Innovation has been called the rising buzzword of 2016 by Politico Magazine. It's being used to describe people, politics, products, and peanuts. Entire organizations are being called innovative. But what is the act of being "innovative"? To be innovative requires embracing risk, speed, and a focused goal.

The infusion of new technologies into our transportation systems is on the rise and increasing in pace. Such infusion introduces opportunities and risk. As just one example, GPS is already enabling fast, safe, and efficient transportation-but how do we avoid becoming so reliant on GPS that transportation is interrupted and safety is threatened?

The safety of railroad crossings has risen to the forefront among not only engineers, transportation safety experts and legislators, but also among the general public, largely due to several severe and highly publicized crashes at railroad crossings throughout the country. This webinar will discuss design and technology solutions available to improve grade crossing safety and help prevent motorists from being stopped on the tracks while a train is approaching.

Learn how agencies are using innovative implementation and evaluation approaches to advance systemic safety efforts .

It is well known that distraction is increasingly a problem inside the cabin of the automobile, especially among teens. Studies using an eye tracker at the Arbella Insurance Human Performance Laboratory at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, both on a driving simulator and in the field, show exactly why distraction is such a problem for teens. But they also show that distraction is a problem for experienced middle-aged drivers and for older drivers as well-something that is less well understood. Having documented that distraction is a problem, the next question is whether anything can be done about it. The answer is yes. 

Typical solutions include engineering, education, and enforcement. This presentation will highlight work at UMassAmherst that has focused on the development and evaluation of training programs that are designed to improve the hazard anticipation, hazard mitigation, and attention maintenance skills that are most compromised by distraction.  An hour's worth of training has been shown to have benefits that last up to a year for teens and two years for older drivers. The training programs have been implemented by regional and national insurance companies, including Arbella Insurance in Massachusetts and State Farm Insurance in Illinois. If you have teens who are learning to drive, have older parents who are beginning to decline, or are yourself an experienced driver, the information in this presentation could potentially help decrease your crash risk or the crash risk of someone you love.

There are a variety of pedestrian facilities that can allow pedestrians to walk along streets or cross streets at interchanges. Providing sidewalks or walkways is needed to provide a space for pedestrians to walk parallel with motor-vehicle traffic without having to walk in the travel lane. Where pedestrians cross interchange ramps, it is important to apply the same design strategies that are used at other intersections where pedestrians need to cross. 

This presentation, led by Meghan Mitman (Fehr and Peers) will provide an in-depth look at safety issues associated with interchanges and some of the design solutions that can be used to address these problems. Her presentation will also include several case study examples. Following the presentation, participants will be able to submit questions during a discussion period. 

Sight distance is important in the design and operation of various types of road facilities. Poor sight distance can have adverse safety impacts and can result in collisions. Higher crash rates may result in tort litigation against the agency that owns the right of way. This webinar will identify the different types of sight distance that are important and the guidelines that are applicable to each type of sight distance. The discussion will include examples of locations where poor sight distance exists and explain the potential impacts of inadequate sight distance on various types of road users such as pedestrians and bicyclists. The impact of light conditions will also be covered in the discussion. The webinar will include the latest sight distance information from the AASHTO Sixth Edition of A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets (Green Book). A reference list will be provided that includes articles, websites, and other study materials. Case studies on tort liability associated with sight distance will be presented.

ATSSA Webinar Wednesdays provide you and your organization with quality education presented by experts in the roadway safety industry.

This webinar will examine recent developments in railroad crossings and how to improve their safety. The webinar will focus on motorized users, as well as pedestrians and bicyclists, who have to cross railroad crossings on a regular basis. The webinar will address the best ways to handle pedestrian and bicycle traffic crossing railroad tracks and the operation of traffic signals impacted by railroad operations. Information from recent publications, the Railroad-Highway Grade Crossing Handbook, and a recent conference on railroad corridors, where speakers addressed railroad crossing safety issues, will be shared. Examples will be provided where railroad crossings pose special challenges to traffic on heavily traveled corridors. A reference list will be provided that includes articles, websites, and other study material. Case studies on railroad crossings and railroad crossing grade separation will be presented.

 

Using a multiple discipline perspective, first responders will learn how to operate more efficiently and collectively. The training covers many topics including recommended TIM procedures and techniques. 

This workshop, presented by noted Roadway Safety Institute researcher and instructor Dr. Ron Van Houten of Western Michigan University, will share innovative treatment options to serve pedestrians in a wide variety of walking environments. Based on the latest research, Dr. Van Houten will discuss emerging treatment options for a variety of intersections, environments, and users. Data on treatment efficacy will be included. Dr. Van Houten will also share his human factors expertise by discussing how to change a community's safety culture.

After his presentation, a facilitated conversation will allow attendees to discuss local areas of concern and evaluate potential solutions for their own challenging design problems.

This course instructed by Juan M. Morales, P.E. is designed to provide local and rural agencies with practical and effective ways to mainstream safety solutions into their day-to-day activities and project development process. This one-day workshop focuses on processes for incorporating safety into all aspects of local and rural projects, and on making safety a priority through inclusion in the traditional decision-making process - 365 days a year. The course stresses the importance of road safety, and illustrates how it can be integrated into rural/local transportation project development at all stages: planning, design, construction, implementation, operations, and maintenance. Through practical exercises and facilitator-led discussions, the emphasis is on operations and maintenance to reflect the predominant, day-to-day responsibilities of rural/local transportation agencies. The benefits and potential cost savings of safety initiatives are shown using examples from rural/local agencies.

With  the Country's Largest County Infrastructure Show and over 75 presentations,NACE 2016  will give you everything you need today to prepare for tomorrow's challenges. Experience a program that will deliver invaluable, first-hand insight from industry experts, ideas from county engineer peers, and solutions to help you manage projects more efficiently and cost effectively.

You'll learn about the latest innovative solutions for bridge construction, pavement surfacing and preservation, fleet maintenance, safety plans, emergency preparedness, and more. Plus specific sessions will focus on Federal initiatives that directly impact locals. 

The annual Community Transportation EXPO is your chance to join colleagues from around the nation in a setting dedicated to fresh ideas, innovative products and services, networking and learning. You will not want to miss this conference. In addition to the important discussions on the legislative front, there will be dozens of training sessions, workshops and networking events that will allow you to advance your understanding of transit issues, develop fresh solutions to challenging issues and help you outline new approaches to your work.