Transportation Radio

In this episode of ITE Talks Transportation, Eric Rensel, Founder and CEO of Rensel Consulting, shares insights on how the industry can attract, develop, and retain the next generation of transportation professionals. From the power of mentorship and storytelling to the importance of early STEM exposure and alternative career pathways, Rensel draws on nationwide workforce development efforts and ITE’s involvement in the Engineering Workforce Consortium. The conversation highlights how flexibility, inclusion, and strong professional relationships are key to shaping a resilient and innovative workforce.

In this episode, Darlene Goehl – research engineer and research group lead at the Texas A&M Transportation Institute – explains how new infrastructure being developed in Texas can help prevent thousands of monarch butterfly deaths as they migrate across busy roads in North America.Episode NotesIn this podcast episode, Darlene Goehl joins ‘The Stream by AASHTO’ to discuss the joint work of the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) with the Texas Department of Transportation in building monarch flight diverters or MFDs – a series of tall, mesh barriers placed along busy roads that motivate the butterflies to fly above the roadway, well above vehicles traveling on the highway below. Researchers have noted sharp declines in monarch populations, specifically during their migration periods in the fall. In some years, researchers found that nearly 3 percent of the monarch’s fall migratory population were lost after being struck by vehicles traveling on roads; this number represents about half of the popul

In this episode of ITE Talks Transportation, host Bernie Wagenblast speaks with Bryan Jones, Assistant City Manager for the City of Menifee, California, about how a Safe System Approach at the local level moves beyond traditional traffic safety strategies to examine how roadway design affects public health, emergency response, municipal budgets, and overall livability. Jones, coauthor of the February ITE Journal article “Safer Streets Through Abundance: Aligning Fire Codes, Safety, and Community Goals,” emphasizes the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration—particularly between transportation and fire officials—and challenges the assumption that wider streets inherently improve safety. The conversation also explores practical strategies for building community support and empowering transportation professionals at all levels to lead meaningful, systems-based change.

Michael Sanderson—CEO of Sanbell and 2018 ITE International President—shares how his “people first” philosophy has shaped his career and his approach to building strong teams on this episode of ITE Talks Transportation. He explains that leadership in technical fields isn’t about command-and-control, but about setting a clear vision, building culture, and trusting experts to deliver. Sanderson emphasizes that leadership is learned through practice, and encourages young professionals to say yes to opportunities, especially in organizations like ITE. He also highlights the importance of ethical decision-making, mentorship, adaptability, and the lasting impact of creating LeadershipITE to help develop the next generation of transportation leaders.

Episode SummaryIn this episode of The Stream by AASHTO, George McCue, Emerging Mobility Assistant Director at the Indiana Department of Transportation, and Dr. Steven Pekarek, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Purdue University, discuss a new electric vehicle project that seeks to create a wireless, electrified roadway that charges vehicles as they drive across the road. The pair discuss the science behind the project, the partnership between the university and Indiana DOT, and what it could mean for the future of electric vehicles.Episode NotesThis podcast series is part of the AASHTO Environmental Management technical service program operated by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. It explores a wide array of environmental topics that affect state departments of transportation and the infrastructure programs they oversee.In this episode, George McCue with the Indiana DOT and Dr. Steven Pekarek from Purdue University are interviewed by Bernie Wagenblast re

Episode SummaryIn this episode, Dan Medeiros – senior field representative for The Conservation Fund – discusses mountain lion conservation efforts in California as it relates to transportation infrastructure construction, motorist and wildlife safety, along with helping improve ecosystem linkages. Episode NotesIn this episode, Dan Medeiros joins The Stream by AASHTO to discuss his work with The Conservation Fund – a 40-year-old organization that purchases land across the US to preserve wildlife habitat – and its efforts in California to support the safety and growth of mountain lion populations and their habitats. Medeiros discusses how mountain lion conservation efforts interconnect with transportation infrastructure needs; especially how large barriers and quick-moving cars are two of the main culprits behind mountain lion deaths. He also points to specific examples, including the death of “54M” – a mountain lion tracked by that The Conservation Fund that was tragically killed by a vehicle when trying to c

In this episode of ITE Talks Transportation, host Bernie Wagenblast speaks with Lorraine Martin, President and CEO of the National Safety Council, about the need to view roadway deaths as a public health crisis. Martin outlines proven strategies and emerging technologies that are advancing progress toward the goal of zero fatalities. She discusses how cultural change, infrastructure design, and cross-sector collaboration are essential to creating safer transportation systems for all road users.

In this episode of ITE Talks Transportation, Jean-Paul Brissett, CEO of Quality Counts, discusses how data and artificial intelligence are reshaping transportation decision-making. Brissett examines how new technologies are enhancing access to and interpretation of data while raising critical questions about privacy and ethics. He also reflects on the evolving role of human judgment in an increasingly automated industry and the leadership skills needed to navigate that change. The conversation offers an insightful look at how innovation, data, and people intersect to drive the future of mobility.

This episode of ITE Talks Transportation dives into the newly released 12th edition of the ITE Trip Generation Manual. Guests Chris Brehmer of Kittleson & Associates and Eric Tripi of GHD highlight how the manual reflects multimodal travel patterns, with expanded data on walking, transit, and emerging land uses. They discuss new additions such as trip rates for fast-food restaurants, dog parks, and data centers, while also addressing how trends like hybrid work, e-commerce, and changing healthcare design are reshaping trip generation. They also expand on the benefits of the web app, the importance of submitting local data, and how evolving technology will shape future editions. 

Episode SummaryIn this episode, Tziporah Feldman discusses the specific policy issues Scenic America addresses, such as the impact of undergrounding utility construction on parks and open spaces; billboards and sign control; and intersection of community planning and scenic byways.Episode NotesThe latest episode of The Stream by AASHTO podcast features an interview with Tziporah Feldman, policy and research director for Scenic America; a national nonprofit advocacy dedicated to preserving and enhancing the scenic character of America's communities and countryside.This podcast series is part of the AASHTO Environmental Management technical service program operated by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. It explores a wide array of environmental topics that affect state departments of transportation and the infrastructure programs they oversee.Scenic America’s focus areas are reducing tree removal for billboard visibility purposes, as well as support for the Backcountry B

Episode SummaryIn this podcast episode, Michael Perez – Brasfield & Gorrie associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at Auburn University – shares his journey with breaking into stormwater engineering and erosion control, the rewards of working as a professor, and the successes and future of Auburn’s Stormwater Research Facility.Episode NotesThis podcast series is part of the AASHTO Environmental Management technical service program operated by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. It explores a wide array of environmental topics that affect state departments of transportation and the infrastructure programs they oversee.In this episode, Michael Perez – Brasfield & Gorrie associate professor at Auburn University – discusses the multi-dimensional world of stormwater management and the importance of creative and timely solutions to stormwater issues across the state of Alabama and the nation.We spend some time in this episode learning about the successe

On this episode of ITE Talks Transportation, Steve Latoski, Director of Public Works for Mohave County, Arizona, discusses the unique challenges and opportunities in managing rural roadways. He highlights the importance of low-cost Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), funding strategies like the Highway Safety Improvement Program, and the growing role of technologies such as AI in enhancing safety and traveler information. Latoski also emphasizes collaboration, starting small with proven solutions, and staying engaged with professional networks like ITE to help rural agencies overcome limited resources.

In this episode of ITE Talks Transportation, sustainability mobility consultant Manuel Calvo discusses how Seville rapidly transformed into a bike-friendly city by building an 80-kilometer protected bike lane network in just a few years. The initiative succeeded due to strong political will, public support, and strategic design focused on everyday users rather than just avid cyclists, and a fast, coordinated rollout. As a result, cycling became a mainstream mode of transportation in Seville, reshaping public spaces and changed how residents view urban mobility.

Episode SummaryThe latest episode of the “The Stream by AASHTO” podcast features Garrett Eucalitto, commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Transportation and the 2024-2025 president of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, discussing his commitment to “safer communities, safer users, and safer workers” and federal surface transportation reauthorization as part of his emphasis areas for his one-year presidential term.Episode NotesThis podcast series is part of the AASHTO Environmental Management technical service program operated by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and it explores a wide array of environmental topics that affect state departments of transportation and the infrastructure programs they oversee.In this podcast episode, Eucalitto delves into his family’s connection to the transportation industry, how his career path shifted from foreign relations to transportation policy, and why he’s made “centering safety” a key focal

In this episode of ITE Talks Transportation, Joey Paskey, Director of Public Works for the City of Las Vegas, discusses the unique transportation challenges in a fast-growing city like Las Vegas, where she oversees a diverse infrastructure system that serves both residents and more than 40 million annual visitors. She emphasizes the city's proactive safety approach, including a Vision Zero action plan, and highlights the importance of clear public communication and collaboration with stakeholders. Paskey also reflects on lessons learned on the job—particularly around communication, maintenance, and budget management—that go beyond traditional engineering education.

Episode SummaryThe latest episode of the “The Stream by AASHTO” podcast features Ted Boling, a partner with Perkins Coie, with over 30 years of public service – who discusses recent changes to the National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA, and the removal of regulations by the Council on Environmental Quality, or CEQ.Episode NotesThis podcast series is part of the AASHTO Environmental Management technical service program operated by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. It explores a wide array of environmental topics that affect state departments of transportation and the infrastructure programs they oversee.In February 2025, the CEQ announced an Interim Final Rule that removes its longstanding NEPA implementing regulations from the Code of Federal Regulations. This shift places the responsibility for NEPA compliance directly on individual federal agencies, allowing them to follow their own procedures rather than a centralized set of rules.In this podcast episode, Boling de

Episode SummaryIn this episode, Ken Kunkel – principal research scholar at the North Carolina Institute of Climate Studies at North Carolina State University – explains how transportation agencies can use the Atlas 15 weather tool developed by the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration to measure the impact of extreme precipitation on infrastructure, such as roads and bridges.Episode NotesThis podcast series is part of the AASHTO Environmental Management technical service program operated by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. It explores a wide array of environmental topics that affect state departments of transportation and the infrastructure programs they oversee.Ken Kunkel – principal research scholar at the North Carolina Institute of Climate Studies at North Carolina State University – offers a wealth of knowledge on all things meteorology and extreme precipitation, including over 40 years of climate and precipitation research. He is an author on the third and fo

Bill Schultheiss, P.E., Vice President and Director of Design and Engineering at Toole Design, and Katy Sawyer, P.E., Principal Engineer at Toole Design, join the ITE Talks Transportation podcast to discuss the new AASHTO Bike Guide. They highlight the importance of community engagement in planning bicycle infrastructure and share how planners can effectively navigate national, state, and local guidelines when developing bikeway plans. Schultheiss and Sawyer also offer insights on fostering collaboration between planners and engineers to support context-sensitive, multimodal transportation solutions.

Natalie Draisin, Director of the North American Office and the United Nations Representative for the FIA Foundation, joins the ITE Talks Transportation podcast to talk about the current state of road safety on the global level. She talks about how the United States compares to other parts of the world when it comes to road safety, strategies for successfully implementing the Safe System Approach, and best practices nations around the world are integrating to improve transportation safety. She also talks about incorporating a safety-first mindset across all levels of the profession and the role technology can play in improving safety.

David Kriger, principal of David Kriger Consultants, joins the ITE Talks Transportation podcast to discuss emerging trends in urban goods movement and how they're impacting the space. He also talks about drivers of change in urban freight related to factors beyond land development and road infrastructure, and uses case study examples to highlight what cities in the United States and Canada are doing to further efficiency and safety.