The Boston Indicators Project

American Society of State Highway and Transportation Officials, Bridging the Gap: Restoring and Rebuilding the Nation's Bridges (07/2008): Report finds that 25% of US bridges are structurally deficient (51% in Massachusetts) and repair/replacement would cost $140 billion. Explores the difficulties states have in addressing the problem.

Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization, Speeds and Travel Times on Limited Access Highways in the Boston Metropolitan Region, 2004-2007 (03/2008): Provides average speeds and travel times for 19 major highway segments in Greater Boston.

Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization, Regional Bicycle Plan (03/2008): Expands on the bicycle portion of the Journey to 2030 Transportation Plan.

MASCO, The LMA and the Urban Ring: Securing the Future (01/2008): Outlines the need for the Urban Ring to improve connections to the Longwood Medical Area, including an option to place a bus tunnel under the LMA.

Northeastern Center for Urban & Regional Policy and A Better City, Connecting with Our Economic Future: A Transportation Investment Strategy for the Life Sciences Cluster (10/2007): Provides recommendations for transportation improvements that will support the maintenance and growth of Boston & Cambridge's life science employment clusters.

Texas Transportation Institute,2007 Annual Urban Mobility Report (09/2007): Presents data on transportation system performance including traffic congestion trends.

The Reason Foundation, 16th Annual Report on the Performance of State Highway Systems (06/07): Reports on America's road conditions on 12 different categories over the period 1984-2005. Massachusetts had the lowest fatality rate, but was ranked 45th overall in 2005 due to the high number of deficient bridges and the relative costs of highway maintenance.

Boston Metropolitan Planning Organization, Journey to 2030 (05/2007): Long term plan for meeting the Boston region's transportation needs.

Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization, Boston Region Freight Study (04/2007): Provides in-depth analysis of freight transport needs and infrastructure in the Boston region, highlighting the need for better intermodal connections.

Metropolitan Area Planning Council, Regional Bike Plan (03/07): As a follow-up to the 1997 Regional Bike Plan, this report includes achievements reached over the last decade, identifies key priority projects and goals to expand bike paths and pedestrian walk-ways, and recommends local, state and regional policies to increase investment and improve bicycle infrastructure.

Metro Boston/Massachusetts/New England

Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization, Speeds and Travel Times on Limited Access Highways in the Boston Metropolitan Region, 2004-2007 (03/2008): Provides average speeds and travel times for 19 major highway segments in Greater Boston.

Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization, Regional Bicycle Plan (03/2008): Expands on the bicycle portion of the Journey to 2030 Transportation Plan.

Northeastern Center for Urban & Regional Policy and A Better City, Connecting with Our Economic Future: A Transportation Investment Strategy for the Life Sciences Cluster (10/2007): Provides recommendations for transportation improvements that will support the maintenance and growth of Boston & Cambridge's life science employment clusters.

Pioneer Institute, Beyond the Gas Tax: Defining Transportation Needs, Emphasizing Growth, and Maintaining Our Assets (10/06) (pdf): Advocates for centralized transportation planning that integrates agencies and different modes of transport.

Urban Land Institute, On the Right Track (5/06): discusses challenges and opportunities facing the MBTA, and proposes steps and an investment plan towards long-term regional sustainability and improved public transportation. States that the MBTA needs immediate debt relief to close a growing operating deficit and stabilize finances. Supported by Norheastern University's Center for Urban Research and Planning.

Central Transportation Planning Staff, Improving Pedestrian And Bicyclist Access To Selected Transit Stations (10/05): identifies low-cost, quick-implementation measures that can significantly improve pedestrian and bicyclist access at six locations in the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority system. PDF of full report.

Central Transportation Planning Staff. MBTA Title VI Report (7/05): documents the steps the MBTA has taken and will take to ensure that service is provided without excluding minority individuals and communities, without discriminating against them, and without creating additional barriers to their using the MBTA transit system. PDF of full report.

MassInc, CommonWealth Forum: End of the Line? The Future of Public Transportation (5/26/05): transcript of this discussion of public transportation, in the context of the state’s capital plan for future transit construction.

Massachusetts Executive Office of Transportation, A Framework for Thinking. A Plan for Action (3/05): the state’s draft long-range transportation plan, providing details of the transportation system; demographic, economic and travel trends; details of cost effectiveness, mobility, safety, security, and finance; a description of high priority “mega-projects;” next steps; and opportunities for public participation.

MassINC releases Mass.commuting.

The Boston Metropolitan Planning Organization ( MPO) has released its 25-year Program for Mass Transportation.

National

American Society of State Highway and Transportation Officials, Bridging the Gap: Restoring and Rebuilding the Nation's Bridges (07/2008): Report finds that 25% of US bridges are structurally deficient (51% in Massachusetts) and repair/replacement would cost $140 billion. Explores the difficulties states have in addressing the problem.

Texas Transportation Institute,2007 Annual Urban Mobility Report (09/2007): Presents data on transportation system performance including traffic congestion trends.

The Reason Foundation,16th Annual Report on the Performance of State Highway Systems (06/07): Reports on America's road conditions on 12 different categories over the period 1984-2005. Massachusetts had the lowest fatality rate, but was ranked 45th overall in 2005 due to the high number of deficient bridges and the relative costs of highway maintenance.

Transportation Research Board, Commuting in America III: The Third National Report on Commuting Patterns and Trends (pdf) (10/06): Analyzes Census data for long-term trends in commuting patterns. Commuting patterns are becoming more varied, with distinct differences for America's largest metropolitan areas.

Smart Growth BC, Promoting Public Health through Smart Growth (pdf) (3/06): reviews research on transportation-related health impacts, such as Physical Activity and Obesity and Traffic Safety. Recommends smart-growth land use planning.

National Council on Disability, The Current State of Transportation for People with Disabilities in the United States (6/05): assessment of public and private transportation modes, areas in need of improvement, and promising systems already in use.

Texas Transportation Institute, 2005 Urban Mobility Study (5/05): presents data on transportation system performance including traffic congestion trends in 85 urban areas. Summary report and Boston area tables.

For past Transportation research, visit the 2004 Boston Indicators Report.