Daily News Briefs, December 12, 2023

State DOTs Advance EV Charging Infrastructure Initiatives

AASHTO Journal reports, Oregon, Utah and Maryland are among the states ramping up their initiatives to build out electric vehicle (EV) charging networks in a bid to simultaneously encourage adoption and meet demand that’s outpacing charging unit installation. In Oregon, the Community Charging Rebates Program utilizes $36 million in state money that’s been channeled to a $100 million federal-state fund created for EV charging last year. While most of the fund is directed to Alternative Fuel Corridors established by the Federal Highway Administration, ODOT is using the rest to help pay for chargers elsewhere in the state, with a priority on underserved communities. Meanwhile Utah DOT, which aims to double its EV charging capacity by the end of next year with help from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program (NEVI), “identified 15 strategic sites for EV fast chargers on major state roads. In response, private entities submitted 75 applications to match their private fund with NEVI funding.” And in June, Maryland DOT launched an EV Charger Siting Tool, where geographic and demographic data are consolidated with vehicle registration information and other factors “to help local governments and agencies dip into $2.5 billion in federal grants to build an electric vehicle or EV charging network.”

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Tanker Truck Explosion And Fire Temporarily Closes Florida's Turnpike Segment

WPBF News and The Palm Beach Post report on the Friday, December 8, tanker truck explosion and fire that completely closed a segment of Florida’s Turnpike in Palm Beach County for several hours. “The truck, which was near the Hypoluxo overpass, was carrying approximately 1,000 gallons of diesel fuel and 7,500 of gas. Fuel leaked to both sides of the highway, spreading the flames,” according to WPBF. Eighteen fire units were involved in extinguishing the blaze. The truck driver escaped without injury, as did the drivers of ten vehicles stuck immediately behind the burning truck. FDOT and other state officials are assessing damage done to the highway and its surrounding environment.

Miami Herald reports, the incident occurred when the truck collided “for unknown reasons” with a concrete barrier on the turnpike shoulder, according to a Florida Highway Patrol spokesperson.

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Arizona DOT Uses Simulator To Get Snowplow Operators In Shape For Snow Season

KJZZ’s Fronteras Desk reports, although major snow accumulations are just now starting in Arizona’s higher elevations, the state DOT has been in “winter readiness” mode since September. Among other things, that means all snowplow operators — new and veteran employees alike — have been completing their annual four-hour course on equipment operation that includes time spent on a $130,000 simulator installed in an AZDOT office in Phoenix. A veteran operator says the device’s capability to simulate a multitude of environmental and infrastructure variables prepares workers to maintain highways in a safe and efficient manner. The article notes that simulator exercise “is only a small part of what it takes to be an Arizona snowplow driver.” In addition to obtaining a Class A commercial drivers license, all new operators have to complete 12 to 14 classes, as well as supervised on-the-job training.

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These are just some of the toll industry developments TRN is following.

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