2/8/2013

Highways
Upgraded signs to improve message delivery to motorists
ITD is upgrading highway signs throughout southwest Idaho to help improve public safety and drivers’ access to information. The project is expected to be completed by early March. The signs alert drivers to road conditions or safety issues affecting their travel.
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Highways
BSU avalanche research to help ITD forecasting
Boise State University (BSU) researchers Scott Havens, Hans-Peter Marshall and Jeffery Johnson are developing tools for ITD avalanche forecasters to incorporate into their daily avalanche forecasting operations. 
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Highways
ITD uses variety of 'tools' for winter maintenance
Like a well-prepared handyman, ITD has several products in its arsenal to treat highways to remove snow and ice for the safety of drivers. Some of the products are limited to specific regions of the state. Some are used quite extensively. Some are more effective at higher temperatures and give way to other techniques as the highway surface temperatures drop.
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Outstanding Customer Service
ETS employees negotiate $16,200 savings
On the surface, saving ITD $60 may seem relatively insignificant. But if multiplied by 270, that savings can become a significant impact. To the tune of $16,200.
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Highway safety
Patrols emphasize safety, seat belt use
ITD is partnering with the Idaho State Police and other law enforcement agencies across Idaho to make highways safer by funding high-visibility seat belt patrols beginning today and continuing through Feb. 17. During the campaign, officers will increase enforcement of traffic laws and cite drivers or occupants who are not seat-belted.   
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Highways
The high cost of congestion
AUSTIN, Texas - As traffic congestion worsens nationwide, the time required for a given trip becomes more unpredictable, and researchers now have a way to measure that degree of unreliability. It was introduced for the first time as part of the annual Urban Mobility Report (UMR), published this week by the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI).
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Traffic congestion
Boise-area drivers lose 16 hours sitting in traffic
A report by Texas A&M University this week ranked Boise 94th among all cities with 16 hours of congestion related delays per auto commuter annually. In other words, Boise drivers spend an extra two days of work time sitting in traffic. That translates to an extra eight gallons of gas per auto commuter and an associated commuting cost of $334.
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Economy
PNWER delegates for Idaho tour
Delegates from the Pacific Northwes Economic Region visited Idaho as a followup to a December regional meeting in Coeur d'Alene. On the first day, members of PNWER's delegation met with Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter and Lt. Gov. Brad Little and discussed the recent formation of the PNWER Idaho Executive Council.
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Education, outreach
ITD to deliver workshop for contractors
Contractors are invited to learn about protecting themselves on construction projects by spotting important contract provisions and keeping thorough project documentation. Construction claims also will be covered. The program will be presented by attorney Wendy Wendrowski and is sponsored by Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) DBE Supportive Services.
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Preparedness
Stay safe and warm this winter
The prolonged periods of cold this winter have been hard on home heating bills. Keeping the house warm with a wood burning fireplace or wood stove can be a great source of supplemental heat or the only source of heat during a winter power outage. A crackling, warm fire provides comfort, but it also requires attention. Stay safe and warm this winter by following these wood-burning tips.
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Employees
Know the signs of trouble in your ticker
Blue Cross of Idaho: Give your heart a Valentine this month by asking your doctor if you're due for a cholesterol screening or blood pressure check. These two simple tests could help you avoid a heart attack or stroke.
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Best of the best
Encore (2-1-13): Director's TRB presentation featured on 'Transportation TV'
A recent presentation by ITD Director Brian Ness at the annual Transportation Research Board meeting continues to generate national attention. The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) featured the director’s entire presentation this week on its national website, Transportation TV.
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Women's Transportation Seminar (WTS)
Encore (2-1-13): Director Ness, byway receive annual WTS award
ITD Director Brian Ness was in good company Thursday night. He was honored as Transportation Leader of the Year, one of the elite awards presented at the annual Women's Transportation Seminar (WTS) banquet in Boise. In accepting the award, Ness recognized the contributions of ITD’s 1,800 employees for helping to transform the department
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Outstanding Customer Service
Encore (2-1-13): ISP goes beyond call to assist injured ITD employee
Highways sometimes can be unpredictably hazardous for those charged with ensuing traveler safety. Maintenance workers are vulnerable even if they are out of established travel lanes. Terry Smith knows that all too well.
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Outstanding Customer Service
Encore (2-1-13): DMV's Griffin ensures smooth sailing for parks passport
International passports open the world to exploration. Idaho’s passports open the state’s natural beauty for recreationists. Obtaining the federal or state travel document can daunting. ITD’s Sharon Griffin recently took some of the mystique out of securing an Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation (IDPR) passport for Gayle Valentine.
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Planning
Encore (2-1-13): ITD's project planning tool featured by online news service
A tool that helps project planners identify public outreach needs reached an international audience during a recent demonstration at the annual Transportation Research Board meeting in Washington, D.C. Bryant Kuechle, of the Langdon Group in Boise, helped design the Project Outreach Planner, which is unique to Idaho.
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Future City
Encore (2-1-13): ITD helps young planners envision cleaner future
Bright young minds tackled the challenge of building cities for the future during the National Engineers Week Future City regional competition at Boise State University last week.
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Cultural diversity
Encore (2-1-13): Topics sought for brown-bag diversity programs
ITD’s noontime diversity programs have covered much cultural ground since Ronald Sam began the series with a presentation of dance, flute and eagle-feather storytelling the summer of 2011. More brown-bag lunch programs are coming, and Senior Human Resource Specialist Michelle George wants to hear from people about topics they would like future programs to cover.
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