NTSB Investigation Blames ‘Design Errors’ for FIU Pedestrian Bridge Collapse
editor@aashto.org November 16, 2018 0 COMMENTSAn investigative update issued by the National Transportation Safety Board Nov. 15 regarding the fatal Florida International University pedestrian bridge collapse on March 15 this year indicated that “errors” were made in the design of the 174-foot span, with the cracking observed prior to the bridge’s collapse “consistent” with those design errors. [Above photo by […]
READ MOREGAO Issues Reports on Railroad Grade Crossing Programs, Inland Waterway Funding
editor@aashto.org November 16, 2018 0 COMMENTSThe Government Accountability Office issued two transportation-related reports in early November; one that called for “greater flexibility” in federal funding provided to the states for railroad grade crossing safety measures, with the other recommending that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers develop a way to measure the cost of “deferred maintenance” for inland waterways so […]
READ MOREFHWA Proposed Rulemaking Would Give States ‘Greater Flexibility’ to use Proprietary or Patented Materials
editor@aashto.org November 16, 2018 0 COMMENTSThe Federal Highway Administration issued a notice of proposed rulemaking on Nov. 14 that it said will provide “greater flexibility” to state agencies to use “proprietary or patented materials” in Federal-aid projects. [Photo by Utah DOT.] Currently, FHWA requires that states wanting to use a specific proprietary or patented material in a project using federal […]
READ MORENHTSA’s King Stresses Educational Needs of Automated Vehicle Technology in Speech
editor@aashto.org November 16, 2018 0 COMMENTSIn a speech at the Annual Airports and the Rental Car Industry Workshop on Nov. 5, Heidi King, deputy administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, said her agency remains extremely interested in “automated driving systems” due to their potential to “save lives and prevent injuries” – even though “there are no vehicles sold […]
READ MOREBenefits of Traffic Incident Management Highlighted During FHWA meeting
editor@aashto.org November 16, 2018 0 COMMENTSAs part of its National Traffic Incident Response Awareness Week efforts, the Federal Highway Administration held a traffic incident management or TIM program meeting on Nov. 13 at USDOT’s Washington, D.C., headquarters with executives from groups aligned with FHWA’s national TIM outreach efforts. [Pictured above, left to right: Wyoming DOT’s Bill Panos, FHWA’s Mark Kehrli, […]
READ MOREAAA Survey Finds Names of Automated Driving Systems Causing Confusion
editor@aashto.org November 16, 2018 0 COMMENTSThe results of a recent survey conducted by AAA discerned that there is a “gap” in “consumer understanding” of partially automated driving systems based on the names given to the technology. [Above photo via AAA.] The group found that 40 percent of the 1,003 adult U.S. drivers it polled expect partially automated driving systems – […]
READ MOREThe Federal Highway Administration recently released a new “workbook” designed to illustrate 13 strategies that have been successfully used to accelerate “multimodal” projects. [Above photo by the Seattle DOT.] The agency said its Strategies for Accelerating Multimodal Project Delivery workbook is designed to address the “growing demand for an integrated transportation network” while recognizing that […]
READ MOREFRA to make $272M in Grants Available for ‘State of Good Repair’ Rail Projects
editor@aashto.org November 16, 2018 0 COMMENTSThe Federal Railroad Administration issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity on Nov. 16 for that will make $272 million in grants available via its “State of Good Repair” program, which funds capital projects aimed at repairing, replacing, or rehabilitating publicly owned railroad assets and to improve intercity passenger rail performance. [Above photo by Union Pacific.] […]
READ MOREVideo Report: Idaho DOT Coordinates Removal of Unexploded Artillery Shells
editor@aashto.org November 16, 2018 0 COMMENTSDuring maintenance repairs on the Idaho Highway 45 bridge spanning the Snake River, Idaho Transportation Department contractors discovered two unexploded artillery shells on separate days. [Unrelated photo of Naval divers by U.S. Navy Chief Mass Communication Specialist Jeff Atherton.] The agency said in a statement that contracted divers inspecting the base of a bridge pier […]
READ MOREThe Kentucky Transportation Cabinet provided an assessment of its snow fighting capabilities on Nov. 13 ahead of Winter Storm Avery, which affected portions of the eastern United States. [Above photo by the KYTC.] The KYTC noted that it has 2,000 personnel, 1,400 plow trucks, 340,000 tons of salt, one million gallons of salt brine for […]
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