My daughter is only two years old, but she sits in her car seat like a queen. She sits semi-reclined with her head cradled by the plushy interior of the car seat, and she has two cup holders because one just won’t do! Life is good in this car seat. What she doesn’t know is…
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At some point in the day, everyone is a pedestrian. Unfortunately, pedestrian injuries and fatalities remain high. In 2020, a pedestrian was killed every 81 minutes in traffic crashes. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) designates October as Pedestrian Safety Month. Pedestrian safety is a two-way street that involves equal…
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Railway safety is a topic that cannot be emphasized enough for both the public and those working on the railway. According to Federal Railroad Administration statistics, 236 highway-rail grade crossing fatalities occurred in 2021, with nine in Alabama. There are two types of protection at an at-grade rail crossing: passive and active. Passive protection consists of pavement…
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Who doesn’t love to ride a bike or walk around their city? Have you ever thought about the planning that goes into making a street bicycle- or pedestrian-friendly? Historically, roads have been designed to get vehicles from point A to point B as quickly as possible, without a lot of regard for other road users…
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The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has dedicated the week of July 18 – July 22 to raise awareness for Rural Road Safety. The theme of the week is Taking Action, Saving Lives. I recently attended the retirement party for Alan Wolfe, TDOT Region 2 (Chattanooga) Traffic Engineer, who became a good friend over the years….
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If you’re like me, when you hear the word “diet,” your first reaction isn’t the thought…sign me up! However, in transportation, it may often be an easy solution that provides a favorable outcome for all involved. A “Road Diet” is essentially a reallocation of space on an existing roadway to better meet the needs of…
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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…
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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,…
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Have you ever wondered what that terrible noise and vibration are when you slightly veer on a roadway? Those noisy bumps are referred to as rumble strips, and they are formed when a ribbon of asphalt has been milled with a special tool. Rumble strips produce sound and vibration to alert drivers when they cross…
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In honor of National Roundabout Week, we’re sharing a throwback blog from 2016! A few years have passed since it was last published, but one thing remains the same – roundabouts are a proven safety countermeasure because they can substantially reduce crashes that result in serious injury or death. Roundabouts can improve safety, promote lower…
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