Starting Friday and continuing through September 20, Kootenai County Sheriff’s deputies will be conducting seat-belt emphasis patrols as a way to reduce the number of injury accidents in Kootenai County. They will stop drivers for moving violations and ticket anyone not wearing a seat belt.
Kootenai County’s 2009 compliance rate for seat belts was 82%. The state average was 79%.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Obama Proposes $50 Billion Infrastructure Investment
I meant to post this yesterday and just ran out of time. Could someone talk to the boss about getting my other job duties reduced? Anyway, President Obama just announced a budget proposal that includes a $50 billion investment in roads, transit, rail and airport runways. The move is part of a larger proposal to stimulate the economy and create jobs in the short term.
So what would the $50 billion fund? Here are the details. After reading the article, let me know your thoughts. Do you think this will stimulate the economy? Create more jobs? Make people angry?
So what would the $50 billion fund? Here are the details. After reading the article, let me know your thoughts. Do you think this will stimulate the economy? Create more jobs? Make people angry?
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Education Corridor Could Get New Traffic Accesses
Some changes may be in store for those accessing the education corridor. A new traffic plan has been proposed to ease traffic flow and reduce congestion near Northwest Boulevard and Mullan Road. That plan includes four roundabouts.
An open house will be held Wednesday to gather public input on the proposed changes.
Here's more info from the Spokesman-Review.
An open house will be held Wednesday to gather public input on the proposed changes.
Here's more info from the Spokesman-Review.
ITD Asks For Comment On Public Involvement Plan
The Idaho Transportation Department has just released a draft of their Public Involvement Process Plan (PIPP). The PIPP is inteded to provide and document the direction for public involvement activities conducted by the department. The objectives of the plan are to maximize public involvement opportunities during the tranpsortation planning process and maintain contact with interested citizens and key stakeholders throughout the process of developing plans.
To see if you think ITD can accomplish this, check out the draft PIPP here. There are instructions there on how to submit comments if you have any.
To see if you think ITD can accomplish this, check out the draft PIPP here. There are instructions there on how to submit comments if you have any.
State Highway System Report Available Now
The 19th Annual Report of the Performance of State Highway Systems (1984-2008/9) is now available. The report tracks the performance of state-owned roads of the United States from 1984 to 2008, with some recent information (fatalities, bridge condition and travel) for 2009. Eleven indicators make up each state's overall rating and cover highway expenditures, pavement and bridge condition, urban congestion, fatality rates and narrow lanes.
The study is based on spending and performance data submitted to the federal government by state highway agencies. Here's a link if you want to read the report.
The study is based on spending and performance data submitted to the federal government by state highway agencies. Here's a link if you want to read the report.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
KMPO Board Meeting Today
Oops, I completely forgot to post KMPO's Board meeting agenda earlier this week.
Well here it is. Hope this doesn't cause you any inconvenience.
Meetings are open to everyone, so if you see something on the agenda that catches your eye, come on down and sit in on the meeting. The meetings are held in the Post Falls City Council chambers at 408 N. Spokane Street.
Well here it is. Hope this doesn't cause you any inconvenience.
Meetings are open to everyone, so if you see something on the agenda that catches your eye, come on down and sit in on the meeting. The meetings are held in the Post Falls City Council chambers at 408 N. Spokane Street.
ITD Rolls Out Commercial Aimed At Young Men
The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) received federal money to educate young male drivers about the dangers of not wearing seat belts- and they're doing it in an eye-opening fashion.
ITD released a commercial on YouTube entitled “Faceplant”. It was launched on the internet because of fears it may be too graphic for regular television. The commercial was provided to ITD at no cost by the National Traffic Safety Administration.
Younger, male drivers tend to behave in more unsafe ways behind the wheel. Data shows that teen drivers are the most likely demographic to not use seat belts and, from 2005 to 2009, 383 of the 614 males killed in auto accidents in Idaho were not restrained.
So here is the commercial. View at your own risk because it is kind of disturbing.
ITD released a commercial on YouTube entitled “Faceplant”. It was launched on the internet because of fears it may be too graphic for regular television. The commercial was provided to ITD at no cost by the National Traffic Safety Administration.
Younger, male drivers tend to behave in more unsafe ways behind the wheel. Data shows that teen drivers are the most likely demographic to not use seat belts and, from 2005 to 2009, 383 of the 614 males killed in auto accidents in Idaho were not restrained.
So here is the commercial. View at your own risk because it is kind of disturbing.
Atlas Bike Trail In The Works
The Atlas Bike Trail project is in swing in Coeur d’Alene. Construction of the trail is part of a larger goal to loop together three popular riding routes along Atlas Road near Interstate 90.
The Coeur d'Alene Bicycle and Pedestrian Blog has an update on the project.
The Coeur d'Alene Bicycle and Pedestrian Blog has an update on the project.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Task Force Says Trucks Not Paying Enough- But Doesn't Want To Raise Truck Fees
Governor Otter’s transportation funding task force met yesterday and voted to accept a new state-commissioned cost-allocation study showing car owners are overpaying for Idaho roads while heavy trucks underpay. The catch 22? They expressed strong reservations about raising fees for trucks.
Here's an article from the Spokesman-Review on the issue.
Here's an article from the Spokesman-Review on the issue.
Holiday Closures Coming
You've got today, tomorrow and Friday to get your government business done before the holiday weekend. After that you have to wait until Tuesday.
ALL government offices, including KMPO, will be closed in observance of the Labor Day holiday on Monday, Sept. 6.
Also, roadwork will be suspended from Friday until Monday so as not to tie up holiday traffic.
ALL government offices, including KMPO, will be closed in observance of the Labor Day holiday on Monday, Sept. 6.
Also, roadwork will be suspended from Friday until Monday so as not to tie up holiday traffic.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
511 Upgraded To Give Personalized Info
Idaho's 511 telephone system has just been upgraded. It now gives callers the ability to identify theyir location, select the transit provider they want to use, and be connected directly to that provider to get schedule and route information. So next time you're going somewhere, give it a try. You just have to dial 511 to reach the service.
Cheap Parking Vs. Expensive Parking
There's a divergence of opinions in today's 'Opinion' section of the Spokesman-Review. First I found this letter from a gentleman from Coeur d'Alene angry about having to pay for parking (and in his defense $40 IS pretty stiff for parking in downtown Spokane):
Finding a place to park at the recent “Get Motivated” seminar was almost impossible. But if you were lucky enough to get a spot, the price could be steep.
At 9:30 a.m., it seemed every place was either filled or blocked off. I circled the Arena two or three times, and then out of the corner of my eye saw a space at the YMCA facility. The gate was down and Lady Luck was on my side.
I returned at 4 p.m., only to see a blocking exit bar. There must be a mistake. I pushed the “help” button and was told to read the screen. It was $40 for a six-hour period. I couldn’t believe it. The situation was akin to a predator setting a trap for its prey. I had an appointment to make so a credit card cleared the way. Would I go back to the Arena for a similar event? As Poe’s Raven said, “Never more.”
Bill Fitzgerald
Coeur d’Alene
Then I came on this Smart Bombs article about how free parking is bad for our country. The article talks about how the prospect of a cheap parking space compels many drivers to methodically circle downtown streets in search of a metered space. This increases congestion, wastes fuel and makes downtowns less inviting. Not to mention that high parking prices encourage many people to use public transit rather than pay the going price.
So what's your take? Cheap parking to encourage people to come downtown and shop, thus increasing tax dollars and improving the local economy or steeper parking prices to reduce congestion and encourage commuters to use public transit? I'm obviously playing devil's advocate here.
Finding a place to park at the recent “Get Motivated” seminar was almost impossible. But if you were lucky enough to get a spot, the price could be steep.
At 9:30 a.m., it seemed every place was either filled or blocked off. I circled the Arena two or three times, and then out of the corner of my eye saw a space at the YMCA facility. The gate was down and Lady Luck was on my side.
I returned at 4 p.m., only to see a blocking exit bar. There must be a mistake. I pushed the “help” button and was told to read the screen. It was $40 for a six-hour period. I couldn’t believe it. The situation was akin to a predator setting a trap for its prey. I had an appointment to make so a credit card cleared the way. Would I go back to the Arena for a similar event? As Poe’s Raven said, “Never more.”
Bill Fitzgerald
Coeur d’Alene
Then I came on this Smart Bombs article about how free parking is bad for our country. The article talks about how the prospect of a cheap parking space compels many drivers to methodically circle downtown streets in search of a metered space. This increases congestion, wastes fuel and makes downtowns less inviting. Not to mention that high parking prices encourage many people to use public transit rather than pay the going price.
So what's your take? Cheap parking to encourage people to come downtown and shop, thus increasing tax dollars and improving the local economy or steeper parking prices to reduce congestion and encourage commuters to use public transit? I'm obviously playing devil's advocate here.
Monday, August 30, 2010
ID Seat Belt Usage Down
A survey conducted for the Idaho Transportation Department says that seat belt use is down in the state.
About three-quarters of Idaho motorists regularly wear seat belts while driving, which is down from 79% in 2009. Southwest Idaho drivers and passengers buckle up the most with a 93.2% use rate, followed closely by those in north-central Idaho where the seat belt use rate is 87.4%.
The survey showed that seat belt usage for pickup truck occupants at 68% continues to be substantially lower than belt usage for either passenger cars at 80% or vans and sport-utility vehicles at 82%.
About three-quarters of Idaho motorists regularly wear seat belts while driving, which is down from 79% in 2009. Southwest Idaho drivers and passengers buckle up the most with a 93.2% use rate, followed closely by those in north-central Idaho where the seat belt use rate is 87.4%.
The survey showed that seat belt usage for pickup truck occupants at 68% continues to be substantially lower than belt usage for either passenger cars at 80% or vans and sport-utility vehicles at 82%.
Gas Prices Falling For Holiday Weekend
Good news for those of you planning to travel over the Labor Day weekend; gas prices have been falling recently due to a plunge in wholesale gasoline prices earlier this month.
The national average price is $2.68 for a gallon of unleaded according to AAA. That's about 6 cents a gallon less than a month ago and 7 cents less than on the Friday before the July Fourth weekend.
AAA also says West Coast drivers pay the most for gas - between $2.79 and $3.54 a gallon. The cheapest gas is in Texas, the Gulf Coast states and parts of the Midwest, where prices range from $2.43 to $2.52 a gallon.
Analysts believe prices will continue to drop in September, when the roads will be left mainly to commercial vehicles and commuters.
The national average price is $2.68 for a gallon of unleaded according to AAA. That's about 6 cents a gallon less than a month ago and 7 cents less than on the Friday before the July Fourth weekend.
AAA also says West Coast drivers pay the most for gas - between $2.79 and $3.54 a gallon. The cheapest gas is in Texas, the Gulf Coast states and parts of the Midwest, where prices range from $2.43 to $2.52 a gallon.
Analysts believe prices will continue to drop in September, when the roads will be left mainly to commercial vehicles and commuters.
Highway Striping Underway
This time of year is when crews generally re-stripe area highways, so the Idaho Transportation Department wants to give you a couple reminders:
- Always assume the paint is wet. The paint used at this time is latex (water-based) and temperatures and humidity affect drying time. If it looks wet, it probably still is wet.
- Stay in your lane. Do not weave in and out (driving on the painted lines) or try to pass. Spraying equipment will pull over when traffic backs up as soon as it is safe to do so.
- Alter your route to avoid crossing over newly painted lines. If you must cross a painted line, cross it in a manner that limits tire exposure to the paint. Additionally, the faster the vehicle is traveling increases the distance wet paint will be thrown.
- If you get paint on your vehicle let it dry. The paint is latex based and the dry time is short. If it cannot be washed off immediately, and entails only small specks, it is best to let it dry and carefully flick it off later. Large spots or areas of paint will probably require professional removal.
Striping operations will continue into the fall, or as weather permits.
- Always assume the paint is wet. The paint used at this time is latex (water-based) and temperatures and humidity affect drying time. If it looks wet, it probably still is wet.
- Stay in your lane. Do not weave in and out (driving on the painted lines) or try to pass. Spraying equipment will pull over when traffic backs up as soon as it is safe to do so.
- Alter your route to avoid crossing over newly painted lines. If you must cross a painted line, cross it in a manner that limits tire exposure to the paint. Additionally, the faster the vehicle is traveling increases the distance wet paint will be thrown.
- If you get paint on your vehicle let it dry. The paint is latex based and the dry time is short. If it cannot be washed off immediately, and entails only small specks, it is best to let it dry and carefully flick it off later. Large spots or areas of paint will probably require professional removal.
Striping operations will continue into the fall, or as weather permits.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Bicyclist Hit By Truck
A 14-year-old Coeur d'Alene boy was hurt when he collided with a car while riding his bike on Government Way yesterday.
According to the Idaho State Police, the boy was in the northbound lanes near Hanley Avenue when he collided with a pickup that was exiting a driveway onto Government Way. Because of that, the truck was moving very slowly. The bicylist was not wearing a helmet. He was taken to Kootenai Medical Center for treatment. It's not clear what his condition is this morning, or if the driver will face charges.
According to the Idaho State Police, the boy was in the northbound lanes near Hanley Avenue when he collided with a pickup that was exiting a driveway onto Government Way. Because of that, the truck was moving very slowly. The bicylist was not wearing a helmet. He was taken to Kootenai Medical Center for treatment. It's not clear what his condition is this morning, or if the driver will face charges.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Kootenai County Emphasis Patrol This Weekend
Starting this weekend, the Kootenai County Sheriff's Department is conducting an impaired driving emphasis focusing on alcohol and drug impaired drivers. From August 27 to September 7, Kootenai County Deputies will conduct emphasis patrols at various locations around the County.
In 2006, there were 110 impaired driving fatalities in the State of Idaho. Over 41% of all Idaho fatalities were the result of an impaired driving crash and 69% of those killed were not restrained. In 2007 there were 197 fatality accidents and in 2008 there were approximately 175 fatality accidents in the State of Idaho. Last year, more than 41 percent of Idaho's 96 highway fatalities were the result of an impaired driving crash.
In 2006, there were 110 impaired driving fatalities in the State of Idaho. Over 41% of all Idaho fatalities were the result of an impaired driving crash and 69% of those killed were not restrained. In 2007 there were 197 fatality accidents and in 2008 there were approximately 175 fatality accidents in the State of Idaho. Last year, more than 41 percent of Idaho's 96 highway fatalities were the result of an impaired driving crash.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Website Lets You Vote On Opinion You Agree With
So here's a cool website
that Bike to Work Barb sent me. It's NationalJournal.com where a panel of 'insiders' discuss issues and you are allowed to vote on who's opinion you agree with. Today's article asks if it's still possible to promote new bicycling and walking options in harmony with vehicular traffic. There are ten 'answers' to the question in ten essays that express varying opinions by experts in the field. Take a look and cast your vote for the opinion you most closely agree with.
that Bike to Work Barb sent me. It's NationalJournal.com where a panel of 'insiders' discuss issues and you are allowed to vote on who's opinion you agree with. Today's article asks if it's still possible to promote new bicycling and walking options in harmony with vehicular traffic. There are ten 'answers' to the question in ten essays that express varying opinions by experts in the field. Take a look and cast your vote for the opinion you most closely agree with.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Traffic Jam Is 60+ Miles Long
Some friends that drove home from my house to western Washington complained about getting stuck on Snoqualmie Pass for several hours yesterday. All I had to say was, at least you weren't stuck in a traffic jam for NINE days. Because that's how long a bunch of drivers in China have been stuck, and they say it will be a couple more days before the mess is cleaned up too!The jam stretches for more than sixty miles, is caused by construction, and has 400 police officers patroling the situation 24 hours a day. Here's the story from MSN.com, but I have to warn you, my blood pressure went up just reading this article.
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