In 2021, Sain Associates undertook a comprehensive operations and safety analysis along a 7.7-mile stretch of US-31, spanning from South Colonial Parkway in Alabaster to Amphitheater Road in Pelham. This study included 19 signalized intersections as well as 69 unsignalized intersections. We reviewed roadway geometry, traffic control equipment, crash trends, planned developments in the area,…
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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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A few weeks ago, I was traveling out of state to meet my newborn niece for the first time. My wife and I encountered many rural roadways that needed some TLC along the way. To my wife’s amusement, my engineer’s brain could not stop noticing all the deficiencies of the roadways. Abrupt curves with no…
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Sain Associates is currently assisting multiple municipalities across the state to achieve compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements within public rights-of-way. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 is a wide-ranging civil rights law that is intended to protect against discrimination based on disability. A portion of this law governs the steps a…
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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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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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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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Is the buckle too tight? Is it tight enough? My husband and I were suddenly aware of how little we knew as we packed our daughter into her car seat for the very first time. According to the CDC, an estimated 46 percent of car seats and booster seats are misused. As a first-time parent,…
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