Appreciating 2023 Reviewers

The peer review process is critical to the advancement of our profession. The volunteers who review papers for the TRB Annual Meeting and/or Transportation Research Record (TRR) play a critical role in this process and make an important contribution to the transportation community. The TRR Editorial Board and TRB publications staff would like to thank these individuals who reviewed papers in 2023.

State DOTs Look to Strengthen Gender Equity in Workforce

Women comprise only 15 percent of the transportation workforce, and this statistic declines in executive and leadership positions and does not reflect those who may not identify as men or women. For women of color, the numbers are even more disparate.

Advancing Gender Equity in the DOT Workforce (NCHRP Synthesis 618), from TRB's National Cooperative Highway Research Program, was released this past week and documents current state departments of transportation (DOT) practices related to advancing gender equity in DOT workforces.

This Women's History Month, find TRB resources to improve gender equity in the transportation industry across modes.

Connected and Autonomous Tech Impacts for State DOTs

Nearly half of state departments of transportation (DOTs) have already modified infrastructure based on the needs for connected and autonomous vehicles, like traffic signals and signs that support self-driving vehicles. Most state DOTs plan to make further changes over the next three years.

These are some of the things representatives from DOTs noted in a survey taken as part of Connected and Autonomous Vehicle Technology: Determining the Impact on State DOT Maintenance Programs (NCHRP Research Report 1084), released this week.

Community Transport: A Mobility Service with a Social Dimension

Germany can improve public transportation in rural areas by offering locals "community transport." The concept uses local planning and volunteer drivers to provide more efficient services for dispersed populations. Sage Perspectives writes about this research article from TRB's Transportation Research Record journal and examines how community transport is developing in Germany, including challenges and benefits.

The Univeristy of Miami's project to build artificial reefs combining natural and manmade elements continues forward, reports Florida Trend, which cites the support of the TRB Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis (IDEA) program.

Minnesota is one of the states selected by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and TRB’s National Cooperative Highway Research Program for a “moonshots” program for state departments of transportation, notes Energy News Network in an article about building power lines along highways.