Did You Know

The Anatomy of a Traffic Impact Study

Before a new development can be built, the local government will often require a traffic impact study (TIS) to be performed. But what exactly goes into a TIS? The purpose of a TIS – also called a traffic impact analysis (TIA) – is to assess the expected traffic impacts to the roadway network surrounding a…
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Aviation in North Alabama

Did you know there is an airport in Meridianville, Alabama? The Huntsville Executive Airport (HEA) is a little-known public airport in north Alabama. It is owned by the Madison County Executive Airport Authority and is Huntsville’s most convenient airport for private aviation. HEA has several tenants that lease hangar space at the airport, including Yulista…
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Pavement Markings – Should You Cross that Line?

Did you know that pavement markings are not as simple as you might think? Pavement markings are used to convey many different messages to the driver, signaling which part of the road to use and where passing is allowed. Pavement markings use two primary indicators – color and line style – to relay information to…
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Did You Know Sain Now Does Airports?

With the addition of Harry Wilson, P.E., Brett Wiseman, P.E., and Gary Pitzing, PLS, Sain Associates now offers design, planning, and surveying services at airports. These three employees have approximately 60 years of combined airport experience. They have worked with the Alabama Department of Transportation Aeronautics Bureau and the FAA Airports District Office in Jackson, Mississippi, assisting…
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DYK It’s Child Passenger Safety Week?

Every day in America, parents and caregivers travel in a vehicle with their children. While many of those children are riding in correctly installed car seats for their ages and sizes, most are not. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, car seat use can reduce the risk of injury in a crash…
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The New Rush Hour – Traffic Patterns

COVID-19 has significantly impacted daily life around the world. Many people are teleworking, schools are adopting distance learning in greater numbers, and more entertainment and retail activity are occurring online than ever before. These lifestyle adjustments have led to travel behavioral changes that allow planners to reclaim underutilized roadway lanes for other purposes, such as…
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How to Avoid Heat-Related Illness

Wide-brimmed hats and SPF clothing aren’t just accessories during the summer; they are a necessity. In August, the average temperature in Alabama is 90 degrees. As summer stretches on, it’s important to be aware of heat-related illnesses because anyone at any age can suffer from a heat-related illness. Every year our Survey department braves the…
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Big Data as an Alternative for Traffic Counts during COVID-19

Office employees are working from home, schools are closed, and large gatherings with friends and family are discouraged per social distancing recommendations. As we stay at home, we are reminded of how our community interactions have changed with COVID-19. Several reports and maps display how we are practicing social distancing; those numbers and colors illustrate…
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Safe Work Zones for All: 2020 NWZAW

The beginning of spring signals the start of road construction’s busy season. Road construction crews will begin popping up around the state to repair streets, roads, highways, and bridges. Although work zones play a critical role in providing a safe area for workers, they can be a major cause of congestion. In some instances, many…
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