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FHWA Grant Will Help New York State DOT Increase Low-Carbon Materials Use

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New York Governor Kathy Hochul (D) announced this week that a $32 million grant from FHWA’s Low-Carbon Transportation Materials Grants program will help NYSDOT continue its work to reduce the “embodied carbon” footprint of construction materials. “Whether it’s droughts, wildfires or record-breaking snowstorms, New Yorkers are feeling the effects of climate change in their daily lives, and these low carbon grants are an important tool in our efforts to stop it,”Hochul stated.

As the news release explains, “Embodied carbon refers to the estimate of the greenhouse gas emissions that are produced during the stages of a building or infrastructure’s life cycle. Embodied carbon accounts for about one-third of the carbon emissions from the construction industry.” The New York grant is part of a $1.2 billion program distribution FHWA announced in November.

ASECAP Selects Konstantinos Koutsoukos To Lead Toll Organization

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ITSInternational.com reports on the appointment of ASECAP’s 2025 leadership team. ASECAP (European Association of Operators of Toll Road Infrastructures) represents tolled infrastructure operators and industry partners in 17 countries.

Konstantinos Koutsoukos, CEO of Egnatia Odos, Greece’s A2 Motorway, will serve as president. Appointees to the organization’s board are:

  • Julián Núñez, Seopan president and ASECAP Immediate Past President
  • Christophe Boutin, Asfa executive director and ASECAP First Vice-President
  • Manuel Melo Ramos, Apcap president
  • Herbert Kasser, Asfinag CFO
  • An Aiscat representative will serves as ASECAP Second Vice-President

An ASECAP news release provides information about Mr. Koutsoukos’ career and planned emphasis areas.

MTA Officials Herald Launch Of “Historic” Congestion Pricing Program

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The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) issued a news release yesterday afternoon heralding its “historic” activation of America’s first congestion pricing program.

MTA noted that traffic volume in the Manhattan congestion zone is part of the reason for New York City’s first-place ranking among the most congested cities in the world. Yet, central Manhattan is also “the most transit-rich area in the United States, with 94 subway stations, 99 MTA bus routes and 2,500 regional/commuter trains per day.” For that reason, MTA is betting that vehicle tolling will lead to 80,000 fewer vehicles entering the zone each day, “resulting in less traffic, cleaner air, and safer streets, while providing $15 billion in funding for critical transit investments to improve the lives of the millions of people who rely on the MTA every day.”

New York State DOT Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez commented, “The implementation of congestion pricing is historic — helping reduce congestion in our Central Business District allowing for safer streets, while providing much needed resources to New York City’s transportation and transit systems while improving air quality for millions of New Yorkers and visitors.”

The MTA news release summarizes the program promises alluded to by the commissioner. A separate news release advised motorists of the steps they need to take to ensure they are properly tolled.

New York Thruway Authorizes Banning Vehicles For Nonpayment Of Tolls

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The New York State Thruway Authority (NYSTA) has formally adopted a previously proposed regulation allowing it to temporarily or permanently ban toll evaders from travel on the facility, Times Union reports. The rule applies to any vehicles owned by chronic offenders. NYSTA executive director Frank Hoare said last year the majority of scofflaws  are out-of-state trucking companies. As of last May, such entities owed the self-funded system more than $119 million in unpaid tolls and fees.

TRB Meeting Lineup Reveals Leadership Diversity In Once Male-Dominated Transportation Industry

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According to Traffic Technology Today, this year’s Transportation Research Board (TRB) annual meeting “is heralding a new era of diversity in a traditionally male-dominated industry, with three women taking top speaking slots.” The article spotlights presentations by:

  • University of Texas-Austin research professor Sandra Rosenbloom, who will deliver the Thomas B. Deen Distinguished Lecture today on the subject, “How Little We Really Know: The Unrecognized Centrality of Marginal Groups in Transportation Planning and Policy;” and
  • Tomorrow’s Chair’s Plenary Session, during which Victoria Sheehan, TRB executive director, and Sarah Sharples, chief scientific advisor for the UK Department for Transport, will discuss transportation research and development priorities.

The article mentions several other sessions involving USDOT and state DOT officials.

The meeting, convened yesterday, continues through Thursday, January 9, at the Washington, DC, convention center. Registration remains open throughout the event.