ITE Talks Transportation

In this episode of ITE Talks Transportation, longtime ITE member Dan Hardy, P.E., PTP, reflects on his 40-year career and the evolution of transportation planning, including the growing importance of collaboration across industry disciplines. Hardy discusses how planners and engineers can combine data, community perspectives, and diverse expertise to develop solutions that lead to meaningful change. He also explores the future of the profession, the importance of communicating transportation and safety goals effectively, and the value of the Professional Transportation Planner (PTP)® certification in demonstrating expertise and fostering continued professional growth.

In this episode of the ITE Talks Transportation podcast, Dr. Shauna Hallmark, Professor at Iowa State University, and Ginny O’Connor, P.E., PTOE, RSP2I, Transportation Engineer at toXcel, explore the critical role of speed management in reducing fatal and serious injury crashes. They discuss how agencies can take a more proactive, systemic approach by examining operating speeds, roadway conditions, and potential conflict points rather than relying solely on crash data. The conversation also highlights speed management strategies, real-world examples from communities across the country, and the importance of matching roadway design with safe operating speeds. Hallmark and O’Connor close with practical considerations for transportation professionals, including appropriately setting speed limits, accounting for roadway users and conditions, and building public understanding of why speed management measures are needed.

In this episode of ITE Talks Transportation, ITE Global District Director Farukh Ijaz, P.E., shares his inspiring journey from Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to becoming a transportation leader and entrepreneur in the United States. Farukh reflects on how relationships, mentorship, and a passion for transportation shaped both his career and the growth of Consulting Services USA. He also discusses his vision for strengthening ITE’s global network by fostering meaningful professional connections and creating pathways for knowledge exchange across borders. Tune in to hear how international collaboration can help transportation professionals tackle shared challenges and build a stronger, more connected future for the industry.

In this special anniversary episode, host Bernie Wagenblast and ITE Executive Director and CEO Steve Kuciemba celebrate 10 years of ITE Talks Transportation. Together, they reflect on a decade of conversations with industry leaders whose insights have helped shape discussions on transportation safety, transportation systems operations and management, emerging technologies, and other critical issues impacting mobility. Join us for a look back at the voices, ideas, and innovations that have influenced the transportation profession over the past 10 years.

Laurie Matkowski, PMP, Planning Practice Lead at GFT, joins the ITE Talks Transportation podcast to explore the evolving world of transportation operations and TSMO. From managing everyday mobility to preparing for global mega-events like the FIFA World Cup, Laurie shares insights on the critical role of alignment, technology, and human decision-making in keeping systems running smoothly. The conversation also dives into the growing impact of AI, digital infrastructure, and data analytics, all while emphasizing the continued importance of collaboration and people in the process.

In this episode of ITE Talks Transportation, Eric Rensel, Founder and CEO of Rensel Consulting, shares insights on how the industry can attract, develop, and retain the next generation of transportation professionals. From the power of mentorship and storytelling to the importance of early STEM exposure and alternative career pathways, Rensel draws on nationwide workforce development efforts and ITE’s involvement in the Engineering Workforce Consortium. The conversation highlights how flexibility, inclusion, and strong professional relationships are key to shaping a resilient and innovative workforce.

In this episode of ITE Talks Transportation, host Bernie Wagenblast speaks with Bryan Jones, Assistant City Manager for the City of Menifee, California, about how a Safe System approach at the local level moves beyond traditional traffic safety strategies to examine how roadway design affects public health, emergency response, municipal budgets, and overall livability. Jones, coauthor of the February ITE Journal article “Safer Streets Through Abundance: Aligning Fire Codes, Safety, and Community Goals,” emphasizes the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration—particularly between transportation and fire officials—and challenges the assumption that wider streets inherently improve safety. The conversation also explores practical strategies for building community support and empowering transportation professionals at all levels to lead meaningful, systems-based change.

Michael Sanderson—CEO of Sanbell and 2018 ITE International President—shares how his “people first” philosophy has shaped his career and his approach to building strong teams on this episode of ITE Talks Transportation. He explains that leadership in technical fields isn’t about command-and-control, but about setting a clear vision, building culture, and trusting experts to deliver. Sanderson emphasizes that leadership is learned through practice, and encourages young professionals to say yes to opportunities, especially in organizations like ITE. He also highlights the importance of ethical decision-making, mentorship, adaptability, and the lasting impact of creating LeadershipITE to help develop the next generation of transportation leaders.

In this episode of ITE Talks Transportation, Jean-Paul Brissett, CEO of Quality Counts, discusses how data and artificial intelligence are reshaping transportation decision-making. Brissett examines how new technologies are enhancing access to and interpretation of data while raising critical questions about privacy and ethics. He also reflects on the evolving role of human judgment in an increasingly automated industry and the leadership skills needed to navigate that change. The conversation offers an insightful look at how innovation, data, and people intersect to drive the future of mobility.

In this episode of ITE Talks Transportation, host Bernie Wagenblast speaks with Lorraine Martin, President and CEO of the National Safety Council, about the need to view roadway deaths as a public health crisis. Martin outlines proven strategies and emerging technologies that are advancing progress toward the goal of zero fatalities. She discusses how cultural change, infrastructure design, and cross-sector collaboration are essential to creating safer transportation systems for all road users.