Bicycle and Motorcycle Detection and Timing
Caltrans issued a Policy Directive on August 27, 2009 which becomes effective September 10, 2009. The Policy Directive amends the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. The new Policy Directive Number 09-06 requires that limit-line detection be capable of sensing bicycles and motorcycles. The revised detection is required for [...]
FHWA releases its FY 2010 STEP implementation stragegy
STEP, or the Surface Transportation Environment and Planning Cooperative Research Program, is a Federal Highway Association program funded through the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). This program was formed with the goal of better understanding the intricate nature of how planning, surface transportation [...]
Menendez ties transit investment to safety in arguing for extrafunds
In his quest to secure additional funding for the nation’s cash- strapped transit systems, Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) yesterday looked to frame the need first and foremost as a matter of safety. […]
The Adobe Tower: Interesting Items about the Interstate System
by Jerry Hall and Loretta Hall In one sense, the Interstate System is small. Roughly 2.5 percent of the public road mileage in the United States is eligible for federal-aid highway funding, and the Interstate System represents only 4.8 percent of those eligible roads. In most senses, though, the Interstate [...]
Walk and Don’t Look Back: Enhanced Crosswalk Treatments
By Chris Sheffer, P.E. Municipalities across the nation and world are facing the challenges of providing safe pedestrian crossings in an increasingly complex urban environment. Some of these challenges are manifested in providing pedestrian visibility and priority within a mid block crosswalk. Several cities, such as Salt Lake City, are [...]
Bicycle Facilities in San Francisco
Oliver Gajda, SFMTA Bicycle Program Manager Mike Sallaberry, PE, SFMTA Traffic Calming With a majority of trips in the US under 3 miles long (about 20 minutes by bike) and with the growing interest in sustainable and low impact systems, public health, the strained environment, and efficient transportation the bicycle [...]
Traffic Operations Centers (TOCs) for Smaller Agencies: Colorado Example
Traffic Operation Centers (TOCs) have historically been built and operated by the Traffic Engineering Departments of state departments of transportation (DOTs) and larger cities. For example, in the Rocky Mountain region, the City and County of Denver, City of Lakewood, and Colorado DOT (CDOT) have highly utilized Traffic Operation Centers. [...]
Interstate Innovations
Authorization of the Interstate System was a political victory that resulted in enormous societal benefits of safety and mobility. It stimulated economic and lifestyle developments such as franchised motels and fast food eateries, freight pick-up and delivery for communities not served by rail lines, and just-in-time delivery of goods that [...]
