Michigan drivers putting down their phones

by orionontv | Jun 13, 2024 | Transportation

New data finds Michigan drivers putting down their phones On this week’s edition of the Talking Michigan Transportation podcast, a conversation with Ryan McMahon of Cambridge Mobile Telematics, a Massachusetts-based firm that tracks data from drivers, participating voluntarily, to analyze statistics and driver behavior. Listen now: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1374205/15243078-new-data-finds-michigan-drivers-putting-down-their-phones McMahon last spoke on the podcast in November, a few months after Michigan Gov. Whitmer signed the law making it illegal to use a hand-held electronic device while driving. The news was less sanguine then, but now his firm is reporting updated numbers that show meaningful strides in the right direction. Some key figures cited: In the first month after the Michigan law was signed, distracted driving went down nearly 12 percent. The next month, it was 13.5 percent lower. The gains then diminished but are headed in a positive direction again. Michigan Hands-Free Law Impact Data and graphs provided by Cambridge Mobile Telematics. Before the Law Average trips per day: 4.7 Minutes per trip: 20 Minutes driving per day: 95 Hours spent driving per day: 1.58 Phone motion seconds per hour: 108 Phone motion seconds per day: 171 Phone motion time per day: 2:51 After The Law Average trips per day: 4.7 Minutes per trip: 20 Minutes driving per day: 95 Hours spent driving per day: 1.58 Phone motion seconds per hour: 95 Phone motion seconds per day: 151 Phone motion time per day: 2:30 Graph showing the Michigan hands-free law percentage change compared to one moth before the law. Michigan Hands-Free Phone Motion Per Hour After Graph shows relationship of phone motio seconds per hour for one month before law through 12 months. Phone Motion Trends: Before & After Hands-Free Law Graph shows phone motion trends before and after hands-free laws in Ohio, Alabama, Michigan, and Missouri.

How public transportation fuels economic development

by orionontv | Jun 6, 2024 | Transportation

How public transportation fuels economic development On this week’s edition of the Talking Michigan Transportation podcast, a conversation about legislation that would appropriate economic development funds for community-based programs, including public transportation. Listen now: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1374205/15206567-how-public-transportation-fuels-economic-development This week’s guest, Jared Fleisher, who leads government affairs and economic development for Rock (Dan Gilbert’s family of companies), explains why he’s passionate about the proposed bills and their potential to enhance qualify of life across Michigan and attract and retain talent. On Tuesday, June 4, Fleisher testified in support of the bills before the House Economic Development and Small Business Committee. He framed the issue as an economic development imperative as Michigan is among states struggling to grow its population. Others supporting the legislation include Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter, the Michigan Municipal League, Traverse Connect, Mass Transportation Authority Flint, Market Van Buren, The Rapid, Renovare Development, the Michigan Public Transit Association, Transportation Riders United, SMART, and International Union of Operating Engineers Local 324. Also discussed: How public transportation has helped transform Grand Rapids, with The Rapid’s many options including the state’s first bus rapid transit lines. Investments in infrastructure like bus rapid transit and M-1 rail spur development.

Mackinac Bridge repaving completion delayed

by orionontv | Jun 6, 2024 | Transportation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 6, 2024   MEDIA CONTACT James Lake 906-250-0993 [email protected] Mackinac Bridge repaving completion delayed ST. IGNACE, Mich. – Completion of the first season of a two-season repaving project on the Mackinac Bridge’s north viaduct and approach truss spans has again been delayed, with completion now expected next week.   Citing rainy weather that has prevented paving, along with projected rain in weather forecasts, project contractor Zenith Tech estimates completion of remaining paving should be completed around the middle of the week of June 10.   Crews paved a portion of the bridge this past Monday and plan to pave today, completing the portions on the north end of the bridge. An expected total of three to four more full days of paving are needed to complete the work on the south portions of the bridge.   Based on forecasts, paving could resume as early as Saturday, June 8. The contractor is making a determination for paving each day by 10 a.m.   Repaving, deck repairs and joint repairs on the two northbound lanes of the bridge began March 25. Traffic is being maintained with one lane open in each direction during construction.   Weekend traffic peaks between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., often resulting in traffic backups, even with all toll lanes open. Drivers should consider crossing at off-peak times or prepare for delays.   Wide-load restrictions are in place in both directions for any vehicles wider than 10 feet during construction. Wider loads will be allowed to cross once per day between 7 and 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, with traffic stopped for brief periods to accommodate those crossings.

25 millionth Mackinac Bridge crosser returns

by orionontv | May 30, 2024 | Transportation

25 millionth Mackinac Bridge crosser returns to celebrate a 50-year anniversary

ST. IGNACE, Mich. – On May 21, 1974, Bob Kuchar was a 24-year-old General Motors employee on vacation when he crossed the Mackinac Bridge on his 1972 Suzuki 250 motorcycle. Turns out, he was riding the 25 millionth vehicle to cross the bridge since it opened in 1957.

On May 23, 2024, Kuchar made the trip again – crossing in his 2017 Ford F-150 this time – to mark the 50th anniversary (plus two days) of that momentous crossing.

“It was an experience for a 24-year-old, and it was just a cool feeling to be the 25 millionth across,” he said. “I couldn’t have been more welcomed by the Bridge Authority representatives from St. Ignace and Mackinaw City.”

While Kuchar, who is now 74, had planned to cross the bridge this time on his 2019 Husqvarna 350 FE dual-sport motorcycle, he instead carried it across in his truck due to concerns about crossing the bridge’s grating during gusty winds.

“To have my name associated with the iconic Mighty Mac, I’m no less humbled as I again was welcomed to visit with you all,” Kuchar said. “Some family and friends offered regrets that I didn’t get another picture of me on my cycle paying the toll, but most said, ‘maybe next time.'”

Though he’s crossed the bridge several times over the years, this crossing was just a day trip. After a quick tour of the Mackinac Bridge Authority (MBA) administration and maintenance facility, he enjoyed a lunch at Clyde’s in St. Ignace before heading home.

Back in 1974, when Kuchar was living in the Saginaw area, he was planning a trip all the way around Lake Michigan. He hadn’t expected the surprise at the Mackinac Bridge, which included a photo op with MBA Executive Secretary Lawrence Rubin and a prize package worth $500 donated by Straits-area businesses. It included hotel and meal vouchers, as well as a free tank of gas. Unfortunately, he had just filled up his four-gallon tank right before crossing.

As his trip continued around the lake, he stopped in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. An approaching storm scuttled the rest of his trip, and instead he crossed back across the lake on the ferry to Ludington. When he got home, his parents had several newspapers laid out on the kitchen table with articles about his historic Mackinac Bridge crossing.

Kuchar retired from DELPHI Automotive Systems in 2005 and now lives in Fruitport with his wife of 45 years, Jackie. The couple has three children and two grandchildren.

Mackinac Bridge repaving completion delayed

by orionontv | May 16, 2024 | Transportation

Mackinac Bridge repaving completion delayed

ST. IGNACE, Mich. – The first season of a two-season repaving project on the Mackinac Bridge’s north viaduct and approach truss spans, originally scheduled to be completed by May 23, will not be complete until June 7.

Citing additional patching work and an inability to field full work crews, project contractor Zenith Tech says it will not be able to meet its original completion date or reopen the bridge prior to Memorial Day as called for in the contract.

“We have not only allowed, but strongly encouraged, the contractor to work around the clock and through weekends to get this project wrapped up ahead of the surge of traffic we expect for the holiday weekend,” said Mackinac Bridge Authority (MBA) Chief Engineer Cole Cavalieri. “We know that having lane closures on the bridge for Memorial Day travel will result in delays and backups, so we ask customers to be patient and consider crossing at off-peak times.”

Repaving, deck repairs, and joint repairs on the two northbound lanes of the bridge began March 25. Traffic is being maintained with one lane open in each direction during construction.

Work was scheduled early in the year to help minimize delays to traffic and disruptions to special events on the bridge.

Weekend traffic peaks between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., often resulting in traffic backups, even with all toll lanes open. Drivers should consider crossing at off-peak times or prepare for delays.

Wide-load restrictions are in place in both directions for any vehicles wider than 10 feet during construction. Wider loads will be allowed to cross once per day between 7 and 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and traffic will be stopped for brief periods for those crossings.

Work will resume in late March 2025 with repaving of the two southbound lanes. The overall project is scheduled to be completed, with all lanes reopened, by May 22, 2025.

The MBA’s sole source of funding is from tolls and fees collected, with all revenue used to maintain, operate and protect the bridge. Live traffic camera views of the bridge, updates on bridge conditions, toll rates, and information on the MacPass program can all be found on the MBA website: www.MackinacBridge.org.

Could MI shift from fuel taxes to road user charges?

by orionontv | May 9, 2024 | Transportation

Could Michigan shift from fuel taxes to road user charges to fund roads? As lawmakers in the Legislature continue negotiations for the state’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget, one addition specific to transportation involves a $5 million appropriation for a pilot program to assess replacing traditional fuel taxes with a mileage-based road usage fee. Listen now: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1374205/15039387-could-michigan-shift-from-fuel-taxes-to-road-user-charges-to-fund-roads This week’s Talking Michigan Transportation podcast features another conversation with Baruch Feigenbaum, senior managing director of transportation policy for the Reason Foundation. Feigenbaum has done extensive study on the need for long-term changes to funding policy for roads and bridges. He’s also testified before legislative committees at the federal level and in several states. He recently told Michigan lawmakers that a fuel tax is akin to “a rock star on his farewell tour” as increased fuel efficiency diminishes returns on fuel taxes. Listen now at https://www.buzzsprout.com/1374205. Stay connected by subscribing to Talking Michigan Transportation e-mail updates.