2/24/2012

Transportation board
Governor chooses Kempton for District 4 position
Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter this week announced the appointment of Jim Kempton of Albion, a former legislator and Idaho Public Utilities Commission member, to succeed Gary Blick as the ITD District 4 member. Blick’s term expired in January, but he continued to serve pending appointment of a replacement.
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Public television
Director Ness discusses salary needs on Idaho Reports
ITD Director Brian Ness described the challenges of managing a state agency with no employee raises and high turnover when he participated in an Idaho Public Television(IPTV) edition of Idaho Reports over the weekend. The one-hour Idaho Reports was carried statewide on IPTV’s digital channels
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Highway safety
New option makes 511 system more personalized
ITD added new options to its model 511 Traveler Services system that increase personalized access to highway- and weather-related information and improve mobility for Idaho drivers. Improvements build on the department’s addition of individualized route selection and reporting introduced last year.
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Highway safety
Option reports interstate travel time in Treasure Valley
ITD is piloting a new option for commuters along I-84 between Caldwell and the Gowen Road interchange and between I-84 and downtown Boise using the Connector (I-184). Blue Tooth signal receivers have been installed along the interstate that track vehicles and report travel times on the 511 Website. The 28-mile stretch is divided into eight segments, and another that leads to downtown Boise.
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Transportation board
Balancing workzone speed limits, mobility
The Idaho Transportation Board earlier this month discussed how to balance safety in highway construction projects with the least amount of impact on traffic because of lowered speed limits. A new manual that guides the establishing of work zone speed limits was presented during the board’s monthly business meeting on Feb. 9 in Boise.
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Engineering Girls
Eighth grade girls learn engineering from ground up
Junior high students don’t often have a chance to design a city, learn about chemistry and crushed rock, and build leaning towers of spaghetti all between a continental breakfast and pizza lunch. But 30 eighth-grade Nampa girls made the most of their opportunity Thursday when they toured ITD Headquarters for Engineering Girls Day.
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Outreach
Workshop planned on doing business with government agencies
Learn the rules of doing business with the government at a free workshop in Mountain Home at the end of the month. The workshop will be held at the Mountain Home Public Library, 790 North 10th East, Feb. 28 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
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AASHTO
Report focuses on needs of aging drivers
A national report released Wednesday highlights the many ways state departments of transportation are addressing the needs of older drivers. The report, "Keeping Baby Boomers Mobile: Preserving Mobility and Safety for Older Americans," also makes the case for increased funding, research, planning and implementation of innovative solutions to support older drivers.
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Highway safety
Encore (2-17-12): Idaho continues to lead nation in fatalities decline
The National Safety Council (NSC) released a report this week that showed the downward trend in traffic fatalities continued in 2011. Idaho was among the national leaders in decline of traffic deaths from 2010 to 2011, and retains the distinction of achieving the greatest two-year drop (2009 to 2011) in the country.
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Cultural diversity
Encore (2-17-12): Cultural heritage months promote understanding
Cultural heritage months provide valuable opportunities to learn about and celebrate the contributions of specific groups of people to the workplace and understand their unique cultural experiences. African-American History Month, also called Black History Month, is the first and one of the nation’s oldest cultural heritage celebrations.
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Highways
Encore (2-17-12): Separators used on Broadway ramp to improve safety
Driver confusion and hesitancy can significantly hinder smooth traffic flow. If motorists are not comfortable with driving conditions, they will instinctively stop or slow down. If it doesn’t feel safe, it does not matter if it has been designed to be safe.
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Highways
Encore (2-17-12): D-3 experiments with new pothole solution
ITD’s Caldwell maintenance crew launched a road test this month to determine whether a new pothole patching material has adequate staying power in Idaho’s varying climates. One pothole was filled with conventional hotmix asphalt; a Polyurethane patch was used on another nearby hole.
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Employees
Encore (2-17-12): Sandpoint crew earns top honors for costumes
It’s not every day you can dress up in a silly costume, play outdoors in the snow and help a worthy cause. But that’s just what a group of employees from the Sandpoint Residency did recently. The gang trouped to Missoula, Mont., for the annual Blizzard Ball Tournament.
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