The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials recently released the 42nd edition of its “Standard Specifications for Transportation Materials and Methods of Sampling and Testing, and AASHTO Provisional Standards,” commonly referred to as the “Materials Standards” publication. [Above image by AASHTO] Developed by the organization’s Committee on Materials and Pavements, the Materials Standards guide […]
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Reconciliation Bill Includes Climate, Transportation Funds
editor@aashto.org July 29, 2022 0 COMMENTSAn agreement on new federal “reconciliation” legislation unveiled by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-NY, (seen above at right) and Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W. Va., (seen above at left) includes several climate and transportation-related funding measures, with a series of proposed grants and tax credits aimed at boosting equity, alternative vehicle purchases, and environmental review […]
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The Federal Highway Administration issued guidance on July 29 for a new $7.3 billion formula funding program created by the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act or IIJA enacted in November 2021 to help states and local communities better prepare for and respond to extreme weather events such as wildfires and flooding. [Above photo […]
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The National Renewable Energy Laboratory or NREL is working to provide what it calls “integrated analysis” to the Federal Aviation Administration to help that agency create safety standards as well as efficiency and resiliency rules for airport infrastructure as electrified aircraft models are developed and deployed. [Above photo by the FAA] As new models of […]
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The Federal Transit Administration is providing $1.75 billion to make it easier for people with disabilities to board at some of oldest rail public transportation systems across the country. [Above photo by the FTA] The funding aims to help various public transit agencies retrofit subway stations so people who need an elevator or ramp – […]
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Eight state department of transportation projects in Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, and Ohio earned regional recognition as part of the 2022 America’s Transportation Awards competition. [Above photo of the Wisconsin DOT green interchange project] The award contest honored those projects for benefiting communities in several ways, such as improving bike and pedestrian facilities and safety along the […]
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The Maritime Administration, known as MARAD, recently issued $19.6 million in grants to 24 small shipyards in 19 states via its Small Shipyard Grant Program. [Above photo by MARAD] “Small businesses are the lifeblood of the American economy, and small shipyards play a critical role in America’s maritime industry, helping us get the goods we […]
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Governor John Bel Edwards (D) joined Dr. Shawn Wilson, secretary of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, in a July 20 ceremony that officially updated the department’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan or SHSP. [Above photo by the Louisiana Governor’s office] The SHSP, updated every five years, identifies emphasis areas, strategies and tactics for reducing […]
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The Oklahoma Department of Transportation is pilot testing a wrong way detection and alert system on six ramps along Interstate 40 in the eastern part of the state. [Above photo by the Oklahoma DOT] Using thermal cameras, the system identifies when a vehicle enters an exit ramp in the wrong direction and displays flashing lights […]
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A research document just released by an international pool funded study led by the Nevada Department of Transportation provides an “authoritative review” of the most effective measures to reduce animal-vehicle collisions, improve motorist safety, and build safer wildlife crossings. [Above image by the Nevada DOT] With as many as two million collisions with large mammals […]
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