The North Dakota Department of Transportation demonstrated its first “autonomous impact protection vehicle” at a test site event for federal and state officials on October 8; a truck designed to improve safety for work zone vehicle operators. Meanwhile, the agency inked a deal with Botlink InSites for its drone surveying and mapping needs. [Above photo […]

The Nebraska Department of Transportation hosted an event on October 8 to celebrate progress on the $352 million Lincoln South Beltway project to connect U.S. Highway 77 and Nebraska Highway 2. [Above photo by the Nebraska DOT.] Construction on the project began this summer and should be completed by spring of 2024 – four years […]

An annual report compiled by the North Carolina Department of Transportation indicates animal-vehicle crashes increased statewide between 2018 and 2019: jumping by more than 2,300 in just one year to 20,331 total animal-vehicle crashes. [Above photo by the Allstate Insurance Co.] The NCDOT Transportation Mobility and Safety Division study also showed animal-related crashes have killed […]

The New York State Department of Transportation is providing an $800,000 grant to help fund an $8.4 million intermodal ground transportation facility at Long Island MacArthur Airport; a “one-stop facility” designed to give businesses and visitors to New York City and the Long Island region an improved and streamlined travel experience. [Above photo by Long […]

In this episode of the Environmental Technical Assistance Program or ETAP podcast, host Bernie Wagenblast interviews Toks Omishakin (at left in photo above), director of the California Department of Transportation or Caltrans. Omishakin – who chairs the Council on Active Transportation for the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials – is a considered […]

The Georgia Department of Transportation released a Statewide Airport Economic Impact Study on October 1 that indicates the state’s 103 publicly owned, public-use airports contribute $73.7 billion in annual economic benefit and support 450,500 jobs with a total annual payroll estimated at $20 billion. The department noted that this study reflects a yearlong effort to […]

The Nevada Department of Transportation activated a new online customer service portal on October 5 to provide “enhanced access” to Nevada highway information through its nevadadot.com website. [Above image via the Nevada DOT.] The “Help” section on the right side of the agency’s website now includes new customer access features, such as: Online chat for […]

On the heels of a nationwide tactical beyond visual line of sight or BVLOS waiver, issued by the Federal Aviation Administration in August, the North Carolina Department of Transportation received a BVLOS waiver to fly Skydio drones to inspect roadway bridges. [Above graphic via Skydio.] According to a blog post by Brendan Groves, head of […]

Darin Bergquist, secretary of the South Dakota Department of Transportation, plans to retire effective November 13 – wrapping up a 13-year stint as the agency’s leader. “Darin has been a tremendous servant to the people of South Dakota for over 20 years, including 13 years as Secretary of Transportation, and his service will be greatly […]

The Kansas Department of Transportation provided $5 million in grants to support 13 railroad projects on October 6 through the agency’s Short Line Rail Fund program, which it created in July. The program is a partnership between the public and private sector, as applicants are required to provide 30 percent in matching funds. The Kansas […]