More than 47,700 pedestrians were killed in the U.S. between 2000 and 2009, and the majority of those deaths were preventable, according to Dangerous by Design 2011. This new report shows how roadway designs promoted by federal investment endanger people on foot and ranks major metropolitan areas to assess how safe pedestrians are while walking. The top four – Orlando, Miami, Jacksonville, and Tampa – are all in Florida.

One in nine of the bridges and overpasses American drivers cross each day is rated in poor enough condition that they could become dangerous or be closed without near-term repair, according to a report released today by Transportation for America. Nearly 70,000 bridges nationwide are rated “structurally deficient” and are in need of substantial repair or replacement, according to federal data. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) estimates that the backlog of potentially dangerous bridges would cost $70.9 billion to eliminate, while the federal outlay for bridges amounts to slightly more than $5 billion per year.

Editor’s Note: The Texas Transportation Institute released their Urban Mobility Report today, a report you might have read about in a local story about congestion in your metro area today. An example from the Washington Post. The Urban Mobility Report is an important reminder that too many Americans are stuck without good options for efficient, [...]

Proposal from co-chairmen Republican Alan Simpson and Democrat Erskine Bowles would raise federal gas tax by 15 cents and ensure existing funds are spent wisely. WASHINGTON, DC — In response to the proposal for a 15-cent gas tax increase and new transportation reforms endorsed by President Obama’s debt panel co-chairmen, Transportation for America director James [...]

In a program whose competitive and merit-based project selection should serve as a model for the next transportation authorization, the USDOT today announced 75 winners for $600 million in competitive grants for innovative transportation projects that address economic, environmental and travel issues at once.

President Obama was in Milwaukee, Wisconsin today, Labor Day, talking up the White House’s brand new plan to create jobs through $50 billion in new transportation and infrastructure investment. “The President’s initiative, as we understand it based on the broad outlines issued today, will give much-needed help to the economy while kick-starting the long-delayed transformation of the nation’s outdated surface transportation program,” said T4 America Director James Corless.

enator Thomas Carper (D-DE) joined business leaders and Transportation for America, the largest, most diverse coalition working on transportation reform, to support key provisions of the Kerry-Lieberman American Power Act (APA) that creates a new funding stream for investments in clean transportation options that will create jobs and reduce our dangerous dependence on oil.

Hundreds of organizations from around the country joined together to thank U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood today for his leadership in making bicycling and walking safer and more accessible. Secretary LaHood accepted a thank you letter at DOT Headquarters from bicyclists representing America Bikes, Safe Routes to School National Partnership and Transportation for America and more than 200 national, state, regional and local organizations from every state in the nation.

Transportation for America, the largest, most diverse coalition working on transportation reform, expressed support for key provisions of the Kerry-Lieberman American Power Act as a major endorsement of clean transportation options to spur energy independence and climate protection.

The American Power Act was released today, and T4 released this statement: “The Kerry-Lieberman American Power Act is a major endorsement of clean transportation as a critical strategy for energy independence and climate protection. The authors deserve high praise for ensuring that revenues generated from the transportation sector go in part toward meeting the growing demand for more, better and cleaner travel options.”