TxDOT-Statewide Podcast

Improving the safety of the traveling public is our number one goal at TxDOT. Even though the numbers of people killed each year in traffic crashes in Texas has decreased by about 21 percent since 2003, there were still were on average 250 people killed every month in 2011. In order to bring this critical and important issue to the public's attention, in August of this year, TxDOT began displaying the year-to-date numbers of traffic deaths in Texas on more than 700 message signs each month in an attempt to remind drivers that once you get behind the wheel, you have to be ready for anything. For more, I spoke with Carol Rawson, director of TxDOT's Traffic Operations Division. This episode originally posted in October 2012.

As the TxDOT Podcast signs off for the year, host Larry Krantz looks back on some of the more than 200 episodes and guests featured since the program debuted in December 2007, and offers tips on safe holiday travels.

It's the most wonderful time of the year, but one poor decision to drink and drive could bring a devastating end to holiday celebrations. As Texans are planning to celebrate the holidays, the Texas Department of Transportation is launching a holiday campaign with a renewed focus on the importance of planning for a sober ride home. TxDOT's Holiday P.A.S.S. (Person Appointed to Stay Sober) campaign encourages Texans to give the gift of a sober ride and make it easier for sober drivers to enjoy the festivities without drinking alcohol. Holiday drinking and driving poses a serious threat for all holiday travelers on the road. During this year's holiday season, law enforcement officers throughout the state will work thousands of additional hours to crack down on drunk driving, including implementing no-refusal programs in many jurisdictions. For more, I spoke with Department of Public Safety trooper Robbie Barrera.

In the months that followed Hurricane Katrina in 2005, a tidal wave of flood-damaged cars washed across the United States. While it's almost certain to happen again in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, several agencies across the country, from federal and state government to insurance companies to automotive dealers, have worked closely to protect the unsuspecting consumer from unknowingly purchasing a flood-damaged vehicle. For more, I spoke with Bill Underriner, Chairman of the National Automobile Dealers Association. For more information on how to spot a flood-damaged vehicle, log on to the NADA website at www.NADA.org.

As hard as it might be to believe, the last day on which there were no fatalities on the roads in Texas was November 7, 2000. That means that in those 12 years, if only one person died each day, that would be 4,380 deaths on our roads across the state. Unfortunately, it's been nearly 10 times that number, which means that in a similar time frame, people have died on Texas roadways at roughly the same rate as our troops during the Vietnam War. For more on this epidemic, I spoke with DPS trooper Jean Dark.

Texas Highways, the official travel magazine of Texas and a product of the Texas Department of Transportation, was honored recently with five awards by International Regional Magazine Association at its annual conference in Scottsdale, Ariz. The magazine won one each of gold, silver and bronze medals, and two honorable mentions. For more, and for a preview of the December edition of the magazine, I spoke with its editor, Jill Lawless. Follow Texas Highways magazine online at www.texashighways.com.

The legend of the highway man, a psychopathic killer who roams the nation's highways and byways, is only part legend according to a new book by Ginger Strand entitled, "Killer on the Road: Violence and the American Interstate." For a completely different look at our highway system, and just in time for Halloween, I spoke with Ginger about the affect our national highway system has had on our collective psyche. Pick up a copy of Ginger Strand's "Killer on the Road: Violence and the American Interstate" at Amazon, or wherever books are sold.

One year ago this week, Phil Wilson became the first non-engineer to lead the Texas Department of Transportation. The former Secretary of State brought with him a new vision for transportation in Texas, and a new team to help him implement his vision. I spoke with Phil earlier this week about his first year as the agency's Executive Director.

You asked, we listened. Today, TxDOT is launching its newly redesigned website, located at www.txdot.gov. The new website was created specifically with the needs of Texans in mind. From drivers and individuals with a business focus to elected officials and other government staff, the new TxDOT website aims to provide cutting-edge customer service to all Texans who use it. And, with feedback opportunities on nearly every page and a new mobile-friendly interface, our goal is to keep it on the cutting edge. For more, I spoke with Andre Clemons with TxDOT's Web development team.

Improving the safety of the traveling public is our number one goal at TxDOT. Even though the numbers of people killed each year in traffic crashes in Texas has decreased by about 21 percent since 2003, there were still were on average 250 people killed every month in 2011. In order to bring this critical and important issue to the public's attention, in August of this year, TxDOT began displaying the year-to-date numbers of traffic deaths in Texas on more than 700 message signs each month in an attempt to remind drivers that once you get behind the wheel, you have to be ready for anything. For more, I spoke with Carol Rawson, director of TxDOT's Traffic Operations Division.

They say what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, but that's no longer true of the entire state of Nevada. For the past year, an experimental self-driving car created by Google has been crisscrossing the state - and chances are that one day, and probably sooner rather than later, they'll be everywhere. For more on this unique advance in personal transportation, I spoke with Tom Jacobs, Chief Public Information Officer for the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles. For more information on the Google Car, log on to the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles website at www.dmvnv.com.

Working in the transportation industry, particularly when the job to be done places employees mere feet and inches from moving traffic, accidents are inevitable. But this past week, three contract employees were killed in the United States, including two here in Texas: one near Waco, the other near Lubbock. With each fatality, those of us in the transportation industry are reminded that, while valuable, the work we do every day is also dangerous - and getting more so every day. Enter the Association of General Contractors, which has formed a safety task force in an attempt to increase not only job site safety, but awareness both on the part of the worker and of the motorist. For more, I spoke with Jesse Sepeda, sub-chairman of the AGC Safety Task Force.

At one time or another, we've all asked for directions only to be told, "you can't get there from here." That may have been true at one time, but not in this day and age of technology at your fingertips. Earlier this week, TxDOT unveiled its new DriveTexas.org site, which is a comprehensive highway conditions reporting system providing web and mobile device users with real-time, visual information on the TxDOT system, including everything from construction and maintenance work, to weather conditions and accident information. For more on this exciting development, I spoke with Margo Richards, director of TxDOT's Travel Information Division. To view the site, or to plan your next trip, log on to the TxDOT website and click on the "Highway Conditions" button under the Quick Links header, or visit www.DriveTexas.org. This episode originally posted 06-22-12.

There was a time when I-35 through Central Texas was enough to accommodate the traffic that used it, but those days are long gone. Today, because of the explosive growth along I-35, particularly in the greater San Antonio, Austin and Round Rock areas, traffic is more likely to be crawling than humming, leaving motorists and freight carriers alike frustrated. Enter TxDOT's Central Texas Turnpike system, which includes MoPac, SH 45 and SH 130 toll roads that provide a relief route, and with those routes, a way out of the perpetual traffic snarls on I-35. The next step, though, is as much a step forward as it is out of the box. The SH 130 Concession Company, at its own expense in return for future toll revenues, is building and is set to open another segment of the toll road in November. For more, I spoke with Chris Lippincott with the SH 130 Concession Company.

Ever since Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Ike pounded the Texas coastline, the Texas Department of Transportation has been preparing for the next storm. Meanwhile, Gilbert Jordan, TxDOT's Emergency Management Coordinator, has helped the department support efforts to fight wildfires, plow snow and deliver water to communities in need. I spoke with Gilbert recently to talk about his first year as the department's emergency management coordinator. For TxDOT updates during an emergency, follow us on Twitter, @TxDOTalert. This episode originally posted June 8, 2012.