- Leaders to Watch: Allan Dodge, CT Department of Transportation
- Safety Matters: Speed Display Signs for Speed Management in Urban Communities
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Signal Spotlight: CTDOT Press Release – Upgrade of Pedestrian Facilities at Existing Traffic Control Signals in Various Connecticut Municipalities
- Innovation Station: On Anniversary of ADA, USDOT Announces Winners of Its First-Ever Inclusive Design Challenge
- Town Crier: Special Thanks to Tim Nolan, City of Danbury
- Pedestrian Fatalities Projected to Reach Four-Decade High Across U.S.; CT One of Only 10 States Expected to See Reduction
- Social Media Corner: Greenwich Public Works Instagram
- Reminder: Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Application Deadline
- AASHTO Issues 42nd Materials Standards Edition
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Allan Dodge, CT Department of Transportation |
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In March of 2022, Allan Dodge was promoted to Transportation District Special Services Section Manager assigned to District 3 of the Connecticut Department of Transportation. In this role, Allan oversees the District’s Permit Unit and Planning Unit, as well as the District Trainer, Drainage Engineer and Traffic Engineer. Allan earned his Bachelor’s degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Clarkson University. He holds his Professional Engineer license and worked in the private sector before joining the DOT in 2016 as a Transportation Engineer Trainee in the Department’s Hydraulics and Drainage Unit. In 2019, Allan was promoted to District Drainage Engineer of the Department’s District 4.
Allan is a valued member of District 3’s management team, and his energy and intellect have benefitted the Department and its customers. Allan has forged relationships within the various Bureaus of the Department of Transportation. Allan’s position requires that he interact with contractors, state and municipal officials as well as the general public. Allan’s professionalism, attention to detail and calm demeanor have been invaluable during these interactions.
Allan is a resident of Burlington. He and his wife enjoy a variety of outdoor activities and weekend road trips, especially to Cape Cod.
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Speed Display Signs for Speed Management in Urban Communities |
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Across the country, speeding remains a problem on every type of roadway and in every type of community. Speed-related crashes often result in serious injuries or fatalities. In 2020, to address speed-related crashes on Connecticut’s rural roads, the T2 Center’s Safety Circuit Rider program in coordination with the CT Department of Transportation launched a Rural Speed Display Sign Program. The program provided two signs, along with training on their use and benefit, to Connecticut towns with rural roads. Additionally, speed management training was offered throughout the program years to provide a broader speed management strategy. |
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Based on the success of the rural program, the CTDOT and the T2 Center are pleased to announce an Urban Speed Display Sign Program, which will commence on September 1, 2022. This will be a year-long program providing two free signs to those municipalities that were not eligible under the rural program. Training on the signs, the data they collect and related speed management classes with be offered as well.
Speed display signs are recognized by the Federal Highway Administration as an effective countermeasure to address speeding. They have been shown to reduce speeds by up to 5 mph and can be utilized in conjunction with other speed management tools to further reduce speeding. For more information, click here.
If you would like assistance with local road safety, including speed management, in your community, contact Melissa Evans, Safety Circuit Rider, at [email protected].
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Signal Spotlight: CTDOT Press Release – Upgrade of Pedestrian Facilities at Existing Traffic Control Signals in Various Connecticut Municipalities
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The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is developing plans to upgrade existing pedestrian crossing equipment to include countdown pedestrian indications, accessible pedestrian pushbuttons, and concurrent pedestrian phasing in an effort to improve accessibility and pedestrian safety at 61 locations in the municipalities of Branford, Bridgeport, Darien, East Haven, Fairfield, Guilford, Madison, Milford, Monroe, New Canaan, New Haven, North Haven, Orange, Shelton, West Haven, Weston, Westport, and Woodbridge. |
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On Anniversaryof ADA,USDOT Announces Winners of Its First- Ever Inclusive Design Challenge
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On July 26, 2022, during an event held in recognition of the ADA’s 32nd anniversary, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) will announce the winners of its $5 million Inclusive Design Challenge, a competition focused on innovative designs to enhance mobility options for people with physical, sensory, and cognitive disabilities and to provide equal access to automated vehicles. The first place prize of $1 million was awarded to Purdue University, the second place prize of $700,000 was awarded to AbleLink Smart Living Technologies, and the third place prize of $300,000 was awarded to the University of Maine. |
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The USDOT created the Inclusive Design Challenge to spur innovation in automated vehicle accessibility, encourage collaboration, and explore new designs and technologies. The program draws on the expertise of the disability community, researchers, advocates, and entrepreneurs, tapping into their knowledge and creativity to promote greater access and shape the future of mobility.
News from CT: The T2 Team would like to congratulate Katherine Hedberg-Klose, CTDOT's new ADA Coordinator.
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Special Thanks to Tim Nolan, City of Danbury |
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This summer, the Federal Highway Administration joined many around the United States to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the LTAP/T2 Center programs. A national
event was held, and Connecticut’s very own Tim Nolan, Superintendent of Public Services, City of Danbury, participated on a panel to discuss the critical needs of the Public Works Community and how the T2 Center’s program has helped, over these many years, to meet those needs. Tim focused on the strength of the partnerships between the Center and the towns in Connecticut, and how these important
collaborations have been an instrumental part of increasing worker and roadway safety and the effective management of Connecticut’s critical infrastructure.
We value our partnership with the City of Danbury and all of the towns in Connecticut and look forward to the next 40 years. Thanks so much Tim!
Click here to view the video that was produced by the Federal Highway Administration to commemorate the 40th anniversary, you might recognize someone.
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Pedestrian Fatalities Projected to Reach Four-Decade High Across U.S.; CT One of Only 10 States Expected to See Reduction |
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The national Governors Highway Safety Association annual spotlight report, Pedestrian Traffic Fatalities by State: 2021 Preliminary Data, offers a comprehensive look at state and national trends in pedestrian deaths for 2021. The 37-page report projects that drivers nationwide struck and killed 7,485 people walking in 2021 – the most in a single year in four decades.
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GHSA projects 7,485 pedestrians were killed in 2021, compared to 6,711 in 2020. This is a projected increase of 11.5%, representing 774 additional lives lost, and would be the largest number in 40 years.
In Connecticut, there were 52 pedestrian fatalities in 2019 and 61 in 2020. It is estimated that final data for 2021 will indicate 53 pedestrian fatalities, which would be one of only ten states to show a reduction in pedestrian fatalities during the year. Two states – Florida and Texas – were each estimated to have more than 100 additional pedestrian deaths in 2021.
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Social Media Corner: Greenwich Public Works Instagram |
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Did you know that almost 50% of adults in the United States use social media as a source of news? Social media is part of our everyday lives and is a great tool to have in your agency's communication toolbox. Some Connecticut Public Works Departments (DPW) have created their own social media accounts so that they can get information out to their residents in real time. The results have been extremely positive; the accounts have become a great resource for the agencies' residents. We are going to feature a DPW social media account each month to highlight the great things being shared with Connecticut's residents. |
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The Greenwich Public Works Instagram is fantastic! They post often with great videos and pictures, getting information out to their residents in record time. Whether it be severe thunderstorm warnings or giving their crew members "shoutouts" for doing a great job on a road project, Greenwich Public Works Instagram page is a great resource for their residents. With over 1,000 followers, they will continue to grow using Instagram as a tool in their Department's communication toolbox. Great job Greenwich Public Works!
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Reminder: Safe Streets and Roads or All (SS4A) Application Deadline |
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Reminder: The application submittal deadline of September 15, 2022 for the first year of the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) funding is fast approaching! If you haven’t already, take a look at the information on the website. There you can find the Notice of Funding Opportunity, which was recently amended, along with information on how to apply, links to the webinars that have been held and other valuable resources.
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AASHTO Issues 42nd Materials Standards Edition |
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The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials recently released the 42nd edition of its “Standard Specifications for Transportation Materials and Methods of Sampling and Testing, and AASHTO Provisional Standards,” commonly referred to as the “Materials Standards” publication.
Developed by the organization’s Committee on Materials and Pavements, the Materials Standards guide contains specifications, recommended practices, test methods, and provisional standards commonly used in the construction of highway facilities. It also contains provisional standards to allow practitioners to use them early in the research or development phase.
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Along with our Facebook page, the T2 Center now has an Instagram page! Click on the icons below to like the T2 Center on Facebook and follow the T2 Center on Instagram! |
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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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