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The New 2017 T2 Training Calendar is now available!
Click here to view training opportunities available in 2017
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Coming Soon
MassDOT Innovation & Tech Transfer Exchange
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Have You Liked T2 Center's Facebook Page?
The T2 Center's Facebook page has a great mix of informative posts, fun graphics, continuing education info and local transportation news.
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Follow Us!
Use these links to get more information about the Connecticut Technology Transfer (T2) Center:
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2017 Roadway Safety Poster Contest is Underway!
Each year the T2 Center holds our Roadway Safety Poster Contest for Children. We want to make roadway safety a priority and are asking the children of Connecticut to help promote roadway safety through art. Students in grades K-6 are invited to submit their original artwork for the chance to win big prizes and be recognized at the Work Zone Safety Week Press Conference held in April.
The PBS Kids' Ruff Ruffman's
"Game Over" digital initiative provides resources to encourage kids to become better passengers and to play an active role in helping parents to keep their eyes on the road. The campaign's unusual approach tunes into the idea that kids are acutely aware of their parents' distraction, especially when they are driving.
Please share with your own kids, your crews and their children and your local school, and help us keep all children in CT safe on the roadway.
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Need Training? Limited Resources? Consider Hosting
The T2 Center's
training calendar is available on our website for your planning purposes. Please keep in mind that we are still confirming dates and locations for our 2017 trainings. Please be sure to check the website often for updates as we work to finalize the schedule.
We are always looking for new host sites to hold our workshop sessions. Sites that seem to work well are fire station training rooms and conference rooms at town halls or libraries, for example.
As a host, you benefit from having the training in town so your people don't have to travel and you will also receive (2) scholarship vouchers valued at $75.00 each from the T2 Center for your staff to attend a class of their choosing, valid for one year from issuance.
If you know a facility in your town that meets our needs and you would like to be a host for us, we'd love to hear from you! If you are interested in hosting a training session(s) please contact Shelly Desjardin, by
email
or phone (860) 486-9373.
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Tips from Tony
When should you install this type of sign and how do you determine which speed to use?
Find the answer at the bottom of the newsletter.
If you have roadway safety questions please contact:
Anthony Lorenzetti, P.E. - Safety Circuit Rider
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NEW Tailgate Talk - Staying Fit for Snow Fighting
The T2 Center is excited to announce our newest "Tailgate Talk". Each Tailgate Talk focuses on one on-the-job safety topic and is designed to be shared with your crew at the beginning of their day. When employees are presented with safety material in small chunks, in a setting they are comfortable with, they are more likely to retain that information and put it into practice. 
The newest Tailgate Talk focuses on Staying Fit for Snow Fighting. With winter weather comes snow fighting and with snow fighting comes fatigue. Unpredictable weather can lead to long difficult hours on the road with few breaks and little sleep. However, there are several things agencies and drivers can do to make sure crews are in good shape to combat Old Man Winter, maintain our roads, and get home safely.
To continue to the Staying Fit for Snow Fighting Tailgate Talk
click here.
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City of Norwalk Wins the US DOT's Mayors' Challenge Award
Norwalk, CT used the U.S. Department of Transportation's Mayors' Challenge to infuse energy into it's Bike/Walk Taskforce of local residents, business owners, and city staff. The Taskforce, charged by Mayor Harry Rilling with making Norwalk's streets and sidewalks safer for all users, took on the "Create Networks" challenge. In collaboration with the Norwalk Health Department, they worked to improve the connectivity and accessibility of the city's bicycle and pedestrian network.
"My Bike/Walk Taskforce was formed with a mission of improving the bicycling and pedestrian experience throughout the community. Safe streets that all can share improve the quality of life in a community and provide safety for all modes of transportation."
"W
e are proud to be the leader of this endeavor and hopefully serve as a model for others to emulate". - Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling
To learn more about this project please
click here.
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AASHTO - Transportation Project in Connecticut Wins Top National Award
The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), AAA and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce announced that the Connecticut Department of Transportation has earned the Grand Prize for Transportation Projects
for the Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge.
"This year's Grand Prize winner, the  new Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge - is another perfect example of what this competition is about," said Bud Wright, AASHTO executive director. "This spectacular new addition to New Haven's skyline is one of the largest projects in the Connecticut DOT's history. And it was delivered ahead of schedule and on budget, improving safety, relieving congestion and enhancing travel options for tens of thousands of daily commuters."
The $554 million Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge spans 42-hundred feet over the Quinnipiac River, connecting 140,000 vehicles daily to several major Interstates and the Gateway Terminal; one of the busiest intermodal ports in the country.
Click here to learn more about this project.
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Tips from Tony ~ Answer
The Advisory Speed Plaque may be used to supplement any warning sign to indicate the advisory speed for a condition. The MUTCD provides standards, support and guidance for their use.
Standard:
- The use of Advisory Speed plague for horizontal curves shall be in accordance with the information shown in Table 2C-5. The Advisory Speed plaque shall also be used where an engineering study indicates a need to advise road users of the advisory speed for other roadway conditions.
Table 2C-5. Horizontal Alignment Sign Selection
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Note: Required means that the sign and/or plaque shall be used, recommended means that the sign and/or plaque many be used. See Section 2C.06 for roadways with less than 1,000 ADT
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- If used, the Advisory Speed plaque shall carry the message XX MPH. The speed displayed shall be a multiple of 5 mph.
- Except in emergencies or when the condition is temporary, an Advisory Speed plaque shall not be installed until the advisory speed has been has been determined by an engineering study.
- The Advisory Speed plaque shall only be used to supplement a warning sign and shall not be installed as a separate sign installation.
- The advisory speed shall be determined by an engineering study that follows established engineering practices.
Support: Among the established engineering practices that are appropriate for the determination of the recommended advisory speed for horizontal curve are the following:
- An accelerometer that provides a direct determination of side friction factors
- A design speed equation
- A traditional ball-bank indicator using the following criteria:
- 16 degrees of ball-bank for speeds of 20 mph or less
- 14 degrees of ball-bank for speeds of 25 to 30 mph
- 12 degrees of ball-bank for speeds of 35 mph and higher
- The 16, 14, and 12 degrees of ball-bank criteria are comparable to the current AASHTO horizontal curve design guidance. Research has shown that drivers often exceed existing posted advisory curve speeds by 7 to 10 mph.
Guidance:
- The advisory speed should be determined based on free-flowing traffic conditions.
- Because changes in conditions, such as roadway geometrics, surface characteristics, or sight distance, might affect the advisory speed, each location should be evaluated periodically or when conditions change.
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If you have any ideas or suggestions for future Connecticut Crossroads topics, please feel free to email the designer Regina Hackett at [email protected].
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