by orionontv | Aug 21, 2024 | Transportation
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A veteran automotive reporter talks EV sales, charging networks and more
On this week’s edition of the Talking Michigan Transportation podcast, Joann Muller, a Detroit-based reporter for Axios covering all things mobility, talks about electric vehicle (EV) sales, progress on developing charging networks, consumers buying smaller vehicles, and her experience with a new device that converts a conventional bicycle to an e-bike.
Listen now: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1374205/15611494-a-veteran-automotive-reporter-talks-ev-sales-charging-networks-and-more
- According to a new report, sales of battery-powered models across America are up compared to the rest of the industry. The boost has been spurred on by price cuts, tax breaks and other incentives aimed at encouraging Americans to go electric.
- New technology allows for an e-bike conversion. From the story: With pedaling assistance from a simple friction drive system, it’s less complex and a lot cheaper than a fully electric bike.
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by orionontv | Aug 15, 2024 | Transportation
How Michigan State Police deploy ghost riders to curb distracted driving
Despite Michigan’s hands-free driving law being in place for more than a year now, police are still seeing drivers holding their phones or other devices in vehicles. The practice is especially troublesome where road work is going on.
Listen now: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1374205/15589369-how-michigan-state-police-deploy-ghosts-to-curb-distracted-driving
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On this week’s edition of the Talking Michigan Transportation podcast, conversations with a construction engineer facing the challenge of working with contractors to rebuild roads in a timely manner while maintaining mobility for the public.
First, Tanya Pawlukiewicz, MDOT’s Grand Region construction engineer, talks about a number of crashes that have occurred in a work zone on a major project on I-96 in Ionia County.
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Later, Michigan State Police Sgt. Bradley Campbell talks about what he and his colleagues are seeing and hearing along the I-96 corridor and the effectiveness of Operation Ghost Rider.
One conclusion: Despite aggressive public awareness campaigns, expansive media coverage and other efforts, many people don’t know about the hands-free law. On a recent day, Campbell says four of nine drivers stopped for using their phones told troopers they were ignorant of the law.
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by orionontv | Aug 12, 2024 | Transportation
The life and times of a DOT legislative liaison
On this week’s edition of the Talking Michigan Transportation podcast, a conversation with Troy Hagon. For 16 years, Troy has worked in the Michigan Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) Office of Government Affairs, the past six as director.
Listen now: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1374205/15550756-the-life-and-times-of-a-dot-legislative-liaison
Troy will be leaving MDOT soon to become the deputy director of the American Council of Engineering Companies of Michigan (ACEC).
During the conversation, Troy reflects on his work in the Michigan Legislature prior to coming to MDOT. He also recalls some good memories of his work at the department and the need to continue efforts to find a long-term, sustainable solution to Michigan’s decades-long under-investment in transportation infrastructure.
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by orionontv | Aug 1, 2024 | Transportation
Why are drunk driving arrests down while alcohol-related crashes are on the rise?
Bridge Michigan reported this week on some troubling statistics in Michigan that show that police are not making as many arrests for drunk driving and crashes caused by impaired driving are on the rise.
Listen now: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1374205/15510731-why-are-drunk-driving-arrests-down-while-alcohol-related-crashes-are-on-the-rise
Among key findings:
- Drunk driving arrests in Michigan have dropped 28 percent since 2014, while fatal alcohol- and drug-related crashes have risen 40 percent.
- Experts attribute the rise in crashes to fewer police officers and less traffic enforcement, leading to more dangerous driving behavior.
- In 67 of Michigan’s 83 counties, drunk driving arrests have declined, mirroring a national trend
On this week’s Talking Michigan Transportation podcast, Daniel Zimmerman, senior director of government relations and policy for the Washington, D.C.-based Governors Highway Safety Association, talks about the problem.
One initiative that perhaps holds promise for solutions stems from a bipartisan provision in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Section 24220, Public Law 117-58, IIJA) signed into law in 2021. The provision requires a new national safety standard for passive, advanced impaired driving prevention systems in new vehicles.
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by orionontv | Jul 16, 2024 | Transportation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 16, 2024 |
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MEDIA CONTACT
Carrie Thompson
231-709-1899
[email protected] |
Michigan public transit drivers to compete in 47th Annual Small Bus Roadeo
FRANKENMUTH, Mich. – The 47th Annual Michigan Small Bus Roadeo is a statewide bus operators’ skills test competition and training event to determine the best small bus public transit drivers in Michigan. Competitors must take a written test, navigate an obstacle course, assist a passenger using a wheelchair, and conduct a vehicle safety inspection at the event. The Roadeo reinforces safe driving habits and professionalism behind the wheel while ensuring passenger safety.
Who:
Approximately 44 bus drivers representing 16 transit agencies
Michigan Association of Transportation Systems (MASSTrans)
Michigan Public Transit Association (MPTA)
Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT)
Corporate sponsors
Media
Public
When:
Thursday, July 25, 2024
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (approximately)
Where:
Bavarian Inn Lodge
1 Covered Bridge Lane
Frankenmuth, MI 48734
Background:
Michigan transit agency managers, MDOT staff, and other volunteers will serve as judges. Winners will be announced at a dinner on July 25. The top three winners will represent Michigan by competing in the National Bus Roadeos held at the Community Transportation Association of America’s (CTAA) annual expos. First, second and third place winners will compete in the 2025 CTAA Roadeo in San Diego, CA.
Event contact:
Contact Carrie Thompson, Cadillac/Wexford Transit Authority, at 231-709-1899 or [email protected].
by orionontv | Jul 9, 2024 | Transportation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 9, 2024 |
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MEDIA CONTACT
Dan Weingarten
906-250-4809
[email protected] |
Second Adopt-A-Highway cleanup coming Saturday
Fast facts:
- The second Adopt-A-Highway pickup of the year is July 13-21.
- Adopt-A-Highway volunteers regularly collect more than 60,000 bags of litter annually.
- Sections of highway in parts of the state are still available to adopt. Go to Michigan.gov/AdoptAHighway for more information.
LANSING, Mich. - Motorists should be on the lookout beginning Saturday as Adopt-A-Highway volunteers fan out across the state picking up litter. Participants in the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) program will clean highway roadsides from July 13 to 21 during the second of three scheduled pickups this year.
The popular Adopt-A-Highway program began in Michigan in 1990 and has grown to involve more than 2,900 groups cleaning more than 6,000 miles of highway. Every year, volunteers regularly collect more than 60,000 bags of trash.
Getting involved in Adopt-A-Highway is straightforward. Volunteers include members of civic groups, businesses and families. Crew members have to be at least 12 years old and each group must include at least three people. Groups are asked to adopt a section of highway for at least two years. There is no fee to participate. Adopt-A-Highway signs bearing group names are posted along the stretches of adopted highway.
When working in a highway right of way, Adopt-A-Highway volunteers wear high-visibility, yellow-green safety vests required by federal regulations. MDOT provides free vests and trash bags, and arranges to haul away the trash.
Sections of highway are available for adoption all over the state. Interested groups can get more information on joining the program at www.Michigan.gov/AdoptAHighway.
The year’s final Adopt-A-Highway pickup is scheduled for the fall, from Sept. 21 to 29.
