Latest Updates

Importance of Timed Traffic Signals

Interested in saving on fuel costs, reducing negative environmental impacts, and helping provide a more pleasant driving experience? The solution can be found through proper signal timing and coordination. Suppose signals are timed or coordinated incorrectly. In that case, vehicles will likely have to make frequent stops while traveling through a corridor, which wastes time…
Read More

The Ins and Outs of Traffic Calming

Cut-through traffic and speeding issues on local roadways are two of the more common complaints that city engineers and public works employees receive from concerned citizens. Traffic engineers have developed a variety of strategies to help mitigate these issues. These strategies are known as traffic calming. Per the Federal Highway Administration and Institute of Transportation Engineers: “traffic calming…
Read More

Project Spotlight – Carvana Distribution Center

In April 2020, Carvana, a cutting-edge leader in online automotive sales, contracted Sain Associates to perform surveying, civil, and traffic engineering services for a distribution facility in Bessemer, Alabama.  Although non-disclosure agreements required the project to be known as “Project Otto,” it was later announced as Carvana. Commonly known as an online car dealership and…
Read More

50 Years of Problem-Solving

Sain’s 50th anniversary includes all the qualities of a great American success story – vision, hard work, and collaboration. Charles “Hack” Sain, PE, founded our firm with the vision to transform the relationship between engineers and property developers into one of mutual respect, where the engineer provides leadership and problem-solving on behalf of the client. Mr….
Read More

Fridays with Brother Wayne

In his best-selling memoir Tuesdays with Morrie, author Mitch Albom writes about a series of visits he made to his professor, Morrie Schwartz, as he gradually died from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Albom shares many life lessons he learned from his mentor and friend. Our Community Bible Study Men’s Group in Trussville had a similar…
Read More

Distracted Driving is Dangerous Business

You and your family are driving to Grandma’s for Easter weekend. You’re at the wheel and get a call from a relative asking about your arrival. You answer what should be a quick question but then get caught up in the conversation that lasts for several minutes. While this might seem like an innocent situation,…
Read More

50 Years of a Great Place to Work

“This is the first Christmas party I am throwing as head of the party planning committee. The theme is “Nights in Morocco.” This isn’t your grandmother’s Christmas party. Unless, of course, she’s from Morocco, in which case it’s very accurate.” For those who have not seen the TV sitcom The Office, that quote may be…
Read More

The Power of Mentoring

When you think of mentoring, what comes to mind? An older senior executive partnering with a young up and comer? This is what most people picture, but experience has taught me it’s so much more. The window of what people often think mentoring applies to is very narrow. But it doesn’t have to be confined…
Read More