Transportation Connects Us

In this episode, we take a deep dive into Wisconsin’s Move Over Law and Wisconsin Act 115 – two laws meant to protect Wisconsin’s roadside responders. We also hear frontline stories about close calls from first responders who risk their lives every day to help us.

Wisconsin Department of Transportation Secretary Craig Thompson discusses the importance of protecting the people who work along our highways and key points about the laws.

Amherst Fire District Assistant Fire Chief Brian Swan played a key role in getting Wisconsin Act 115 signed into law by Governor Tony Evers in December 2021. He discusses the incident that sparked the law and how he helped push it forward.

Wisconsin State Patrol Trooper David Yang discusses how his vehicle was hit by an inattentive driver who failed to move over or slow down.

We hope to give you a better understanding of Wisconsin’s roadside responder protection laws and who those laws are meant to protect.

The Flex Lane opened on the Madison Beltline (US 12/18) in July 2022 as one solution to ease backups and improve traffic flow on one of Wisconsin’s busiest highways. Preliminary data shows the Flex Lane is working. It’s improved travel times by 30% during the first two months of operation. WisDOT Secretary Craig Thompson, Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett, Madison Region Economic Partnership President and CEO Jason Fields and a few Beltline drivers join our latest podcast to discuss how the Beltline improvements are benefitting drivers, alleviating congestion and how an improved Beltline can aid economic development throughout Dane County.

This episode takes you inside the world of Wisconsin crash response. You’ll hear harrowing stories from first responders who were either hit by a vehicle or involved in an extremely close call with traffic. Crash response is a dangerous job, hear it directly from those who willingly face those dangers every day.

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Music credits: Stinson by Reed Mathis, Alone by Emmit Fenn, Almost in F - Tranquility by Kevin MacLeod, Wolf Moon by Unicorn Heads

During Cybersecurity Awareness Month, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP) team up for a podcast to bring you important information to help keep you safe online. As reports of fraud, phishing, and imposter scams continue to rise, learn what our agencies are doing to protect Wisconsinites and learn useful tips you can start doing right now to be safer online.

Envision a work zone in Wisconsin and you’ll likely picture orange barrels, heavy equipment and workers in hard hats. Technology may not come to mind, but it is playing an increasingly important role in keeping motorists and workers safe. In the latest episode of “Transportation Connects Us,” WisDOT engineers discuss the safety benefits of work zone technology like Queue Warning Systems, the Dynamic Late Merge System (zipper merge) and modern work zone inspection equipment.

On this episode, we’re talking transportation and ag with WisDOT Secretary-designee Craig Thompson and Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Secretary-designee Randy Romanski. We discuss the relationship between transportation infrastructure and the success of Wisconsin’s agricultural industry, the state’s economic recovery from the pandemic and motorist and farm vehicle safety as we head into the important spring farming season.

Midwest states are collaborating to promote greater diversity, equity and inclusion in our transportation systems. As members of the Mid America Association of Transportation Officials (MAASTO), Wisconsin Department of Transportation Secretary-designee Craig Thompson, Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Omer Osman and Minnesota Department of Transportation Commissioner Margaret Anderson Kelliher discuss MAASTO’s new equity and inclusion initiative and how it can help improve diversity efforts in MAASTO’s 10 member states.

Midwest states continue to work together to ensure residents, businesses and agencies are positioned to take advantage of connected and automated vehicle technology. Wisconsin Department of Transportation Secretary-designee Craig Thompson, Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Omer Osman and Minnesota Department of Transportation Commissioner Margaret Anderson Kelliher discuss the future of transportation in part two of our special three-part podcast series.

Wisconsin Department of Transportation Secretary-designee Craig Thompson, Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Omer Osman and Minnesota Department of Transportation Commissioner Margaret Anderson Kelliher discuss how collaboration is helping Midwest states respond to shared transportation issues like the rise in traffic deaths and the coronavirus pandemic. Listen to part one of a special three-part podcast series with these Midwest transportation leaders.

Traffic fatalities are up in many states across the country in 2020, including Wisconsin. WisDOT Secretary-designee Craig Thompson and Wisconsin State Patrol Superintendent Tony Burrell analyze traffic data and explain why fatalities are up during a year when traffic volume has been down, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is committed to its partnership with the 11 federally recognized Tribal Governments in Wisconsin to work on tribal relations and transportation-related issues. Learn more about WisDOT’s Tribal Affairs Program in this edition of Transportation Connects Us.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to change the way we do business. Wisconsin DMV has created two new and  innovative programs to shift common tasks normally done in-person, to tasks that can be done online.

The 2020 Census impacts many areas of life, including transportation. Joanna Beilman-Dulin of the Wisconsin Department of Administration joins the podcast to discuss everything you need to know about the Census.

Transportation Secretary Thompson is joined by the executive directors of the Wisconsin Counties Association, The League of Wisconsin Municipalities and the Wisconsin Towns Association to discuss the local impact of this innovative program, what has been learned from the streamlined process and share feedback from their members.

Wisconsin’s state highway maintenance engineer and the Jefferson County highway commissioner join the podcast to discuss the increasing use of liquid brine on state highways, detailing how it works and how it’s saving resources while dispelling a few myths along the way.

On this episode of Transportation Connects Us hear about WisDOT’s program that’s been helping small and emerging businesses better compete in the state’s competitive construction market. WisDOT has mentored businesses through the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program or DBE for more than 30 years.

A new grant program in the 2019-21 budget is helping put money where it’s needed, in local communities to fund transportation projects. Municipalities are lauding the one-time, $75 million ‘Multimodal Local Supplement’ program for the simplicity of the application process. Interest is high and local governments are recognizing it will take a creative project pitch to win one of the competitive grants. Transportation Secretary-designee Craig Thompson discussed the benefits of the program with local government association leaders in WisDOT’s latest Transportation Connects Us Podcast. To apply for an MLS grant or to learn more, click here: https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/doing-bus/local-gov/astnce-pgms/aid/mls.aspx.

In this episode of “Transportation Connects Us,” Transportation Secretary-designee Craig Thompson and the administrator of WisDOT’s Division of Transportation System Development, Rebecca Burkel, discuss several programs that show how technology and innovation are helping save tax dollars and create better roads.

Beginning May 3, 2023, the new federal deadline, every air traveler 18 years of age and older will need a REAL ID-compliant driver license or another acceptable form of ID to fly within the United States. When enforcement of the REAL ID Act begins, the regular Wisconsin driver license or ID will no longer be accepted identification for air travel or to enter a federal building or military base.

Hear DMV Administrator Kristina Boardman explain the new requirements and the steps Wisconsin residents can take to be REAL ID compliant.

Rob Miller and Lieutenant Karl Mittelstadt discuss the topic of school bus safety and what to do when you come upon a school bus in action.