2025/09/10/t...

To truly prioritize safety, federal guidance must be grounded in evidence - Transportation For America

Road safety is described as a top priority by transportation agencies and decision makers. However, the actions and regulations they produce often undermine this stated intention. Road design standard...

Transportation for America @t4america.bsky.social · Sep 10

Millions in federal funding for community projects are potentially at risk because of USDOT’s failure to finalize grant agreements.

If this promised funding isn’t obligated by Sept. 30, 2025, folks may never see these hard-earned dollars.

Read more 👇
t4america.org/2025/09/10/u...

USDOT might let your projects’ grant funding die - Transportation For America

The Trump administration’s inaction at USDOT may lead to FY2022 grants expiring at the end of Fiscal Year 2025, potentially putting millions in community projects at risk. Unless funding is obligated ...

Transportation for America @t4america.bsky.social · Sep 9

Join us for a conversation on how our State of the State data hub on Sept. 24 from 12-1 p.m. ET!

Learn how to navigate the hub, access state and national insights, and apply the data to strengthen your advocacy!

Register here 👇
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Transportation for America @t4america.bsky.social · Sep 8

Passenger rail is back on the Gulf Coast!

Our team played a critical role in shaping the federal programs that made this service possible.

Our new video shows us joined by community members and other elected officials on the inaugural ride!👇
youtu.be/ocmYcriB7jM?...

Y'all Aboard! Celebrating the launch of the Mardi Gras Service

YouTube video by Smart Growth America

Transportation for America @t4america.bsky.social · Aug 29

Despite safety being a national goal, crash data fails to capture the full scope of injuries, infrastructure conditions, or who is most at risk.

In order to seriously improve safety on our roads, we need to standardize this data.

See more 👇
t4america.org/2025/08/25/i...

If safety is our top priority, we actually need to measure it - Transportation For America

Safety is a top stated priority for nearly every transportation agency. So why don’t we have more comprehensive up-to-date information on the danger of our roads? The limited information we do have fa...

Transportation for America @t4america.bsky.social · Aug 28

People deserve the freedom to travel without a car. Other countries have successfully incentivized commuting and travel options, a strategy that cities across the U.S. can learn from.

Read more 👇
t4america.org/2025/08/15/i...

Incentive-based strategies for modern transportation policy - Transportation For America

Having commuting and travel options is essential to creating socially vibrant, economically healthy, and thriving places. Copenhagen has seen significant success in incentivizing healthy habits by cre...

Transportation for America @t4america.bsky.social · Aug 27

A proposal that gives state DOTs more “flexibility” in spending federal dollars will likely lead to bad policy and more highways.

Legislation like this often gives states permission to continue spending money on a failing transportation system. See more👇
t4america.org/2025/08/21/a...

Another bipartisan effort to make transportation policy worse - Transportation For America

Reposted by Transportation for America

bethosborne.bsky.social @bethosborne.bsky.social · Aug 26

Thanks in part to @t4america.bsky.social's work since 2013, a coalition of local and state leaders successfully restored passenger rail service on the Gulf Coast. Learn more about what it took to get this done here...
t4america.org/resource/t4a...

T4A's impact: Restoring Gulf Coast passenger rail - Transportation For America

Transportation for America @t4america.bsky.social · Aug 26

With the World Cup less than a year away, our investments in our transportation infrastructure are more important than ever.

Are we equipped to handle the millions of people coming to the U.S. next summer?

Find out 👇
t4america.org/2025/08/15/w...

Why the World Cup could be our transit shame - Transportation For America

With the 2026 World Cup less than a year away, the U.S. is woefully unprepared for the expected influx of 6.5 million people traveling to the U.S. to enjoy the globally renowned spectacle. Fans and Am...

Transportation for America @t4america.bsky.social · Aug 25

Applications are now open for @smartgrowthusa.bsky.social Community Connectors program, an initiative to help small and mid-sized communities repair the harm of divisive infrastructure.

Applications are due August 31! Learn more and apply today ⤵️
t4america.org/2025/08/22/h...

Helping small and mid-sized communities repair the damage of divisive infrastructure - Transportation For America

T4A’s principle to invest in the rest aims to create a complete transportation network, which includes not just building out networks of transit, sidewalks, and bike lanes for safe and affordable tran...

Transportation for America @t4america.bsky.social · Aug 22

Transit operations are costly, and for decades, states and local governments have had to foot the bill 👎

To improve efficiency and reliability of our transit systems, the federal government needs to do more to invest in them 💰

Read more ⤵️
t4america.org/2025/08/14/t...

The federal government can’t neglect transit operations funds any longer - Transportation For America

The most costly aspect of transit is funding its operations, and for decades this has fallen mainly on states and localities that are already struggling financially. The federal government has investe...