Talking Michigan Transportation

Jean Ruestman, MDOT Office of Passenger Transportation Director, discusses the road usage charge survey in Michigan to fund transportation. Topics include RUC impact on modal choices, alternative funding methods like tolling, and state efforts to sustainably maintain transportation infrastructure.

Meet Garrett Dawe, MDOT's new engineer of traffic and safety, as he discusses his experiences at MDOT, the dangers of driver complacency, the impact of distractions on the road, and the importance of implementing safety measures like reflective signs and rumble strips to improve traffic safety.

Kurt Fritz, MDOT's snow plowing coordinator for four west Michigan counties, discusses preparations for a 'bomb cyclone' blizzard on Lake Michigan shore. The podcast covers snow removal operations, challenges faced by road supervisors, safety measures for snow plow drivers, and the importance of Traffic Operations Center in monitoring road conditions during storms.

Mike Hayes, Chair of the Michigan State Transportation Commission, discusses the commission's role in approving bonds for the $3.5 billion Rebuilding Michigan initiative. He talks about staying updated on transportation technologies and his service on the International Authority overseeing the Gordie Howe International Bridge construction.

Top automotive industry reporter Joann Muller discusses trends in the automotive industry, including hybrid vehicles, EV sales, and gaining public trust in automated vehicles. She also highlights the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program's role in building out charging networks for travelers, including Michigan receiving $110 million for this work.

Stefan Tongur, VP at Electreon, discusses Michigan's first EV charging roadway. They explore the benefits of wireless charging, transitioning fleets to EVs, criticisms, and collaborative milestones in EV tech. The project aims to promote sustainability and innovation in transportation.

Guest Emily Adler, Director of content at Streetlight, discusses the significant decline in walking trips in the U.S. attributed to factors like online deliveries and remote work. Data from Streetlight shows a 36% drop from 2019 to 2022. The podcast highlights the importance of active transportation and the need for data-driven investments in walking and biking infrastructure post-pandemic. Also, it explores pedestrian safety and the influence of pandemic-related driving shifts on road safety.

Discussion on why distracted driving initially trended down in Michigan after the state's hands-free law took effect, but is now increasing. The technology of Cambridge Mobile Telematics is explained, showing a 36% reduction in distracted driving around the time the law took effect in Michigan. However, some of those gains have been erased, a trend seen in other states with similar legislation. Data released by the company shows distraction in Michigan has increased every month since month 3, totaling a 7.6% increase. Ohio's distraction level increased 2.4%, three times lower.

 This week, the Michigan Senate’s Transportation and Infrastructure Committee heard testimony on legislation that would allow for the use of safety cameras to monitor the speeds of vehicles driving through road construction projects. Pam Shadel Fischer, senior director of External Engagement at the Governors Highway Safety Association, returns to the podcast to tout the effectiveness of the technology in other states. Later, Gregg Brunner, chief engineer and chief operations officer at the Michigan Department of Transportation, explains why he supports the legislation and his takeaway after viewing a demonstration of the technology along a busy freeway. Michigan could join 17 other states employing the technology to lower speeds in work zones, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. According to the National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse, more than 100,000 crashes occurred in work zones in 2020, resulting in an estimated 44,000 work zone injury crashes and 857 work zone crash deaths. From a report on the topic from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): "The relationship between driving speed and the risk of a crash and/or fatality is well established. In 2019, 26 percent of all motor vehicle fatalities occurred in crashes in which at least one driver was speeding." 

On this week’s edition of the Talking Michigan Transportation podcast, conversations with two people seeking to better understand the reasons for an uptick in wrong-way driving and to mitigate the risks.First, Gary Bubar, a traffic safety specialist for AAA Michigan, talks about the trend and his organization’s awareness and education efforts. He explains that elderly drivers and those who are intoxicated are much more likely to be wrong-way drivers.Speaking to the Detroit News (subscription) recently about wrong-way crash statistics, Bubar said, “These numbers are only insignificant if you're not the one involved, or if you don't know anyone involved. Across the country, we have about 350 to 400 wrong-way fatality crashes a year. If you're one of those or related to one of those, that number is huge."Bubar also talks about the disturbing trend, highlighted in a Michigan State Police news release this week, of fewer people using seat belts.Later, Erick Kind, Grand Region engineer for the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), talks about some measures being implemented to help address wrong-way crashes on the US-131 freeway in Grand Rapids. Kind talks about some technology being employed at freeway ramps where drivers have been found to enter in the wrong direction. These steps are in addition to some things MDOT and other departments have implemented in recent years: Lowered “Do Not Enter” signs to improve headlight angles.Added reflective strips to “Do Not Enter” and "Wrong Way” signposts.Added backside red reflective strips along the length of the off ramps.Added stop bars and turn arrows at ramp approaches, in addition to wrong-way arrows placed further back.Added turning guideline markings at ramps where the on and off ramps are adjacent to each other.Painted curbed islands at ramp terminals.