Financial plans provide an excellent opportunity for agencies to demonstrate to constituents that they are responsibly managing their transportation assets. Get the information you need to develop or further develop your TAM Financial Plans! 

The blended training approach to NHI 136002 Financial Planning for Transportation Asset Management (TAM) includes a brief (one-hour) Web-based training (WBT) component. The WBT builds foundational knowledge of financial planning in the context of TAM and reviews common vocabulary and background information. Then, an instructor-led, classroom-based event completes the blended approach.

Over the course of 1.5 days, participants discover the key content areas of a financial plan and explore the approaches to developing one. A facilitator guides small working groups as they create a financial plan outline that includes each content area. The groups identify gaps that could reduce the plan's effectiveness and identify the next steps their agency must take to fully develop the financial plan. The teams' financial plan outlines are evaluated by the instructor. Participants leave the classroom with a useful work product that can be further developed and used in the agency's financial planning process.

October is designated as Pedestrian Safety Month. States, local leaders, traffic safety professionals, transportation planners and engineers, other stakeholders, and concerned residents are invited to join in helping to create a transportation system for all people to easily and safely walk. This year's campaign theme is Everyone is a Pedestrian.

In January 2022, the U.S. DOT released its National Road Safety Strategy that outlines its department-wide approach to working with stakeholders to achieve this goal and describes the actions that will be taken to make a meaningful difference over the next few years. At this strategy’s core is a department-wide adoption of the Safe System Approach to address and mitigate the inherent risks present in our transportation system.

The Safe System Approach works by building and reinforcing multiple layers of protection to both prevent crashes from happening and minimize the harm caused to those involved in crashes that do occur. This holistic and comprehensive approach is a shift from a conventional safety approach because it focuses on human mistakes and vulnerability, while also designing a system with many redundancies in place to protect everyone.

Please use the campaign resource materials (links available below) to help increase awareness about how we can combat pedestrian crashes in our communities.

For more information, messaging, and graphics see the resources below.

Excerpt from: Traffic Safety Marketing and NHTSA

While winter brings cold and sometimes downright frigid temperatures, it can also bring snow, sleet, freezing rain, strong winds, and increased risks for Nor’easters and Blizzards. Winter storms also create higher risks of car accidents, hypothermia, heart attacks from overexertion, and more. 

Nor’easters are storms that move along the East Coast of North America, and can occur any time of year but are typically the most frequent and most destructive between September and April. A Nor’easter can also be a Blizzard. Blizzards occur when strong winds (sustained wind or frequent gusts of 35 mph or greater for at least 3 hours) cause blowing snow and often limited visibility or whiteout conditions, which can make roads impassable. Thousands of people are injured or killed every year in traffic accidents related to slippery roads from winter storms.

Stay safe and know what to do before, during, and after a winter storm including:

• Know winter weather basics including terminology such as Watch, Warning, and Advisory
• Keep emergency supplies in place in your home, vehicle, work, and your work vehicle if applicable
• Keep carbon monoxide alarms in place, especially if using alternative heating devices
• Use only safe heating devices and never heat your home or other space with a stovetop or oven
• Only use generators and grills outdoors and away from windows
• Listen to local officials and comply with warnings and requests to stay off the road during and after winter storms, if possible
• If you are trapped in a car, then stay inside
• Limit time outdoors; If you must go outside, wear layers of warm clothing and watch for signs of frostbite and/or hypothermia
• Reduce the risk of heart attack by avoiding overexertion when shoveling and walking in the snow

For more information and resources, see the links below.

Excerpt from: National Weather Service, NOAA

Impaired driving has a devastating impact on families and communities everywhere. Weekends and holidays can be dangerous times on the roadway, especially during the holiday season. Two of the most celebrated holidays occur in December and both, Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, have historically also been among the most deadly days of the year.

That's why December is recognized as National Impaired Driving Prevention Month. Everyone is reminded to take personal responsibility and, before taking that first drink, have a plan that includes a designated or other sober driver such as a ride share or taxi to get home safely or plan for an overnight stay.

Remember too that alcohol is not the only source of impaired driving. Drugs such as marijuana, opioids, and even some over-the-counter and prescribed non-opioid medications can impair driving. Side effects such as drowsiness, slowed coordination, judgment, and reaction times, as well as altered vision can impair driving ability.

Impaired drivers cannot accurately assess their own impairment, which is why no one should drive after using any impairing substances. Remember: If you feel different, you drive different.

For more information, messaging, and graphics see the resources below.

Excerpts from: RIDOT, National Safety Council, NHTSA