Innovation drives the transportation industry. It always has. But our engine of innovation hasn’t always driven on all cylinders. For example, our national history of racial segregation stopped many 20th century African-American inventors from shaping our industry.

That’s one reason Black History Month, each February, is so important. This special month gives our industry a way to celebrate African-American inventors who broke through society’s barriers and contributed to our industry.

[Read more…]

How do you define “traffic?” If you’re like most Americans, you picture taillights, turn signals, and exit-only lanes. This is understandable. In the 20th century, planners built or redesigned almost all of our roads, streets, and bridges with pavement markings to serve motorized vehicles.

21st century planners have been busy reimagining our roads and streets. It’s part of the “Complete Streets” movement, and it focuses on making our roads safer for motorized vehicles along with other forms of travel, including bicycling and walking.

[Read more…]

If you could buy our public highway system a gift this holiday season, what would it be?

• Better rest areas?
• More lanes at the intersection that slows you down every morning?
• Brighter lighting on the shortcut you take once in a while?

Here’s our gift suggestion: How about a stronger culture of safety to shape every decision about every road project?

[Read more…]

AAA expects about one in seven Americans to travel this year for Thanksgiving. With so many cars on the road, it’s inevitable: Some of us will sit in snarled traffic. Some of us may even be delayed for hours.

How can you reduce your odds of sitting in traffic for hours this holiday? By timing your trip well.

[Read more…]

The weather is cooler. The leaves are changing. Halloween candy is disappearing from store shelves. Football season is getting more interesting.

That means it must be — Careers in Construction Month.

That’s right. Each October this special month celebrates everything our industry offers its current and future employees.

[Read more…]

Shouldn’t you always stop when a school bus deploys its stop sign and flashing red lights?

The answer to this question surprises some drivers. In most states, drivers should not stop for a school bus:

• If they’re traveling in the opposite direction of the bus on a multi-lane highway
• And if the multi-lane highway is divided by a grass or unpaved median

Drivers in this scenario should keep moving with caution.

[Read more…]

A map of the Interstate highway system made a brief splash on social media earlier this year. A lot of people who shared the map said they had no idea highway numbers followed a format. They assumed the government assigned highway numbers randomly.

[Read more…]

Are we losing ground on work zone safety? A recent report shows 97 percent of people who work in road construction zones feel unsafe on the job. That’s a staggering statistic. Meanwhile, the Federal Highway Administration has reported an increase in work zone fatalities in 2021.

At InfraStripe, we’re concerned about the direction these numbers have taken. We’re concerned enough to be thinking about new ways to make work zones safer for everybody — for workers and motorists alike.

[Read more…]

AAA says this summer might be the busiest travel season ever as Americans return to pre-pandemic vacation patterns. Even on clear, sunny days, busier roads create more dangerous traveling conditions. When a heavy summer rain shower pops up, summer driving becomes even more treacherous.

Before you hit the road this summer, consider these safety tips for driving in the heavy rain:

[Read more…]

Here’s an interesting question: You’re driving along the freeway. A sign says your lane will end, one mile ahead, to accommodate a work zone. Should you:

A. Merge out of the lane as soon as it’s safe and clear?
B. Stay in the lane until it actually closes and then merge, at the last minute?

[Read more…]