improving the quality of life
For our environmental science team, spring marks the beginning of the field season, when we trade our interior workstations for field visits to project sites. The official field season is typically timed to match the growing period of most plants, but may be designated by each agency. For example, ODOT projects only accept data collected […]
Pedestrian and bicycle crashes represent 9 percent of the fatalities on Ohio’s roadways. This fact, coupled with a greater emphasis on alternative forms of transportation like walking, bicycling and transit use, has led communities to focus more than ever on providing safe infrastructure for all modes of travel. We are closer to achieving this goal […]
Today is International Walk to School Day, a yearly event that encourages school children to walk and bike to school to instill healthy habits, help the environment, promote safety, and create a stronger sense of community. Whether it’s Walk to School Day, Bike to Work Day or some other initiative to encourage active transportation, communities […]
A $2.3 trillion funding gap will plague the transportation market during the next 20 years. The magnitude of this gap, as reported by the National Surface Transportation Infrastructure Financing Commission, is so large that a single solution is not practical or realistic. Since innovative thinking will be required to bridge the gap, I was happy […]
I’m proud to live and work in an area of the country that supports policies that make streets safer and more open to everyone, regardless of age, ability or mode of travel. Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission (MVRPC)’s Complete Street policy has just been recognized as one of the nation’s leading examples of safe, smart […]
Complete streets policies often have strong backing from local government leaders because of the diverse benefits to the community. After a complete streets policy is adopted, the hard work of implementing the policies is often left to the individual transportation or public works agency. In the July issue of the APWA Reporter, LJB senior traffic […]
As I commute to and from work, I wonder how I can use my job as a civil engineer to reduce the negative impacts of development and infrastructure. I am always looking for ways to help communities meet the sustainability triple bottom line of social, economic and environmental. As my clients work to replace their […]
While I work on writing proposals or editing our website, I can look out my window and watch visitors and staff come and go from our building. I’ve become accustomed to seeing my co-workers walking out with drawings or hard hats under their arms. But, when I see our environmental scientists walk out with boots, […]
The Spot 
Lesson Learned from the Pandemic: Communities Need Safe & Accessible Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities
Communities across the country experienced sharp increases in sidewalk and trail use during the pandemic. An entirely new group of users were exposed to these facilities as they found themselves looking for ways to get out of their homes, which had also become their school, office, restaurant, and gym. Pedestrian and bicycle facilities are beneficial […]