Several ITD staffers represented the agency at the recent Transportation Research Board (TRB) meeting in Washington, D.C., January 11–15. The meeting brought together thousands of transportation professionals from around the world to exchange knowledge, share research, and discuss innovations aimed at improving every aspect of transportation.
Among the ITD presenters were:
- Roadside Program Manager Cathy Ford who presented a lectern session titled Native Seed Research Update. Cathy also presented a poster titled Works of the Standing Committee on Roadside Landscape and Environmental Design, Operations, and Maintenance.
- Construction and Materials Manager Mike Copeland, who presented a lectern session titled Generative AI Challenge to Highway Quality Assurance Integrity.
- Roadway Data Manager Margaret Pridmore, led a High Value Research award winning project, Smart Data, Smarter Decisions: Maximizing Value in Transportation Investments, that was featured during a poster session and presented by contract researcher from High Street Consulting. In addition, the research project, Wrong Way Driver Hotspot Analysis, led by Traffic Services Business Analyst Brett Hubinger conducted a poster session by a research team from University of Central Florida who conducted the study.
Other ITD staff participated in committee meetings, technical sessions, and discussions focused on current and emerging transportation research. Additional attendees included Construction and Materials Central Labs Manager Chad Clawson, District 5 Land Surveyor Ryen Johnson, Senior Environmental Planner Ann Marie Raymondi, Freight Program Manager Caleb Forrey, Principal Research Analyst Casey Walker, and Research Program Manager Amanda Laib.
The TRB annual meeting provided a valuable opportunity for ITD staff to connect with peers, researchers, industry partners and vendors from across the nation, contribute to national transportation research efforts, and bring practical insights back to Idaho.
Anyone interested in research or in participating in TRB committees and activities is encouraged to contact Casey (casey.walker@itd.idaho.gov) or Amanda (amanda.laib@itd.idaho.gov).
Have a research idea that would enhance ITD’s mission? There is still time to submit a Project Request Form to the ITD Research Program. Submissions are due February 20.