The Stream by AASHTO

Mark Hoffman, an Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Auburn University, and his Graduate Research Assistant Karl Bohnenberger have been studying one of the lesser known contributors to poor fuel economy: rolling resistance. Rolling resistance is a measure of the effort required to keep a tire rolling. It might not grab headlines, but rolling resistance has a substantial impact on emissions and energy use. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, conventionally fueled vehicles use up 11% of their fuel to keep their tires rolling, while electric vehicles use up to 25% of their energy for this purpose. As a result, reducing rolling resistance, as well as quality research on the subject; presents a valuable opportunity to improve vehicle efficiency and reduce the transportation sector’s carbon footprint. Today Mark and Karl join us to chat about rolling resistance reduction as an attainable step toward a sustainable future.

Once ubiquitous in North America, the Monarch’s striking orange and black wings are likely the first image that comes to mind when picturing a butterfly. The Monarch is famed not only for its beauty, but also for its role in a healthy ecosystem- the pollinators are a critical support to some uniquely American landmarks: from the Great Smoky Mountains to Zion National Park. Yet, over the past few decades, the Monarch has experienced a dramatic dip in population. As the eastern members of this iconic species prepare for their annual migration to Mexico, we’ll sit down with Arizona Department of Transportation’s Roadside Resource Specialist, Kris Gade-- one of the professionals leading the charge for Monarch conservation.

In this week's episode, host Bernie Wagenblast sits down with Matthew Quirey, a Landscape Design & Research Fellow at The Ray. For his thesis, Matthew partnered with The Ray to produce new classifications of the most beneficial and well rounded roadside vegetation systems which can now be used to guide Georgia’s efforts in sustainability and harmonious roadside ecology.

Today’s ETAP podcast will focus on how state agency partnerships are helping Connecticut both achieve its state climate goals and implement the Transportation and Climate Initiative Program, or TCI-P. State DOTs are critical stakeholders in deciding how to re-invest revenue generated caps on emissions. TCI-P is a historic multi-state effort to cap and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation In Connecticut, for example, TCI-P is projected to generate roughly a billion dollars over the next decade, much of which will support transportation systems. To learn more about TCI-P and the ongoing collaboration between state agencies in Connecticut, we are joined by Katie S. Dykes, the Commissioner of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, or DEEP, as well as Garrett Eucalitto, the Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Transportation.

Today’s ETAP podcast will focus on transportation equity and environmental justice. Transportation systems are critical to people’s ability to reach jobs, educational opportunities, health care, and a number of other goods and services. However, underserved and marginalized communities often lack transportation options that are accessible and affordable. In its efforts to address these issues, the Minnesota Department of Transportation has earned national recognition for its Rethinking I-94 project. MnDOT began the project in 2016, working with communities negatively affected by the construction of I-94 in the 1960s to develop a new vision for the Minneapolis–Saint Paul area. MnDOT Commissioner Margaret Anderson Kelliher and Rethinking 1-94 Livability Director, Gloria Jeff, join us on this episode to discuss transportation equity and environmental justice.

State departments of transportation will play a critical role in rolling out electric vehicle infrastructure. Shoshana Lew, the Executive Director of Colorado DOT, is leading the march towards a greener future for her state’s drivers and riders. This month's podcast discusses how Colorado is ramping up its efforts to promote electric vehicles and provide the infrastructure necessary for the future of transportation.

In this episode of the ETAP Podcast, Paula Hammond – market leader-multimodal at consulting firm WSP USA and a former secretary of the Washington State Department of Transportation – talks about the career challenges and opportunities for women in the transportation industry.

Jeff Bennett -- Transit Delivery Division of DC Department of Transportation and president of the DC Conference of Minority Transportation Officials -- is interviewed by host Bernie Wagenblast about how Washington DC is advancing transportation equity. 

The January ETAP Podcast focuses on the Transportation Research Board’s 2021 Annual Meeting, taking place throughout the month of January. Like most organizations, TRB has shifted to a virtual meeting due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The meeting will celebrate TRB’s centennial with the theme, “Launching a New Century of Mobility and Quality of Life.” The program covers all transportation modes and addresses a range of topics, including dozens of sessions on how COVID-19 has affected transportation and how transportation professionals and researchers are responding. This month's guest is Martin Palmer, Washington State DOT engineering services manager and co-chair of TRB’s Standing Committee on Environmental Analysis and Ecology.

The latest AASHTO ETAP Podcast will feature Carlos Swonke, Texas DOT's director of Environmental Affairs, who will discuss how TxDOT implements Environmental Justice as part of its planning and project development process. TxDOT, which has a nationally known EJ program, has used project-specific EJ lessons to help shape its project development process.