WTI News
Welcome to New Student Employee, Nathan Harriet!
Please join us in welcoming WTI’s newest student employee, Nathan Harriet, a senior at Montana State University and a native of Billings, Montana. Inspired by his
WTI Director Plans Research Expansion
As I am entering the second month as WTI director, I have learned a lot about the organization, Montana, and the rural transportation improvements needed in
18th Annual Western States Forum a Success
The Western States Rural Transportation Technology Implementers Forum(the Western States Forum or WSF) continued the tradition of success at its 18th annual event in June. Designed
David Kack Hands WTI Director Role to Kelvin Wang
A word from our staff: As Montana State University prepares for the start of the Fall semester, August is also bringing change to WTI as we
New IUNC Report from Rob Ament and Tony Clevenger
Rob Ament, the Road Ecology Program Manager at WTI, Dr. Tony Clevenger, a WTI Senior Research Scientist, and their colleague Dr. Rodney van der Ree of
Montana LTAP Hits the Ground Running
Montana LTAP has been hitting the roads hard this summer. Director Matt Ulberg and Field Trainer Shawna Page have conducted a variety of trainings in Lewistown,
Project Co-Led by Laura Fay Wins AASHTO Award
WTI is proud to announce that a National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), WTI, and Aurora Pooled Fund study relating weather conditions and roadway friction measurements
WTI Road Ecologists to Present at National and International Conferences
June is a busy month for WTI’s road ecologists; Mat Bell, Dr. Marcel Huijser, and Rob Ament will be giving poster presentations and serving expert panelists
RET Participants Showcase Project-based Lesson at ITEEA
Two alumni of WTI’s Research Experience for Teachers in Innovative Transportation Systems (ITS-RET) program were invited to share their RET project-based classroom unit at the STEM
WTI’s Dr. Marcel Huijser Awarded Y2Y Funding for Grizzly Bear Research
WTI’s Dr. Marcel Huijser received funds from the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y) to support continued grizzly bear research along US Hwy 93 North on
WTI’s CATS program joins international EPIC-Network
We are pleased to announce that WTI’s Community-engaged and Transformational Scholarship (CATS) program is now a member of the Education Partnership for Innovation in Communities Network
WTI Researchers Improving Roadway Safety in Big Sky
Work is moving forward on a collaborative project between WTI and Big Sky Community Organization (BSCO) on an Ousel Falls Road traffic calming and place-making project.
IN THE NEWS: WTI Researcher Plans Traffic Calming Project in Big Sky, TPF-5 Sparking Public Interest
Matt Madsen Interviewed in Explore Big Sky WTI Researcher Matt Madsen, along with the Big Sky Community Organization (BSCO), is spearheading a traffic calming project in
BREAKING NEWS: Animals Gather Amid World-Wide Roadway Protests
Collective Calls for Humans to “Share the Road” By Mike Price Field Correspondent In a shocking turn of events, animals worldwide have taken to roadways, creating massive blockades
WTI Researchers Develop Deterioration Projections for Montana’s Bridges
The U.S. National Highway System (NHS) – the federally managed bridge and road network that moves American people and goods – has suffered from decades of
International Transportation Pooled Fund Study Published: Findings Will Help Reduce Wildlife Collisions, Increase Habitat Connectivity, and Implement Cost Effective Solutions
Resources from a first-of-its-kind road ecology study are now available on the web through the Western Transportation Institute at Montana State University (MSU). The Wildlife Vehicle
CATS Faculty Participant Receives Well-Deserved Recognition
WTI’s Community-engaged and Transformational Scholarship (CATS) program fosters course-based project partnerships between MSU faculty and students and public agencies or other community-based organizations. CATS provides a framework
IN THE NEWS: WTI Road Ecologists Interviewed for University of Montana Podcast, Highlighted in Bozeman Daily Chronicle
Dr. Marcel Huijser Interviewed on A New Angle Podcast WTI’s Dr. Marcel Huijser shared his story during an interview on A New Angle, a UM podcast
WTI Employees Share First-Time TRB Experiences
Two of WTI’s newest employees attended their first Transportation Research Board (TRB) conference in January, 2022. We asked them to share their experiences. Jen MacFarlane: This
A Note from Our Director: Welcome, 2023!
Hello readers, and welcome to 2023. Like many of you, WTI had a busy January, kicking off the new year at the 2023 Transportation Research Board
IN THE NEWS: GoGallatin Program Manager on Potential for Ride-Share Partnership, WTI Road Ecology Manager on Benefits of Wildlife Crossings
GoGallatin Program Manager Highlighted in Mass Transit Magazine Earlier this month, WTI Research Associate Matthew Madsen discussed the role of trip planning in a Mass Transit
WTI Schedule for the 2023 TRB Annual Meeting
Many of WTI’s employees will attend the 2023 Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting (January 8-12, Washington, D.C.) to participate in an international collaboration and ideas
IN THE NEWS: WTI Road Ecology Program Manager: Montreal Presentation Featured in International News Service
WTI’s Road Ecology Program Manager, Rob Ament, participated in a half-day event, held on the side of the Convention on Biological Diversity’s Global Biodiversity Framework meetings
WTI Part of $2.25M Tribal Transport Effort
As part of a consortium that was recently awarded up to $2.25 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation, WTI will provide transportation outreach and technical
WTI Employees Take the Lead in Transportation as TRB Chairs
This January, three WTI researchers will have the honor and responsibility of presiding over committees they chair at the 2023 Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting
PLT Fellow to Present NPS Transportation Research
Charlie Gould (B.A., History), a Public Lands Transportation Research Fellow (PLTF), will give his final presentation on innovative and emerging mobility technologies in National Parks on
UTCs – TCUs Exchange Ideas at Albuquerque Summit
The Small Urban, Rural and Tribal Center on Mobility (SURTCOM) hosted a University Transportation Center (UTC) -Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCU) Summit in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
PROJECT NEWS: WTI Researchers Demystify the Salt Phase Diagram
Road salt, most often sodium chloride (NaCl) melts ice and is a crucial tool for winter maintenance crews around the world. However, the constant application of
PROJECT News: Scan of Communities with Fewer than 10,000 People finds Biking/Walking to be “Wheelie” Popular
Walking and bicycling have become increasingly popular transportation modes as people consider the positive impacts of active living. While there are examples of large, urban areas
WTI Researchers to Teach MSU Course on the Intersection of Transportation & Health
Transportation systems that prioritize motor vehicles have been linked to poor air quality and negative health outcomes such as asthma, may endanger walkers and cyclists, and
WTI Employees Recognized for Years of Service
Every October, Montana State University hosts the Milestones in Service Award banquet to recognize employees who reached five-year employment increments during the previous fiscal year. This
New Staff: Welcome Anna Price!
WTI is excited to welcome Anna Price as a new member of the communications team. Originally from Anchorage, Alaska, Anna moved to Bozeman to attend Montana
New Staff: Welcome Jen MacFarlane
The Western Transportation Institute is pleased to announce that Jen MacFarlane has transitioned from a temporary to permanent position as a public health research assistant. Originally
IN THE NEWS: Montana State University Highlights Two Decades of Wildlife Crossings Research
In a follow-up to last week’s New York Times article, Montana State University News published a feature article summarizing WTI’s long history of researching and advancing
IN THE NEWS: City of Bozeman Awarded Grant for Park and Trail Planning
The Bozeman Daily Chronicle reports that the City of Bozeman has received a planning grant from the Safe Routes to Parks Activating Communities. “Bozeman partners with
NEW PUBLICATION: Forest Service Releases Report on Wildlife Crossing Structures
The United States Forest Service (USFS) has published Highway Crossing Structures for Wildlife: Opportunities for Improving Driver and Animal Safety. The report is the result of
SUMMER IS HERE – Time for Transportation Camp!
WTI is excited to announce two upcoming sessions of the Summer Transportation Camp at Montana State University – free weeklong camps for middle school students. For:
IN THE NEWS: New York Times Showcases Video of Wildlife Using Crossings
The New York Times has posted an online feature article highlighting excellent footage of wildlife using various forms of highway crossings. “How Do Animals Safely Cross
IN THE NEWS: Embracing Biodegradable Erosion Control
Stormwater Magazine recently interviewed WTI Road Ecologist Rob Ament on advancements in the use of environmentally friendly products for erosion control. “Saving Mowers and Wildlife” highlights
PROJECT NEWS: A Smart Transit Hub Feasibility Study for Fort Smith, Arkansas
WTI recently completed a feasibility study for a “Smart” transit hub to serve an eight-county rural region in western Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma. The study presents
STUDENT NEWS: Meet Alex Musar
Welcome to Alex Musar, who joins WTI this month as an Undergraduate Research Assistant for the summer. He will be working with David Kack, Andrea Hamre,
OUTREACH: WTI Director Updates Big Sky Chamber on $10 million Infrastructure Grant
In late April, the Big Sky (MT) Chamber of Commerce hosted a meeting focused on upcoming infrastructure projects in the region. WTI Director David Kack presented
Animal Crossing: New Research Guides Efforts to Protect California’s Amphibians and Reptiles from Road Danger
Companion video shows underground crossing structures in action Roads can be dangerous for California’s reptiles and amphibians, but a five-year study and new video show that
Go Gallatin Challenge Kicks Off on May 10
Ready to move more in May? Join the Go Gallatin Challenge, which kicks off on Monday, May 10! It’s a two-week competition among organizations across the
NPS Introduces Fellows on Transformation Tuesday
As part of its “Transformation Tuesday” series, the National Park Service (NPS) profiled three fellows from the Public Lands Transportation Fellows (PLTF) program who are currently
STUDENT NEWS: CATS Participants Create Designs for Bozeman Park
In a recent feature article, Montana State University News Service detailed the contributions of MSU students to future plans for Soroptimist Park in Bozeman, Montana. The
PROJECT NEWS: Tools and Strategies for Developing Severity Indices
The Clear Roads research program, which sponsors practitioner-focused winter maintenance research, is highlighting a recently completed severity index project on its website. For “Evaluation of SSI
IN THE NEWS: Reducing Wildlife-Vehicle Collisions in Appalachia
Public Policy magazine In These Times recently interviewed WTI Road Ecologist Marcel Huijser for an in-depth article on wildlife crossings. “Toward a World Without Roadkill” highlights
NPS Plans Safety Improvements Based on WTI Study
Along a historic parkway in Virginia, the National Park Service (NPS) will soon begin improvements to enhance safety for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. In a recent
IN THE NEWS: High Country News Reports on Montana Passenger Rail
In a recent article, High Country News provides an update on the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority, a Montana coalition that is working to revive a