4/4/2014

Work Zone Safety
ITD reminds motorists to drive safely in work zones
Safe driving means safer work zones. That's why the Idaho Transportation Department asks motorists to drive carefully through work zones – for their own safety and the safety of construction workers. Each year, the Federal Highway Administration, ITD and other state departments of transportation draw special attention to safe driving in or near work zones during Work Zone Awareness Week, scheduled nationwide April 7-11.
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AASHTO
AASHTO announces new information tool designed to educate about trust fund crisis
The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials recently unveiled a new informational tool designed to educate the public and elected officials about the potential impact of an insolvent Highway Trust Fund. The "Nation at a Crossroads" is a web-based infographic, mobile app and printed brochure that provides a national perspective on surface transportation investments.
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Employees
Boise Police Department offers vacation safety tips for your home
Residential crime often occurs when we are away from home on a family vacation or involved in outdoor activities. The Boise Police Department offers tips for protecting your home and property when you are gone. Remember, the goal is for your home to appear lived in. You want it to look different in the morning than at night. Follow this check list to secure your home.
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Employees
PERSpectives newsletter will go paperless
Beginning the first quarter of 2014, PERSI will begin posting the PERSpectives newsletter on its website. Members will be notified by e-mail instead of receiving a paper copy at their home addresses. The change in delivery allows PERSI to get the newsletter to members in a timely manner (more than a month earlier than before), saves money and is an environmentally friendly option for members.
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Governor's Highway Safety Association
States support first distracted driving enforcement campaign
Distracted driving is a significant problem on America's roadways. According to the latest federal data, more than 3,328 were killed people and approximately 421,000 people were injured in crashes involving distracted drivers nationwide in 2012. These numbers are likely under-reported because of the difficulty in determining the role distraction plays in crashes.
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Districts
Semi turnover on I-84 creates Twinkie/Applesauce mishmash
A semi crash on Interstate 84 near New Plymouth in the early afternoon of March 26 created a culinary curiosity, as the load of Twinkies mixed with a load of apples, which became applesauce in the crash. A semi headed east carrying a load of apples drifted through the median and struck a westbound semi carrying Twinkies.
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Transportation Board
Encore (3-28-14) Workshop, audits and a project request highlight March board activities
Internal Review Office’s annual report on audits, a request to add a new project to the State Board Unallocated Program and a workshop on the strategy to update the Statewide Transportation topped transportation board activities at the group’s March 19 meeting. ITD employee service awards also were distributed during the meeting.
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Innovate ITD!
Encore (3-28-14) ITD launches “Innovate ITD!” SharePoint tool
Enthusiastic interest and participation in "Innovate ITD!" by department employees from districts through Headquarters' staff prompted the Innovative Business Practices (IBP) team to simplify its idea collection process. The new Innovate ITD SharePoint tool and site launched today. It provides a link to submit ideas and innovation wins, or an opportunity to get inspired by a list of current submissions.
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511 Traveler Services
Encore (3-28-14) ITD rolls out new Idaho Traveler Services 511 app April 1
Traveler Information will be available through a new Idaho Transportation Department 511 smart-phone application (app) beginning April 1, because of work that began last year to make this vital information available to iPhone and Android phone users. Links to download the free 511 app for both types of phone may be found on ITD’s 511 Travel Information page at 511.idaho.gov.
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Districts
Encore (3-28-14) District 1 makes Rathdrum grade-schoolers see red and yellow
Approximately 400 grade-schoolers in Rathdrum will see a variety of new colors in May and June, thanks to the North Idaho office of the Idaho Transportation Department and 20 lbs. of wildflower seed donated for a Mother's Day planting. Early in February, ITD was contacted by Mrs. Fonda Stewart's fourth-grade class at John Brown Elementary in Rathdrum about participating in the wildflower program. That's when Andrea Littlefield and Keith Viebrock sprang into action.
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Public Transportation
Encore (3-28-14) New veteran's transportation program announced
A new service offered to military veterans, their families and other Idahoans to make transportation options easier to find was recently unveiled at the Idaho Statehouse. Idaho Senator Mike Crapo worked with the Community Transportation Association of Idaho (CTAI), local veterans' service groups, the Idaho Division of Veterans Services, the U.S. Department of Transportation and M2 Traffic Management, LLC to establish the new transportation resource directory for Idaho, FindMyIdahoRide.org.
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