The Stream by AASHTO – Details, episodes & analysis

This 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 point not only for his AASHTO presidential emphasis areas but as the nucleus of his transportation career. 

He also discusses the critical importance of ongoing surface transportation funding reauthorization work by Congress and how that legislative effort impacts safety. He explains on the podcast that reauthorization “impacts everything we do” as state DOTs, especially in the safety arena. That’s why it is critical to ensure that the current reauthorization package maintains – if not expands – the current level of federal funding to fully support the nation’s transportation systems.

Eucalitto is also AASHTO’s first openly gay president and discusses how this part of his identity has helped make him more empathetic about protecting people physically, mentally, and emotionally – especially in terms of fostering a level of comfort so people can live openly in the workplace. 

Finally, Eucalitto looks to the future as part of his podcast interview – examining the ways state DOTs are seeking to broaden their “non-traditional” partnerships, along with ways state DOTs are working to improve the exchange of information between one another for disaster response and other needs. 

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.

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 fourth U.S. National Climate Assessments. He is also the lead author of the 2020 North Carolina Climate Science Report. He has published around 170 scientific journal articles and book chapters, mostly on climate variability and change.

In this episode Kunkel discusses the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration or NOAA tool known as Atlas 15. The purpose of Atlas 15 is to produce extreme precipitation values that are used in design in infrastructure. Atlas 15 is also able to incorporate changing climate models when producing future data. He dives into how effective and accurate Atlas 15 is and how its data can improve the resiliency of infrastructure, particularly in the transportation sector.

 

https://aashtos-etap-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/shadows-in-motion-emergency-management-during-a-solar-eclipse

This is the first episode of a two-part series where we explore effective management during a solar eclipse. This episode highlights the significance of preparation, planning, training, and effective communication. Featuring insights from Michael White, Assistant Director at the Missouri Department of Transportation, we gain valuable perspectives on advancing safety protocols and bolstering resilience to ensure operational continuity during celestial events.

As the newly elected President of AASHTO, Craig Thompson is committed to fortifying the workforce to construct a modern and efficient transportation system that centers the needs of all citizens. Recognizing the profound impact of transportation on our daily lives, the economy, and society at large, President Thompson looks forward to collaborative efforts to propel the transportation system into the future. In this podcast interview, President Thompson shares insights into his presidential emphasis areas. Listen to this episode to gain a deeper understanding of this year's AASHTO president and explore how his extensive experiences have shaped AASHTO's strategic focus for the 2024-2025 year.

This episode concludes our four-part series on equity, where we've focused on transportation professional's work towards building an equitable transportation system. This episode is brought to you from the AASHTO 2023 Annual Meeting where we spoke with guests and attendees from all over the country. Our guests today join us from the audience and the panel of the annual meeting knowledge session titled "Stop, Look, Listen: Engaging Communities to Put Equity into Action!" We speak to them today about their immediate thoughts and reactions on the knowledge session and get their perspective and opinion on what equity looks like in transportation.

To learn more about today's topic of conversation please visit the links below: 

• ReConnect Rondo 
• City of Seattle's Reconnect South Park
• Albina Vision Trust 
• Salt Lake City’s I-15 Reconnecting Communities Plan Study
• Lauren Hood  
• CA's Highways to Boulevards Project

To learn more about today's topic of conversation please visit the links below: 

• Tamika Butler, Esq. 
• Alabama DOT's City Walk Project
• RAISE Discretionary Grants
• City Walk AASHTO Transportation Award

To learn more about today's topic of conversation please visit the links below: 

ReConnect Rondo 

• 2023 Inaugural Reconnecting Communities Summit 
• ReConnect Rondo 
• ReConnect Rondo 4F Funding Model

Reconnect Communities Grant Program 

• Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods Grant Program | US Department of Transportation
• Biden-Harris Administration Announces First-Ever Awards from Program to Reconnect Communities | US Department of Transportation
• Past, Present, and Future of Reconnecting Communities (arcgis.com)

The Lehigh Planning Commission is a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) that was created to provide planning services to Lehigh and Northampton counties while working alongside the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. LVPC coordinates with its respected communities, community leaders, and businesses, elevating Pennsylvania’s transportation and quality of life while keeping the environment in mind. In this episode you will hear from Executive Director of LVPC, Becky Bradley and the impact LVPC is making in Pennsylvania.