The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 42,915 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2021, a 10.5 percent increase from the 38,824 fatalities in 2020 – the highest number of fatalities since 2005, according to preliminary agency data. [Above photo by the Delaware DOT] According to a statement, NHTSA said several crash type […]

The U.S. Department of Transportation issued a 180-day “temporary waiver” on May 19 for “Buy America” rules as they relate to a new category of “construction materials.” [Above photo by VTrans] Jim McDonnell, director of engineering for the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, noted that, “the waiver appears to be substantively the […]

The U.S. Department of Transportation has opened the application process for local communities of all sizes to apply for $1 billion in fiscal year 2022 “Safe Streets and Roads for All” grants. [Above photo by the New Jersey DOT] The USDOT noted in a statement that the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act or […]

May is “National Bike Month” and many state departments of transportation across the country are working to raise awareness regarding use of the bicycle as a work commute and daily travel mode of mobility. [Above photo by the Delaware DOT] “Long rides across town, an adventure on a favorite trail, or a quick trip around […]

Partnerships between state departments of transportation and federal, local, and tribal agencies – among other stakeholders – are critical to addressing a variety of mobility challenges across the country. [Above photo by AASHTO] That’s according to a panel of state DOT and local government executives convened during the American Association of State Highway and Transportation […]

Finding and using the “right” data across a range of different applications is becoming a key focal point for state departments of transportation across the country. [Above photo by AASHTO] Several state DOT executives discussed that and other data parameters during a panel discussion at the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials 2022 […]

The COVID-19 pandemic inflicted an unprecedented crisis upon the public transportation industry – and a new report by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials provides a snapshot of the transit issues caused by the pandemic. [Above photo by Delaware Transit Co.] The 265-page report is the 40th annual overview of the public […]

The Federal Highway Administration issued a final rule on May 6 that updates National Bridge Inspection Standards or NBIS for highway bridges; a rule that goes into effect on June 6. [Above photo by WSDOT] Concurrently, the agency issued an additional $1.1 billion in formula funding for bridge repair and replacement. FHWA noted in a […]

Norman Yoshio Mineta (seen above at left), the first Asian-American to hold a cabinet-level post, passed away at age 90 on May 3. [Above photo via the National Archives] A member of the Democratic Party who served as commerce secretary under President Bill Clinton and as transportation secretary under President George W. Bush, Mineta was […]

U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg (seen above) sketched out his agency’s “top priorities” in relation to proposed fiscal year 2023 spending in testimony before two different Senate committees over the past two weeks. Before the Senate Committee on Appropriations on April 28, Buttigieg highlighted seven key FY 2023 USDOT spending priorities. “Safety remains […]