Thinking Transportation: Engaging Conversations about Transportation Innovations

Latest Episodes:

Ready or Not, Here They Come: Preparing for the electric vehicle transformation. Sep 21, 2021

Show notes

The number of electric cars and trucks on our roadways is growing, and the pace of that growth is accelerating. Are we ready for that? TTI Assistant Director Joe Zietsman and Research Scientist Ann Xu talk about the pros and cons of battery-driven travel, which can be more complex than they might seem.

To Have or Have Not: When transformative mobility options are beyond the reach of underserved populations. Sep 07, 2021

Show notes

Travel for many of us has become more convenient, affordable, productive and, in some cases, more enjoyable than ever. But not everyone enjoys the benefits of options like bike sharing, ride hailing, and e-scooters. TTI Research Scientist Ipek Sener helps us understand how underserved populations are missing out on the promise of life-enhancing transportation technologies.

Raising Them Right: Cultivating the next generation of transportation professionals. Aug 24, 2021

Show notes

Just as roads and bridges need regular reinforcement, so too do the professionals who help us travel safely and smoothly on our transportation network. Senior Research Engineer Beverly Kuhn explains how inspiring and guiding new ranks of practitioners can ensure our transportation system continues to support and improve upon our way of life.

What We Think, We Become: How traffic safety knowledge influences driver behavior. Aug 10, 2021

Show notes

Whatever occupies our thoughts can influence our performance on the road. In this episode, Senior Research Scientist Katie Womack takes a close look at our awareness of traffic laws and safety messages over the past decade, and how that knowledge can shape our driving behavior.

When Captives Become Cargo: How transportation professionals can disrupt human trafficking. Jul 27, 2021

Show notes

An efficient transportation network is central to the success of any commercial enterprise, including those that aren’t legal. Our roads and bridges enable the scourge of human trafficking, but as Research Engineer John Haberman tells us, those who manage the network can play a part in disrupting that heinous activity.

There’s Danger Afoot: Death by walking remains a chronic roadway safety issue. Jul 13, 2021

Show notes

Cars and pedestrians have been sharing space on city streets for more than a century, and traveling on foot remains as dangerous as it’s ever been. Associate Transportation Researcher Neal Johnson helps us explore worrisome trends for the most vulnerable users of our roadway network.

Now You See It, Now You Don’t: COVID-19 made traffic congestion disappear, but not for long. Jun 29, 2021

Show notes

America’s worst public health crisis in a century gave us a short-lived gridlock hiatus, as TTI Research Fellow Tim Lomax explains. The pandemic also amplified an important and timeless lesson in roadway traffic management at a time when U.S. infrastructure needs are once again top of mind.

Shaking Up the System: Using disruptive technologies to create safer roads. Jun 15, 2021

Show notes

Roadway safety today is about much more than traffic laws, warning signs, and guardrails. TTI Senior Research Scientist Sue Chrysler illustrates how technologies – even disruptive technologies – are re-imagining how we can prevent crashes and mitigate their enormous personal and financial costs.

Half the Wheels and Eight Times the Danger: Roadways are safer these days, unless you ride a motorcycle. May 25, 2021

Show notes

Passenger vehicle fatalities in the United States have declined recently, but not motorcyclist deaths, which total about 5,000 each year. Some reasons for that are obvious, as Senior Research Scientist Mike Manser notes, but the bigger picture is more complex. Advocates continue to prioritize robust safety programs targeting not only motorcyclists, but also those who share the road with them.

Hey, Where’s My Amazon Order? Promises of super-fast delivery are straining our transportation system. May 11, 2021

Show notes

The pandemic and a record-setting holiday shopping season made 2020 a year like no other for the freight and delivery industry. TTI Senior Research Engineer Bill Eisele helps us understand how clicking Next Day Delivery or Same Day Delivery directly impacts (and imposes lasting consequences on) our transportation network.