Talking Michigan Transportation

This week on Talking Michigan Transportation, a conversation about Gov. Whitmer’s $3.5 billion Rebuilding Michigan plan to restore some of the state’s most vital freeways and bridges with two people who have been deeply involved in the planning: Laura Mester, MDOT chief administrative officer, and Patrick McCarthy, who heads MDOT’s Bureau of Finance.https://www.michigan.gov/mdot/0,4616,7-151-9621_14807_14810_59639---,00.htmlThey explain how the bond program capitalizes on low interest rates to allow for major investment in state-owned roads and bridges. Mester presented the overview of the plan to the State Transportation Commission on Jan. 30.https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdot/MDOT_Rebulding_Michigan_-_STC_-_final_679815_7.pdfThis House Fiscal Agency analysis provides important context on MDOT bonding over the past several years across multiple administrations. https://www.house.mi.gov/hfa/PDF/Alpha/Fiscal_Brief_State_Transportation_Bonds_Feb19.pdfBonds will be issued for 49 projects, which will rebuild major freeways and bridges in the state’s most heavily traveled corridors. The plan also allows another 73 projects to be expedited or broadened in scope.View the complete list: https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdot/Bonding_and_Accelerated_Program_013020_679842_7.xlsxThis map shows vehicle miles traveled broken down by MDOT regions of the state: https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdot/Vehicle_Miles_Traveled_Region_680448_7.pdf

On this week’s edition of Talking Michigan Transportation, a conversation with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer about her Rebuilding Michigan plan, announced in her State of the State address Wednesday.http://michigan.gov/RebuildingMIhttps://www.michigan.gov/whitmer/0,9309,7-387-90499_91277---,00.html The State Transportation Commission (STC) voted Thursday to authorize $3.5 billion in State Trunkline Fund bonds to rebuild some key roads and bridges on the state’s most heavily traveled corridors. View the STC discussion and vote.https://livestream.com/MDOT/JANUARY2020STCMEETINGGov. Whitmer explains her decision to employ the bonding tool, used several times by the past several governors, after the Legislature did not act on her far-reaching 2019 proposal to invest in roads at all levels. This analysis from the House Fiscal Agency explains the process and offers details on previous MDOT bond sales.https://www.michigan.gov/mdot/0,4616,7-151-9620_91685---,00.html http://www.house.mi.gov/hfa/PDF/Alpha/Fiscal_Brief_State_Transportation_Bonds_Feb19.pdf And will transportation funding be mentioned when she delivers the Democratic response to the State of the Union address next week?https://www.politico.com/news/2020/01/24/gretchen-whitmer-democratic-response-state-of-the-union-103526

This week’s guest: Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist talks about his tours of Michigan’s crumbling roads and what he’s learning. Tuesday, he toured state trunklines and focused on the decades-long challenge to find sustainable funding for Michigan roads and bridges. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is also showing reporters roads in need of investment across the state.https://www.woodtv.com/news/michigan/discussion-ramps-up-with-legislature-on-mi-roads/https://www.wilx.com/content/news/Gov-Whitmer-sits-down-with-News-10-for-exclusive-interview-567013721.htmlGilchrist also talks about Michigan’s leading asset management council and the innovative efforts to assess pavement condition and determine why a lack of investment means finding ways to extend the life of poor roads that should otherwise be rebuilt. Gilchrist explains why the same roads seem to be under frequent repair, slowing the flow of commuters and commerce, and why appropriate investment allows for rebuilding roads for the long term.https://www.michigan.gov/tamc/The governor’s fiscal year 2020 budget proposal would have dramatically improved state trunklines over the next nine years. The graph shows the projected decline in state trunklines with status quo spending. (Trunklines are I, US, and M-routes.)https://www.michigan.gov/images/mdot/MDOTTrunklinePavementConditionForecasts_679268_7.pngGilchrist also discusses his passion for public transit and how it has been important to his mobility and that of his family in Detroit. In November, he joined federal officials to announce grants for new public buses in Flint and Detroit.https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/michigan-gets-12-8m-in-grants-to-improve-busingDescribing himself as an eternal optimist, he expresses faith in burgeoning mobility technologies and the promise they hold to enhance quality of life and to provide access to transportation for all. Earlier this month, he represented Michigan at the Consumer Electronics Show. In this video, he talks about Michigan companies showing off their technology there. And he makes the case for more automotive investment because of the human capital Michigan provides, especially with Michigan’s concentration of engineering talent.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3mBsErvWcA&feature=youtu.behttps://www.moodyonthemarket.com/mi-lt-gov-gilchrist-makes-case-for-automotive-investment-in-mi-at-ces/https://www.dbusiness.com/daily-news/study-michigan-tops-u-s-with-number-of-engineers-per-capita/

On Talking Michigan Transportation this week, Jeff talks with Elise Feldpausch, Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) connected vehicle specialist and project manager for the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) 2020 Mobility Challenge. The challenge is Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s initiative to showcase automated vehicles that will help people attending the auto show get around downtown Detroit.https://www.crainsdetroit.com/mobility/governor-unveils-mobility-challenge-aimed-helping-people-get-around-detroit-auto-show-2020On Monday, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist joined MDOT Director Paul Ajegba and Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC) CEO Jeff Mason to announce the companies selected to demonstrate their automated technology with shuttles that will transport people from Metro Airport to the TCF Center for the auto show. Gilchrist put a special emphasis on the promise the technology offers to broaden mobility options for vulnerable users.https://www.planetm.com/press-releases/2020/01/lt.-governor-gilchrist-announces-naias-2020-michigan-mobility-challenge-airport-to-downtown-technology-demonstrations/“Today’s announcement underscores that in Michigan, we believe the true power and value in the technologies on display at NAIAS 2020 will be in how they make access to reliable, affordable transportation available to all of our state’s citizens,” Gilchrist said.Director Ajegba emphasized the importance of Michigan's groundbreaking connected and automated vehicle legislation.https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/autos/2016/12/09/autonomous-car-law/95199544/“Michigan is the past, present and future center of mobility revolution, and today’s announcement further solidifies our position,” Ajegba said. “Thanks to bipartisan support for groundbreaking legislation and our unique private-sector partnerships, including the North American International Auto Show, MDOT can continue to innovate and adapt our infrastructure to meet the needs of connected and automated transportation.”Elise talks about MDOT’s Intelligent Transportation Systems and why the programs work to connect vehicles to each other and the infrastructure. https://www.michigan.gov/mdot/0,4616,7-151-9615_44489---,00.htmlShe also talks about her own experiences as a driver and the technology’s ongoing evolution and potential to save lives. Polling by Michigan-based Epic MRA shows people becoming gradually more accepting of the technology.https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdot/2019_MDOT_Self-drivingCars_EpicPoll_669727_7.pdf

On this week’s Talking Michigan Transportation podcast, Jeff speaks with Andy Doctoroff, the Michigan Governor’s Office point person on construction of the Gordie Howe International Bridge.https://www.gordiehoweinternationalbridge.com/enThursday, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer joined MDOT Director Paul Ajegba and Canadian officials in southwest Detroit to unveil the design for modern pedestrian crossings over I-75, enhancing connectivity in the neighborhood.https://www.crainsdetroit.com/construction/design-revealed-gordie-howe-bridge-pedestrian-spans-over-i-75Thursday’s unveiling follows an announcement last year about myriad other benefits the bridge will provide on both sides of the border.https://www.freep.com/story/money/business/john-gallagher/2019/06/14/gordie-howe-bridge-detroit-windsor/1456743001/This also comes on the heels of announcement of a $15 million commitment from the U.S. federal government to help with the customs plaza in Detroit.https://www.crainsdetroit.com/government/gordie-howe-bridge-project-gets-first-us-fundingDoctoroff also talks about his transition from a career as a litigator at a major Detroit law firm to his role helping to plan construction of a vital international trade crossing. The Gordie Howe International Bridge will be the longest cable-stayed bridge in North America and a symbol of the long friendship and partnership between Canada and Michigan. Approximately 7,000 trucks cross the corridor each day, and about 2.5 million trucks each year. This represents one quarter of all Canada-U.S. trade. https://www.acppubs.com/articles/8394-construction-of-gordie-howe-international-bridge-a-top-priority-for-canada-and-michiganIn a joint statement issued in May, Gov. Whitmer and Canada’s top infrastructure official reaffirmed their support of the project. Also discussed: How Complete Streets legislation and modern infrastructure affords opportunities to rethink urban planning in the spirit of Jane Jacobs and her battles. https://www.michigan.gov/whitmer/0,9309,7-387-90499-496375--,00.htmlhttp://www.altimeterfilms.com/citizen-jane-battle-for-the-city

The guest: Dr. Timothy Gates, professor of highway design and traffic engineering at Michigan State University. https://www.egr.msu.edu/people/profile/gatestimTopics include: — Why we have speed limits and the history behind them in America. https://blog.americansafetycouncil.com/the-history-of-speed-limits-in-america/— Some argue we could go without speed limits and drivers would self-regulate. Those people always cite the autobahn, including a lawmaker in California earlier this year. https://blog.americansafetycouncil.com/the-history-of-speed-limits-in-america/— Speed limits on some Michigan freeways increased to 75 mph in 2017 based on requirements adopted by the Legislature. But some critics cite data that shows that the trend toward hiking speed limits has resulted in 37,000 additional deaths since 1993. Charles Farmer, vice president for research and statistical services for the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS), says too many people think about the few minutes they're saving by speeding but not about the risk. https://www.michiganradio.org/post/speed-limit-increases-1993-have-killed-37000-additional-people— Why officials in Oregon decided to roll back speed limits after some severe crashes in eastern Oregon. https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/crime/2016/06/08/state-roll-back-speed-limit-increases-eastern-oregon/85592384/— What research tells us about roundabouts, and why they make sense. Dr. Gates was part of a team studying how to educate the public on safely navigating roundabouts.https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdot/MDOT_Research_Report_RC1542_Part1_354968_7.pdf

The guest is John Peracchio, chairman of the Michigan Council on Future Mobility, who shares insights on the Council’s work. https://www.michigan.gov/mdot/0,4616,7-151-9623_31969_93141---,00.htmlTopics include: — The mission of the Council on Future Mobility and why the Legislature created the body in 2016. http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(o3mmuho4hf5b4b1ydjjfhhaa))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-257-665— Connected and automated vehicles. What the future holds. Between polling in 2018 and again in early 2019, Epic-MRA saw a slight shift in people’s perceptions of automated vehicles. There is a pronounced generational divide on the topic, with elderly people being much more averse despite the view of many that automated vehicles will bring mobility and independence later in life. https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdot/2019_MDOT_Self-drivingCars_EpicPoll_669727_7.pdfhttps://www.theseniorlist.com/blog/driverless-cars-for-seniors/— Mobility for all imperative. Michigan has one of the oldest populations among the 50 states, with 16 percent of residents age 65 or older. Automakers in Michigan lead in developing technology that will give these people mobility option and extended freedom. https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/the-us-states-with-the-oldest-population.htmlhttps://www.mlive.com/news/2018/01/aging_michigan_senior_citizens.html— Toll roads. As a bill authorizing a study of tolling some Michigan roads makes its way to the Senate floor, John, a recent member of the International Bridge, Tunnel, and Turnpike Association (IBTTA), talks about the feasibility of tolling in Michigan and methods to confront social equity challenges. http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2019-2020/billanalysis/Senate/pdf/2019-SFA-0517-F.pdf— With automakers investing more in electric vehicle technology, John talks about the need for broader charging infrastructure and addressing challenges, including range anxiety and vehicle costs. And questions persist about the disposal of batteries and the impact on the environment. By 2040, more than half of new-car sales and a third of the global fleet (equal to 559 million vehicles) is projected to be electric.https://www.thedrive.com/news/26637/americans-cite-range-anxiety-cost-as-largest-barriers-for-new-ev-purchases-studyhttps://www.instituteforenergyresearch.org/renewable/the-afterlife-of-electric-vehicles-battery-recycling-and-repurposing/

On this week’s Talking Michigan Transportation podcast, a conversation with Mark Geib, MDOT engineer of operations and the head of maintenance - meaning, he oversees statewide efforts to clear snow and keep state highways passable.Mark talks about innovations in clearing snow and ice and practices adopted by MDOT where winter maintenance officials are always looking for ways to stretch taxpayer dollars by making salt go farther, which also provides environmental benefits.We’ve come a long way in snow plowing since the 1930s. A few years ago, MDOT received this 1930s-era newsreel from sisters Nancy and Barbara Sleeper of Newberry, whose grandfather, Sanborn Sleeper, was the superintendent of the Luce County Road Commission from 1928 until sometime around World War II. The Sleepers donated the film to MDOT for public display. The film offers a glimpse of the era when Murray Van Wagoner, a future Michigan governor, ran the department from 1933 to 1940.A perennial question during winter storms is why more salt is not being used. Mark explains how temperatures determine when salt is used and when it can be effective.A bill in the state Legislature would encourage MDOT to use “organic additives” (such as sugar-beet by-products) to reduce use of road salt and seeks testing at some water crossings.Other innovations discussed include the tow plow, introduced by MDOT in 2013 to increase efficiency and plow more lanes in fewer hours.Links - Innovations in clearing snow and ice:https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/news/2018/12/31/road-salt-worth-bad-environment/2356069002/- 1930s-era newsreel:https://youtu.be/NH20lpFu_3Q- When salt is used:https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdot/MDOT_Salt_Cure_258508_7.pdf- Organic additives bill:http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2019-2020/billanalysis/Senate/pdf/2019-SFA-0379-A.pdf- Tow plow:https://youtu.be/PIp04N6pLvw

On this week’s episode of Talking Michigan Transportation, Jeff talks with MDOT senior policy analyst Aarne Frobom about legislation voted out of a Michigan Senate committee to require a study of tolling some Michigan routes. Read the Senate Fiscal analysis of the bill.http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2019-2020/billanalysis/Senate/pdf/2019-SFA-0517-F.pdfFrobom observes that in Michigan, we now pay a toll equivalent of 2.7 cents per mile we drive in fuel taxes and vehicle registration fees, and that would need to be twice as much to maintain our current system of roads and bridges.From the Reason Foundation, the case for tollinghttps://reason.org/wp-content/uploads/files/congress_states_highway_tolling_flexibility.pdfAn excerpt: Tolling opponents misrepresent this approach as “erecting toll booths on the Interstate.” That is wrong for two reasons. First, it implies simply charging more to use the same worn-out, inadequate lanes (which is illegal under the terms of the Pilot Program). Second, it calls to mind obsolete 20th century toll booths, when what innovative states are proposing is 21st century all-electronic tolling, with all tolling being done either via transponders (like E-ZPass in the northeast and Midwest, SunPass in Florida, and FasTrak in California) or via license-plate billing.And from the Alliance for Toll-Free Interstates, the case against tolling, outlined recently in a statement on efforts in Connecticut: https://www.tollfreeinterstates.com/news/atfi-statement-misguided-connecticut-tolls-push-undermines-governor%E2%80%99s-new-transportation-plan“We appreciate efforts to resolve the state’s transportation problems and that the Governor has scaled back the use of tolls in his new plan. However, we remain dejected at Governor Lamont’s press for wasteful tolling bureaucracies when there are more common-sense transportation funding methods that do not carry a long list of negative impacts the way tolls do.”Links to topics discussedSenate Bill 517http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2019-2020/billintroduced/Senate/pdf/2019-SIB-0517.pdfSenate fiscal analysishttp://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2019-2020/billanalysis/Senate/pdf/2019-SFA-0517-F.pdfReason Foundation https://reason.org/wp-content/uploads/files/congress_states_highway_tolling_flexibility.pdf

On this week’s Talking Michigan Transportation podcast, Jeff talks about the reason safety experts insist on the term “crash” instead of “accident.” His guest is Lloyd Brown, director of communications at the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), who has been advocating on the issue since his days at the Washington State Department of Transportation two decades ago. He wrote about the issue in his blog after MDOT produced a video on the topic.Later, they discuss the results of a number of transportation ballot issues decided Tuesday in cities and states across the country.- For Transportation Safety, Words Matter: ‘Crash,’ not ‘Accident’https://talkingtransportation.wordpress.com/2019/10/30/for-transportation-safety-words-matter-crash-not-accident/- Crash, Not Accidenthttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_dqA9kl6JA&feature=youtu.be Crash not accidentBefore the Associated Press issued a style change for terms describing transportation collisions, a 2015 Vox column covered the evolution and history of the terms, observing that we don’t say "plane accident." We shouldn’t say "car accident" either. Yet, the CEO at Boeing did just that in his Oct. 29 Congressional testimony.The background also includes how jaywalking became something worthy of citations from law enforcement. As Vox explains, "At the time, the word 'jay' meant something like rube or hick - a person who didn't know how to behave in a city. So these groups promoted use of the word jay walker as a way to shame people who didn't obey traffic laws."- Associated Press Cautions Journalists That Crashes Aren’t Always “Accidents” https://usa.streetsblog.org/2016/04/04/associated-press-cautions-journalists-that-crashes-arent-always-accidents/- We don’t say “plane accident.” We shouldn’t say “car accident” either.https://www.vox.com/2015/7/20/8995151/crash-not-accident- Boeing CEO: These heartbreaking accidents are now part of our legacyhttps://video.foxbusiness.com/v/6098765042001/#sp=show-clips- Jaywalkers, Jayhawkers, Jay-Towns and Jays – a Pedestrian History and Etymology of “Jaywalking”https://esnpc.blogspot.com/2014/11/jaywalkers-and-jayhawkers-pedestrian.htmlTransportation on the ballotJeff and Lloyd also talk about transportation ballot issues across the country and how they fared Tuesday. Especially of interest were the results in the state of Washington and the vote in Denver where Mayor Michael Hancock has committed to doubling the share of trips taken by foot, bike, bus, and train by 2030 while reducing solo driving drips to 50 percent. Voters also approved measures in the state of Maine and cities of Houston, Albuquerque, Cincinnati, and Springfield, MO.- Washington voters favoring Tim Eyman’s I-976 to slash car-tab fees in Tuesday’s election resultshttps://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/election-results-2019-initiative-976-car-tab-fees-taxes-tim-eyman-washington-state/- Denver voters give the city its own transportation department