Helmets Not Even In Top 10 Of ThingsThat Keep Cycling Safe

British Cycling policy advisor Chris Boardman says it’s time for the cycling community to put the debate about mandatory cycle helmets to bed and get across the message that helmet use is one of the least important cycling safety measures.

Even talking about making helmets mandatory “massively puts people off” cycling, Boardman said, and likened the culture of helmet use among keen cyclists to people wearing body armour because they have got used to being shot at.

Talking to road.cc at the London Bike Show, Boardman said, “I think the helmet issue is a massive red herring. It’s not even in the top 10 of things you need to do to keep cycling safe or more widely, save the most lives.”

Read the rest of the story here.

The Bike-Share Boom

Does it feel like suddenly, bike-share programs are everywhere? The seemingly simple concept has indeed swept across the globe in a matter of just a few years. This is the story of just how quickly a great idea can spread when combined with the right technology—and a few fateful bumps along the way.

Read the story here.

Nine-Year-Old Asks To Adopt Highway For Christmas

When 9-year-old Jameson Vaughan was asked what he wanted for Christmas, he told his grandmother Winky Vaughan that he would like to adopt a highway.

Jameson attends Mason Cove Elementary School and enjoys helping people and the environment.  He got the idea after passing an Adopt-a-Highway sign on the way to a family reunion. “It sounded pretty cool to me, so I asked my grandmother if she could make that happen, and it wouldn’t cost anything,” Jameson explained.

Jameson’s request prompted Vaughan to contact the Virginia Department of Transportation to inquire about the program for individuals, businesses or civic groups to clean up litter and have their efforts recognized with a sign along the roadway.

Vaughan connected with Brenda McGuire, VDOT’s Adopt-a-Highway coordinator for Roanoke, Botetourt and Craig counties, to pursue making Jameson’s Christmas wish a reality. “I was blown away when I found out someone so young was interested in the program,” McGuire recalled.  

Only individuals age 18 and older may adopt highways but those under age 10 can participate in cleanups with adult supervision and permission from VDOT’s local residency administrator, who determines if the pickup location is safe for children.

Vaughan was pleased to learn that Route 912 (Absolom Smith Road) in Roanoke County near her home was available for adoption.  A blue Adopt-a-Highway sign denoting a portion of Route 912 as adopted by “Jameson Vaughan & Family” will soon appear there.

After a recent visit to VDOT’s Salem Residency Office to receive his safety vest, trash bags and highway cleanup signs, Jameson is ready to begin picking up litter on his newly adopted road.
“I was going to ask a couple of my friends to help,” he said with a smile.

“I have 12 grandchildren and all they usually want is video games,” Vaughan explained.  “Jameson is so excited.”  In addition to his adopted roadway, Jameson’s Christmas gifts also included two trash grabbers and a sign to display in his room.

Anyone interested in adopting a highway on VDOT maintained roads can learn more on VDOT's website.   

A Look Inside Hamilton's Surprising Bike Share Success Story

A couple of weeks ago, Owen Anderson, 54, went for a 27-kilometre bike ride — on a bike he doesn't own. 

Monumental trips like that help explain how Anderson, who does magic shows for kids for a living, is Hamilton's bike share top user.

As of Sunday, he'd ridden 2154.88 kilometres on the SOBI bike share bikes. He joined in May, so that's about 300 km a month, roughly 10 km a day. 

Sometimes he goes further, like that 27-km ride on the Rail Trail out to Highway 54 and back.

Unlike the majority of riders who use the bikes for commutes and errands, Anderson uses it entirely for recreation and exercise.

Read the rest of the story here.

VDOT Takes Action To Improve Guardrail Safety On Virginia's Roadways

Guardrail Safety

VDOT Takes Action to Improve Guardrail Safety on Virginia’s Roadways

Memo: Guidance on Guardrail Terminals

Attachment to Memo

Crash Test Reports

NCHRP-350 Test 3-30

Description of test 3-30 according to NCHRP Report 350:

This test is conducted with the vehicle approaching parallel to the roadway, with impact to the right of the vehicle’s centerline. It is intended primarily to evaluate occupant risk and vehicle trajectory criteria. The vehicle should be offset to the most critical side, that is, the side which will result in the greatest occupant risk during and subsequent to impact, recognizing the direction the vehicle will tend to roll, pitch, and yaw after the impact. The impact is to the right of the vehicle’s centerline; the vehicle will tend to rotate clockwise (as viewed from above).

• Karco Report on Test 3-30
• Videos
  • Real-time driver side overall
  • Real-time driver
  • Real-time left side
  • Real-time panning
  • High-speed camera view 1
  • High-speed camera view 2
  • High-speed camera view 3
  • High-speed camera view 4

NCHRP-350 Test 3-31

Description of test 3-31 according to NCHRP Report 350:

This test is conducted with the vehicle (pickup truck) approaching parallel to the roadway with impact at the vehicle’s centerline. For a device designed to decelerate a vehicle to a stop, these tests are intended to evaluate the capacity of the device to absorb the kinetic energy of the 2000 kg vehicle in a safe manner.

• Karco Report on Test 3-31
• Videos
  • Real-time driver
  • Real-time left side
  • Real-time panning
  • Real-time passenger
  • High-speed camera view 1
  • High-speed camera view 2
  • High-speed camera view 3
  • High-speed camera view 4

NCHRP-350 Tests 3-32 and 3-33

Description of tests 3-32 and 3-33 according to NCHRP Report 350:

Tests 3-32 and 3-33 examine the terminal device when it is impacted at an angle (15°) by a vehicle (small car or pickup truck, respectively) and are intended primarily to evaluate occupant risk and vehicle trajectory criteria.

• Karco Report on Test 3-32
• Videos
  • Real-time driver
  • Real-time left side
  • Real-time panning
  • Real-time passenger
  • High-speed camera view 1
  • High-speed camera view 2
  • High-speed camera view 3
  • High-speed camera view 4

• Karco Report on Test 3-33
• Videos
  • Real-time driver
  • Real-time left side
  • Real-time panning
  • Real-time passenger
  • High-speed camera view 1
  • High-speed camera view 2
  • High-speed camera view 3
  • High-speed camera view 4

NCHRP-350 Tests 3-32 and 3-33 (modified to five degrees)

Description of tests 3-32 and 3-33 (modified to 5°) according to NCHRP Report 350:

Tests 3-32 and 3-33 (modified to 5°) examine the terminal device when it is impacted at an angle by a vehicle (small car or pickup truck, respectively) and are intended primarily to evaluate occupant risk and vehicle trajectory criteria.

Information that has come to light in recent years, since the development of NCHRP 350, suggests that a low impact angle of 5° may reflect a critical impact condition that warrants evaluation. While the standard test matrix for the NCHRP 350 test protocol does not explicitly include a test at the 5° angle, that protocol does state, “It is not possible to anticipate the form that new designs will take nor the critical impact conditions of these new designs. As such, the test matrices presented in this section must not be viewed as all-inclusive. When appropriate, the responsible agency should devise other critical test conditions consistent with the range of expected impact conditions.”

• Karco Report on Test 3-32 (modified to five degrees)
• Videos
  • Real-time back seat overall
  • Real-time back side view driver door
  • Real-time left side
  • Real-time panning
  • High-speed camera view 1
  • High-speed camera view 2
  • High-speed camera view 3
  • High-speed camera view 4

• Karco Report on Test 3-33 (modified to five degrees)
• Videos
  • Real-time driver
  • Real-time left side
  • Real-time panning
  • Real-time passenger
  • High-speed camera view 1
  • High-speed camera view 2
  • High-speed camera view 3
  • High-speed camera view 4

VDOT Urges Motorists To Plan Ahead For Holiday Travel

RICHMOND, Va. – Online tools from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) allow you to stay up to date on traffic conditions and can make travel easier during the year-end holidays. 

“The Christmas and New Year’s holidays are busy times for travel each year,” said VDOT Commissioner Charlie Kilpatrick. “Motorists should plan ahead, drive safely and take a break when needed to ensure they reach their destination safely to enjoy the holiday.” 

You can find real-time information about traffic, incidents and road conditions on Virginia roads with VDOT’s 511 system. Visit 511Virginia.org, download VDOT’s free 511 app, or dial 5-1-1 from any phone in Virginia. To report a road problem or get answers to your transportation questions, call VDOT’s Customer Service Centerat 800-FOR-ROAD (800-367-7623) around the clock.

MOST MAJOR WORK ZONES SUSPENDED DURING PEAK HOLIDAY TRAVEL 

VDOT will suspend most highway work zones during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays to limit congestion and provide as many travel lanes as possible. 

VDOT will lift lane closures on interstates and other major roads in Virginia during the following dates and times: 

• Noon, Thursday, Dec. 24, to noon, Monday, Dec. 28, and
• Noon, Thursday, Dec. 31, to noon, Monday, Jan. 4, 2016.
  

NORTHERN VIRGINIA HIGH OCCUPANCY VEHICLE (HOV) SCHEDULE AND OTHER INFORMATION:
 

• Thursday, Dec. 24 − Normal HOV restrictions are in effect. Interstate 95 and Interstate 395 reversible lanes will be northbound until 10 a.m. They will reopen southbound by noon.
• Friday, Dec. 25 − HOV restrictions on Interstate 66 and I-395 are lifted. I-95/395 reversible lanes will be southbound all day.
• Saturday, Dec. 26 – I-95/395 reversible lanes will be southbound until 2 p.m. They will reopen northbound by 4 p.m.
• Thursday, Dec. 31 − Normal HOV restrictions are in effect. I-95/395 reversible lanes will be northbound until 10 a.m. They will reopen southbound by noon.
• Friday, Jan. 1− HOV restrictions on I-66 and I-395 are lifted. I-95/395 reversible lanes will be southbound all day.
• Saturday, Jan. 2 – I-95/395 reversible lanes will be southbound until 2 p.m. They will reopen northbound by 4 p.m.
  

More information on Northern Virginia HOV schedules can be found at http://www.virginiadot.org/travel/hov-novasched.asp. For information on the I-95 and Interstate 495 express lanes, visithttp://www.expresslanes.com. Drivers need either an E-ZPass Flex (for HOV-3 to ride toll-free) or an E-ZPass to use the express lanes at all times. 

HAMPTON ROADS HOV SCHEDULE, TUNNELS AND OTHER INFORMATION: 

• Interstate 64/Interstate 264/Interstate 564 HOV diamond lanes – HOV restrictions will be lifted on all HOV diamond lanes on Friday, Dec. 25, and Friday, Jan. 1, 2016.
• I-64 reversible lanes − Lanes will operate on the regular schedule with no HOV restrictions on Friday, Dec. 25 and Friday, Jan. 1.
  

I-64 Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (HRBT) – Motorists traveling to Virginia Beach are encouraged to use the Interstate 664 Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel (MMMBT) as an alternative to the HRBT. To Virginia Beach, take I-664 south to the MMMBT. Then take the Portsmouth/Norfolk exit (exit 15A) to Interstate 264 east to Virginia Beach.

Highway Advisory Radio (HAR) – Tune to 1680 AM to stay informed on Hampton Roads traffic, travel conditions and construction information. 

WORK ZONES AND OTHER TRAFFIC ALERTS 

While VDOT will lift most lane closures for holiday travel, motorists may encounter permanent work zones or travel delays in the following locations:

Accomack County 

Route 609 – Road closed for widening project. Use detour.

Albemarle County/ Charlottesville

U.S. 29 – All lanes will be open through the “Route 29 Solutions” construction projects. Watch for reduced speed limits and narrowed lane widths in work zones.

Amherst County

U.S. 501 – Replacing bridge at Route 130 intersection over James River. Traffic controls and flaggers in use.

Charles City County

Route 5 – Replacing bridge over Herring Creek. Temporary signal directing traffic.

Dinwiddie County

Route 226 – Replacing bridge 0.3 miles east of U.S. 460. Temporary signal directing traffic.

Essex County

U.S. 17 – Replacing bridge at Tignor Creek. Traffic reduced to one lane each direction in Tappahannock, near June Parker Marina.

Fluvanna County

Route 6 – Replacing bridge over Rivanna River. Traffic restricted to one lane controlled by temporary signals.

Frederick County

I-81 – Reconstructing interchange at exit 310. Speed limit through work zone reduced to 60 mph.

Giles County

U.S. 460 – Paving. Westbound lane closures in place, beginning west of Route 42 (mile marker 22) and ending at Route 730 (mile marker 26.5).

Greensville County

U.S. 301 – Replacing southbound bridge over rail tracks north of Emporia. Traffic detoured to I-95.

Hampton

Interstate 664 at I-64 – Rehabilitating bulkhead at bridge on northbound I-664 flyover ramp to westbound I-64. Prepare for traffic shift to the right lane after Powhatan Parkway (Exit 2).

Portsmouth

Interstate 264 – Right lanes closed both directions between Portsmouth Boulevard and Effingham Street for construction of the new Martin Luther King (MLK) Extension. Two lanes open to traffic. 

Richmond

U.S. 360 – Replacing bridge deck. Traffic limited to two lanes on Mechanicsville Turnpike over I-64, with one travel lane each direction. Ramp from eastbound U.S. 360 to westbound I-64 remains closed. Follow posted detour.

Roanoke

Interstate 581 – Constructing diverging-diamond interchange. Northbound right lane closed from 10th Street to Liberty Road approaching Valley View Mall. Shoulders closed, barricade walls in place. All lanes on Valley View Boulevard will be open.

Rockbridge County

I-64 – Rehabilitating Maury River bridge. Eastbound traffic will detour across median to westbound lanes between mile markers 53.3 and 55.3. Traffic both directions will use westbound bridge during work on eastbound bridge.

Westmoreland County

Route 205 – Replacing bridge on James Monroe Highway over Mattox Creek. Temporary signals directing single traffic lane on bridge.        

Wythe County

Interstate 77/I-81 overlap – High traffic volumes could slow or stop vehicles through this eight-mile stretch. Be alert for delays on northbound I-77 at the I-81 merge.

Transportation Training Symposium Helps Propel DBE Firms

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – The 2015 Virginia Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Transportation Training Symposium, hosted by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and the Transportation DBE Advisory Committee on Dec. 9-10, provided DBE firms the chance to learn about trends and best practices of the transportation industry and develop and advance partnerships to create contracting opportunities.

“We are proud to assist the Transportation DBE Advisory Committee in facilitating growth and business opportunities for DBE firms in Virginia through this event,” said VDOT Commissioner Charlie Kilpatrick. “These businesses play an important role in transportation projects across the commonwealth, and are at the heart of our mission to Keep Virginia Moving.”

Approximately 250 people attended the DBE training symposium, with more than 100 organizations represented, including prime contractors and consultants, DBE firms and government agencies.

The two-day training event and awards program, held in Williamsburg, was designed to provide educational workshops, recognize outstanding DBEs and provide network opportunities between DBE firms and prime contractors and consultants that will lead to more work on highway-related contracts in the future.

The DBE Awards Program held Dec. 10 recognized the following firms for outstanding performance and participation in the DBE Program: 

• Outstanding DBE Transportation of Materials Firm of the Year- Ty’s Hauling & Paving, Inc.
• Outstanding DBE Supplier of the Year- CLS Trucking, Inc.
• DBE Trailblazer of the Year- Sandra’s Marking Co. Inc.
• Outstanding DBE Contractor of the Year- D.T. Read Steel Co., Inc.
• Outstanding DBE Consultant of the Year- MJ Synergy Group, LLC
• Prime Contractor of the Year- E.V. Williams, Inc.
• Prime Consultant of the Year- A. Morton Thomas & Associates, Inc.
• DBE Achievement of the Year- JIREH Construction Co., Inc.