- Washington State DOT Prioritizes Worker Safety Over Driver Convenience
- EV News Developments From Pennsylvania To Indonesia To Norway
- Streetsblog NYC’s Gersh Kuntzman Goes On The Prowl To Expose License Plate Concealment
- These are just some of the toll industry developments TRN is following.
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Washington State DOT Prioritizes Worker Safety Over Driver Convenience
Gearing up for Monday’s start of National Work Zone Awareness Week, Oregon and Washington State DOT officials held a joint news conference yesterday to discuss the increase in work zone fatalities and appeal to motorists to “slow down, pay attention and drive sober,” The Columbian reports. Work zone crash rates are down in Washington, but work zone fatalities are on the rise in both states. “Drivers following too close, speeding and not paying attention were the leading causes for the crashes. Monday alone saw four roadwork crashes around the state, according to WSDOT.” WSDOT Secretary Roger Millar has directed crews to take whatever precautions are necessary — “work during the day, take up an extra lane or even close down roads” — for them to feel safe, even if the measures are disruptive to drivers. He said the department does its best to minimize driver disruptions, but that can’t outweigh safety. The news conference also featured individuals who have survived work zone crashes and near misses, some of whose comments are included in the article.
In Ohio, a DOT maintenance employee described the risks he faces on a regular basis in an interview with WTVG.
The American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA) lists 2024 National Work Zone Awareness Week of events and resources on its website.
Economic & Social Considerations Affecting Transportation Highway and Bridge Maintenance Highway and Bridge Safety (Including COVID-19 Impacts) Oregon Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) Washington State Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT)EV News Developments From Pennsylvania To Indonesia To Norway
Pennsylvania DOT announced last week that Round 1A of funding through the state’s participation in the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program will bring $20 million to 29 electric vehicle (EV) charging station projects in 19 counties. (See the press release for details.) This brings PennDOT’s total NEVI project count to 83, including last year’s conditional awards from Round 1. See the agency’s map of priority areas for Round 1B funding, details of which are forthcoming soon. In all, Pennsylvania expects to distribute $171.5 million in NEVI funds.
The Indonesian government announced during an April 4 news conference that 175 public EV charging units (SPKLUs) were brought online on the Trans Sumatra-Java Toll Road in recent weeks, ANTARA News Service reports. With only 64 units in place previously, the roadway now boasts 239 units at 104 different locations. The installation push was made in anticipation of this week’s Eid al-Fitr holiday marking the end of Ramadan, which is traditionally a peak travel period.
Electrive reports, Norway has decided for the time being to extend its 30 percent toll discount for electric passenger cars. The policy is contained in the country’s recently released national transportation plan for the upcoming decade and beyond (2025-2036), which also vaguely suggests the subsidy may diminish with time. The article explains, “Although electric cars will continue to be subsidised, the government believes that subsidizing electric cars weakens the long-term goal of shifting traffic from cars to public transport and bicycles, particularly in urban areas. The advantages of electric cars have already been the subject of much debate in Norway.” On the other hand, electric-powered heavy trucks for commercial use will be totally exempt from tolls by 2030, and the transportation plan calls for significant investments in both charging infrastructure and related amenities to incentivize conversion of commercial fleets from fossil fuel to electric power.
Economic & Social Considerations Affecting Transportation Electric and Hybrid Vehicles ETC Systems Indonesia Norway Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Toll Exemption, Discount And Equity ProgramsStreetsblog NYC’s Gersh Kuntzman Goes On The Prowl To Expose License Plate Concealment
In a recent episode featuring the stories of people hell-bent on justice for even “the tiny, overlooked crimes of the world,” public radio’s This American Life spotlights Streetsblog NYC editor-in-chief Gersh Kuntzman. The longtime bike commuter makes a hobby of exposing the not-so-tiny crime of fraudulently covering up license plates to avoid toll payment or police apprehension. Ironically, Kuntzman provides anecdotal evidence that many law enforcement and legal professionals are guilty of trying to conceal their tags. It’s a fun listen, about 11 minutes to kick off the episode.
AET (All-Electronic Tolling) Crime Beat ETC Systems New York New York City ScofflawsThese are just some of the toll industry developments TRN is following.
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