- The T2 Center Has a New Look!
- Signal Spotlight: On-Demand Learning
- Safety Matters: Speed Display/Driver Feedback Sign Program
-
Innovation Station: FHWA's Focus on Reducing Rural Roadway Departures — FoRRRwD
-
Warren's Words of Wisdom: Electric Shock Drowning (ESD) — Never Heard of It? Me Neither, Until Now
- Bollard Object Marker Guidance
-
Tips for Improving Your Public Speaking Instantly Webinar — Did You Miss It?
-
National Center for Pavement Preservation — Free Webinars!
- Report Highlights Connection Between Transportation, Health, and Healthcare
|
|
|
|
The T2 Center Has a New Look! |
|
|
|
We now have a new website and several new ways to keep you connected to helpful resources, our programs and your professional development.
Our new integrated website and registration management system provides access to the latest T2 news and events, details on upcoming classes, information about our programs, and access to all the resources you are used to finding on topics like road safety, asset management, environment and worker safety, to name a few.
|
|
|
|
|
Our new registration system allows you to register online for classes and check your progress toward our certificate programs by providing a complete transcript of all the classes you have taken as well as certificates that you can print as needed. Managers are able to easily access their staff lists and quickly enroll employees for sessions.
We will be sharing more information on all the new functionality and resources as we move forward but take a minute to peek at our new look – visit www.t2center.uconn.edu.
|
|
|
|
Signal Spotlight: On-Demand Learning
|
|
|
|
The T2 Center is now offering a series of on-demand courses on traffic signal topics that may be accessed online at any time. These modules complement the in-person courses offered by the T2 Center, allowing supervisors to provide training on basic traffic signal concepts as the need arises.
To get started, go to the CT T2 Center Vimeo webpage to select a course. To complete the course, watch the video and then complete the quiz linked in the description below the video to receive Signal Academy credit.
|
|
|
|
A learning guide is provided for each course so participants have additional resources to take back to the job site. The learning guide is available to download via a link in the description below the course video. New on-demand modules will be announced on the CTSignals Listserv, and you can visit the CT T2 Center Vimeo webpage to view all of the available on-demand courses.
Courses currently offered:
- Basics of Traffic Signal Operations
- MUTCD Traffic Signal Warrants
|
|
|
|
If you have traffic signal systems questions, please contact:
Theresa Schwartz, P.E., P.T.O.E. - Traffic Signal Circuit Rider
|
|
|
|
Speed Display/Driver Feedback Sign Program |
|
|
|
The T2 Center, working in cooperation with CTDOT, is pleased to announce a new program aimed at reducing fatal and serious-injury speed-related crashes on rural town-owned roadways. The Speed Display/Driver Feedback Sign Program will provide 119 Connecticut municipalities with two speed display signs each, at no cost to the town, over the course of the next two years.
Analysis of CT crash records from 2016–2019 showed that fifty percent (50%) of fatal and serious-injury crashes, where “exceeded speed limit” or “too fast for conditions” was a contributing factor, occurred on a rural town-owned road. By using a systemic approach and installing speed display signs on roads with similar characteristics, we can be proactive in addressing these types of crashes.
|
|
|
|
If you have any questions about local road safety concerns, you can contact:
|
|
|
|
FHWA's Focus on Reducing Rural Roadway Departures — FoRRRwD
|
|
|
|
Thirty people will die today, and every day, in a rural roadway departure—accounting for one third of U.S. traffic fatalities. The Focus on Reducing Rural Roadway Departures (FoRRRwD) initiative provides technical assistance and training to States and local agencies across the country to address this deadly problem. FoRRRwD provides unique approaches and methods to deliver safety countermeasures and projects efficiently. FoRRRwD’s focus areas are identified through its four pillars—all public roads, proven countermeasures, systemic approaches, and safety action plans.
|
|
|
|
Many agencies are recognizing the need to address rural roadway departures on all public roads because over 40 percent of these deaths happen on roads off the State highway system. Not only are State DOTs assisting local agencies and encouraging them to use an appropriate share of Federal safety funds, but many are finding innovative methods to accomplish the goal.
|
|
|
|
Electric Shock Drowning (ESD) — Never Heard of It? Me Neither, Until Now by Warren Rogers, C.S.P.
|
|
|
|
Several times during the summer, I would read a story of a fatality at a lake or pool or marina where somehow electricity was in the water that caused people to drown. One I recall was when the owner noticed his Golden Retriever was having problems after jumping off the dock into the lake, and the owner jumped in to help the dog. As soon as the owner went in, he began having problems and ultimately drowned, but the dog did survive. There was a short in the power cable to the dock. What was happening that was causing people to drown? Were they being electrocuted?
Here’s what I learned, it’s an event called Electrical Shock Drowning or ESD. When there is electricity in the water, it will cause your muscles to cramp up and you are unable to move your arms or legs, meaning you will be conscious, but will drown because you will not be able to swim or grab anything or even yell for help. What a horrible way to die!
|
|
|
|
The ELECTRIC SHOCK DROWNING PREVENTION ASSOCIATION has several educational videos and information on how to protect yourself and your family if you boat or go around a marina. I learned things I was completely unaware of until I looked at their web site. Even if you don’t have boat, spend a few minutes learning about ESD—it could save your life and the lives of people you love!
|
|
|
|
Bollard Object Marker Guidance |
|
|
|
Bollards, which are present on many existing multi-use trails near where a trail intersects a roadway, are intended to stop vehicles from entering the trail and injuring trail users. Design practices are constantly evolving, and the most recent version of the AASHTO bike guide no longer recommends the use of bollards on trails unless there is a documented history of unauthorized intrusion by motor vehicles (some local communities or locations may have particular concerns that still warrant bollards). |
|
|
|
Bollards should be marked with a retroreflectorized material on both sides or with appropriate object markers. Adding retroreflectorized material on both sides to existing bollard installations, one that is visible during daytime and low-light conditions (and nighttime conditions though most multi-use trails are closed at sunset), could help bicyclists using a trail see the bollards under low-light conditions. This can reduce the risk of crashes, especially at night. Retroreflectorized tape is an example of reflectorized material that can be added. This, in turn, can increase awareness for bicyclists (using a front bike light) and other users.
Additional reference is provided at the links below:
|
|
|
|
Tips for Improving Your Public Speaking Instantly Webinar — Did You Miss It?
|
|
|
|
On September 9th, the T2 Center hosted a Tips for Improving Your Public Speaking Instantly webinar with guest speaker Kevin Elliott, a communications specialist and public speaking teacher. The webinar was a huge success with 200 people registered!
|
|
|
|
If you didn't get a chance to attend the live webinar, you can now view it here.
|
|
|
|
National Center for Pavement Preservation — Free Webinars!
|
|
|
|
The National Center for Pavement Preservation (NCPP) announces the 2020 AASHTO TSP·2 Pavement Preservation Webinar Series. These webinars are offered FREE to all on a first-come, first-served basis. You are encouraged to participate in all of the TSP·2 webinars, your participation is not limited to a specific partnership or geographic region. This series offers an excellent opportunity to learn about current topics and issues in each of the four TSP·2 partnerships. Registration is limited to the first 500 participants and a separate registration must be completed for each webinar. We ask that you register only for those webinars you intend to participate in so that there is enough space for everyone who would like to join. All webinars will begin at 2pm ET/1pm CT/12pm MT/11am PT.
For specific information for each TSP·2 webinar click here.
|
|
|
|
Report Highlights Connections Between Transportation, Health, and Healthcare |
|
|
|
The Eno Center for Transportation has released a report discussing the role of transportation in improving health conditions across the country, such as providing access to essential health services. "Increasing Access to Essential Health Functions: The Role of Transportation in Improving America's Health" analyzes the connections between transportation, health, and healthcare, including analysis of the current state of practice, key challenges and access barriers, and innovative solutions. It outlines recommendations for agencies to improve policy and programming. Researchers hosted a webinar discussing the report and the webinar recording is now available online.
|
|
|
|
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! |
|
|
|
If you have any ideas or suggestions for future Connecticut Crossroads topics, please feel free to email the designer Regina Hackett at [email protected]
|
|
|
|
|
|
