WTI News
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
MSU Selects Jay Otto for Employee Recognition
On April 14, Center for Health and Safety Culture Principal Scientist Jay Otto was selected for “Pure Gold,” a Montana State University employee recognition program. Nominated
NEW NAME, NEW CHALLENGE: The Bozeman Commuter Project Has Rebranded
Join the GoGallatin MSU Commuter Challenge this week In October, WTI was awarded an Office of Outreach & Engagement Seed grant to begin a rebrand of
SAFETY CENTER WEBINAR: Roadkill Observation and Data System Project
Two WTI Road Ecology Researchers will be the main presenters at a webinar on Tuesday, April 13, at 11 am Mountain Time. The National Center for
IN THE NEWS: TRB Highlights Interview with WTI Cold Climates Researcher
The impact of extreme weather on transportation systems and infrastructure was the focus of a recent feature article by the National Academy of Sciences’ Transportation Research
STUDENT NEWS: Engineering a Future in Transportation
Montana State University senior Bryce Grame has a long-term plan for a career in transportation. With a major in Civil Engineering and a minor in statistics,
ON THE AIR: Road Ecologist Highlights Wildlife Crossing Structures Advancements
On February 25, Road Ecology Program Manager Rob Ament was a guest on Top of Mind with Julie Rose, a BYU Radio program. For a feature
NEW PUBLICATION: Cycling for Sustainable Cities
MIT Press has released Cycling for Sustainable Cities, a new book focused on how to implement infrastructure, programs, and policies to make cycling safer, more practical,
NEW PROJECT: Supporting Mobility Options in Meigs County, Ohio
WTI is launching a new project to provide technical assistance to a small county in southern Ohio. Led by Principal Investigator Andrea Hamre, the research team
NEW PROJECT: Could Public Transportation Systems in Rural Areas Deliver Packages?
WTI is launching a new project to investigate innovative “last mile” package delivery systems and how rural public transportation systems may have a role in the
STUDENT NEWS: Welcome, Sam Coulter!
Meet WTI’s Undergraduate Research Assistant Sam Coulter. A Senior at MSU, Sam will be helping Andrea Hamre with the Commercial Package Delivery through Public Transportation Systems
In the News: Ennis Traffic Calming Project Featured in Local News
The Madisonian, a newspaper for Montana’s Madison Valley, reports on a completed WTI research study in a recent feature article. “Traffic calming data released” summarizes the
In the News: Traffic and Transit Magazine Showcases Rural Research Roadmap Project
An NCHRP project led by WTI is the focus of a current feature article in Traffic and Transit, a national transportation publication. “Mapping the Future of
TRB Annual Meeting Zooms Into Week Three
The NAS Transportation Research Board continued its revamped Annual Meeting last week, holding virtual technical committee meetings on a wide range of research topics. In this
In Memoriam: Dr. Bill Jameson
We are saddened to share that former WTI staff member Dr. Bill Jameson passed away on January 2. Bill joined WTI in 2003 as a Senior
2021 30th Annual UTC Outstanding Student of the Year Awards
Congratulations to Ali Rahim-Taleqani of North Dakota State University (NDSU). Ali has been recognized as a 2020 Outstanding Student of the Year by the University Transportation
TRB Annual Meeting Kicks off Four Weeks of Virtual Events
Each January, the National Academy of Sciences’ Transportation Research Board holds its Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C., a week-long forum that brings together thousands of transportation
IN THE NEWS: WTI Road Ecologist Offers Insights Into Utah Project
In 2018, the Utah Department of Transportation completed the state’s largest wildlife crossing, which traverses six lanes of traffic on Interstate 80. The crossing structure made
NEW REPORT: Innovative Strategies to Reduce the Costs of Effective Wildlife Overpasses
The U.S. Forest Service has released a new report authored by wildlife crossing experts from WTI, ARC Solutions, and other partner research organizations, which compiles key
RESEARCH NEWS: Winter is coming — What’s new in Cold Climate research?
Montana is not the only place concerned with keeping the roads clear and safe during the winter months. Over the last year, WTI’s Cold Climate Operations
STUDENT NEWS: Gaining Research and Testing Experience in the Cold Climates Lab
The Cold Climate Operations and Systems program has new student support in the Lab! WTI is pleased to welcome Lura Johnson as an undergraduate lab technician,
INTERNATIONAL OUTREACH: Researchers Highlight Mobility Issues at UNESCO Conference
In 2015, WTI’s Small Urban and Rural Livability Center and West Region Transportation Workforce Center embarked on a collaborative project with partners from the Russian University
NEW REPORT: What is the Impact of a Local Gas Tax in Montana?
As one source of funding for transportation projects, the federal government and all states place a tax on fuel purchases. However, at the local and regional
Milestones in Service: Faculty and Staff Honored at Virtual Ceremony
On November 5, Montana State University hosted the 7th annual Milestones in Service celebration with a virtual awards ceremony to honor faculty and staff for their
Student Research Opportunities: Five Positions Available with Bozeman Commute Rebrand Project
Summary: The Western Transportation Institute (WTI) is seeking five MSU students for part-time, paid positions to support the development and implementation of a project to rebrand
STUDENT NEWS: Students in CATS Program Spearhead Local Stormwater Survey
The City of Bozeman and Montana State University (MSU) students are partnering up to strengthen stormwater outreach efforts. Dr. Sarah Church, a professor in MSU’s Department
NEW PROJECT: MSU Researcher Receives Seed Grant for Commuter Project
Congratulations Matt Madsen! He received a seed grant from MSU’s Outreach and Engagement Council, which will support a collaboration between MSU students and community partners, including
In the News: Humboldt County Transit Study Collecting Public Input
The Redheaded Blackbelt, a local online news outlet in Northern California, has published a feature story about a WTI-led transit study that is getting started in
ARC Solutions Presents Former WTI Director with a Lifetime Road Ecology Leadership Award
On October 20, ARC Solutions presented former WTI Director Steve Albert with a Lifetime Road Ecology Leadership Award in recognition of his enduring legacy in making
Vermont Travel Study Featured in TRB Newsletter
The National Academy of Sciences Transportation Research Board (TRB) is raising awareness of a new WTI study on travel behavior, by highlighting it in its weekly
In the News: NBC Montana Highlights Traffic Calming Project in Ennis
In the small town of Ennis, Montana, local officials and residents are concerned for the safety of pedestrians and motorists on Main Street (US 287), which
New Facility Ready for Fish Passage Studies
Researchers in Montana have a new tool for designing fish passage structures that meet the needs of both fish and agricultural producers. A feature article by
In the News: 60 Minutes Highlights Grizzly Bear Research in Montana
On October 11, the CBS News Show 60 Minutes aired an in-depth feature story on grizzly bears in Montana and the impacts of the growing populations