April 22, 2011

Driver's licenses
DMV preparing to introduce new driver's license process
ITD’s Division of Motor Vehicles staff is making final preparations in the transition to a new system for issuing driver’s licenses and identification (ID) cards. Known as “central issuance,” the updated system will issue cards from a central, secure location instead of over-the-counter. The licenses and cards will have a new look and state-of-the-art security features, all designed to avert counterfeiting and reduce the risk of identity theft and fraud.

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Realignment
New division completes consolidation
Randy Kyrias, administrator of a new, consolidated division announced this week the conclusion of realignment efforts affecting ITD’s Division of Public Transportation as well as the Division of Transportation Planning. The intent and spirit of the realignment was to strategically position staff and resources to respond to the vision for ITD as communicated by Director Ness, implement our Long Range Transportation Plan known as “Idaho on the Move,” and also become a performance-driven department.
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Airports
Jerome County produces model land use plan
Land use plans by their very nature are attempts to strike a balance between diverse – often competing – interests. Introduce the unique requirements of a public-use airport into the land use mix and the process can become even more complicated. Airspace, aircraft noise and “incompatible uses” require special consideration when developing comprehensive plans and zoning ordinances.

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Highway safety
Rural highways focus of annual safety summit

Law enforcement officials and safety professionals from throughout Idaho discussed safety on Idaho’s rural roads and highways when they met Thursday in Pocatello for the 2011 Highway Safety Summit. The annual meeting attracted more than 200 professions who explored ways of improving safety and reducing crashes that result in fatal or serious injuries.


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Aeronautics
Applications accepted for annual ACE academy
Navigating small airplanes, controlling air traffic and exploring Blackhawk helicopters are all part of the Aviation Career Exploration (ACE) Academy, June 20-22, hosted by the Idaho Transportation Department’s Division of Aeronautics. Teenagers will have the opportunity to participate in the academy, which is open to high school students ages 14-18. Applications must be postmarked by May 1. Extensions may be available upon request. Enrollment is limited to 30 participants.

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AASHTO
Director Ness chosen to chair safety, emergency committee
ITD Director Brian Ness was selected to serve as chairman of an American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) committee that focuses on security and emergency management. The committee is charged with promoting awareness and education about transportation security and emergency management issues nationwide by preparing guidance of supporting materials and research and through special meetings and conferences.

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ARTBA
Association rolls out new transportation website
The American Road & Transportation Builders Association has rolled out a new interactive website full of information about the job-creation impacts of federal transportation investment on the national and state economies. The data show the number of American jobs that could be at risk if the House and Senate fail to take action on a long-term surface transportation reauthorization bill this year. A reauthorization has not occurred since the 2005 transportation law known as "SAFETEA-LU" expired in September 2009.
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ARTBA website reports on transportation impact in Idaho

Accolades
Commuters like new Horseshoe Bend striping
Last summer, ITD tried a different pavement-marking plan on Idaho 55 on the south side of Horseshoe Bend Hill as an effort to reduce the number of crashes historically seen in that section. Since there was no observed benefit or reduced crashes, the striping crew put it back the way it had previously been in response to customer comments.

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Encore
Published April 15, 2011

Accolades
ITD projects receive honors from Council of Engineering Companies
ITD and its partners collected several project awards, including two first place honors, Monday from the Idaho Council of Engineering Companies. Several of the state awards also advanced to the American Council of Engineering Companies competition where they received national honors.


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Finding rest at Blacks Creek Rest Area
Jack and Alice Hodge from British Columbia, Canada, stopped by the Blacks Creek eastbound rest area on March 3. They were headed to Yuma, Ariz., on their annual trip from Okanagan Falls in southern B.C., traveling on I-84 to Twin Falls and south on U.S. 93.

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Highway Safety
Seatbelt advocate relives tragic crash that launched her involvement
Forevermore a seat belt advocate .
We met under the worst possible conditions; the man and I. He explained to me, a mother in shock and disbelief, how my son and my son’s best friend died. He tried to explain that my son, who left the night before in a car with his friends to go cosmic bowling, would never be coming home again.
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Public Transportation
Mobility council to meet April 26
The Idaho Mobility Council, including members of the Public Transportation Advisory Council and Interagency Working Group, will meet April 26 at the Holiday Inn Vista, 3300 Vista Ave. in Boise. Scheduled in the Cascade Room, the meeting will begin at 9 a.m. with an overview by facilitator Marsha Bracke.

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