WTI News

Wolverine Research Featured on MSU Website
Montana State University News Service published a feature story last week on Tony Clevenger’s wolverine research and also highlighted the story on the MSU website homepage.
NEW PROJECTS: Connecting Rural Transportation with Economic Opportunity
The National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) Research Foundation will partner with the Small Urban, Rural and Tribal Center on Mobility (SURTCOM) to assist rural communities
NEW REPORT: Hot Spot Analysis of Large Mammal-Vehicle Collisions in California
The final report is now available for a wildlife vehicle collision study conducted for the California Department of Transportation. Road Ecology Research Ecologist Marcel Huijser and

Montana LTAP Director Elected to National Post
Congratulations, Matt Ulberg! The Director of the Montana Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) was elected Vice President of the National Local Technical and Tribal Assistance Program

MSU News Highlights Fish Passage Research on Yellowstone River
Graduate students at Montana State University had a great opportunity to participate in aquatics field research this summer, which was captured in feature article by the

WTI Researchers Contribute Chapter to Mobility Workforce Book
A newly published book on training the next generation of transportation workers at all levels includes a chapter written by two WTI staff members. Empowering the
USFWS Sponsors New Phase of Fish Passage Research
WTI, the MSU College of Engineering, and the Bozeman Fish Technology Center (BFTC) will continue their partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to study
NEW PROJECT: Assessing the Costs and Benefits of an Animal Detection System
WTI Road Ecologist Marcel Huijser will lead a cost-benefit analysis of an animal detection system (ADS) for the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT). MDT is considering

WTI wins AARP Community Challenge Grant for Bozeman Street Project
Congratulations are due to WTI and the City of Bozeman, recently selected for a Community Challenge grant awarded by the American Association for Retired People (AARP).
Research Update – Are Wyoming Deer and Antelope Using Existing Underpasses to Cross Highways?
WTI is conducting a research on behalf of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) and the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) to explore mitigation options

Developing Scenic Bikeways in Rural Areas: New Resource Available
Could a scenic bikeway attract more bicycle tourists to the parks, historic sites and other attractions in your area? Is your agency responsible for operating and
New Publication: How do wildlife fencing and crossing structures affect small mammals?
While wildlife fencing and crossing structures have been shown to reduce the effect of roads on medium and large animals, less is known about how these
On the Road in Wyoming
WTI Research Scientist Marcel Huijser traveled to Jackson, Wyoming on July 18, where he was invited to speak on Road Ecology research and advancements at the

On to the Next Adventure…
Marking the end of era, WTI’s two most senior leaders retired this month. We bid a fond farewell to our Executive Director Steve Albert and our

A Calming Presence – Street Art Aims to Slow Neighborhood Traffic
Two intersections in downtown Bozeman have unusual new inhabitants – brightly colored trout that swim and leap through a water mural painted right on the street.

New Transportation Fellow Arrives at National Wildlife Refuge
The Public Lands Transportation Fellows program has welcomed its first fellow for 2019-2020! In early July, Naomi Firemen arrived at the Potomac River National Wildlife Refuge
Newspaper Lauds Parenting Website
ParentingMontana.org continues to receive great reviews. In a recent editorial, Karen Sullivan of the Montana Standard called the website “one of the best resources on parenting
Bonus Safety Center Webinar in July!
The National Center for Rural Road Safety will host a second webinar this month! This free webinar on “Safe Systems for Rural Areas” will be offered
Research Partners Reunite at National Regional Transportation Conference
SURTCOM Director David Kack traveled to Columbus, Ohio last week for the National Regional Transportation Conference, which is hosted by the National Association of Development Organizations
MDT Launches Wildlife and Transportation Webpage
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) has a new webpage dedicated to facilitating collaboration among the many partners working to reduce animal vehicle collisions and enhance
CHSC Announces Summer Webinars
The Center for Health and Safety Culture will host webinars in July and August, based on two of their research and community outreach projects: Exploring Law

Where in the World is WTI? EU Safety Conference Invites CHSC Director to Luxembourg
Center for Health and Safety Culture (CHSC) Director, Dr. Nic Ward, will be a keynote speaker at the EU Safety Conference in Luxembourg in October 2019.

Rural Planning Webinar This Week!
The National Center for Rural Road Safety will host a free webinar on “Rural Multimodal Planning” on Thursday June 20 at 11 a.m. (Mountain Time). This
Bozeman Commuter Challenge off to great start with Bike Week!
The Bozeman Commuter Challenge kicked off on June 1 with Bike Week. Staff from WTI and the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) Design Team enthusiastically joined
Webinar will Showcase Research on Law Enforcement Agency Culture
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) will host a webinar featuring research by a team from the Center for Health and Safety Culture. MDT recently released
Bozeman Commuter Challenge has begun!
It’s on folks! The Bozeman Commuter Challenge kicked off on June 1 and runs through June 30. Log your bike, walk, bus, or carpool trips all
CHSC Releases Training Videos for Health and Safety Professionals
The Center for Health and Safety Culture (CHSC) has released online resources called “Brief Spotlight Videos,” which address key topics on a variety of critical public
MSU News Highlights New Book on Traffic Safety Culture
Thank you, Montana State University News, for your feature article on the new Traffic Safety Culture book. MSU News interviewed CHSC Director Nic Ward for “MSU
On the Road to Safety – Engaging Partners at National Events
Improving safety on rural roadways is a multi-faceted challenge – to make progress, it helps to collaborate with many partners. WTI’s Jaime Sullivan, who is also
ParentingMontana.org Videos Win National Award
The commercials produced for the ParentingMontana.org project have been selected by the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts for the Communicator Award of Excellence. This honor
Online and On the Radio: Road Ecologists Interviewed on Wildlife Crossings
The business website Quartz (www.qz.com) has published a feature article on the international use of wildlife crossing structures. “Wildlife overpasses that protect animals are spreading globally”
NEW PUBLICATION: CHSC Staff Contribute to New Book on Traffic Safety Culture
In April, Emerald Publishing released a new reference book entitled Traffic Safety Culture: Definition, Foundation, and Application, which includes major contributions by the staff of the
STEM & Design Camp for Middle School Students: Coming to WTI in Summer 2019
WTI will host two five-day summer camps in 2019 that are free for area middle school students interested in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), as
MSU College of Engineering Honors WTI’s Finance Director
Congratulations to Jeralyn Brodowy, WTI’s Director of Administration and Finance, who was selected by the MSU Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering (NACOE) for the 2019 Professional
NEW PUBLICATION: Idaho Barn Owl Study Explores High Rates of Road Mortality
Ibis, an international journal of avian science, has published an article based on a WTI Road Ecology project in Idaho. “Spatial, road geometric and biotic factors
Unique Fellowship Opportunities available in National Wildlife Refuges
Do you know a graduate student or young professional who is looking for a unique opportunity to gain experience in resources management, public lands visitation, and transportation
Wolverine Research Showcased in Canadian Media
WTI Research Scientist, Tony Clevenger, presented his research on wolverines to the Bow Valley Naturalists in Alberta, Canada recently, resulting in a feature article in the
WTI Wildlife Crossings Projects featured in Smokies Life
Smokies Life, the magazine of the Great Smoky Mountains Association, has published a pictorial feature and in-depth article on wildlife collisions. “Right of Way: Roads Need
Aviation Journal Highlights Aviation Weather Portal project
The State Aviation Journal recently published a feature article on the benefits of an aviation weather and travel tool developed by the California Department of Transportation
Transportation Voucher Program wins National Award
The Deep East Texas Council of Governments (DETCOG) Transportation Voucher Program has been selected for a 2019 Excellence in Regional Transportation Award from the National Association
Where in the World is WTI? Malaysia Hosts Road Ecology Workshop Co-sponsored by WTI
WTI Road Ecologists Rob Ament and Tony Clevenger traveled to Kuala Lumper, Malaysia in April to present at the Road Ecology – Transportation Infrastructure and Wildlife
National Geographic Interviews WTI Road Ecologists for Feature Article
WTI’s decades of research on wildlife crossing structures received a very prestigious “shout out” last week – a feature article by National Geographic. “How wildlife bridges
New Project: CHSC Explores Connection Between Impaired Driving and Traffic Safety Culture
Cannabis use by U.S. adults has increased by 50% over the last decade, and over the same period, cannabis use by drivers has increased by an
New Project: Phase 2 Planned for New WVC Data Collection System
The National Park Service (NPS) and US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) have partnered with the Western Transportation Institute – Montana State University (WTI) to develop
New Project: Safety Improvements for Low-Volume Roads in Montana
Highway agencies systemically screen the road network to identify those sites that are expected to yield the greatest safety benefits from an investment of available improvement
New Publication: Arctic Grayling Research featured in Journal of Ecohydraulics
Installing effective fish passage structures that provide connectivity for Arctic grayling is a promising conservation strategy for imperiled populations. The Journal of Ecohydraulics has published a
New Publication: Study Estimates Costs of Animal-Vehicle Collisions in Brazil
Animal-vehicle collisions (AVCs) are a threat to both humans and wildlife, and they have an economic cost to society. PLOS ONE has published a study by
Student Milestones – It’s Thesis Defense Season
Congratulations to two of our hardworking graduate students who have taken important steps over the last few weeks to earn their advanced degrees. The Center for
Where in the World is WTI? CHSC researchers collaborate at international conference
Center for Health and Safety Culture researchers Annmarie McMahill and Jay Otto attended the World Appreciative Inquiry Conference at the end of March in Nice, France.
New Webinar Announced for May – Marketing Safety
The National Center for Rural Road Safety will host a free webinar on “Marketing Safety” on Thursday April 25 at 11 a.m. (Mountain Time). This webinar