10/3/2014

Public Involvement
Public outreach planning tool recognized with Gem award
The Public Outreach Planner (POP) was recently honored with another award, this one from the American Planning Association's (APA) Idaho Chapter. Specifically, the POP received The Gem Award, which recognizes planning achievement and/or leadership in "Building Better Partnerships" the theme for the annual chapter conference.
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Emergency Preparedness
Great Idaho ShakeOut is an international event
The Great Idaho ShakeOut is approaching with all Idahoans encouraged to "Drop, Cover and Hold On" during the national earthquake drill.Scheduled for Oct. 16 at 10:16 a.m., the Shakeout is an international event intended to get people prepared for a major earthquake wherever they are.
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Aeronautics
Aviation Safety Standdown scheduled for Oct. 17 in Boise
Aviation professionals including pilots, owners, technicians and managers are encouraged to attend Idaho’s first-ever Aviation Safety Standdown. Sponsored by the Idaho Division of Aeronautics, the free seminar will include discussions about avoiding safety risks, enhancing current procedures and processes and improving individual safety behavior.
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Idaho to host National Association of State Aviation Officials in 2015
The Division of Aeronautics is proud to announce that Boise has been chosen as the host location of the 84th annual convention and tradeshow for the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) on Sept. 20-22, 2015. Division staff will work closely with NASAO staff to coordinate the convention and showcase our state.
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Customer Service
Vehicle Services receives thanks
Vehicle Services recently received double kudos-one from a member of the United States Navy and the other from employees at Idaho Central Credit Union.
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Highways
Major traffic changes to Westbound I-84 near Meridian to start Oct. 7
Work has been accelerated on westbound Interstate 84 between Five Mile and Cloverdale roads. The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) will put in place a new traffic pattern by Tuesday (Oct. 7). One lane of westbound I-84 will cross over to the eastbound side of the median between Five Mile and Cloverdale roads.
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Busiest state highway gets needed relief
Eagle Road is one of the busiest highways in Idaho - it is the busiest non-interstate route in the Gem State - and a major commuter route in the Treasure Valley. And it is only going to get busier. Within the next 20 years, traffic on Eagle Road is projected to double, from approximately 40,000 to over 80,000 vehicles per day.
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Wildlife Collisions
Encore: (9-26-14) New data shows odds Idaho drivers will collide with a deer are on the decline
Idaho drivers are nearly six percent less likely to collide with a deer in the next 12 months than they were last year, according to new claims data from State Farm. The odds drivers will hit a deer in Idaho in the coming year are 1 out of 172, compared to the national odds of 1 in 169.
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Employees
Encore: (9-26-2014) Ten Years Ago: Ivy League experience helped shape ITD's Pemble
Sometimes it is difficult to see the benefit of time spent in particular activities like sitting in a traffic jam at the same time day after day, or spending another hour in the waiting room of the doctor's office. But sometimes the significance, and reward, is immediately realized. Having the opportunity to attend Harvard fits that category. The academic magnitude and prestige is palpable. The lifelong benefits are abundantly clear.
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Safe Driving
Encore: (9-26-2014) Safest - and most dangerous - U.S. cities to drive: Boise makes top of the list
Drivers in Fort Collins, Colo., can take another bow before calmly climbing behind the wheel. For the fourth time in a decade, Allstate has named it "America's Safest Driving City" in its annual analysis of car accidents. Boise, Idaho, was ranked third for safe drivers by the insurance company.
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Winter Driving
Encore: (9-26-2014) Studded tires legal on Idaho's highways beginning Oct. 1
Drivers can once again use studded tires on Idaho roadways beginning Oct. 1, the Idaho Transportation Department announced. Idaho state law allows the use of studded tires Oct. 1 - April 30 each year. Driving with studded tires outside of that timeframe is a non-moving equipment violation with a fine of $67, according to the Idaho State Police.
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Highway Safety
Encore: (9-26-2014) Why highway safety should engage Emergency Medical Services in the strategic highway safety planning process
Each of the 4 "Es" -- Engineering, Enforcement, Education, and EMS -- is critically important in eliminating death and serious injury from vehicle crashes. The first three Es play a role in preventing or minimizing injury, while EMS contributes to eliminating death and serious injury in the post-crash phase, providing the last prehospital opportunity to improve health outcomes from motor vehicle crashes.
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Transportation Board
Encore: (9-26-2014) Transportation Board tours District 6, holds monthly meeting in Island Park
The transportation board concluded its final tour of the year of ITD districts Sept. 17 by traveling from Idaho Falls north to West Yellowstone, Mont. The board met with the Montana Transportation Commission to discuss issues of mutual concern, such as interstate speed limits, overlegal loads, and the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program. The board then returned south on U.S. 20 to Harriman State Park in the Island Park vicinity, where it conducted its business meeting Sept. 18.
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