- AASHTO And ARTBA Ask Congress To Focus On Safety And Workforce Issues
- US Traffic Fatalities Increased By 10.5 Percent In 2021
- These are just some of the toll industry developments TRN is following.
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AASHTO And ARTBA Ask Congress To Focus On Safety And Workforce Issues
Transport Topics reports, representatives of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) called on Congress “to continue focusing on improving safety programs and technological capabilities along freight corridors,” during a hearing last week before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s subpanel on highways and transit. ARTBA chair Paula Hammond told committee members reviewing IIJA implementation, that the many new projects the act has made possible means “there will also be an increased number of work zones, resulting in increased risk exposure for workers,” and the safety of those workers “is ARTBA’s top priority.” In addition to addressing traffic safety concerns, TxDOT executive director Marc Williams, representing AASHTO, testified that state DOTs need to make workforce and service adjustments to meet changing public expectations. Agency constituents “are increasingly demanding transparency, accountability, increased personalized communication, and on-demand service delivery,” Williams stated. “The new technologies associated with this work require different skill sets and competencies than those of traditional state DOT employees. Additionally, as the new generation entering the workforce seeks agility and innovation, and brings a service-delivery mindset, state DOTs need to adjust to the culture of the new workforce to recruit and retain these employees.”
American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) American Road & Transportation Builders Assoc. (ARTBA) Highway-Tunnel-Bridge Safety (Includes COVID-19 Impacts) Public Outreach And Communication Transportation And Infrastructure Workforce Issues US Gov't Transportation Funding US Infrastructure Funding And Financing InitiativesUS Traffic Fatalities Increased By 10.5 Percent In 2021
Associated Press reports, “Nearly 43,000 people died in U.S. traffic crashes in 2021, the highest number in 16 years with deaths due to speeding and impaired or distracted driving on the rise. The 2021 final numbers, released Monday by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, confirmed earlier estimates by the agency showing a 10.5% increase in deaths over 2020. That’s the highest number since 2005 and the largest percentage increase since 1975.” The data show substantial increases in deaths due to all major causes of fatal crashes, including distracted driving, unbelted passengers, alcohol-impaired driving and speeding.
Highway-Tunnel-Bridge Safety (Includes COVID-19 Impacts) Transportation and Infrastructure Research & Development US Department of Transportation (USDOT) US National Highway Traffic Safety AdministrationThese are just some of the toll industry developments TRN is following.
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