Best Texas A&M Transportation Institute Podcasts (2024)

1
Will AI Help Us Realize Our Highest Hopes or Our Deepest Fears? 32:10

7d ago32:10

32:10

Artificial intelligence seeks to replicate the analytical and creative capabilities of the human brain. Perhaps that lofty ambition helps to explain why so many humans are leery of the idea.By Bernie Fette, Bob Brydia

1
More Transit Agencies Are Jumping on the Battery-Powered Bandwagon. 28:47

17d ago28:47

28:47

Cities working to become leaders in clean transportation are electrifying their bus fleets, and learning that the road to success can be a bumpy one.By Bernie Fette, John Overman

1
Neil Pedersen Has a Question: Are we willing to stick our necks out? 46:23

1M ago46:23

46:23

The former leader of TRB may have stepped away from full-time employment, but he hasn’t stepped away entirely from the industry he has helped to guide for half a century.By Bernie Fette, Neil Pedersen

1
Roadside Mysteries: When utilities pose unique challenges for roadway construction. 27:20

2M ago27:20

27:20

Every road construction project involves the hidden element of utilities in the right of way. That work isn’t necessarily as visible, but it’s every bit as consequential.By Bernie Fette, Cesar Quiroga

1
Is Public Transit Back to Pre-pandemic Normal? That depends on where you look. 32:22

2M ago32:22

32:22

The transit industry is better equipped to work through a public health crisis than it was before COVID-19. And even as it faces persistent challenges, public transportation continues to play a central role in everyday mobility.By Bernie Fette, Michael Walk

1
Crash Data and an Aging Population Raise an Issue: How old is too old to drive? 26:04

3M ago26:04

26:04

Drivers over age 80 are more prone to serious and deadly crashes. As this population segment grows, researchers are working toward fresh countermeasures.By Bernie Fette, Myunghoon Ko

1
Behind the Wheel, What We Think and What We Do Can Define Who We Are. 25:40

3M ago25:40

25:40

Attitudes and behaviors related to driving reveal our traffic safety culture. Like other forms of culture, it has a way of changing over time— and not always for the better.By Bernie Fette, Katie Womack

1
Out of Sight, Out of Mind: How it’s easy to overlook our reliance on GPS. 32:58

4M ago32:58

32:58

With near-magical precision, GPS applications reliably guide multiple functions for us every moment of every day. But as they hold great promise, those applications also face vulnerabilities.By Bernie Fette, Greg Winfree

1
How to Ensure That US Infrastructure Remains Greater Than the Sum of Its Parts. 17:54

4M ago17:54

17:54

America’s infrastructure was built to last, but it wasn’t built to last forever. The Center for Infrastructure Renewal is focusing on how to ensure the resilience of the collective physical systems that America runs upon.By Bernie Fette, Edith Arámbula Mercado

1
Can Imperiled Creatures Survive and Thrive amid Widespread Roadway Construction? 39:36

5M ago39:36

39:36

The well-being of creatures protected under the Endangered Species Act is a high priority for transportation agencies. That’s good for the critters, and for agency operations as well.By Bernie Fette, Andrew Birt

1
Can Solar Panels in Highway ROW Be the Next Big Step in Renewable Energy? 25:22

6M ago25:22

25:22

In using roadsides for the collection of solar power, can we succeed in achieving both environmental and economic goals? It all depends on how you define “success.”By Bernie Fette, Brianne Glover, Edgar Kraus

1
We Rank the 2,138 Most Congested Roads in Texas. Is your daily drive on the list? 29:23

6M ago29:23

29:23

Traffic congestion is relative, because what constitutes gridlock depends a lot on where you live. Clearly, though, it’s no longer just a big city problem.By Bernie Fette, David Schrank

1
Revisited--Big and Bright: The view from TxDOT CEO Marc Williams’ Chair. 38:28

7M ago38:28

38:28

As we gather for the 97th Annual Transportation Short Course, we're revisiting our interview with Texas Department of Transportation CEO Marc Williams from approximately one year ago. Despite some Texas-sized mobility challenges and worldwide supply-chain obstacles, the guy in charge of the Texas Department of Transportation wants you to know he’s …

1
Alone in the Crowd: Long-haul truckers fight isolation through satellite connections. 25:18

7M ago25:18

25:18

Thousands of long-haul truck drivers in America share a common and constant challenge of remoteness. They find insight and community through the vast reach of satellite radio.By Bernie Fette, Mark Willis

1
When Mobility Needs Are Like Snowflakes: TTI’s outposts focus on singular urban challenges. 32:04

7M ago32:04

32:04

It’s been said that all politics is local. Given the unique nature of major population centers everywhere, the same could be said for transportation.By Bernie Fette, Jason Crawford

1
Minor Stress Factors Can Cause Major Problems, Even in the Best Driving Conditions 30:37

8M ago30:37

30:37

Obvious pressures when we’re driving on the roadways—like aggressive drivers, stormy weather, and unruly passengers—are widely recognized. But less conspicuous triggers can compromise safety, too.By Bernie Fette, Mike Manser, Ioannis Pavlidis

1
Lofty Ambitions Are Fueling the Move Toward Sustainable Transportation 29:15

8M ago29:15

29:15

Decarbonizing the transportation sector—the single-biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions—won’t happen overnight. But the U.S. Department of Energy has a plan.By Bernie Fette, Michael Berube

1
One Step Forward, Two Steps Back: Pedestrian deaths are at a 40-year high. 30:01

9M ago30:01

30:01

The dangers for those who travel on foot have constituted a public health challenge for as long as we’ve had motor vehicles. Why are pedestrian deaths increasing so fast? And what can be done to stem the tide?By Bernie Fette, Ben Ettelman

1
What If? ... How modelers envision the worst to enable the best response. 24:06

9M ago24:06

24:06

Disasters – whether natural or man-made – can cripple transportation systems. Sophisticated modeling can go a long way in minimizing disruptions and restoring routine conditions.By Bernie Fette, Jeff Shelton

1
Is America’s Infrastructure Turning a Corner? 30:50

10M ago30:50

30:50

Two years have passed since America’s last road and bridge report card, and we’ll wait another two years for the next one. An unofficial mid-term grade suggests that conditions are improving.By Bernie Fette, Charles Gurganus, Nasir Gharaibeh

1
The Texas Transportation Hall of Honor: Recognizing vision, passion, and purpose. 26:17

10M ago26:17

26:17

Texas owes its transportation primacy in large part to an elite group of visionary leaders whose contributions merit permanent and meaningful places in the Lone Star State’s history.By Bernie Fette, Dennis Christiansen

1
Fewer Motorcycle Safety Coaches, More Unlicensed Riders, More Crashes: Is there a link? 39:48

11M ago39:48

39:48

In recent years, roughly half of the motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes in Texas were unlicensed. Safety advocates are working to enlist more instructors who can help riders develop the safety skills they need.By Bernie Fette, Cathy Brooks, Michael Strawn

1
Charging Ahead: How the Electrified Mobility Collaborative envisions a radical shift. 27:21

11M ago27:21

27:21

Nearly 300 million vehicles are on American roads today. Nearly all of them run on gasoline or diesel, so a large-scale shift to electric power would be transformative. A new Texas A&M University System venture is working to figure out how that might work.By Bernie Fette, Tara Ramani

1
For Bernie Wagenblast, both career and life have been all about transition. 28:30

12M ago28:30

28:30

As a transportation journalist, Bernie Wagenblast has been weaving narratives of a professional sort for more than 40 years. As it turns out, one of her most recent stories is more personal.By Bernie Fette, Bernie Wagenblast

1
Hidden Treasures: Remote community airports play an essential role in Texas life. 27:26

12M ago27:26

27:26

The value that small general aviation airports deliver far exceeds what their modest size might suggest. To many local government officials, those facilities represent “the most valuable mile of pavement in the county.”By Bernie Fette, Jacki Kuzio

1
Revisited--Highway to the Danger Zone: Hazards abound where road work advances. 22:27

1y ago22:27

22:27

As we’re about to observe National Work Zone Awareness Week and in light of a work zone crash last month in Maryland, in which 6 workers were killed, we're revisiting a discussion with TTI's Jerry Ullman, research engineer and highway work zone safety expert. The number of fatal crashes in America is up by about 7 percent over the past decade. But …

1
Off the Rails, On the QT: Train derailments happen daily, though few grab our attention. 26:52

1y ago26:52

26:52

Major railroad disasters tend to produce major news headlines, but there are hundreds of derailments each year in America that we never hear about. Why is that?By Bernie Fette, Allan Rutter

1
Turning the Tables: When a transportation journalist is the one answering, not asking, the questions. 29:00

1y ago29:00

29:00

It’s been said that journalists are responsible for writing the first draft of history. As the transportation writer for the Houston Chronicle, Dug Begley has been crafting that city’s mobility story for more than a decade.By Bernie Fette, Dug Begley

1
Engineering a Career Path: Sometimes, a 7th grade dream can actually come true. 30:08

1y ago30:08

30:08

Even after wrapping up a 46-year stretch at TTI, Tim Lomax still enjoys the adrenaline rush that comes from finding new traffic challenges, and fixing them.By Bernie Fette, Tim Lomax

1
One Size Doesn’t Fit All: Maintaining our roadway infrastructure demands a varied scientific approach. 29:12

1y ago29:12

29:12

America’s roads were built to last, but they weren’t built to last forever. New research is taking a forensic approach to maintaining and repairing our surface transportation infrastructure.By Texas A&M Transportation Institute

1
Bent, But Not Broken: How global supply chains demonstrate post-pandemic resilience. 22:07

1y ago22:07

22:07

Most of what we buy and use every day comes to us on cargo ships, which represent essential links in worldwide distribution systems. A global public health crisis reminded us of how important they really are.By Bernie Fette, Jim Kruse

1
At the Intersection of Engineering and Psychology: How a diverse team manages special event traffic. 24:33

1+ y ago24:33

24:33

Big-time athletic events can create big-time roadway gridlock. Experts game out the possibilities to navigate chaos – from the first car in, to the last one out.By Bernie Fette, Debbie Albert

1
Uncommonly Deadly: Wrong-way crashes are small in number, immense in devastation. 27:21

1+ y ago27:21

27:21

Wrong-way crashes on high-speed roadways are uncommon, but they’re almost always fatal. Ongoing research is supporting countermeasures to help drivers avoid – or escape -- a rare but perilous roadway hazard.By Bernie Fette, Melisa Finley

1
All Aboard? When unions, management, and Congress dodged a nationwide rail strike. 27:05

1+ y ago27:05

27:05

Rail industry employees and management were at odds for months and on the verge of a nationwide shutdown, until Congress and the White House invoked an arcane 1926 law to settle the dispute in only a few days.By Bernie Fette, Allan Rutter

1
It Takes a (Big) Village: How a community of transportation pros is making mobility better. 33:03

1+ y ago33:03

33:03

The Institute of Transportation Engineers is wrapping up a pivotal year in its history. Jeff Paniati, the organization’s CEO, and TTI's Beverly Kuhn, its outgoing president, talk about lessons learned from the past 12 months and how the transportation profession is evolving -- along with society.By Bernie Fette, Beverly Kuhn, Jeff Paniati

1
Border Balancing Act: Finding harmony between commercial efficiency and security demands. 33:34

1+ y ago33:34

33:34

Along America’s 2,000-mile border with Mexico, there’s plenty of room for things to go awry when it comes to the secure, efficient movement of people and goods. Myriad public and private partnerships and the latest research are helping ensure that they don’t.By Bernie Fette, Rafael Aldrete

1
Sharing the Load on Texas Roads: Are overweight trucks paying their fair share? 19:52

1+ y ago19:52

19:52

Big trucks cause more damage to transportation infrastructure, but they pay less to use roads and bridges than passenger vehicles do. New research findings – with input from the freight industry – can inform how policy makers might change that.By Bernie Fette, Brianne Glover

1
Big and Bright: The view from TxDOT CEO Marc Williams’ chair. 38:08

1+ y ago38:08

38:08

Despite some Texas-sized mobility challenges and worldwide supply-chain obstacles, the guy in charge of the Texas Department of Transportation wants you to know he’s never been more optimistic about our transportation future.By Bernie Fette, Marc Williams

1
Drilling for Solutions: A gusher of new data is helping cut crash numbers in Texas’ Permian Basin. 26:59

1+ y ago26:59

26:59

Large vehicle collisions in and around the giant West Texas oil patch in recent years have been alarmingly frequent and serious. Through a partnership approach, local transportation agencies and industry leaders are turning the tide.By Texas A&M Transportation Institute

1
Under the Influence of Youth: Most teens are eligible to drive at age 16, but are they ready? 23:54

1+ y ago23:54

23:54

Young drivers face greater risks on the road than any other group. Some of the reasons for that are unlikely to change, but one thing that’s clearly open to revision is the manner in which we approach the problem.By Bernie Fette, Lisa Minjares

1
Of Needles and Haystacks: For truck drivers, finding a parking space is tougher than ever. 29:26

1+ y ago29:26

29:26

The COVID-19 pandemic helped to expose a chronic shortage of truck drivers in America – and a scarcity of places for those truckers to park, too. That has big implications for how we get the products we need, and how much we pay for them.By Bernie Fette, Nicole Katsikides

1
All over the Map: Just two car guys talking about transportation. 36:26

1+ y ago36:26

36:26

From self-driving tech to safety culture and power grids. When a transportation research leader and an auto industry journalist cross paths, the conversation can go in many directions.By Bernie Fette, Greg Winfree, Pete Bigelow

1
Safety in Numbers? As bicycle use grows more popular, crash numbers carry mixed messages. 29:43

1+ y ago29:43

29:43

Along with the growing popularity of bicycling comes an increased need for safety. But while the number of bicycle crash injuries dropped during 2020, that was not the case for bicycle crash fatalities. TTI researchers Bahar Dadashova and Joan Hudson take a close look at that pattern, and what can be done about it.…

1
On the Ascent: General aviation in Texas is more indispensable than ever. 26:59

2y ago26:59

26:59

Numbering nearly 300, Texas has more community airports than counties. Largely out of view and out of mind for most of us, they are nonetheless central to the state’s prosperity and security.By Bernie Fette, Jeff Borowiec, Jim Halley

1
Exit This Way: Research informing upgrades in hurricane evacuation planning. 20:21

2y ago20:21

20:21

Predictions for an especially active hurricane season place added importance on the research and planning that begins long before extreme weather strikes, and continues long after the storm has passed.By Bernie Fette, David Bierling

1
Building by the Numbers: How economic indicators guide road construction. 21:50

2y ago21:50

21:50

Some statistics like population growth and the price of crude oil are directly linked to transportation planning in Texas. But others—like commercial airline boardings and home sales—play a role, too. Collectively, the numbers paint a picture that informs how we fund our transportation system.By Bernie Fette, Brianne Glover

1
When the Workplace Is Behind the Wheel: Improving occupational safety for truckers (and the rest of us). 23:35

2y ago23:35

23:35

Close to half of all workplace deaths result from transportation incidents, including crashes that involve large trucks. Drivers of those trucks are at higher risk than workers in other jobs. And to the degree that we share road space with truckers, the risk extends to the rest of us, too. Evolving policies resulting from new research could help to…

1
Cars Can Track Our Driving Habits: Who owns that data, and what's being done with it? 23:48

2y ago23:48

23:48

The newest cars on the road today generate huge amounts of data, telling us much about our driving habits and helping us build and operate our roadways. How safely and efficiently we travel in the future will depend in part on how wisely stakeholders use that data.By Bernie Fette, Shawn Turner

1
Beyond Skin Deep: The humble roadway is about more than asphalt and concrete. 21:58

2y ago21:58

21:58

Today’s pavements bear little resemblance to the driving surfaces of the early 1900s. Research Engineer Darlene Goehl explains how decades of experimentation have led to development of the modern streets and highways that are central to our daily lives.By Texas A&M Transportation Institute

1
When a Crash Is No Accident: Staging roadside collisions to make them more survivable. 26:32

2y ago26:32

26:32

Sometimes vehicle crashes can’t be avoided, but it is possible to make them less life threatening. Senior Research Engineer Lance Bullard joins us to discuss how research has been making roadsides safer for travelers for as long as we’ve had roadsides.By Bernie Fette, Lance Bullard

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