Internship Opportunity at WATS

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The Washtenaw Area Transportation Study (WATS) is looking for a Transportation Planning Intern to begin work in January 2013 through September 30, 2013.  Internship duties include:
  • Crash Data Collection Assistance (Primary Task)
    • Visiting crash sites with a WATS Planner, taking detailed measurements, pictures, and videos to describe events at crash sites throughout Washtenaw County
    • Entering and tracking measurements in a project database
    • Supporting in office duties of the project, including image editing, creating diagrams, and interpreting project data
    • Constant attention to safety while in the field, monitoring the safety of both yourself and your data collection partner
  • General Office Duties
    • Assist WATS staff with support materials for Transportation Plans and documents.  This might include research, transportation project analysis, analyzing previous projects and funding levels, or demographic analysis.

The ideal candidate would study Urban Planning or a related field at the Undergraduate or Master’s Degree level, and be available two full days per week.  The intern must be willing to work outdoors, and dress appropriately for all weather (we are outside for up to 6 hours/day in winter).  GIS experience helpful, but not necessary.  Please submit a resume and cover letter to ferrallm@miwats.org by January 3, 2013.  Please describe your availability when applying.  This is a paid position.


Transit Maps That Aren't Transit Maps

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Earlier this week, one of our favorite blogs, The Atlantic Cities, posted an excellent article that shows non-transit things mapped on London-style transit maps.  Ever wonder what a transit themed map of great movies would look like?  Well you could see it anyways over at this post at The Atlantic.  Maps also display such cool things as national parks, web trends, and the Mississippi River.  Click through to view the article.

Transit and SEMCOG's 2040 Long Range Plan

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In June 2013, SEMCOG's General Assembly will adopt a long-range transportation vision defining how the region's transportation system can support continued economic recovery, environmental health, community revitalization, and quality of life. The short-term funding priorities identified in that plan will be spelled out in SEMCOG's FY 2014-2017 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). Together, these documents will guide planning actions and funding decisions for the region.

Various components of the vision and TIP will be posted on SEMCOG's website as they are developed.  Also, on the same webpage, there is a short survey about transit in the region.  Below we've posted a short video from SEMCOG regarding public transit's role in their Long-Range Plan.



New NHTSA Report Shows Seat Belt Use at Record High

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An overwhelming majority of the millions of families traveling our nation’s highways this Thanksgiving weekend, one of the busiest travel times of the year, will be buckling up, according to new survey results released today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).  New NHTSA research shows that nationwide seat belt use reached an all-time high of 86 percent in 2012.

“When it comes to driving safely, one of the most effective ways to protect yourself and your family is to use a seat belt,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “This Thanksgiving holiday, we’re urging everyone on our roadways to buckle up – every trip, every time.”

According to NHTSA’s annual National Occupant Protection Use Survey, seat belt use has steadily increased since 1994, with the record high of 86 percent in 2012 representing a two percent increase over the previous year. Among the most dramatic increases in seat belt use were in the southern region of the country, rising to 85 percent in 2012—up from 80 percent in 2011. Seat belt use continues to be higher in states that have primary belt laws, which permit law enforcement officers to issue citations to motorists solely for not using a seat belt rather than requiring additional traffic violations.

“Thanks to the ongoing work of our state and local partners and national efforts such as ‘Click it or Ticket,’ we’ve made steady gains in belt use in recent years,” said NHTSA Administrator David Strickland. “Moving forward, it will be critical to build on this success using a multi-faceted approach that combines good laws, effective enforcement, and public education and awareness.”

Nationwide, 32 states and the District of Columbia have passed primary laws requiring seat belt use, while another 17 states have secondary laws on the books. New Hampshire is the only state that has not enacted either a primary or secondary seat belt law, though the state’s primary child passenger safety law applies to all drivers and passengers under the age of 18.

Click here to view NHTSA’s seat belt survey.

Can you believe this traffic? Health consequences of a long commute (CNN)

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There's an excellent article over at CNN regarding the mental and physical health consequences of a long commute.  It identifies many of the factors that cause driving related stress, including in car distractions,  other drivers, commute time, and road rage.

Here's an excerpt:
Long-term stress increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, he says. Research on the precise level of cardiovascular risk is limited, but recent data doesn't paint a flattering picture for the vehicular commuter.

A 2012 study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that the farther people commute by vehicle, the higher their blood pressure and body mass index is likely to be. Also, the farther the commute, the less physical activity the person was likely to get.

Experts recommend making the extra effort to avoid peak driving hours. You may even end up getting home at the same time as if you had left earlier.

E Stadium Bridges Reopen to Traffic

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East Stadium Boulevard is open to traffic! As of 4:15 pp, November 14, 2012. Drivers can anticipate single lane closures between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on East Stadium Boulevard for the next couple of weeks. At least one lane of traffic in each direction will always be open. Please drive carefully and enjoy the new bridges!

Details on Future Bridge Lane Closures
Location and Limits of Affected Area:
East Stadium Boulevard from Kipke Drive to South Industrial Highway

Description of Work:
Landscaping and other related work

Temporary Construction Traffic Control Plan:
November 15, 2012 – November 30, 2012
Single lane closures, on eastbound and westbound East Stadium Boulevard, will be implemented between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m..  One lane of vehicular traffic will be maintained in each direction during these hours.  Pedestrian traffic will be maintained on either the north or south sidewalk of East Stadium Boulevard during these hours as well.




Seat Belt Law Analysis

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For those interested in the discussion of the effectiveness of Michigan's mandatory seat-belt use law, the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) and Wayne State University have independently developed two documents analyzing the impact of the current law.  These might be useful when fielding questions regarding the impact of the law on the Governor's Dashboard goals for traffic safety.