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April 18, 2008
Transportation Board
Board reaffirms commitment to preservation, suspends enhancement requests
Faced with flat revenues and escalating construction costs the Idaho Transportation Board decided Thursday to preserve funds for state and local highway projects by suspending planned programs beyond 2010 aimed at addressing tourism and congestion issues.
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Highways
 Magazine writer travels scenic byways
From the air, it is hard to appreciate the virtues of highways that slice through Idaho’s vast southwest corner. Jet trails don’t do justice to the terrain and the beauty found along the network of scenic highways. But Spokane writer Linda Hagen Miller translated the visual cornucopia into words that meander through a 13-page spread in Horizon Air.
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 Young child, long-time friend honored for cleanups
Cooper and John are separated by nearly five decades, but they’re united by a bond of friendship and a common concern – keeping highways free of human discards. The two neighbors were honored Thursday as the Idaho Transportation Department’s Adopt-A-Highway “group” of the year for north-central Idaho’s District 2.
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Highway Safety
 Drive aggressively and pay the price
If you tailgate, change lanes without warning, speed, run yellow lights or ignore traffic signs or signals, you're likely an aggressive driver and law enforcement patrols will be looking for you. ITD is helping law enforcement agencies across Idaho expand aggressive driving enforcement patrols through April 26 as part of a statewide aggressive driving mobilization.
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Employees
HRD announces training schedule
Human Resource Development this week announced training opportunities for ITD employees in the Treasure Valley. The schedule will be incorporated in future editions of the Transporter as a service to employees who want to take advantage of additional training. A format will be developed that will provide better access to the schedule.
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Environment
 May in Motion encourages alternative transportation
ITD employees in the Treasure Valley have an opportunity to conserve finances as well as energy by participating in the annual May in Motion campaign. Organized by the Ada County Highway District, Commuteride and Valley Regional Transit, the event encourages commuters to try alternative transportation.
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Railroad crossings
Officers target drivers who challenge rail crossings
City, county and state law enforcement officers will conduct an "Officer On A Train" enforcement operation Monday (April 21) in southeast Idaho. The purpose of the enforcement operation is to increase public awareness of the potential dangers that exist at highway railroad intersections and to eliminate driver actions that can have tragic consequences. The operation emphasizes traffic laws that pertain to these intersections.
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Technology
Malware corruption spread by Olympics message
Would-be computer saboteurs are trying to capitalize on the summer Olympics to introduce hidden code that compromises computers, warns ITD Cyber Security Officer Forrest Anderson. Although the vulnerability is greatest for home computer users, anyone who has the authority to download applications from the Internet also could be at risk.
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Medical Services
 EMS chief chosen for USDOT committee
Dia Gainor, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Bureau Chief in the Division of Health, has been appointed to the newly formed U.S. Department of Transportation's National EMS Advisory Council (NEMSAC) and was also chosen to serve as the new Advisory Council's first chairperson. The Emergency Medical Bureau operates the State Communications Center, which dispatches ITD maintenance crews during off hours and plays a key role in the 511 Traveler Services system.
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2008 Legislature
 ITD appropriation approved, long-term revenue issue unresolved
Transportation funding, one of Governor Otter’s cornerstone issues entering the 2008 Legislature, will return when lawmakers assemble next year. They debated until the closing hours how to address funding for the state’s growing transportation needs. They generally acknowledged the transportation system is falling farther behind each year because of rapid growth, flattening revenue and double-digit inflation in the highway construction industry.
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Lawmakers consider host of transportation-related bills
The Idaho House and Senate ratified concurrent resolution SCR125 and sent to Gov. Otter for his signature fuel tax agreements that had been negotiated with three Idaho tribes. It also approved a bill that enables ITD to require semi-trucks to use tire chains when conditions warrant on three mountain passes in Idaho.
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Highways
Hutchinson announces retirement, will focus on (golf) handicap
It is time to quell the rumors and verify the worst kept secret of the last few months at the Idaho Transportation Department. I intend to retire from state service, with my last day being June 27, 2008. It has been an interesting and unique 36 years since May 15, 1972. Who would have thought at that time, while I was tying my tie to go to a meeting with District Engineer Howard Johnson that I would have made it to Chief Engineer...
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Highway Safety
Benzon selected for national committee
Joan Benzon was recently appointed to the national Fatal Analysis Reporting System (FARS) Coding Committee. She has worked as Idaho’s FARS analyst for nearly seven years in the Office of Highway Operations and Safety.
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