September 2010

High-density foam uses as unique highway fill
High-density foam products such as those used as fast-food drink containers and insulated coolers often are considered a threat to the environment. They have a long lifespan, are not biodegradable and clog landfills. But those same characteristics make high-density foam an appropriate material for some highway construction applications, as ITD is proving in southeast Idaho.
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Report scheduled on cost allocation study
The Idaho Transportation board will consider details of a “cost allocation study” when it meets next week for a monthly business meeting in Twin Falls (District 4). The board meeting will begin at 9 a.m. at the Twin Falls City Hall, 305 Third Avenue East. Thursday board members will embark on an all-day tour of the district. The board initiated a study to determine the fair share of costs that each road user class should pay for the construction, maintenance, operations and related costs of highways, roads and bridges in the state.
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Three-day national workshop planned in Boise
Public information officers representing transportation departments throughout the country will converge in Boise next week for their annual conference. The National Transportation Public Affairs Workshop (NTPAW) opens with registration and a reception Wednesday and shifts into high gear for three days of formal presentations, workshops and roundtable discussions, beginning Thursday.
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Fair demonstration drives home need for seat belt use
More than 1,200 broken eggs helped make a point to Western Idaho Fair goers that people should always be properly restrained when traveling in a motor vehicle. A seat belt demonstration used chicken eggs and a Barbie car to demonstrate what happens to restrained and unrestrained motor vehicle occupants during a 35 mph crash.
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Report shows system performance slipping
A report released recently by the Reason Foundation puts into quantitative form what ITD administrative leaders have emphasized the past few years – without an infusion of additional state and federal funds, the quality of Idaho’s roads will suffer. The Reason Foundation publishes an annual report about the performance of state highway systems based on a complex set of criteria. The annual study measures the condition and cost effectiveness of state-owned roads in 11 categories, including deficient bridges, urban traffic congestion, fatality rates, pavement condition on urban and rural interstates and other factors.
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Allstate says Boise-area drivers third-best in nation
The next time you see cars parked on the interstate after a rear-end collision in the Treasure Valley or vehicles entwined at an intersection you can take comfort that it doesn’t happen more often. In fact, only two other medium-sized cities in the U.S. have better drivers than those in the Boise area. Allstate Insurance Co. – those people with the good hands -- rank Boise drivers third-best among 200 cities.
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Subcommittee identifies five priorities
The Public Transportation Subcommittee of the Governor's Transportation Taskforce made its recommendations for funding options to support Idaho's public transportation needs on Aug. 30. After its July meeting, the subcommittee ranked the proposed funding mechanisms that would help meet the cost estimates for public transportation needs in Idaho.
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Survey sheds light on opinions of Idaho drivers
A statewide public awareness survey of highway safety issues revealed that most Idaho drivers (84 percent) say they wear a seat belt when driving or riding in a vehicle and that more than half (59 percent) would support stronger seat belt legislation. The University of Idaho’s Social Science Research Unit conducted the annual telephone survey in early September for ITD’s Office of Highway Operations and Safety.
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School, children to observe annual walk, bike day
For generations, educators have asked students to stay in their seats and sit quietly. On Oct. 6 they will encourage students to leave their seats – in cars and buses – and expend a little energy by walking or bicycling to school. International Walk to School Day was created 14 years ago to emphasize the benefits of walking and bicycling. With about two weeks before the worldwide observance, Idaho had 28 events in 12 cities registered on the International Walk to School website, from Ammon and Iona to Boise, Eagle, Nampa and Lewiston and Sandpoint.
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Published 12-23-2010