Doug Clark's Snow Job Quiz, a multiple-choice exam, measured in igloos, designed to test your winter driving knowledge

Forgive me, I couldn't resist re-posting Doug Clark's quiz (Spokesman Review), after reading it in an article posted by the Idaho Transportation Department, in Today's News Briefs.  I think everyone deserves a little humor now and then! :)

Opinion: Spokesman Review
"The frantic scene I witnessed on the roads inspired me to create Doug's Snow Job Quiz, a multiple-choice exam designed to test your winter driving knowledge" link to original article by Doug Clark, Spokesman Review.  http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/jan/19/snow-unearthed-more-than-1-maroon-if-you-catch-my/
So please answer the following questions honestly. We’ll evaluate your scores at the bottom.

1. The term “snowbird” refers to …
        a. Those chicken-hearts who spend their winters in Arizona – 1 igloo.
        b. The annual influx of eagles at Lake Coeur d’Alene – 3 igloos.
        c. That middle-fingered salute you wag at idiots who can’t drive in snow – 5 igloos.

2. Becoming a Spokane snowplow operator requires …
         a. Years of professional driving experience – 1 igloo.
         b. The willingness to work all hours under extreme conditions – 3 igloos.
         c. A sadistic desire to turn every driveway entrance into an impassable avalanche – 5 igloos.


3. The bigger the snowstorm …
         a. The larger the shapeless mass on the TV weather radar – 1 igloo.
         b. The easier the forecast – 3 igloos.
         c. The more a TV weathercaster will act like a gibbering fool – 5 igloos.
        
4. The best implement for removing snow from a windshield is …
         a. A scraper specifically designed for the task – 1 igloo.
         b. A debit card or used McDonald’s sack – 3 igloos.
         c. Hit the “defrost” button. The faster you get going the faster things’ll melt – 5 igloos.

5. A good rule of thumb for snowy driving is to …
         a. Allow an extra 15 minutes to get wherever you’re going – 1 igloo.
         b. Stay an extra car length behind the driver in front of you – 3 igloos.
         c. Reduce your speed 5 mph and text your friends about why you’re going to be so late – 5   igloos.

6. Every car should have a winter survival kit containing …
        a. A snow shovel – 1 igloo.
        b. Some food and a blanket – 3 igloos.
        c. One large empty coffee can – 5 igloos.

7. When driving in a snowstorm, stay tuned to local radio for …
         a. Winter weather advisories – 1 igloo.
         b. Street and school closures – 3 igloos.
         c. Additional hot air from blowhard Mike Fitzsimmons – 5 igloos.

8. A winter driver’s best friend is his …
         a. Quality snow tires – 1 igloo.
         b. Wipers that work – 3 igloos.
         c. Paid-up AAA membership – 5 igloos.

9. The best advice for winter driving is still …
         a. Only drive if you must – 1 igloo.
          b. Never drive faster than conditions allow – 3 igloos.
          c. Park your car and wait until spring – 5 igloos.

10. If your car suddenly loses control, you should?…
         a. Steer into the slide – 1 igloo.
          b. Tap your brakes lightly – 3 igloos.
          c. Scream “Holy %$^#!!” and reach for the coffee can – 5 igloos.

"A score of 10-25 igloos indicates you’re one of those overconfident know-it-alls the rest of us would like to push off a cliff.  Scoring 30 to 40 igloos suggests that if you’re not on Prozac, you should probably look into it.
If you scored a perfect 50 igloos, congratulations! You are definitely a Spokane- area driver.  Blink your lights and honk if you see Big Maroon coming. That should give me enough time to flip you the snowbird and swerve out of your way", Doug Clark, Spokesman Review.

GARVEE Funds PASS or FAIL? Here is an Interesting Article from Idaho Reporter.com

 

While the Idaho speaker of the House, Rep. Lawerence Denney, R-Midvale, believes the remaining funds available for the road and bridge work financed in part by GARVEE Bonds could pass this session of the Legislature (after not making it through the 2011 Legislature), Senator Jim Hammond, R-Coeur d'Alene, chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, disagrees, seeing it as an uphill fight, likely to fail.

GARVEE (grant anticipation revenue vehicles or a GARVEE) are tax-exempt bonds to finance road improvements throughout Idaho. These road improvements, undertaken by the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD), are to be repaid from federal highway funds received over a 20-year period from the Federal Highway Administration and certain state matching funds. Of the initial $998 million in GARVEE bonds authorized, there is $143 million available to the state.

Senator Jim Hammond feels GARVEE will be a tough sell because of legislative reluctance to take on another program and because the funds are available due to borrowing from the federal government and he sees little support, including himself, for relying on the feds for the money.

Senator Hammond also worries if the federal funding level Idaho is receiving continues to decrease, then the state must take more money from operating costs to pay for those bonds, which, in turn, makes it tougher for the state to maintain what it currently has.
In addition, Hammond says there is sentiment among some in the Legislature who consider GARVEE bonding as an indebtedness to its citizens, putting them on the hook for monetary obligations years down the road.
If the Legislature does not approve additional GARVEE funds, how does the state deal with the need for not only road and bridge repairs, but also expansion and replacement?
Hammond said ITD has an annual budget amount and plans for maintenance of the most pressing problems with no funds given to an expansion of existing infrastructure. According to Hammond, projects will be looked at only in terms of maintenance. Expansion and creation will not be a priority. Infrastructure that is degrading and needs the most urgent care will be the projects the state plan focuses on using whatever funds are available.
“That plan,” said Hammond, “isn’t put together with any thought about GARVEE. That plan is put together just based upon priorities of maintaining our current infrastructure. It used to be that part of that of that plan would have been expansion—additional lanes, new bridges, etc. Now because of the diminished level of funding the total amount of revenue available is just intended to be for maintenance and upkeep of our current infrastructure.”

Here is the link to the original article by MitchCoffman with Idaho Reporter.com: http://www.idahoreporter.com/2012/senate-transportation-chairman-doubtful-garvee-funds-will-be-approved-by-legislature-video/

First Winter Storm January 2012

For those of us that drive long distances everyday, we have been fortunate having a mild winter for driving conditions, up until the past few days. Remembering to slow down and to not follow too close, will help all of us get to where we need to go safely. One accident and your stuck in traffic for a while. With a lot more snow in the forecast this week. Please remember to drive safely.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day/Idaho Human Rights Day - January 16th, 2012

We will be closed on January 16th, 2012 for the holiday. 

2012 MEETING SCHEDULE for Kootenai County Area Transportation Team (KCATT) & Kootenai Metropolitan Planning Organization Board (KMPO)

  

                  

KMPO Policy Board 1:30 pm 2nd Thursday of Each Month Post Falls City Council Chambers Post Falls City Hall, 1st Floor 408 N. Spokane Street, Post Falls, Idaho	K.C.A.T.T. 8:00 am 4th Tuesday of Each Month Idaho Transportation Department District 1 Headquarters 600 W. Prairie Avenue Coeur d’Alene, Idaho 83815
January 5	January 24
February 9	February 28
March 8	March 27
April 12	April 24
May 10	May 22
June 14	June 26
July 12	July 24
August 9	August 28
September 13	September 25
October 11	October 23
November 8	November 27
December 13	December 18 (This is the 3rd Tuesday)

 

ALL MEETING DATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

TOP 10 TRANSPORTATION ISSUES TO BE DISCUSSED IN THE YEAR AHEAD

AASHTO reported the top 10 transportation issues that are certain to be discussed and legislated in the year ahead.  Here they are:

1. Enacting a long-term surface transportation reauthorization bill.
2. Managing in lean times -- how states address the problem of the nation's aging bridges, highways, and transit systems with stagnant or reduced funding.
3. Responding to and planning for natural disasters.
4. Reducing traffic deaths.
5. Increasing the visibility of transportation as an issue in the upcoming presidential campaign.
6. Generating new ways to fund transportation.
7. Advancing intercity passenger rail.
8. Engaging the business community in support of transportation.
9. Serving a growing elderly population, both rural and urban.
10. Responding to new stormwater reforms and other environmental regulations.

Here is the link to the full article: http://www.aashtojournal.org/Pages/010612year.aspx

Our federal and state legislatures haves a lot on their plate. We will keep you informed if they come up with any solutions. 

REASON - RUPE Public Opinion Survey Winter 2011 Results

Here is a survey by the American people in winter of 2011.  It's quite interesting and the survey rates: Barrack Obama's performance and well as other potential presidential candidates, prioritizing funding, as well as demographic information.

 http://reason.org/files/reason_rupe_transportation_poll.pdf

KMPO Board Meeting This Thursday - January 5, 2012 @ 1:30 p.m.

The monthly Kootenai Metropolitan Planning Organization (KMPO) Board Meeting is this Thursday, January 5, 2012 @ 1:30 p.m. at the City of Post Falls, Council Chambers, 408 N. Spokane St., Post Falls, WA. The general public/citizens are always welcome to attend.

Happy New Year - KMPO Will be Closed for the Holiday on January 2, 2012

We wish you a Happy New Year Everyone!

KMPO WIll be Closed Monday December 26th in observance of the Christmas Holiday

Wishing you a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

From the KMPO Director & Staff

MEGA LOADS WILL RESUME TONIGHT on US 95 from Lewiston to CDA

If you're traveling along US 95 tonight watch out for the Megaloaded trucks that are coming through.  The megaloads are scheduled to resume tonight after a non-injury accident last week.  For the short story on the accident see the link below:

http://apps.itd.idaho.gov/Apps/MediaManagerMVC/NewsClipping.aspx/Preview/60779
Two oversized shipments are leaving the Port of Lewiston tonight after 8 p.m. and will be traveling on US 95 to Coeur d'Alene.

The loads can take up to 2 lanes of traffic and they are supposed to pull over every 15 minutes.

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) released a news briefing today, see the link below:

http://apps.itd.idaho.gov/Apps/MediaManagerMVC/NewsClipping.aspx/Preview/60788

MEGALOAD, COMING THRU!!

 

Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) reported today tha a hydroelectric project at Snoqualmie Falls, 30 miles east of Seattle, is the destination of a megaload that might be moving through north central Idaho as early as Monday.

The shipment will be carrying a huge, Y-shaped pipe for an upgrade of the power-generating operation, one of the oldest of its kind in the nation, said Don Whitehair, manager of the Selway Corp. in Stevensville, Mont., about 30 miles south of Missoula.

The extra-big rig will weigh 185,000 pounds and be 95 feet long, 22 feet wide and a little more than 17 feet tall.

Whitehair's company would leave the Montana border around 10 p.m. Monday and move the pipe across Idaho on U.S. Highway 12 in a single trip that would end no later than 5:30 a.m. Tuesday, Whitehair said.
It will have to pull over every 15 minutes to allow cars to pass, but it should be able to go at the posted speed limits, Whitehair said.

This component is one of more than 150 that Selway Corp. has moved through Idaho and Montana on their way to Snoqualmie Falls and the only one that's this big, Whitehair said.

Getting permits for the Idaho portion of the trip has been one of the toughest parts of arranging the logistics, Whitehair said.
His company had to address 19 bullet items from the Idaho Transportation Department that seek details such as the type of clothing flaggers will be wearing.

Unrelated megaloads that Imperial Oil has been shipping from the Port of Lewiston to the Montana border on U.S. Highway 95 and Interstate 90 continue to be on hold following a non-injury accident earlier this week.

Those are carrying components of a processing plant that's being constructed in the Kearl Oil Sands in Alberta, Canada.

Driving Safely Around SNOWPLOWS - ITD Reminders

It's that time of year when our State Snowplows are out making our roadways safe for us...Here are some tips from ITD, reminding us to drive safely around snowplows:

* Remain two car lengths behind snowplow trucks for every 10 mph you drive. Sand being spread by trucks can damage your vehicle.

* Do not pass a snowplow unless it is absolutely necessary. If you must pass, do so only when you can clearly see the road ahead. Do not pass on the side where the plow is spraying snow. If you do, the snow's force can knock your car out of control.

* Do not cut back immediately in front of a snowplow truck. The plow blades are often covered with snow and can be difficult to see.

* Do not brake suddenly if you are traveling in front of a snowplow. The heavy vehicle cannot stop as quickly as an automobile.

* Do not abandon your car unless it is absolutely necessary. However, if you must, leave it as far off the road as possible. Abandoned cars can interfere with the road clearing process and can be extremely hazardous to snow removal equipment and the operators if they are hidden or buried by snow.

* Be aware of potential icy areas such as shady spots, bridges and overpasses. Since they are exposed on their undersides, bridges and overpasses are deprived of ground warmth and freeze more rapidly than the roadways leading to them.

For the latest highway and weather conditions you can call Idaho’s 511 Traveler Information Service at 5-1-1. For online updates, visit 511.idaho.gov. Telephone and Web reports are available 24 hours a day and are updated as conditions change.

Please drive safe this winter!

Tolling our Roadways to Generate Funding

Although toll booths won't look like this anymore, it looks like they are coming to our neighboring State.  Washington State is planing on tolling the roadways to generate addtional road funding.  Washington State will begin tolling certain lanes on State Routes in 2013. You will be rewarded when paying a toll, enabling you to go in the faster lanes with less congestion. It may only be a matter of time before Idaho follows.... 

See the full story at the link below:
http://www.myfoxspokane.com/news/kcpq-the-future-of-tolling-in-this-area-expect-more--20111207,0,7191581.story

Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) Road Tax Being Considered - What, do you think about this?

There has been a lot of talk recently of the possibility of a government imposed "vehicle miles traveled " (VMT) tax  fee based system being part of our future, to help pay for our roadways.

A recent study by the U.S. Transportation Research Board showed that a VMT fee system would generate approximately 20% more transportation revenue by the year 2030.

Due to advances in technology, a pay-per-mile tax would now be possible for our government to impose a VMT-based fee system, that would most likely rely on some form of vehicle use monitoring.

Although, this would take time for any VMT tax to be adopted and set in motion.  The VMT fee based system adoption would definitely change our lives in many, many ways.

If you would like to see the full story as reported by CNN, please follow the link below:
http://www.cnn.com/2011/12/08/opinion/meyer-pay-per-mile-road-tax/index.html
OR
http://apps.itd.idaho.gov/Apps/MediaManagerMVC/NewsClipping.aspx/Preview/60650

What are your thoughts on the VMT fee system?

Funding Opportunity for Mobility Management by NCST Apps Due by December 23rd, 2011

The National Center on Senior Transportation (NCST, a United We Ride technical assistance center) has announced a request for proposals for mobility management projects that demonstrate innovative and effective solutions to enhance transportation options for older adults through person-centered mobility management. Non-profit or local/regional/Tribal governmental agencies that plan, administer, or provide aging and/or transportation services may apply.

Projects funded under the solicitation will demonstrate innovative and effective solutions to enhance the mobility of older adults through person-centered mobility management. Four categories of projects will be funded:

• Peer-mobility management and employment
• Mobility management in rural/frontier areas that have limited transportation options
• Holistic models that integrate mobility management within current practices, including options counseling, information and assistance and/or case management
• Mobility management applied to the family of senior transportation options

The NCST expects to award 8 grants (2 in each of the categories listed above) for a maximum of $50,000. Matching funds are not required. Grantees will be expected to complete their work in 9-12 months. The focus of all the grants is on older adults, although projects may also target adults with disabilities. A focus on culturally and ethnically diverse older adults is strongly encouraged. Applications are due Friday, December 23.

Agencies interested in applying can participate in a conference call on Thursday, December 8 for more information on the application process and selection criteria. Please visit the NCST website to find the request for proposal and application. Questions should be directed to Lynn Winchell-Mendy at 202.872.0888 or lwinchellmendy@n4a.org.

For original story please visit the following link:

http://www.ruraltransportation.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=60460&articleId=27422

Traveling to/from Spokane? Crews to Reconfigure Lanes on I-90 Starting Today

Starting today, crews will be reconfiguring lanes on the highway from Sullivan Rd to Barker Rd along I-90. 

The Bad News
Eastbound Traffic:
Will be reduced to a single lane on:
Thursday - Between 9 a.m - 3 p.m., 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Friday - 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., 7 p.m. to Mid-day Saturday
Monday - 7 a.m. until work is complete
Westbound Traffic:
On Monday, December 5, westbound lanes of I-90 will be reduced to a single lane form 7:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. Tuesday morning to remove a concrete barrier.

The Good News!
After December 6th, the drive from/to the Post Falls/Coeur d'Alene area will be much more enjoyable with additional lanes to drive on!!!

See the full story from Krem News below:
http://www.krem.com/traffic/Crews-reconfigure-lanes-on-I-90-in-Spokane-Valley-134823088.html

56% of Portland OR, Bicyclists Run Red Lights in Crosswalk. Do you think we have the same problem here???

Portland State University students performed a recent 'behavior study' and found that 56% of bicyclists run red lights, compared to 7% of motorists.  The study was completed early in November 2011 for a duration of eight hours, recording a total of 502 vehicle operators (497 motorists and 99 bicyclists).

 Do you think we have the same problem here in Idaho?

To see the full story please follow the link below:

 

  http://blog.oregonlive.com/commuting/2011/11/portland_state_students_find_5.html

FREE WEBINAR - Accessibility in Work Zones - December 14, 2011

Attend this webinar to learn best practices for handling bicycle and pedestrian travel during construction operations. Attendees will hear how the Minnesota DOT has developed its standards for Temporary Pedestrian Access Routes (TPARs), including a workshop, demonstration project and focus group evaluation.

Presenters from Boulder, Colorado, will discuss how that city worked with developers, contractors and decision-makers to develop a new work zone traffic control policy that establishes policies and procedures for pedestrian and bicycle travel during construction operations and identifies criteria for closing the PROW and designating alternate routes.

To register for the webinar go to the following link:
http://www.apbp.org/event/Dec-11_webinar 

SH 53 Transportation Access Study Update - State Line to Junction US 95

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) in conjunction with David Evans and Associates, held a steering committee meeting yesterday at the Rathdrum City Hall. 
The study is being conducted in two phases.  Phase I is an assessment of current conditions, and includes identification and evaluation of existing access points, current safety issues, recommended access changes for the current condition, and a preliminary GIS system for managing access and approach permit data.  Phase II is anticipated to focus on the development of a long range Transportation Access Plan, including the examination of planned growth areas, future land uses within the Hauser and Rathdrum areas and the unincorporated Kootenai County.

Yesterday's steering committee meeting overview, included a review of the analysis performed for all reported accidents within the 14 mile stretch of the Highway 53 corridor (from the State Line to US-95). The reported accidents were reviewed for the years 2006-2010.  A total of 267 accidents were reported with the highest number of these, being wildlife animal related accidents.  All public comments received so far, were also reviewed and discussed. 

The SH 53 access study is considered to be Phase 1, which evaluates access management opportunities as a means to improve safety, minimize traffic congestion, and preserve capacity along the corridor. 

Inter-jurisdictional collaboration, community involvement, and stakeholder engagement are critical to the success of this Transportation Access Study.  The public is encouraged to participate, providing feedback and comments throughout the process.