WTI News
Winter Maintenance Research in the News
As winter gets underway, state Departments of Transportation are planning their snow and ice maintenance programs. In the process, they are considering findings and recommendations from
New Publications from Road Ecology
Interested in Road Ecology research? Check out these recent and upcoming publications. WOLVERINE TRAPPING: The Journal of Wildlife Management has published “The Sustainability of Wolverine Trapping
NEW STAFF: Matt Madsen joins WTI’s Mobility Research Program
Meet our newest Matt. The Western Transportation Institute welcomes Technical Research Associate, Matt Madsen, bringing our Matt total to four (he joins Matt Blank, Mat Bell,
WEBINAR: Traffic Safety Culture and Its Relationship to Vision Zero
The Center for Health and Safety Culture, in partnership with the Traffic Safety Culture Pooled Fund, will lead a free webinar on December 3 on “Traffic
Transportation Fellows Benefit from Networking and Learning Opportunities at TRB Forums
Recently, WTI co-hosted the Transportation Research Board (TRB) International Conference on Low Volume Roads, held in Kalispell, Montana earlier this fall. Attendees who stayed a few
Meet the Fellows!
The newest Fellow participating in the Public Lands Transportation Fellows program is Nathan Begay, who started working at the Valle de Oro Urban Wildlife Refuge in
12th TRB International Conference on Low Volume Roads comes to Kalispell, Montana
Kalispell, Montana proved to be an ideal venue for the 12th TRB International Conference on Low Volume Roads, held in late September. Sponsored by the Transportation
Wildlife Vehicle Collision Data Collection System: Second phase of development complete
The WTI Road Ecology program, in partnership with the MSU Gianforte School of Computing, has completed a second phase of research on a system to simplify
Washington Post Interviews WTI Road Ecologist
One of the country’s leading newspapers consulted a WTI researcher and several of our road ecology publications for a national feature story on wildlife crossings. “Retrofitting
Rural Transit Project Kicks Off in Arkansas
WTI Mobility researchers Rebecca Gleason and Danae Giannetti traveled to Fort Smith, Arkansas last week to help launch a rural transit hub feasibility study. They gave
WTI Research Expenditures Highlighted by Montana State University
At the end of September, Montana State University announced that research spending for the 2018-2019 fiscal year set a new record of $138 million. “MSU records
Ament Interviewed on Wildlife Crossing Structures in Wyoming
The Jackson Hole News and Guide has published “Bridging a future for wildlife,” a feature article on proposed wildlife crossings structures for Wyoming highways. In the
Huijser Leads Webinar for USFWS
In September, Research Ecologist Marcel Huijser was invited to present a training webinar for all the Regional Transportation Coordinators in the US Fish and Wildlife Services
WTI Welcomes New Researchers
This summer, WTI welcomed two new researchers who will provide multi-disciplinary expertise and support across several program areas. Matthew Bell is a new Research Associate, but
New Vistas and Opportunities Ahead
Mobility Project Assistant Dani Hess has announced that she will be leaving WTI at the beginning of October. Dani first joined WTI in 2016 as a
Transportation Research Board Promotes New CHSC Publications
Two new traffic safety culture publications, drafted by Center for Health and Safety Culture (CHSC) researchers for the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT), have been featured
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