John Hennessy III,
P.E.
![Figure 1 Highway fatality rate by year [5]](https://www.infrastructureusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Louisiana-1.jpg)
LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND DEVELOPMENT
LOUISIANA TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH CENTER
To improve highway safety, DOTD has developed a Louisiana Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP) aimed at reducing fatal and severe injury crashes on Louisiana roadways. The goal of Louisiana SHSP is to reach Destination Zero Deaths on Louisiana roadways, which calls to cut the fatalities by half by 2030.
UPPER GREAT PLAINS TRANSPORTATION INSTITUTE
Advancements in vehicle technology and upgrades to traffic safety laws have produced dramatic nationwide reductions in overall traffic crash fatalities and injuries over time. However, similar reductions have not been realized in motorcycle crashes. The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) projected an approximate 9% increase in motorcyclist fatalities nationwide in 2012, representing upsurges in fatalities in 14 of the last 15 years (GHSA 2013).
VERMONT OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
Vermont faces significant challenges in improving our state’s aging infrastructure. About one-quarter of Vermont’s state highway bridges are over 70 years old, and the state spent $463 million on infrastructure in FY11, including roadways (32%), Interstate and State bridges (21%). Tropical Storm Irene devastated infrastructure in many parts of the state, damaging over 500 miles of roads and destroying dozens of bridges. With the help of our federal partners, almost all of that damage has been repaired and strengthened to withstand future weather challenges.
By Patrick D. Jones, Executive Director & CEO, International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA)
With state governments and regional agencies leading the way, America might just be entering a renaissance in highway construction, reconstruction, and financing. Over the last year, more than 35 state legislatures have taken up bills to address the transportation funding gap. The trend extends to every part of the country, crossing the line between red and blue states. In the absence of federal policy action, as Kevin Robillard of Politico wrote earlier this year, states are coming up with their own prescriptions to deal with our national transportation woes.
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE
The Panel on 21st Century Freight Transportation conducted hearings, held roundtable discussions, and traveled
to key freight corridors across the United States to gain insight into the current state of freight transportation and
how improving freight transportation can strengthen the economy. The Panel identified many challenges and
impediments to the efficient and safe movement of goods into, out of, and through the United States.
The roundabout at the intersection of ND 200 and ND 22 south of Killdeer, ND is the first roundabout on a state highway in North Dakota. The traffic in the area is bustling due to growing economic activity and the roundabout serves a safe alternative for cars and trucks alike. –NDDOTOnline on YouTube.
View this complete post...
NATIONAL COOPERATIVE HIGHWAY RESEARCH PROGRAM Summary Despite improvements that have reduced the number of highway-rail grade crossing incidents in the past 2 decades, evidence indicates that (a) railroad crossings remain a significant safety hazard, (b) the trends supporting the decline in incidents are unlikely to continue, and (c) solutions that reduce the risk of grade […]
View this complete post...Innovation Newsbriefs
Vol. 24, No. 13 (update)
In the longer run, greater state fiscal autonomy and financial sophistication could modify the federal-state relationship in transportation. There would be less need for direct financial aid to state DOTs and more emphasis on credit assistance to support transportation investments of truly national scope and significance. (High-Speed Rail in the Northeast Corridor comes to mind). At the same time, federal oversight of state transportation programs could be reduced to reflect the smaller federal fiscal footprint.
Innovation Newsbriefs
Vol. 24, No. 14
Robert Poole, co-founder of the libertarian Reason Foundation and its Director of Transportation Policy has produced a study that is bound to create more than a ripple inside the transportation community…The study makes only one major policy recommendation: that Congress allow tolling of Interstate highways “for the specific purpose of reconstruction and widening with toll revenue used only for those purposes.” The author concludes that permission from Congress is “the one needed enabler… to begin this transition.”
REASON FOUNDATION
Steady increases in vehicle fuel economy, the lack of inflation indexing of fuel tax rates, and political gridlock over increasing fuel tax rates all make it very difficult even to maintain current pavement and bridge conditions and prevent congestion from getting even worse. The transportation community agrees that we need to phase out fuel taxes and replace them with a more sustainable funding source, generally agreed to be mileage-based user fees of some sort. But no consensus exists on how and when to do this.
    |
Follow InfrastructureUSA
Video, stills and tales. Share images of the Infra in your community that demands attention. Post your ideas about national Infra issues. Go ahead. Show Us Your Infra! Upload and instantly share your message.
Is the administration moving fast enough on Infra issues? Are Americans prepared to pay more taxes for repairs? Should job creation be the guiding determination? Vote now!
What do the experts think? This is where the nation's public policy organizations, trade associations and think tanks weigh in with analysis on Infra issues. Tell them what you think. Ask questions. Share a different view.
The Infra Blog offers cutting edge perspective on a broad spectrum of Infra topics. Frequent updates and provocative posts highlight hot button topics -- essential ingredients of a national Infra dialogue.
It is encouraging to finally see clear signs of federal action to support a comprehensive US infrastructure investment plan.
Now more than ever, our advocacy is needed to keep stakeholders informed and connected, and to hold politicians to their promises to finally fix our nation’s ailing infrastructure.
We have already engaged nearly 280,000 users, and hoping to add many more as interest continues to grow.
We require your support in order to rise to this occasion, to make the most of this opportunity. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to InfrastructureUSA.org.
Steve Anderson
Managing Director
SteveAnderson@InfrastructureUSA.org
917-940-7125
RSS Feed
© InfrastructureUSA | Terms of Use | Site developed by Andigo New Media
InfrastructureUSA.org is a nonprofit project fiscally sponsored by FJC, a Foundation of Philanthropic Funds.