Good Roads Podcast

Latest Episodes:

The Bulletin Breakdown | Harmonization Regulation Posted, New Road Safety Data, & RSIF Funding Feb 23, 2026

Show notes

This week’s episode covers three major developments affecting road construction, safety outcomes, and municipal funding:

🛣️ Mandatory Municipal Road Standards Proposed

The province has posted a proposed regulation that would require municipalities to adopt Ontario Provincial Standards for Municipal Road Construction (OPSS.MUNI) in key areas like asphalt, aggregates, and drainage. Additional standards could follow in future phases. Municipalities would also be required to adopt standardized contract general conditions and report annually to the Ministry of Transportation. Compliance would be mandatory by July 1, 2027, with an exemption process available. Good Roads is seeking member feedback on potential impacts.

📊 Ontario Road Fatalities Are Rising

The Ministry of Transportation has released its latest Ontario Road Safety Annual Report (ORSAR). The preliminary 2024 report cites 617 fatalities — an increase over 2023 — with speeding responsible for 155 deaths, the highest since 2006. While injuries have declined over the decades, annual fatalities remain stubbornly between 500 and 600, and pedestrian deaths have remained largely unchanged for nearly 30 years. The data raises serious questions about enforcement, design, and the limits of vehicle safety improvements.

🚸 RSIF Phase Two Now Open

The Road Safety Initiatives Fund (RSIF) is entering its second phase, with $168 million available for eligible municipalities that previously operated automated speed enforcement. Funding supports physical traffic calming infrastructure such as roundabouts, raised crosswalks, and speed bumps. With applications opening February 19, 2026, municipalities now have the opportunity to invest directly in proven safety measures.

The Bulletin Breakdown | Snowbank Dangers, Salt Alternatives & Rural Robotaxis Feb 17, 2026

Show notes

This week’s episode covers three stories that highlight the real-world challenges facing municipalities during winter and beyond:

❄️ When Snow Becomes a Launch Pad

Several vehicles have vaulted over guardrails after striking packed snow along Ontario highways, including a dramatic incident linking Highway 427 and Highway 401. While driver error has been cited, Good Roads argues that road design must account for human mistakes — especially during winter conditions. Overpasses freeze faster, snowplows create unintended ramps, and the consequences can be fatal.

🧂 Is There a Better Way Than Road Salt?

With ongoing salt shortages and environmental concerns mounting, researchers at Western University are testing alternative de-icing products — from sodium acetate to beet juice blends. Rock salt remains cheap and effective, but corrosion, environmental runoff, and rising costs are forcing municipalities to rethink winter maintenance strategies.

🚗 Could Robotaxis Transform Rural Transportation?

Rural communities often lack transit options, leaving residents without cars isolated from jobs, healthcare, and essential services. Some argue autonomous vehicles could change that. While AVs aren’t yet legal in Ontario, the technology continues to evolve — raising questions about safety, accessibility, and whether rural areas will once again be left behind.

The Bulletin Breakdown | Rural Road Safety, Canada’s EV Strategy & Transit Costs Feb 09, 2026

Show notes

This week, our hosts discuss three developments shaping roads, transit, and infrastructure funding in Canada and beyond:

🚜 Advocating for Safer Rural Roads

Good Roads President and Hornepayne Mayor Cheryl Fort appeared at provincial pre-budget consultations in Thunder Bay, calling for dedicated funding to improve safety on rural and northern roads. With vast road networks, limited tax bases, and infrastructure designed a century ago, municipalities face growing safety and liability risks without adequate provincial support.

⚡ Canada’s National EV Strategy Takes Shape

The federal government has revised its electric vehicle approach, replacing sales mandates with rebates, emissions standards aligned with Europe, and a new $1.5 billion EV infrastructure fund. As the U.S. steps back from emissions tracking, Canada appears to be charting a different path—raising important questions for municipal infrastructure planning and charging networks.

🚍 What Would It Take to Fix American Transit?

New research estimates that bringing U.S. public transit up to international standards would require $4.6 trillion USD over 20 years—still less than what’s planned for highways. The analysis highlights how vehicle density, long-term investment, and global benchmarks could reshape transit debates, even amid political resistance.

The Bulletin Breakdown | Buy Ontario, Safer Northern Roads & AI Traffic Cameras Feb 06, 2026

Show notes

This week, our hosts dig into three developments that matter to municipalities across Ontario and beyond: 🏗

Buy Ontario Rules: What Municipalities Need to Know New regulations under the Buy Ontario Act could soon require municipalities to prioritize Ontario- and Canadian-made goods in procurement. While intended to support local jobs, these rules raise serious concerns around cost, supplier choice, trade agreement conflicts, and funding risk. Good Roads explains what’s at stake and why clarity from the province is critical.

🚧 Northern Ontarians Rally for Safer Roads Hundreds gathered in Cochrane to demand action on Highway 11, calling it a corridor of unacceptable risk. With tragic stories driving the message home, the province is responding with enhanced enforcement and coordination. This movement may mark a turning point for northern road safety.

🤖 AI Traffic Cameras Target Distracted Driving Arkansas has deployed AI-powered cameras in work zones that detect phone use behind the wheel—flagging drivers for police without issuing automated tickets. With similar technology already active worldwide, is this the future of work-zone safety?

Unlocking the Secrets of Successful Infrastructure with Dan Gardner | Good Roads Podcast Ep. 40 Dec 02, 2025

Show notes

Why do so many infrastructure projects—big or small—go over budget, run late, or fall apart? And how can Ontario’s municipalities avoid the same fate?

In this episode of the Good Roads Podcast, bestselling author, journalist, and human-behaviour expert Dan Gardner breaks down the real reasons projects fail—and the surprisingly simple principles that can make them succeed. Drawing from his book How Big Things Get Done, co-authored with megaproject scholar Bent Flyvbjerg, Dan explains why planning slow and acting fast, managing risk, and understanding human behaviour are essential for municipalities of every size.

From California’s high-speed rail disaster to Morocco’s success story, Dan shows how politics, culture, and psychology shape project outcomes far more than engineering ever will. He also shares practical lessons for municipal leaders: building cohesive teams, defining clear project goals, maximizing experience, and creating a culture where every worker understands their role in the mission.

Dan Gardner will also be the keynote speaker at the 2026 Good Roads Conference—catch a preview of his insights here.

Register for the 2026 Good Roads Conference: https://goodroads.ca/conference
How Big Things Get Done (Dan Gardner & Bent Flyvbjerg): https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/boo...
🎧 Listen to more Good Roads Podcast episodes: https://goodroads.ca/podcast
📚 Learn more about Good Roads training & education: https://goodroads.ca/education

Bridging Communities: Indigenous Leadership & Municipal Collaboration | Good Roads Podcast Ep. 39 Jun 02, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Good Roads Podcast, Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict joins us for a vital conversation on Indigenous leadership, municipal collaboration, and community development. Chief Benedict represents 133 First Nations across Ontario and brings deep insight into the challenges and opportunities in infrastructure, economic development, and reconciliation.

We explore successful partnerships like the joint Akwesasne-Cornwall waterfront project, the infrastructure gap affecting First Nations, the impacts of Bill 5, and why Indigenous inclusion from day one is essential to responsible development.

This episode is a must-listen for municipal leaders, planners, and anyone working toward a more equitable and collaborative Ontario.

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Cycling, Safety & Systemic Change: Eleanor McMahon on Building a Bike-Friendly Ontario | Good Roads Podcast Ep. 38 Apr 30, 2025

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In this powerful episode of the Good Roads Podcast, co-hosts Thomas Barakat and Andrew Blackburn sit down with Eleanor McMahon — founder of the Share the Road Cycling Coalition and a former Ontario Cabinet Minister — to talk about the tragic loss that inspired a movement, and the decades of advocacy that followed.

Eleanor shares her personal story of loss, the creation of Share the Road, and the fight for safer, more inclusive streets across Ontario. From legislative victories like Greg’s Law and the 1m Safe Passing Rule, to the rise of cycling tourism and infrastructure in rural communities, this episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in road safety, active transportation, and community well-being.

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Episode 37 - Rethinking Road Safety with Dr. Wes Marshall Feb 19, 2025

Show notes

Dr. Wes Marshall, professor of civil engineering and urban planning at the University of Colorado, Denver, joins the Good Roads Podcast to discuss road safety and outdated traffic engineering practices. His book, Killed by a Traffic Engineer, challenges long-held assumptions about road design and its impact on safety. In this episode, he debunks common myths, explains how municipalities can push for better design, and highlights the role of data in making roads safer. As a keynote speaker at the upcoming Good Roads Conference, Dr. Marshall shares insights on changing the culture of traffic engineering to prioritize safety over convenience. Tune in to rethink what makes roads truly safe.

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Episode 36 - Exploring Transportation Trends with David Zipper Nov 21, 2024

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David Zipper, senior fellow at the MIT Mobility Initiative and transportation policy expert, recently joined Good Roads Podcast hosts Thomas Barakat and Andrew Blackburn. Zipper shared his insights on the future of urban mobility, from changes in U.S. transportation policy to Ontario’s bike lane battles. In this interview, we explore the big-picture shifts Zipper anticipates and the lessons Canadian cities might take from global trends.

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Episode 35 - Navigating Municipal Winter Maintenance: Strategies and Solutions Aug 20, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, we dive into the complexities of municipal winter maintenance with expert instructors from Good Roads Snow School.

As winter approaches, learn essential strategies and solutions to keep your roads safe and communities secure. Scott Holmes and Darnell Bernardo share insights on planning, equipment, and best practices for navigating the challenges that come with snow and ice.

Whether you're in a rural or urban setting, this discussion will equip you with the knowledge needed to tackle winter head-on. Don't miss this valuable conversation on mastering municipal winter maintenance.

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