2024 Policy Priorities

Included; see Sec. 25 of the Transportation Bill.

The Legislature should maximize and leverage new federal funding opportunities, as well as look to the Carbon Reduction Strategy and Climate Action Plan to identify and adopt one or more policy or regulatory tools – like cap-and-invest – to make certain pollution reductions and secure a long-term, sustainable funding source for a multi-modal transportation system that serves all Vermonters well, now, and into a changing future.

VTrans did not support; provision was included in H.693 but weakened in Transportation Bill. T4VT does not support new provision.

Gaps in state-level mobility coordination and service provision are leaving too many Vermonters stranded too often. The Legislature should explore a new state mobility program focused on moving people, not just vehicles, to improve and maximize the efficiency, integration and coordination of local and regional mobility services and leverage unprecedented federal funding to build a transportation network that is more efficient, equitable and accessible to all.

Not included in Transportation Bill.

Vermont currently has no accounting for how its most vulnerable users interact with its transportation systems. VTrans must provide an annual report to the Legislature on how the Vermont Transportation Equity Framework recommendations are being accomplished. VTrans must also describe how vulnerable users (as defined in statute) are being prioritized, including ensuring compliance with ADA requirements and other Vermont laws designed to protect vulnerable users.

(+) Increases funding and expands elibile projects for the MTI grant program, which have been used to fund micromobility pilots and other new/innovative programs.

(-) Senate removed House appropriation of $140K for continuing E-bike incentive program.

The Legislature should expand its commitment to the popular E-Bike Incentive Program and allocate $500,000 to incentives in the FY 25 budget to ensure program consistency, reliability and access to this clean, affordable transportation option. Investment in the successful Mobility & Transportation Innovations (MTI) Program should be increased and restructured to provide multi-year grants, reliable timelines and funding expectations, and sufficient appropriations to support large-scale projects and implementation of services.

Protections for vulnerable road users from H.685 moved into Misc. DMV bill in the House.

Vermont bicyclists and pedestrians have been getting the short end of the spoke when it comes to regulatory protections. The Legislature should update regulations that strengthen mobility and safety for vulnerable users, wheelchair users, pedestrians, and bicyclists. T4VT supports the regulation changes outlined in H.685, including changing the safe passing requirement, updating the pedestrian definition to include wheelchair users, removing the sidewalk requirement, allowing bicycles to use pedestrian walk signals when parallel walk signals are present, and allowing bicyclists to utilize stop signs as yield signs.

Provisions to provide flexibility and support for municipalities working to update state-owned Main Streets were not included. Municipal grant programs were provided continued but not significantly increased funding; Better Places was not appropriated additional funding (this program is outside the jurisdiction of the Transportation Committees).

To achieve the wide-ranging benefits of Complete Streets, municipalities require greater financial support and control over projects to meet their unique needs. The Legislature should increase funding for the Bike and Pedestrian Grant Program, Downtown Transportation Fund, Better Places Program and Better Connections Program. VTrans should establish a policy manual that details potential avenues for municipalities to be provided more design flexibility on "main streets" located on state highways.

As Vermont embarks on making updates to Act 250, it is critical that regulatory updates encourage compact community development to enable increased use of sustainable modes of transportation and the accompanying public health, community, climate and other benefits.