With Congress reauthorizing the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act for another year, it appears there will be a delay in the signing of one of its proposed replacements. While transportation legislation on a federal level will have to wait, certain state governments have been active in presenting new concepts for infrastructure within their borders. In particular, Vermont recently had legislative leaders release ideas about the 2021 Vermont Transportation Bill.

According to a report from the Mountain Times, a local news publication from Killington, VT, that was republished by AASTHO, the proposal included components that address climate change. The report read, "legislative leaders released a proposal to address climate change in the 2021 Vermont Transportation Bill. As the transportation sector makes up nearly half of Vermont's carbon emissions, these key proposals will produce results to immediately begin achieving the requirements of the Global Warming Solutions Act."

 

The proposal is said to have four key elements that address transportation policy.
- To create a transportation environment that is majority electric vehicles.
- Increasing the demand for public transit.
- Increase the amount of walking and cycling traffic with the necessary safety measures.
- Address issues related to the cost and safety of citizens required to travel relatively great distances for their occupation.

It will be interesting to see the development of Vermont's legislation and its effectiveness if passed. If success is had, these transportation bill additions could influence that of other states or even Congress.

To read the Mountain Times' original post, click here: http://mountaintimes.info/vermont-leadership-releases-bold-proposal-to-reduce-carbon-emissions-from-the-largest-source-transportation