| The Secretary's Office
of Planning & Capital Programming
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On behalf of the Maryland Department of Transportation, the Secretary’s Office of Planning and Capital Programming (OPCP) remains committed to keeping you informed, educated, and updated. We hope this newsletter will help you, our customers, stay up-to-date on current OPCP initiatives and reports. Please take a few moments to learn about our latest news.
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The MDOT's Secretary's Office of Planning & Capital Programming
This issue includes information on:
- The State Report on Transportation
- The Maryland Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (MBPAC)
- Bikeways Grants
- The incenTrip mobile application
- The Commuter Choice Maryland Partner Program
- Walktober 2021 Recap
- Zero Emission Vehicles and Electric Vehicles
- Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)
- Additional initiatives
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The State Report on Transportation
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The State Report on Transportation contains three important documents: the Maryland Transportation Plan (MTP), the Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP), and the annual Attainment Report (AR) on Transportation System Performance. Every year, MDOT submits the State Report on Transportation to the Maryland Legislature by the third Wednesday in January as part of the Governor’s budget submission. These reports were submitted to the Maryland General
Assembly on January 19th this year, and can be found at: www.ctp.maryland.gov. |
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The Maryland Transportation Plan (MTP) is the Department of Transportation’s long-range (20-year) vision for transportation in Maryland, and is updated every 4-5 years.
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The Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP) is the six-year transportation budget, which outlines the capital projects proposed for construction and the projects in development and evaluation.
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The annual Attainment Report on Transportation System Performance presents the performance of Maryland’s transportation system, focusing on the goals adopted in the MTP. The AR measures progress toward achieving strategic goals identified in the MTP through the investments outlined in the CTP.
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The Maryland Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (MBPAC)
The Maryland Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (MBPAC) is composed of twenty-two members appointed by the Governor. The Committee advises state government agencies on issues directly related to bicycling and pedestrian activity including funding, public awareness, safety, and education.
The Committee last met on Friday, January 28th.
The meeting was held virtually through Microsoft Teams. To learn more about the MBPAC and for information on upcoming meetings, visit the MBPAC website. The next Committee meeting will be held on Friday, April 22, 2022.
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Kim Lamphier Bikeways Network Program
The MDOT Kim Lamphier Bikeways Network Program is accepting letters of intent through Friday, April 1, 2022 from applicants interested in applying for FY 2023 funding.
The purpose of the letter of intent is to inform MDOT of an organization’s interest and to provide opportunities for staff to help strengthen the project submission.
For more information, visit the Bikeways website under "Letter of Intent" or email mdbikeways@mdot.maryland.gov.
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incenTrip Mobile Application
The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Commuter Choice Maryland launched the incenTrip application, which is aimed at helping Maryland commuters save time and money. They earn points towards cash
rewards when they take transit, rideshare or use other alternatives to single-occupancy vehicles in their rush hour commute.
Through incenTrip, a trip planning and logging app available for iOS and Android devices, Marylanders can earn points toward cash rewards – and help reduce traffic congestion and emissions – by increasing their use of public transportation, carpooling, vanpooling, walking, biking or using alternative work schedules whenever convenient.
In addition to earning cash rewards, Marylanders using incenTrip also receive practical benefits, including:
- Avoiding traffic. The incenTrip app makes it easy for users to take a break from the hassle of traffic gridlock, allowing them to reduce stress while cutting down on congestion for fellow commuters.
- Saving money. Using the app helps users save money on gas, parking and overall car maintenance by providing alternatives to driving alone. As a result, users earn rewards while saving money.
- Reducing carbon footprint. Users of incenTrip can minimize their impact on the environment by reducing transportation-related emissions.
The incenTrip program was developed through a partnership between MDOT, the Maryland Transportation Institute at the University of Maryland and the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments’ (MWCOG) Commuter Connections program.
The app is available for all Marylanders regardless of their transportation mode, and can be downloaded from Google Play and the App Store.
To learn more, click on the button below.
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Commuter Choice Maryland Partner Program
The Commuter Choice Maryland Employer Partner Program seeks to recognize employers and organizations for their leadership in offering transportation benefits and creative program incentives to their employees. These leadership efforts help Maryland to reduce congestion, conserve energy, protect the environment and improve the quality of life of all Marylanders. When you become a partner, you unlock many free benefits, including assistance with your commuter benefits programs, access to
webinars, and opportunities to highlight your organization’s commuter successes.
We are pleased to see the program grow with new partners joining! We would like to welcome our new partners and thank our existing partners!
To see a full list of partners and to become a partner today, click here.
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Our second annual WALKTOBER campaign continued to draw pedestrian advocates, planners, residents, and enthusiasts with over 150 walk programs and events statewide. We had over 1.7 million impressions from our robust social media campaign.
Thank you to each of our 40 partners who helped host and promote the campaign; each of our 14 presenters from near and far who provided exciting and informative sessions on pedestrian safety, health, tools, and initiatives; and over 1,000 Marylanders who participated in the Walkinars or celebrated by walking on Walk Maryland Day.
As planning begins for Walktober 2022, we hope that the 2021 Walkinar sessions will continue to fuel everyone's imagination and produce new ideas and energy to support walking and walkability in Maryland communities. If you missed any of the Walkinars, please visit our expanded WALKTOBER webpages by clicking the button below and view the recordings of the 2021 Walkinars here.
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Zero Emission Vehicles or Electric Vehicles
We are in the midst of an exciting and revolutionary time for electric vehicles (EVs). Automakers have announced new commitments to bring EVs to the market, and significant new resources are now available through the federal government. Car buyers are catching on to how easy, safe, economical, and environmentally friendly it is to own an EV. At the close of 2021, over 41,000 EVs have been registered in Maryland, an increase of over 40%, since the close of
2020.
Various topics related to EVs and EV infrastructure are discussed at the Maryland Zero Emission Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Council (ZEEVIC). Join us at the next ZEEVIC meeting. Meeting dates and times are posted on the ZEEVIC
website.
For more information about federal incentives; state, and local utility incentives; and benefits, such as reduced fuel costs, easier maintenance, and a better driving experience, check out our EV story map on MarylandEV.org.
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Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)
Last November, Congress passed, and President Biden signed into law, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). The IIJA will bring about 20% more federal formula transportation funding to Maryland over the next 5 years (FFY 2022 – FFY 2026).
- Highway funding of $4.6 billion, which is $1 billion more than the previous law
- Transit funding of $1.7 billion, which is $300 million more than the previous law
- Airport funding of $158 million, through Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funds
To spend this formula funding, an Appropriations bill is needed by the time the Continuing Resolution ends in March.
In the IIJA, there are also General Fund programs that were authorized and appropriated in the law that are awaiting rules, guidance, and/or regulations before funding can flow. The first of these is the Bridge program with the guidance released January 14th. This program will provide $400 million over the 5-years for poor and fair rated bridges across the state.
To learn more about the USDOT transportation funding in IIJA, click here.
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Additional OPCP Initiatives
Maryland State Rail Plan
The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) is updating the Maryland State Rail Plan. State rail plans are required by the federal Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 (PRIIA), and the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act) of 2015, which specifies that state rail plans be updated every four years. Beyond the federal requirements, the Rail Plan will outline public and private investments and policies that will ensure the efficient, safe, and sustainable
movement of freight and passengers by rail. The Rail Plan’s comprehensive list of rail projects will enable MDOT to work strategically with private railroads and other stakeholders to address rail needs and support where possible. A draft of the Rail Plan will be available later this year.
To learn more, click the button below.
Maryland State Freight Plan
The MDOT is also updating the Maryland State Freight Plan, which will examine existing and projected freight and supply chain conditions in the state and identify policy positions, strategies, and projects that can improve the efficiency and safety of freight movement throughout Maryland. The Maryland Freight Plan is updated every five years, with the current plan, the Maryland Strategic Goods Movement Plan, published in 2017. A safe and reliable freight system is critical to goods movement through Maryland’s supply chain, and can lead to lower costs for goods needed by consumers
and companies to support a high quality of life and successful economy. Ensuring Maryland’s network of highways, railways, waterways, airports, and ports are prepared to handle current levels of freight movement, as well as anticipated future growth, is a significant MDOT priority. A draft of the Maryland State Freight Plan will be available later this year, with approval expected in late 2022.
To learn more, visit the Maryland Freight Plan website using the button below.
To stay informed about other MDOT OPCP initiatives, please visit our website by clicking the button below.
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