ITE Talks Transportation

Eric Rensel, Vice President at Gannett Fleming and Chair of the ITE Council Leadership Team, discusses the skills that engineers and transportation planning professionals bring to the table and how the two can work together successfully on transportation projects. He also shares more on the initiative to bring more transportation planning professionals into ITE, and the wealth of resources the organization has to offer these professionals.

Nick Nigro, Founder of Atlas Public Policy, joins the ITE Talks Transportation podcast to share the latest trends and challenges in the electrification of transportation and give an update on where the industry currently stands. He addresses deployment readiness and workforce issues facing the market, and highlights the economic benefits that more widespread electrification will bring. Nick was the Closing Plenary speaker at the ITE Annual Meeting in New Orleans this summer.

Bill Lambert, P.E., Administrator/Traffic Engineer with the New Hampshire Department of Transportation (DOT), joins the podcast to talk about transportation safety and operations challenges in rural environments and how they’re being addressed in his state. He discusses the recent Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and how the funding could potentially be utilized by state DOTs with more tribal and rural areas, as well as how public agencies are grappling with the current staffing shortages and other challenges brought on by COVID-19.

Louisiana Department of Transportation Secretary Dr. Shawn Wilson joins the ITE Talks Transportation podcast for a dynamic conversation on the state of the industry and why he feels it's "the most exciting time" ever to work in transportation. He shares his perspectives on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and how the funding can help state DOTs address safety, especially for vulnerable users. He also addresses the myriad of challenges brought on by COVID-19 for DOTs, and discusses how agencies can gain a competitive edge among the current workforce. Dr. Wilson was a Plenary speaker at the ITE Annual Meeting in New Orleans, LA, USA in August and spoke alongside U.S. Department of Transportation Deputy Secretary Polly Trottenberg.

Rob McInerney, CEO of the International Road Assessment Program (iRAP), joins the ITE Talks Transportation podcast to talk about global roadway safety through the Safe System Approach, Vision Zero, and how those integrate into the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030. He also highlights rural roadway safety, where a large portion of global fatalities are concentrated in run-off-the-road crashes, and discusses mobilizing positive change by designing roads for outcomes, versus standards, to bring deaths and serious injuries down to zero.

Jeremy Kashman, chief engineer and director of engineering for the City of Carmel, IN, USA, joins the ITE Talks Transportation podcast to talk about how his city became the "Roundabout Capital of the United States." With more than 140 existing roundabouts and more in the works, Kashman describes the process of installing these roundabouts and the benefits they provide, including decreased congestion, improved safety, and reduced emissions. Kashman also describes the public's reaction to the roundabouts, and provides insights for any jurisdictions considering installing the structures.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of Transportation Polly Trottenberg joins the ITE Talks Transportation podcast to discuss the Department of Transportation’s newly announced National Roadway Safety Strategy, which utilizes the Safe System Approach to achieve zero fatalities and serious injuries on roadways. She also shares the administration’s plans and perspective on transportation-related goals for the Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act, as well as how equitable outcomes are a major priority for implementing this historic legislation.

Gregory D. Winfree, Agency Director of the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI), joins the ITE Talks Transportation podcast to discuss the impact of innovative approaches in transportation and how they can address real-world challenges and improve safety. He highlights emergent trends and technologies having an impact on the industry, and shares more about TTI’s ongoing safety efforts to improve roadways and reduce serious injuries and fatalities.