Ensuring the structural integrity of bridge substructures is critical for the longevity of infrastructure and transportation safety. This session delves into cutting-edge methods for utilizing Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology to monitor and analyze highway substructure movements. Recent advancements in remote sensing have significantly improved data accuracy while reducing costs, enabling precise measurement of even the smallest surface changes over time. While many existing tools for processing LiDAR point cloud data facilitate ease of use, they often lack the precision needed to detect subtle shifts that signal potential issues. NYSDOT has developed methods to directly process XYZ-data in PTC Mathcad Prime, crafting custom algorithms to extract and analyze critical data from multiple scans. These methods allow for detailed surface modeling through segmentation, classification, filtering, and statistical techniques like linear regression and gradient descent.  These advanced methodologies are applied to assess the temporal behavior of bridge components such as abutments, piers, culverts, and walls in real-world examples that illustrate how NYSDOT has employed these techniques.

The frequency and intensity of severe weather events are rising across the United States, posing significant challenges to transportation safety and infrastructure. In the Northeast, where aging transportation systems must contend with hurricanes, extreme precipitation, heavy snowfall, and coastal flooding, DOTs are under increasing pressure to adapt their system design, construction, and operations for public safety and system reliability. This panel examines how Vermont, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania DOTs are responding to these evolving challenges through enhanced planning, design, innovative technologies, and resilient infrastructure investments.

 Sponsored by 

The purpose of this session is to provide various perspectives, best practices, and innovations when dealing with Emergency and Event Response whether planned or unplanned. 

• Emergency and Event Response Planning: Gain insights from a New Jersey DOT representative on effective planning techniques that enhance preparedness for both anticipated and unexpected scenarios.
• Multi-agency Coordination and Collaboration: Discover strategies from a New York DOT representative on fostering seamless collaboration between multiple agencies to optimize response efforts.
• Operations Tools and After-Action Reviews: Learn from a PennDOT representative about the utilization of advanced operational tools and the importance of conducting thorough after-action reviews to continuously improve response strategies.

Transportation is essential but when it is unreliable, too costly, or simply unavailable in places where people live and work, it makes daily life harder for some. This session explores how these challenges affect ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households and how cross-sector collaboration can lead to more responsive solutions.  Panelists will share strategies grounded in recent research findings and highlighting strategies such as micro transit and mobility management to help improve access to opportunity.

Every moment of delay in work zone innovation puts lives at risk. With roadway workers and inspectors operating feet from high-speed traffic—and drivers increasingly distracted—traditional safety measures are no longer enough. This session explores how the ADCMS-funded Accelerating Digital Inspection Practices with Connected Machinery Project empowers DOTs to act decisively, using connected equipment, e-Ticketing, and interoperable data feeds to deliver real-time worker presence alerts directly into mapping platforms and navigation systems. By shifting from reactive to data-driven safety strategies, DOTs can reduce inspector exposure, enhance work zone visibility, and influence driver behavior when it matters most. 

sponsored by 

What does it take to prepare for one of the world’s biggest events? Hear from those currently making those preparations in the tri-state area.

Workforce Management teams across State DOTs constantly face the challenge of maximizing productivity with limited resources. By leveraging the Agency’s workforce to contribute towards Workforce Programs, AOT’s small but mighty team of two becomes a team of sixty. Spread over five Strategic Workforce Committees (SWC), these sixty highly engaged individuals help drive AOT’s Workforce Programs forward by serving as workforce ambassadors. These committees utilize results from our employee engagement survey and feedback from other committee members and their teams, to tackle Agency workforce issues and develop suggestions/programs to improve AOT’s workplace culture. AOT is eager to share its best practices and lessons learned to help other agencies maximize productivity with limited resources by implementing Strategic Workforce Committees in your DOT.

This session will include New Jersey’s innovative red light clearance pilot to address safety at high pedestrian crash intersections.