- FHWA Has New Top Deputy And New General Counsel
- USDOT Researchers Seek Stakeholder Input On Using AI Technology In Transportation
- Planning Commission Nixes FHWA-Funded EV Truck Charging Facility Near Savannah's Port
- These are just some of the toll industry developments TRN is following.
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FHWA Has New Top Deputy And New General Counsel
Kristin White, formerly FHWA’s chief counsel, has been named the agency’s deputy administrator. Before joining FHWA in July 2023, Ms. White served as COO of the Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America). Earlier in her career, while at Minnesota DOT, she co-founded and led the Office of Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAV-X), a transportation technology incubator. “As we continue to implement the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Kristin’s expert leadership and guidance remain invaluable, and I look forward to working with her in this new role as we continue to advance the priorities of the Biden-Harris Administration,” said FHWA Administrator Shailen Bhatt.
According to the FHWA website, J. Ayanna Butler has been appointed to succeed Ms. White as FHWA chief counsel. She joins the USDOT agency from the District of Columbia Department of Behavioral Health. In earlier stages of her law career, Ms. Butler served as a legislative assistant and counsel to US Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and managed the transportation, infrastructure, international trade and labor portfolios. She has also managed the Trade Remedy Assistance Office at the United States International Trade Commission and provided regulatory and contracting advice to insurance companies with automobile and property insurance lines. In addition to being an attorney, Ms. Butler holds a masters degree in social work from the University of Pennsylvania.
Appointments-Promotions-Retirements Issues of Law ITS America US Department of Transportation (USDOT)USDOT Researchers Seek Stakeholder Input On Using AI Technology In Transportation
USDOT announced that its Advanced Research Projects Agency – Infrastructure (ARPA-I) has issued a request for information “on the potential applications of artificial intelligence (AI) across all modes of transportation, as well as emerging challenges and opportunities in creating and deploying AI technologies.” The agency seeks information about current or near-term AI applications, as well as responses to several wide-ranging questions about potential opportunities, challenges and risks presented by the use of AI in transportation. It would like to hear from a a broad range of stakeholders. Responses must be submitted electronically by July 2. ARPA-I notes, “[E]xcept as provided in the RFI, all submissions received, including any personal information provided, will be posted without change and will be available to the public on https://www.regulations.gov. Questions about the RFI may be submitted via email to ARPA-I@dot.gov.
Las Vegas Review-Journal reports, the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) — the Las Vegas region’s MPO — “has turned to AI to see if the technology could help them understand traffic patterns and safety issues at select intersections in the Las Vegas Valley. The RTC and its Freeway and Arterial System of Transportation system partnered with various jurisdictions and police departments for a pilot program dubbed Advanced Intersection Analytics.” The program uses cameras and sensors to gather information at selected intersections. AI and predictive analytics are used to interpret new and historical data to identify areas where enhanced police enforcement or engineering modifications can improve safety and mobility.
Highway-Tunnel-Bridge Maintenance Highway-Tunnel-Bridge Safety (Includes COVID-19 Impacts) Information Technology Resources and Acquisitions Intelligent Traffic Management Systems Intelligent Transportation Systems Transportation and Infrastructure Research & Development US Department of Transportation (USDOT)Planning Commission Nixes FHWA-Funded EV Truck Charging Facility Near Savannah's Port
Savannah Morning News reports, just four days after FHWA chief Shailen Bhatt visited the Port of Savannah to publicize a major electric truck charging facility project, an unelected local commission unanimously rejected the facility development plan. Voltera, a California-based energy company, has been awarded a $7.8 million FHWA grant for the project and the site was rezoned for it last year. But the Garden City Planning and Zoning Commission said the municipality’s development rules don’t specify how large charging facilities should be categorized, and therefore an appropriate ordinance should be implemented before such a project is considered. An attorney for Voltera “countered that land-use proposals often don’t fit neatly into code-specific boxes – particularly in regard to emerging technology like vehicle charging – so the city’s planning staff must identify the best match.” The planning commission also cited concerns about traffic congestion and fire hazards. Tom Ashley, Voltera’s vice president for government and utility relations, said the company is evaluating its options for next steps. The Garden City flap isn’t unique. Across the US, federally supported initiatives to electrify the transportation sector and develop renewable energy sources have encountered obstacles imposed by local governments that have no experience in dealing with such projects or the technologies they incorporate.
Economic & Social Considerations Affecting Transportation Electric and Hybrid Vehicles Environmental Protection Policies Procedures And Initiatives Infrastructure Investment Trends Service Plazas US Gov't Transportation Funding US Infrastructure Funding And Financing InitiativesThese are just some of the toll industry developments TRN is following.
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