Groups Call for Federal Program Extension, State DOT COVID Aid
editor@aashto.org September 4, 2020 0 COMMENTSThe American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials along with three other organizations are urging Congress to take three “critical steps” to address the “unstable future” created by significant declines federal and state transportation and other revenues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. [Above photo by the New Jersey DOT.] “Public agencies continue to face […]
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The Federal Highway Administration began redistributing more than $4.76 billion in obligated federal highway funds on August 28. When states or other federal entities funded through the HTF do not fully use those federal funds in a given year, the FHWA makes those funds available to states that have successfully obligated their allotment of federal dollars. […]
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In this episode of the Environmental Technical Assistance Program or ETAP podcast, host Bernie Wagenblast interviews Ed Sniffen (seen above at right), deputy director for highways at the Hawaii Department of Transportation, regarding how his agency is focused on improving infrastructure resiliency. Sniffen also serves as the chair of the Committee on Transportation System Security […]
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The Federal Communications Commission issued a report on August 27 that recommends it begin a rulemaking to reserve wireless spectrum for unmanned aircraft system or UAS operations. The report – mandated by Congress via the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2018 and compiled by the FCC’s Office of Engineering and Technology – indicates that […]
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The U.S. Department of Transportation unveiled a 118-page National Freight Strategic Plan or NFSP on September 3 that “establishes a clear vision for the future of the country’s freight system,” according to USDOT Secretary Elaine Chao. “This plan will help us maintain America’s competitive edge across industries such as agriculture, manufacturing, and e-commerce,” she said […]
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EIA: Lightly Populated Large States Use More Transportation Energy
editor@aashto.org September 4, 2020 0 COMMENTSRecent analysis of 2018 data by the Energy Information Administration geographically large states with small populations – such as Alaska, Wyoming, and North Dakota – used twice as much energy for transportation than the U.S. average on a per capita basis. [Above photo by the Alaska DOT&PF.] By contrast, states with higher population density, such as Rhode […]
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The U.S. Department of Transportation unveiled a public online tracking tool on September 2 that provides data on the on-road testing of automated driving systems in 17 cities. [Above photo by Argo/Ford.] The tool is part of the Automated Vehicle Transparency and Engagement for Safe Testing or AV TEST Initiative launched in June and overseen […]
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IIHS: Anti-Collision Tech Can Reduce Large Truck Crashes
editor@aashto.org September 4, 2020 0 COMMENTSA new study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety claims that equipping large trucks with forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking or AEB systems could eliminate more than two out of five crashes in which a large truck rear-ends another vehicle. [Above photo via IIHS.] The group’s study encompassed some 2,000 crashes that […]
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FAA Disburses $1.2B in Airport Safety/Infrastructure Grants
editor@aashto.org September 4, 2020 0 COMMENTSThe Federal Aviation Administration is awarding roughly $1.2 billion in airport safety and infrastructure grants to 405 airports in 50 states and the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, Palau, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. [Above photo by the FAA.] A complete listing of grants and an interactive map of airports receiving funding is available […]
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The Federal Railroad Administration issued a final rule on August 28 that would allow railroads to use ultrasonic inspection technology, augmented with global positioning system technology, to employ continuous rail testing. [Above photo by FRA.] The agency said this rule seeks to improve safety by making it easier for railroads to test rails more frequently […]
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