Infrastructure Technology Podcast

Episode 58 of the Infrastructure Technology Podcast explores how transportation agencies are working to improve safety at railroad crossings and reduce collisions between vehicles and wildlife. The hosts discuss Operation Lifesaver’s "See Tracks? Think Train" campaign, highlighting how transit agencies are using digital messaging and station safety initiatives to remind drivers and pedestrians about the dangers of railroad crossings. The conversation also examines grade crossing elimination, potential technology solutions for identifying hazards ahead of trains and the continued need for public awareness  The episode then turns to wildlife crossings, including overpasses, underpasses and fencing designed to help animals safely navigate highways and reconnect fragmented habitats. Gavin, Jessica and Brandon examine projects in Colorado, Wyoming and California, the role of federal funding in expanding these structures and how thoughtful design can reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions. The discussion also considers the importance of migration patterns, collaboration with wildlife conservationists and the need to balance wildlife infrastructure investments with other transportation priorities.  What You'll Learn How better information can help drivers make safer decisions at railroad and wildlife crossings. How grade-crossing improvements can reduce vehicle-train conflicts and traffic delays. Why effective wildlife crossings require thoughtful design, including fencing, migration patterns and animal behavior. Inside the Episode Episode Length: 35:39 Useful Links Operation Lifesaver "See Tracks, Think Train" National Wildlife Federation Wildlife Crossings Roads & Bridges Mass Transit Send us a topic suggestion!  Don’t forget to subscribe to the ITP and rate and review our podcast! Email [email protected] with your thoughts on railroad and wildlife crossings — we might read them on air.

In Episode 57 of the Infrastructure Technology Podcast, Brandon Lewis speaks with Tim Menard, founder and CEO of LYT, about the evolution of transit signal priority and how new performance dashboards are helping agencies better understand what happens on the road. Menard explains how LYT’s cloud-based platform connects transit vehicle data with traffic management systems to help buses move more efficiently through intersections. The conversation explores new color-coded dashboards that allow agencies to track signal priority requests, examine trip-level performance and identify factors affecting on-time service. They also discuss the technology’s potential applications for paratransit and shared mobility, the importance of accessible reporting tools and the growing need for agencies to demonstrate measurable results to funders and the public.  Featured Guest Tim Menard - LYT Tim Menard is the founder and CEO of LYT.  What You'll Learn LYT is making transit signal priority (TSP) performance easier to understand: Mass Transit Associate Editor Brandon Lewis interviews LYT Founder and CEO Tim Menard, a former Mass Transit 40 Under 40 winner. Menard explains how LYT’s cloud-based platform connects existing transit vehicle data with traffic management systems, helping agencies and cities coordinate traffic signals to move people more efficiently. TSP needs measurable results: Menard notes that transit agencies need to demonstrate that their investments in signal priority are improving performance, but limited staffing and difficulty interpreting raw GPS and automatic vehicle location data can make that challenging. New dashboards turn complex data into accessible reports: LYT’s updated reporting tools use color-coded intersection scorecards to show whether buses encountered green or red lights and whether TSP was requested. Users can investigate individual intersections to understand performance and identify opportunities for improvement. Agencies can evaluate performance across an entire trip: Rather than looking only at bus-stop arrival and departure times, the platform helps planners examine what happens between stops, including signal interactions, schedule adherence and other factors affecting travel time. Inside the Episode Episode Length: 37:57 Timestamps: 0:15 - Intro 5:56 - Interview w/ Tim Menard 30:28 - Interview Takeaways Useful Links LYT Roads & Bridges Mass Transit Send us a topic suggestion!  Don’t forget to subscribe to the ITP and rate and review our podcast! Email [email protected] with your thoughts on signal priorities — we might read them on air.

In Episode 56 of the Infrastructure Technology Podcast, Brandon Lewis of Mass Transit magazine and Jessica Parks of Roads & Bridges speak with Sam Richardson, co-founder and CEO of Volley Automation, about how automated parking technology could maximize space, reduce construction constraints and change the way communities plan for the future.  Richardson explains how Volley combines robotics and software to park vehicles more efficiently, potentially increasing parking capacity by 40% to 50% compared with conventional self-parking. The conversation explores the technology’s potential to support transit-oriented development by freeing up land for housing and green space, as well as its possible role in accommodating autonomous vehicle fleets. The episode also examines how digital simulations and artificial intelligence can help model system performance, improve the parking experience and support safer, more efficient facilities.   Featured Guest Sam Richardson - Volley Automation Sam Richardson is co-founder and CEO of Volley Automation, an automated parking technology company that combines artificial intelligence-powered software with robotics to help developers fit more vehicles into less space. Under his leadership, Volley is advancing projects in major U.S. markets while developing the software and infrastructure needed to support the next generation of connected and autonomous mobility.  What You'll Learn How robotic parking can maximize limited urban space: Learn how robotics and AI-powered software can fit more vehicles into smaller footprints, making parking possible on sites where conventional garages may not work. How automated parking can increase capacity: Discover how Volley’s system can increase parking capacity by 40% to 50% by arranging vehicles more efficiently than traditional garages. Where robotic parking could unlock new development: Explore how automated parking could make constrained sites more viable, with potential applications at airports, hospitals, hotels, concert venues and other large developments. Why robotic parking could support transit-oriented development: Hear how smaller parking footprints near transit stations could preserve more space for housing, public areas and other community uses. Inside the Episode Episode Length: 47:08 Timestamps: 1:30 - Intro 6:57 - Interview w/ Sam Richardson 40:18 - Interview Takeaways Useful Links Volley Automation Roads & Bridges Mass Transit Send us a topic suggestion!  Don’t forget to subscribe to the ITP and rate and review our podcast! Email [email protected] with your thoughts on autonomous parking — we might read them on air.

Episode 55 of the Infrastructure Technology Podcast explores how emerging technologies are helping transportation agencies improve project oversight, safety and operational efficiency. The episode examines the North Carolina Turnpike Authority’s use of drone-based LiDAR on the Complete 540 Phase 2 project, where detailed aerial data is helping teams track construction progress, compare field conditions against project schedules and reduce the need for surveyors to enter active construction zones.   The episode also looks at the future of artificial intelligence in public transportation, including MIT Transit Lab’s $2.1 million Google.org grant to support development of the Public Transit Intelligence Hub (PTIQ). The AI-powered platform aims to integrate real-time monitoring, operations control and passenger communications, helping transit agencies respond to service disruptions and make more informed decisions.   Featured Guests Travis Howell- WSP in the U.S.  Travis Howell serves as the geospatial manager at WSP in the U.S.  Cameron Richards- North Carolina Turnpike Authority Cameron Richards is the eastern deputy chief engineer at the North Carolina Turnpike Authority.  What You'll Learn How drone-based LiDAR is helping North Carolina's Complete 540 project capture more comprehensive survey data. Why drone technology can improve safety by reducing worker exposure in active construction areas. The biggest implementation challenges, from flight planning to managing large datasets. Key factors agencies should consider before adopting drone-based LiDAR on future projects. Inside the Episode Episode Length: 36:23  Timestamps:  2:20 - Public Transportation and AI Discussion 6:20 - Roads & Bridges Interview with NCTA and WSP 31:15 - Interview Takeaways Useful Links Roads & Bridges Mass Transit Send us a topic suggestion!  Don’t forget to subscribe to the ITP and rate and review our podcast! Email [email protected] with your thoughts on LiDAR technology — we might read them on air.

In Episode 54 of the Infrastructure Technology Podcast, Gavin, Brandon and Jessica discuss the ethics of putting temporary cameras in work and construction zones. Then, Brandon interviews VIA Metropolitan Transit Deputy CEO Tremell Brown, who explains how new cameras on the agency’s buses is helping to improve safety and security across the system.  Featured Guest Tremell Brown - VIA Metropolitan Transit Tremell Brown oversees all VIA Metropolitan Transit staff functions and operations of the agency. Brown directly manages key operating divisions, including Fleet & Facilities, Safety, Transit Police and Training and System Security. He also serves as the agency’s chief safety officer and incident commander for Emergency Management/Response. He began his career at the agency as a bus operator in 1990 and during the ensuing three decades with the agency has advanced to serve in various leadership positions, including vice president of transportation and vice president of safety, training and system security.  What You'll Learn Why work zone cameras differ from broader surveillance systems, and how agencies are using them specifically to protect construction workers and improve safety in active work zones. How VIA Metropolitan Transit is modernizing its onboard camera network through a fleet-wide deployment of upgraded video surveillance technology. Why higher-resolution video has become increasingly important for transit agencies, from incident investigations to capturing clearer images in challenging lighting and operating conditions. How artificial intelligence could enhance transit camera systems in the future by helping agencies identify objects, monitor activity and respond more effectively to public-safety situations. Inside the Episode Episode Length: 37:22 Timestamps:  1:40- Cameras Discussion 14:40- Mass Transit Interview with Tremell Brown 32:55- Interview Takeaways Useful Links VIA Metropolitan Transit Roads & Bridges Mass Transit Send us a topic suggestion!  Don’t forget to subscribe to the ITP and rate and review our podcast! Email [email protected] with your thoughts on surveillance cameras on buses  — we might read them on air.