- TCA Authority Executes Another Early Paydown Of Bond Debt
- Michigan RUC Survey Precedes Fall Launch Of Pilot Project
- Application Deadline Nears For Eno Center's Transportation Senior Executive Program
- AAA Researchers Find Roadside Worker Fatalities Are Significantly Underreported
- These are just some of the toll industry developments TRN is following.
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TCA Authority Executes Another Early Paydown Of Bond Debt
The Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) announced last week that the Foothill-Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency (F-ETCA) in Orange County, California, has executed an early paydown of $60 million in senior lien bond debt. “The early paydown of bond principal – bonds that were issued in 2013 and had a maturity date of 2042 – saves the agency approximately $54 million in interest payments.” The action was taken in accordance with TCA’s Strategic Plan, which emphasizes debt reduction. The agency already has reduced debt by $1.389 billion. If successful in its intended early paydown of $920 million in additional bonds by 2030, TCA will have reduced its debt by a total of $3.1 billion. TCA chief executive officer Ryan Chamberlain commented, “Strong fiscal management is core to the Agencies’ past and future success. Protecting the ability to fund operations and capital improvement projects, while positioning the Agencies to take advantage of debt reduction and early paydown opportunities, aligns with the fiscal management objectives outlined in the Boards’ Strategic Plan.”
California Company and Agency Financial Issues And Reports Transportation Corridor Agencies (CA)Michigan RUC Survey Precedes Fall Launch Of Pilot Project
Michigan DOT announces the launch of a federally funded survey to gauge public opinion on road usage charges (RUC) as a replacement for gas taxes. Survey participants also will be invited to participate in a pilot demonstration of RUC technology planned for this fall. The survey and pilot are described as a “first step in exploring new ways to sustainably and fairly fund” the state’s transportation infrastructure. MDOT’s press release states that a RUC-based funding mechanism “could make the system fairer for drivers who cannot afford newer, more fuel-efficient cars, while also ensuring that the state continues to have the resources needed to maintain roads in the future as vehicles become more fuel efficient or rely on alternative fuels.” Survey participants are offered a $10.00 gift card, and pilot participants could earn between $75.00 and $500.00. The press release provides more details on eligibility and survey accessibility. MDOT is partnering with Via Transportation, Inc., the public transportation technology provider, on both the survey and the pilot demonstration.
Michigan Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Public Outreach And Communication Road Use Charging (RUC-MBUF-VMT) Via Transportation Inc.Application Deadline Nears For Eno Center's Transportation Senior Executive Program
Eno Center for Transportation will accept online applications for its 2024 Transportation Senior Executive program through Friday, February 2. The program, scheduled for April 14-19 in Washington, DC, is “tailored specifically for senior-level managers who possess a strong commitment to the transportation industry and currently serve in a senior leadership role.” For more information and to apply, visit the program web page. Questions may be sent to PDPSupport@enotrans.org.
Eno Center for Transportation Transportation and Infrastructure Leadership And Workforce DiversityAAA Researchers Find Roadside Worker Fatalities Are Significantly Underreported
According to a AAA news release, new research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety finds that roadside worker fatalities are grossly underrepresented in national crash data. “AAA Foundation researchers combed through diverse information sources and uncovered 123 roadside assistance providers killed by passing vehicles between 2015 and 2021. This grim figure dwarfs the approximate 34 noted in national crash data.” The discrepancy is attributed primarily to roadside workers being classified as pedestrians in state police crash reports. Additionally, the research found that roadside worker fatalities increased at a higher rate than the already troubling increase in the rate of total traffic fatalities. Key findings from the foundation’s report, “Roadside Assistance Providers Fatally Struck by Vehicles at the Roadside: Incidence and Characteristics,” describe the weather and lighting conditions, speeds and speed limits, and factors such as impairment and distracted driving associated with the fatalities. Suggested responses include reinforcing “slow down, move over” laws, shielding roadside work sites through measures such as vehicle-mounted electronic variable message signs, and better training the workers on survival techniques and strategies. The Foundation also advocates compliance with the Safe System Approach (SSA) to transportation planning.
American Automobile Association (AAA) Highway-Tunnel-Bridge Maintenance Highway-Tunnel-Bridge Safety (Includes COVID-19 Impacts) Transportation and Infrastructure Research & DevelopmentThese are just some of the toll industry developments TRN is following.
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