State DOTs Highlight Benefits of $1.2T Infrastructure Bill
editor@aashto.org September 3, 2021 0 COMMENTSNumerous short- and long-term economic and quality-of-life benefits are poised to flow from the $1.2 trillion “Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act” or IIJA passed by the Senate on August 10, according to a survey of state departments of transportation conducted by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. [Above photo by the Louisiana […]
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Six State DOTs Win Regional Transportation Project Awards
editor@aashto.org September 3, 2021 0 COMMENTSState departments of transportation in Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Ohio and Wisconsin earned regional recognition in the America’s Transportation Awards competition for eight projects that quickly restored safe access to a fire-damaged bridge, used drones to increase staff safety while also improving travel efficiency, and expanded a picturesque pedestrian and bike path to improve community […]
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NHTSA: Motor Vehicle Crash Fatalities Spiked in Early 2021
editor@aashto.org September 3, 2021 0 COMMENTSThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 8,730 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes during the first three months of 2021 – a 10.5 percent increase from the 7,900 fatalities the agency reported for the first quarter of 2020. [Above photo by the NTSB] That increase occurred even though driving declined, as preliminary […]
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Eight States Offering Driver Licenses/IDs via Apple Wallet
editor@aashto.org September 3, 2021 0 COMMENTSArizona and Georgia are the first of eight states to offer their residents the ability to add driver’s licenses or state IDs to the Apple Wallet application on either an iPhone or Apple Watch device. [Above image by Apple] The Transportation Security Administration noted that it would enable select airport security checkpoints and lanes as […]
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The Governors Highway Safety Association recently released a new report that offers guidance for law enforcement officials and other first responders as well as crash scene investigators on how to interact with automated vehicle technology. [Above photo by Waymo] Produced by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute with a grant from insurance firm State Farm, GHSA’s […]
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The Federal Railroad Administration issued a notice of funding opportunity on August 30 regarding the availability of nearly $362 million via its Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements or CRISI grant program. [Above photo by the FRA] The agency said its CRISI program funds projects that reduce congestion, improve short-line and regional railroad infrastructure, relocate […]
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Disability Group Urges More ‘Inclusive’ Transportation Planning
editor@aashto.org September 3, 2021 0 COMMENTSThe Washington State-based Disability Mobility Initiative (DMI) recently issued an 82-page report urging the state to undertake “inclusive” transportation planning measures and shift more funding to serve the needs of “non-drivers.” [Above photo by WSDOT] “For too long, transportation policy has been written by and for drivers. For those of us who cannot drive or […]
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The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is expanding routine litter pickup operations statewide through the Labor Day holiday, especially on higher-traffic roadways where volunteer groups cannot safely pick up litter. [Above photo by PennDOT] Simultaneously, the agency is echoing calls by Governor Tom Wolf (D) for state residents to help reduce roadway littering – which include new […]
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The Texas Transportation Commission is forming a new task force comprised of representatives from the Texas Department of Transportation and the state’s metropolitan planning organizations or MPOs to reduce the number of fatalities on Texas highways. [Above photo by TxDOT] Co-chaired by Commissioners Laura Ryan and Alvin New, the Task Force seeks to create a […]
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Maryland Offers New Fare Program to Boost Transit Use
editor@aashto.org September 3, 2021 0 COMMENTSThe Maryland Transit Administration – a division of the Maryland Department of Transportation – recently launched “CharmFlex,” a new discounted fare option to accommodate state residents returning to onsite work in more flexible or hybrid work schedules. [Above photo by the MTA] CharmFlex’s three- and 10-day passes – applicable to local bus, light rail, metro […]
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