After eight years, Suzann Flowers will be leaving Washtenaw Area Transportation Study. We have been honored to work with Suzann. She brings an enthusiasm and pride to carrying out civic work that makes her an excellent co-worker, role model, and public servant.
Read MoreThe WATS asset management dashboard has been updated with 2021 pavement condition data. WATS has partnered with the Washtenaw County Road Commission (WCRC) and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to collect pavement condition data on Federal-Aid (FA) eligible roads since 2003, using PASER ratings.
Read MoreWATS just released the 2020 Crash Report. Every year, WATS updates information on traffic crashes, fatalities, and serious injuries in Washtenaw County. There is all sorts of interesting information that you can dig into in the report.
Read MoreOne of the most rewarding parts of transportation planning at WATS is helping local agencies secure federal transportation dollars that help build projects we see in our communities.
Read MoreIn August, the Census Bureau released their first dataset from the 2020 Census population count. Let’s dig into the data a little. Out of Michigan’s 83 counties, Washtenaw County ranks number five in the state and number one in Southeast Michigan for the highest percent change in population since the 2010 census count.
Read MoreOn a recent morning walk to the Ann Arbor YMCA my family noticed a Pilot Test Trail of the Treeline Trail. It is amazing what moving a few dozen parking blocks can do to help one imagine the possibilities for the Treeline Trail moving forward.
Read MoreBuilding upon the success of the Chelsea Pop project in 2020, WATS is partnering with the City of Ypsilanti and St. Joe’s Ann Arbor to bring Route Ypsilanti. This project is focused on traffic calming to improve access to health care through safe, reliable transportation as well as improve the health of the local community through a commitment to the built environment.
Read MoreWashtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development (OCED) has released the updated 2020 Opportunity Index. Since the development of the 2045 Long Range Plan, WATS has been using the index to measure and track transportation investment in areas of low and very low access to opportunity.
Read MoreDuring the Corona-19 Virus quarantine fuel prices and vehicle-miles-traveled have remained low. Both, however, are beginning to increase (fuel costs are related to increases in oil prices, refinery capacity, and the transition to summer gasoline).
Read MoreSeveral months ago, I came upon a report about an idea I think is worth exploring, FHWAs report titled “Incorporating On-Road Bicycle Networks into Resurfacing Projects”. This report outlines how the pairing of resurfacing roadway projects with the installation of bicycle facilities can provide local connections needed to create a more connected bicycling network.
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