TxDOT Prepares for Future with Statewide Transit Plan
The Texas Department of Transportation has unveiled a plan to improve and expand transit within and among urban, suburban, and rural areas through a multimodal transit network.
[Above photo by TxDOT]
The impetus behind TxDOT’s Statewide Multimodal Transit Plan is to meet the mobility needs of a population expected to grow 40 percent by 2050 in a large, rural state dotted with sprawling metropolitan areas. While TxDOT is building plenty of roads – investing nearly $12 billion worth in road-related construction in the last fiscal year – the plan says the Lone Star state will have to include more transit options in the future to accommodate a growing and changing population.
Most growth will be in the metropolitan areas of Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin, and San Antonio. “This mega-region is anticipated to grow in population by approximately 50 percent and will include nearly 80 percent of the total state population by 2050,” the plan noted.
Officially, the document is a draft plan and is subject to tweaks from an advisory committee and agency personnel before the administration rolls out a final version in early 2026, according to Adam Hammons, TxDOT’s media relations director. The 90-page document is the result of more than two years of stakeholder input, public meetings, and citizen surveys, he added.
The plan is a fact-filled survey of the Texas transit scene, overlayed with demographic information that will largely shape future needs. The sobering conclusion it reaches is that the transit systems are straining to meet current needs and face considerable challenges in planning for future demands.
“Transit in Texas is at a crossroads,” the plan noted. Rural and smaller urban transit districts don’t have enough money or workforce to maintain services and vehicle fleets, and big-city systems “are struggling to respond to growth beyond existing service boundaries.”
Nearly all transit in Texas is provided by 77 districts or authorities, collectively offering commuter rail, light rail, streetcar, bus rapid transit, fixed-scheduled bus, and on-demand services. About 90 percent of the 230 million transit trips a year in Texas are handled by eight Metropolitan Transit Authority agencies that are primarily locally funded.
Inter-city transit options in Texas are limited to commercial bus services and three Amtrak routes.
The Statewide Multimodal Transit Plan is “an acknowledgement that our economy and our population are growing exponentially, and we have to plan now for the future,” Hammons explained.
That future is partly based on “generational differences in transit needs, attitudes, and preferences,” the plan noted. Younger generations “show a greater desire for mobility options that include transit.”
One challenge is that wide expanses of Texas’ sparsely populated areas make it “difficult to provide efficient transit services without the density to support higher levels of use.”
The plan also carries a big price tag, as the capital costs of connecting every Texas municipality with a population of more than 10,000 by rail or bus could be $50 billion, with an estimated $5 billion in annual operating costs.
That doesn’t include the estimated capital costs of bus rapid transit ($30 million to $65 million per mile) or light rail transit ($200 million to $250 million per mile).
The plan does not specify how the system would be funded because it is meant to be a “conversation starter,” Hammons said.
“This is intended to be a way to get everyone to the table and talk about how we adapt to change and connect people in the future,” he said.
Hammons added that the agency is “kind of surprised” at implications that TxDOT isn’t involved in public transit. He noted that TxDOT has had a public transportation division since 1978 and sends more than $200 million to transit districts each year. That’s why he said this plan is further proof of TxDOT’s steadfast commitment to working toward a better transit system for Texas.
“A majority of people, 86 percent, said public transit is important in the state,” Hammons noted, referring to public surveys conducted in advance of the plan. “We heard what people said they want – better transit vehicles, shorter waiting periods. We heard where those gaps are and where those challenges are in terms of where we can grow in the next 30 years. The biggest thing now is to expand what we already have.”
Hammons emphasized that the plan is intended to be “a guide” to facilitate further discussion among stakeholders across Texas, and that no specific proposals for funding have been submitted to the legislature.
“We are an advocate for expanding transit in the future to meet that demand,” he said. “We are an advocate to adapt what we are doing and meet those needs. At the same time, this is a Texas plan, not a TxDOT plan. What we are saying is, ‘Let’s work together and build on what we have to prepare for the next 30 years.’”
DDOT Begins Speed-Management Pilot for Popular Trail
The District Department of Transportation, which oversees transportation for the City of Washington, D.C., recently launched a new pilot project to promote safety on the Metropolitan Branch Trail or MBT, one of the District of Columbia’s most popular multi-use trails.
[Above photo by DDOT]
The Lab @ DDOT, the agency’s in-house research team, is piloting two speed feedback signs at high-congestion points on the MBT: Alethia Tanner Park and the Rhode Island Avenue Metro entrance. Donated by Safer Streets Solutions, the signs use radar to anonymously detect vehicle speeds.
This pilot will test whether speed feedback signs can help slow vehicle speeds, reduce the concern for collisions, and enhance the experience for people using the trail – especially during busy hours.
As one of the District of Columbia’s most heavily used trails, the MBT plays a vital role in Washington, D.C.’s transportation network. As trail usage grows and faster, heavier e-bikes and e-scooters become more common, the risk of collisions and injuries – especially during peak hours – also increases.
In October, sensors detected approximately 5,000 trips per day during peak hours at high congestion points on the MBT from people walking, biking, and using micromobility devices. DDOT also noted that one out of five of those users travelled more than 15 miles per hour during that period.
The signs being used in this pilot test will display real-time messages to encourage users traveling faster than 15 MPH to slow down during peak hours. The Lab @ DDOT is measuring vehicle speeds before and after sign installation to assess the signs’ impact. They are testing different message formats such as text prompts like “SLOW DOWN” and visual icons like a frowny face to determine which are most effective in slowing vehicle speeds.
The belief is that promoting safer speeds can help ensure the trail remains a comfortable, accessible, and welcoming space for all users, explained Sharon Kershbaum, DDOT’s director.
“Expanding the MBT has been a huge priority and a major accomplishment for DDOT,” she said in a statement. “This pilot gives us an opportunity to test a simple, community-informed solution that could help reduce speeds and improve safety in some of the trail’s busiest areas.”
DDOT noted that this pilot program builds on insights gathered through interviews with trail users conducted over the summer by The Lab @ DDOT.
More than 40 trail users offered insights on how they felt about vehicle speeds on the MBT, how that influenced their sense of safety and wellbeing, and what they felt was their responsibility in keeping themselves and others safe on the trail. They also provided feedback on speed feedback signs and suggestions for messages that might resonate with trail users.
The DDOT said this pilot program will run through the end of 2025, with results expected in early 2026. If the signs are found to be effective at reducing speeds, DDOT said it may expand their use along the MBT and other multi-use trails across the District of Columbia.
Environmental News Highlights – December 3, 2025
Georgia Issues $24M in EV Recharging Construction Grants
In late November, the Georgia State Transportation Board approved $24.4 million worth of grants to fund construction of electric vehicle recharging stations statewide.
[Above photo by Georgia DOT]
The Georgia Department of Transportation is overseeing the award of those grants – funded via the second round of the federal National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure or NEVI program – to 26 locations through public-private partnerships or P3s that will support the construction and operation of new fast-charging stations along the state’s Alternative Fuel Corridors.
Selected private-sector partners will design, install, finance, operate and maintain stations equipped with Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC) ports for at least five years in accordance with federal requirements, the agency said.
[Editor’s note: The Hawaii Department of Transportation recently began building a new EV charging station at the Kapalua Airport. When completed, it will be the third EV charging station in the state funded by NEVI program.]
Each site will include four DCFCs capable of operating simultaneously, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Depending on the vehicle, drivers will be able to fully recharge in as little as 20 minutes, Georgia DOT added.
“Our robust infrastructure network has set Georgia apart in attracting business, promoting travel, and providing reliable transportation for all Georgians,” noted Governor Brian Kemp (R) in a statement.
“This investment will help further secure our status as a national leader in innovation and infrastructure for years to come,” he said. “We appreciate Georgia DOT for fulfilling the state’s commitment to a robust, reliable fast-charging network that meets federal standards and serves communities across Georgia.”
The agency noted that the NEVI program – funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act or IIJA of 2021 – allocated $5 billion nationwide over five years for states to deploy EV charging infrastructure. Through a formula calculation to states, Georgia was allotted approximately $135 million to support a national network of EV chargers, with NEVI funds covering up to 80 percent of project costs with private-sector partners covering the remainder.
Georgia DOT added that the “Round Two” NEVI grant award process is designed to close strategic gaps in the network following the initial round of awards made in 2024.
“Georgia continues to lead the way in electric mobility by investing in infrastructure that strengthens our transportation network, promotes economic development and improves the experience for EV drivers statewide,” noted Russell McMurry, Georgia DOT commissioner and also the 2025-2026 president of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. “Georgia DOT is proud to do our part to implement this federal investment responsibly, closing gaps in the statewide network and ensuring that fast, reliable charging is available where Georgians need it most,” he said.
Ohio Issues Over $13M in Public Transit Funding
In mid-November, the Ohio Department of Transportation issued $13.5 million to fund 28 public transit projects through its Ohio Workforce Mobility Partnership Program or OWMP.
[Above photo by Ohio DOT]
A total of 15 transit agencies across 16 counties are receiving funding through this disbursement, the agency said.
Reestablished in House Bill 54, the OWMP directs federal funding through the state transportation budget to projects that support workforce transportation by connecting residents to economically significant employment centers, bridge service gaps between rural and urban transit authorities, and enhance mobility for residents in areas with limited or no public transit access.
Ohio DOT noted that legislation makes $13.5 million available in fiscal years 2026 and 2027 for the OWMP.
“Transportation should never stand in the way of a good job,” said Governor Mike DeWine (R) in a statement. “This investment will help more Ohioans get to work and support employers who need reliable, skilled workers.”
“The Workforce Mobility Program is a great tool that helps Ohio DOT deliver on its mission to ensure every Ohioan has access to transportation opportunities, regardless of whether they own a vehicle,” said Pam Boratyn, Ohio DOT’s director.
Across the country, state departments of transportation support transit in a wide variety of ways.
For example, the Maryland Department of Transportation recently unveiled its latest rewards initiative to entice Baltimore region residents to try transit. The “Ride Together Rewards” Baltimore transit incentives program launched November 1 and aims to help new transit users and employers take advantage of services offered by the Maryland Transit Administration or MTA – including local bus, Metro subway, light rail, commuter bus and Maryland Area Rail Commuter or MARC train services.
And, in July, the Colorado Department of Transportation celebrated the 10-year anniversary of its Bustang interregional passenger express bus service. Annual Bustang ridership has more than tripled over its decade-long existence, the agency noted; growing to 351,000 passenger trips.
To further serve this fast-growing ridership, Colorado DOT has been building mobility hubs along major highway corridors to more quickly and conveniently connect riders with local amenities and their next Bustang ride.
Environmental News Highlights – November 19, 2025
NYSDOT Offering $97M in Transportation Alternatives Funding
The New York State Department of Transportation is making $97.4 million in new funding available for active transportation-related projects and programs that support the advancement of “healthy lifestyles” statewide.
[Above photo by NYSDOT]
Projects selected to receive those funds – which comes through the Transportation Alternatives Program or TAP, made available by the Federal Highway Administration and administered by NYSDOT – will be rated based on established criteria that include public benefit, project type, eligible funding source, significance, cost-effectiveness, geographic balance, and alignment with the state’s Climate Leadership & Community Protection Act.
Projects receiving for TAP funds must be related to the surface transportation system and provide full access to the public, NYSDOT added, with each TAP project award totaling no less than $500,000 and not greater than $7 million for any single project. The agency noted that it will accept applications for this tranche of TAP funding through March 12, 2026.
NYSDOT said it will provide up to 80 percent of the total eligible project costs with a minimum 20 percent match provided by the project sponsor. Eligible project costs may include planning, design/engineering services, right-of-way acquisition, construction, and construction inspection.
The agency noted that the types of initiatives that can be supported by TAP funds cover a wide gamut:
- Planning, design and construction of infrastructure-related projects to improve non-driver safety and access to public transportation and enhanced mobility.
- Construction of turnouts, overlooks and viewing areas.
- Safe routes to school, which enables and encourages children to walk or bike to school.
- Planning, design and construction of on-road and off-road facilities for pedestrians, bicyclists and non-motorized transportation users.
- Conversion and use of abandoned railroad corridors for trails for pedestrians, bicyclists and non-motorized transportation users.
- Planning, design and construction of boulevards and other roadways largely in the right-of-way of former divided highways.
- Community improvement activities, such as inventory, control or removal of outdoor advertising, preservation of historic transportation facilities, vegetation management practices, and archeological activities.
- Environmental mitigation activities.
“These are direct investments in affordable transportation solutions that allow communities to invest in projects that enhance transportation mobility and safety,” noted Marie Therese Dominguez, NYSDOT’s commissioner, in a statement. “[They are] providing New Yorkers with safe, community-centered ways to travel for work and everyday life, in the process enhancing the character and accessibility of localities.”
NMDOT Names 14 ‘Land of Enchantment Young Ambassadors’
The New Mexico Department of Transportation, in partnership with the New Mexico Governor’s Office, recently named 14 high school students as its 2025–2026 “Land of Enchantment Young Ambassadors” – a new statewide leadership program focused on preventing litter and graffiti while promoting community pride.
[Above photo by NMDOT]
The “Young Ambassadors” initiative – part of NMDOT’s “Que Linda” program and the Governor’s youth-focused “Keep Litter Out” campaign – aims to empower youth to lead local beautification efforts across New Mexico and more than 150 students applied.
“We have heard the concerns of young people in New Mexico about the impact litter has on our state,” said Ricky Serna, NMDOT secretary, in a statement. “We saw the opportunity to start this program to support their drive to get involved and make change.”
The agency said its “Young Ambassadors” were selected by a committee based on their demonstrated life skills and teamwork developed through participation in clubs or events, their strong interest in leadership and project management, their genuine passion for environmental issues, and their eagerness to take on leadership roles that contribute to enhancing the beauty of New Mexico.
NMDOT this marks the first year of the “Land of Enchantment Young Ambassadors” program, which will continue through the 2025–2026 school year.
Each ambassador committed to a nine-month program and will organize a beautification event in their district and complete a capstone project designed to create sustainable solutions to litter and graffiti issues in their communities. Students will receive a $3,000 stipend upon completion of the fellowship and projects.
Other state departments of transportation operate similar programs.
For example, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful recently named its 2025-2026 cohort of Young Ambassadors of Pennsylvania. Through May 2026, Pennsylvania’s “Young Ambassadors” – a program now in its fourth year – will develop civic leadership skills and gain hands-on experience as they champion and advocate for clean and beautiful communities across Pennsylvania.
Additionally, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful will award two $1,000 scholarships – one to a current senior in the “Young Ambassadors” program and one to a program alumnus.
“Restoring and preventing environmental damage means making sure our future leaders have the ecological know-how to make sustainable change happen,” said Mike Carroll, PennDOT secretary, in a statement. “Youth across the state are more engaged in this fight than ever before. With the fourth year of the Young Ambassadors program underway, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful and PennDOT are helping plant the seeds for a cleaner future.”