News from the USDOT Region 2 University Transportation Center led by Rutgers Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation. Includes stories on recent conferences, research, and faculty accomplishments and activities.
New Jersey's conference observing National Work Zone Safety Week celebrated its 20th year in 2019 and drew more than 250 transportation professionals from construction, public works, maintenance operations, engineering, utilities, and public safety.
This report explains what active transportation financing is and how it works, sets out the benefits of increased active transportation financing in local government, examines different approaches, and explores important considerations regarding policy goals and campaign directions.
Safe Routes to School is a great way to help students be healthy and have fun on the way to school. This toolkit will help you kick off a new Safe Routes to School program or strengthen your existing one.
Submit your entry for a chance to win $25,000 in free construction equipment rental for your local infrastructure project.
Dire States Equipment Grants reward projects that directly impact community residents' quality of life.
The National Roadway Safety Awards program honors agencies in the transportation community that have made verifiable and significant strides toward improving the safety of our nation's highways.
Camden County’s upcoming Westfield Avenue (CR610) milling and overlay road reconstruction project will be the first infrastructure investment in the state to take advantage of financing made available by the New Jersey Transportation Infrastructure Bank (NJTIB).
The New Jersey Department of Transportation and the New Jersey Turnpike Authority are advancing more than $1.1 billion in construction contracts for 2019.
Although roundabouts have been in widespread use in other countries for a number of years, it is only during the past few years that their application in the United States has received increased attention by both the public and transportation professionals.
Systemic application of proven safety countermeasures on rural roads helps keep vehicles in their travel lanes and reduce the incidence and severity of roadway departure crashes.
The Training Resources Workgroup of the National LTAP Association developed Tailgate Safety Briefing Packages for agencies to use in periodic safety talks with their crews. Topics include cold-weather precautions and staying fit for snowfighting.
The Murphy administration announced that the New Jersey Transportation Infrastructure Bank is now offering low-interest loans to municipalities and counties to help them reduce the overall cost of local transportation projects.
The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) announced its first ever accelerated innovation deployment (AID) grant award from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to better manage the state’s roads during weather events.
With new innovations in LED technology, great strides have been taken to equip police vehicles with efficient, brighter lighting to enhance the visibility of police cars and emergency vehicles when they are responding to a call, enforcing the law, or saving a life.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, excavation and trench-related fatalities in 2016 were nearly double the average of the previous five years. OSHA has resources to help reverse this trend.
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced it is pursuing an update to the “Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways” (MUTCD) in preparation for the future of automated vehicles and to afford states and local communities with more opportunities to use innovation.
As an increasing number of local and regional transportation agencies are committing to the vision of eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries and developing and implementing their own transportation safety plans. This FHWA guide will help them do it right.
Connected directly to a drone’s video feed, first-person view (FPV) goggles allow bridge inspectors to get up close and personal with the components they are examining. FPVs provide a perspective that is equivalent to what they would see from about three feet away.
According to national traffic data from USDOT, severe and fatal crashes are on the rise across the country, increasing 5.6 percent from 2015 to 2016. These two approaches can bring that number back down.
The December 31, 2018, sunset date for “new permanent installations and full replacements of cable barriers, cable barrier terminals and crash cushions” now only pertains to crash cushions. See important clarification on MASH Implementation site. Photo: WSDOT.
FHWA is pushing the Safe Transportation for Every Pedestrian (STEP) program to address safety at uncontrolled crossings by promoting crosswalk visibility enhancements, raised crosswalks, pedestrian refuge islands, pedestrian hybrid beacons (PHBs), and Road Diets.
Innovation Exchange events bring transportation leaders to the table to share ideas and out-of-the-box practices with proven results. View past webinars or stay in the loop for future events on the Office of Innovative Program Delivery exchange page.
OSHA's silica standards require employers to limit workers’ exposure and take steps to protect them from respirable crystalline silica. OSHA has several new resources to help employers meet the standard’s requirements.
NJDOT officials extended the application deadline for the federally-funded Safe Routes to School grants to September 18, 2018, giving schools additional time to gather information they need to be eligible for a grant.
FHWA has developed a comprehensive set of programs, strategies, and tools for managing safer, smarter, more efficient temporary traffic control. How can you start using them?
Applying a pavement preservation treatment at the right time, on the right project, with quality materials and construction is a critical investment strategy for optimizing infrastructure performance.
NJDOT announced the first awards in the new Local Freight Impact Fund program totaling $30.1 million to help municipalities safely manage large truck traffic. It is supported by the gas tax that was part of the 2016 TTF reauthorization.
NJ STIC held its annual spring meeting on April 4, 2018. Presentations included updates on status of STIC projects, overviews of select projects and outreach efforts, and a roundtable discussion. Presentations are posted on the NJDOT tech transfer website.
The American Public Works Association (APWA) is proud to announce creation of a national “Public Works First Responder” symbol that recognizes public works professionals’ federally mandated role as first responders.
NJDOT received approval (IA-5.29) on “Use of Clearview Font for Positive Contrast Legends on Guide Signs” (IA-5). This allows all New Jersey local transportation agencies to use the Clearview font, which research shows has improved legibility, on guide signs if they so choose.
FHWA acting administrator Brandye Hendrickson has announced the fifth round of the agency’s Every Day Counts (EDC) program, 10 selected proven, yet underutilized innovations to enhance safety, reduce congestion, shorten project timelines, and improve sustainability.
USDOT launched a national competition, Solving for Safety: Visualization Challenge, for crash data analysis innovations. Competition is open to local government personnel, data scientists, academics, and safety experts.
FHWA and the National Association of County Engineers helped 25 counties in California, Colorado, Florida, Nevada, Ohio, and Wisconsin develop Local Road Safety Plans. LSRPs provide a framework for local agencies to identify specific conditions that contribute to severe crashes.
New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti announced the department is offering one-on-one training sessions for local-government agency representatives interested in applying for the Safe Routes to School Program grants.
FHWA has been rolling out pavement technologies for construction and maintenance of roadway surfaces that can potentially save money, increase safety, and improve performance. The agency also is facilitating their use across the country.
The Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) is accepting applications for projects relating to surface transportation. TAP provides federal funds for community-based “non-traditional” projects designed to strengthen the cultural, aesthetic, and environmental aspects of the nation’s intermodal system.
“Expect the unexpected” when driving in and around work zones. Speed limits and traffic lanes may change and workers may be on or near the road. Diamond-shaped orange warning signs are posted. Stay alert, slow down, and obey flaggers. Read tips for safe driving on this handy sheet.
The Every Day Counts webinar series is a new library that allows you to learn more about EDC innovations on demand. Current topics available include stakeholder partnering, data-driven safety analysis, and collaborative hydraulics: advancing to the next generation of engineering.
OSHA Education Centers in Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas, are jointly hosting a free WebEx presentation on silica hazards from March 5 to 9, 2018. This is open to anyone in the country. It focuses on best prevention practices and silica standards compliance for construction and industry.
NJ STIC is looking for new technologies and process improvements that will accelerate project delivery and improve the quality of NJ’s transportation network.
Walk Friendly Communities is an organization that recognizes municipalities that encourage citizens to walk more prioritize support for safe and comfortable walking environments.
The goal of “Road to Zero” is to eliminate traffic fatalities by 2050. Coalition members develop priorities; take action individually and collaboratively; and encourage partners and stakeholders to help ensure safe mobility for all people.
NJDOT officials announced the launch of a Facebook page where they will highlight their innovative projects and programs. Their presence on Facebook complements outreach they do using Twitter.
CAIT expert briefed NJDOT on “gee whiz” automated systems and advanced technologies developed at the center that give bridge owners a picture of bridge health inside and out, and accelerated testing that indicates how they may hold up over time.
