Transportation Radio

Interviews with transportation newsmakers by transportation journalist Bernie Wagenblast.

Transportation Radio is a news podcast hosted by Bernie Wagenblast, with 233 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Bernie Wagenblast hosts Transportation Radio, a news show with 233 episodes published.

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  Transportation Radio

  Bridging Transportation Planning, Engineering, and Collaboration with Dan Hardy, PE, PTP

  Sep 27, 202620 min

  In this episode of ITE Talks Transportation , longtime ITE member Dan Hardy, PE, PTP, reflects on his 40-year career and the evolution of transportation planning, including the growing importance of collaboration across industry disciplines. Hardy discusses how planners and engineers can combine data, community perspectives, and diverse expertise to develop solutions that lead to meaningful change. He also explores the future of the profession, the importance of communicating transportation and safety goals effectively, and the value of the Professional Transportation Planner (PTP) certification through the Transportation Professionals Certification Board in demonstrating expertise and fostering continued professional growth.

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  Transportation Radio

  Speed Management for Safer Roads with Dr. Shauna Hallmark, Iowa State University, and Ginny O’Connor, toXcel

  Aug 27, 202622 min

  In this episode of the ITE Talks Transportation podcast, Dr. Shauna Hallmark , Professor at Iowa State University , and Ginny O’Connor , P.E., PTOE, RSP2I, Transportation Engineer at toXcel , explore the critical role of speed management in reducing fatal and serious injury crashes. They discuss how agencies can take a more proactive, systemic approach by examining operating speeds, roadway conditions, and potential conflict points rather than relying solely on crash data. The conversation also highlights speed management strategies, real-world examples from communities across the country, and the importance of matching roadway design with safe operating speeds. Hallmark and O’Connor close with practical considerations for transportation professionals, including appropriately setting speed limits, accounting for roadway users and conditions, and building public understanding of why speed management measures are needed.

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  Transportation Radio

  State DOTs Partner with The Nature Conservancy on Wildlife Connectivity

  Jul 19, 202623 min

  Episode Summary In this episode, Alissa Fadden – wildlife connectivity project manager for The Nature Conservancy in New York – and Chris Slesar, environmental resources coordinator at the Vermont Agency of Transportation , join The Stream by AASHTO podcast to discuss “Highways and Habitats, ” a video training series that helps bridge the gap between road ecology and habitat connectivity. The pair discussed the importance of bringing transportation ecology to the forefront of state department of transportation projects and how this new training program helps teach state DOT professionals the ins-and-outs of connecting both people and wildlife safely across the northeast. Episode Notes Chris Slesar and Alissa Fadden, join The Stream by AASHTO podcast to discuss “Highways and Habitats,” a video training series created by a partnership between The Nature Conservancy and eight state departments of transportation. In the Northeast, where the training is particularly focused, state DOTs have noticed a recent uptick in changing species patterns as a result of various habitat changes, including increased flooding and road construction. For those state DOTs, it became evident that a more “connected landscape” is necessary to make roads safer while simultaneously improving protections for local ecologies. In this episode, Fadden and Slesar discuss a variety of topics – including how to build cross-border state DOT relationships, the impact of Vermont’s original award-winning “Highways and Habitats” training program, regional habitat connectivity successes, and what this new training initiative could mean for state DOTs in other parts of the United States. More information about the program can be found in The Leaflet by AASHTO’s June 2026 article about the training. This podcast series is part of the AASHTO Environmental Management technical service program operated by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials . It explores a wide array of environmental topics that affect state DOTs and the infrastructure programs they oversee.

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  Transportation Radio

  How Global Collaboration Is Shaping ITE and Transportation’s Future with ITE Global District Director Farukh Ijaz, PE

  Jul 9, 202622 min

  In this episode of ITE Talks Transportation , ITE Global District Director Farukh Ijaz, PE , shares his inspiring journey from Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to becoming a transportation leader and entrepreneur in the United States. Farukh reflects on how relationships, mentorship, and a passion for transportation shaped both his career and the growth of Consulting Services USA . He also discusses his vision for strengthening ITE’s global network by fostering meaningful professional connections and creating pathways for knowledge exchange across borders. Tune in to hear how international collaboration can help transportation professionals tackle shared challenges and build a stronger, more connected future for the industry.

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  Transportation Radio

  Advancing Accessibility in Transportation

  Jul 4, 202624 min

  Episode Summary In this episode, Alan Hejl talks about how his work at General Motors addressing the vehicle needs of the disabled, along with the travel difficulties experienced by his wheelchair-bound wife, inspired him to form his company, Spark Access . Hejl dives into how those personal experiences pushed him to advocate for the mobility needs of the disabled – especially in terms of how greater mobility for the disabled fosters more inclusion for them in society. Hejl also explains how his advocacy efforts include creating more autonomous vehicle accessibility for the disabled. Episode Notes The latest episode of “ The Stream by AASHTO ” podcast features an interview with Alan Hejl, founder and lead consultant of Spark Access; a company that helps people with disabilities gain more mobility options to help foster a greater sense of belonging and inclusion for them more broadly in society. This podcast series is part of the AASHTO Environmental Management Technical Service Program operated by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials . It explores a wide array of environmental topics that affect state departments of transportation and the infrastructure programs they oversee. The mission of Spark Access is foster more awareness, accessibility, and inclusion for the disabled within the mobility industry. The firm’s advocacy efforts focus on helping people with both visible and hidden disabilities gain more transportation options to fit their travel needs. In this episode, Hejl talks about how his work at General Motors helped open his eyes to the wide array of mobility issues people with disabilities face – a passion that deepened and became more personal in light of the mobility struggles faced by his wheelchair-bound wife. Hejl discusses how different kinds of disabilities – both visible and hidden – can impact transportation options; how transportation systems are often built with the needs of the disabled as an afterthought; and how autonomous vehicles can offer the disabled greater travel opportunities if they meet their accessibility needs.

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