03/28/2024
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RALEIGH – The following are highlights from this week at the N.C. Department of Transportation. The stories below are also featured in NCDOT Now, the department’s weekly newscast.

NC FIRST Releases Final Report

A special commission made up of finance, business and public policy experts has developed a set of recommendations for how to modernize North Carolina’s transportation investment strategy.

The NC FIRST Commission was formed in 2019 to research how emerging trends, new transportation technologies and changing demographics will impact the current transportation funding model. Among its tasks, the commission evaluated how best to replace declining motor fuel tax revenues as more people convert from gas-powered automobiles to using autonomous and electric vehicles.

The Commission’s report highlighted the need to increase investments to maintain and improve the state’s transportation infrastructure. The Commission also provided potential investment solutions such as adopting a mileage-based fee for electric and hybrid vehicles and raising the NCDOT’s debt-to-revenue ratio.

The Commission presented its final report and recommendations to the state’s transportation secretary last week.

Watch For Me NC Applications

Applications are now being accepted for North Carolina communities interested in participating in the 2021 Watch for Me NC Program.

The nationally recognized program focuses on reducing bicycle and pedestrian injuries and fatalities through public education and community engagement partnerships with local law enforcement.

Communities selected to participate will receive free law enforcement training, technical assistance and safety tools. Applications are due by Feb. 1 and can be submitted online.

Bicycle Helmet Initiative Applications

You only have a few more hours to apply for free bicycle helmets. The Bicycle Helmet Initiative uses funds from the sale of “Share the Road” specialty license plates and has given out more than 40,000 helmets since its inception in 2007.

Applications are due by 5 p.m. Friday and can be filled out online.

For more information about NCDOT Now, contact the NCDOT Communications Office at (919) 707-2660. Additional news stories from throughout the week can be found on NCDOT.gov.

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