The U.S. Department of Transportation will soon hold a series of public meetings across the country to receive stakeholder and public opinion on transportation policy and strategy, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced Nov. 12. The meetings will start in early December and continue over a period of 90 days. U.S. DOT hopes to hear feedback on issues such as what course a long-term authorization measure for surface transportation programs should take. LaHood noted his department is working "hand in glove" with the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, which has proposed a six-year, $500 billion authorization program, but is having trouble finding enough money to pay for the package. Key senators are presently pushing to enact a six-month authorization extension and to consider a long-range bill next year. AASHTO Journal

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) wants your opinion on how it can make highway travel in the U.S. safer for all road users - drivers, passengers, motorcyclists, pedestrians, and bicyclists! NHTSA is currently in the process of preparing a strategic plan that will guide its safety efforts for the next five years and beyond. The agency is seeking suggestions, ideas, and comments from you on what it can do to reduce the number of people killed or injured each year on our Nation's roadways. Please be sure to visit www.regulations.gov and answer the questions posed under docket number NHTSA-2009-0171. To learn more about NHTSA, visit www.nhtsa.dot.gov.