ITD named Partner of the Year
by Pacific NW Transportation Research group

ITD was named Partner of the Year in October for its collaboration and support of regional transportation research by the Pacific Northwest Transportation Consortium (PacTrans).

"Collaboration with researchers at PacTrans is vital to ITD's Research Program," said Ned Parrish, the department's research program manager.

The consortium includes seven major regional universities that specialize in transportation research, including two Idaho institutions – the University of Idaho and Boise State University.

Parrish explained that ITD is supporting research to improve the performance of our pavements, to better understand freight movement in our state and region, and to improve safety messaging to younger students in Idaho, from kindergarten through grade 12..

Funding that PacTrans receives from the U.S. Department of Transportation also supports research that's valuable to Idaho. A current PacTrans project is looking at how "V2I" communication (communication between automated vehicles and traffic-signal controllers) could improve traffic flow and safety in Ada County.

"I think it's great we were recognized, and think this award is an indicator that we're working effectively with these important partners," said Parrish.

Idaho Transportation Board Chairman Jerry Whitehead and Parrish serve on the PacTrans External Advisory Board and provide valuable input on research and workforce-development needs in Idaho and the region.

The city of Moscow, Idaho, was also recognized as a Partner of the Year for 2018.

Published 12-21-18