395 Express Lanes Community Grant Program Launching Today
February 16, 2016
Alexandria, Va. – Transurban, the Virginia Department of Transportation’s partner on the 395 Express Lanes project, announced today the launch of the 395 Express Lanes Community Grant Program. The quarterly grant program seeks to respond to the needs of direct-impact communities within the I-395 corridor during the project’s development and construction phase. It will provide organizations with grant awards ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 to implement projects that sustain, enhance or protect residents along the project corridor.
“Transurban cares about the wellbeing of the areas in which we operate,” said Jennifer Aument, group general manager of Transurban, North America. “The 395 Express Lanes will provide an opportunity for new travel choices, expanded capacity and dedicated transit funding. The project will also enhance the network of Express Lanes that serves more than 2 million customers today.”
“We recognize that the construction of this project will affect local residents. The 395 Express Lanes Community Grant Program demonstrates our commitment to being good neighbors and long-term community partners in the Northern Virginia community.”
The 395 Express Lanes Community Grant Program will award grants in the following categories:
- Community – projects that support the health, development or well-being of communities within the corridor
- Environment – projects that enhance or protect the environment within the 395 Express Lanes corridor
- Safety – projects that support safety initiatives within the corridor
Since 2008, Transurban has been active in the local community through the Express Lanes Community Grant Program. To date, more than $560,000 has been awarded to organizations in Northern Virginia supporting initiatives like neighborhood clean-ups, vegetable gardens, rain barrel systems, safety lights for bicycles and community landscaping.
The program accepts applications and distributes grant awards each quarter. Application deadlines for the 395 Express Lanes Community Grant Program are March 31, 2016, June 30, 2016, September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2016.
About the 395 Express Lanes
The 395 Express Lanes project will convert the I-395 HOV lanes to Express Lanes to provide travelers with faster, more predictable travel options. The project will extend the Express Lanes network and add a third lane along the project corridor. The 395 Express Lanes will span from Edsall Road to the vicinity of the Eads Street Interchange. The improvements will be delivered through a public-private partnership between the Virginia Department of Transportation and Transurban. Construction could begin as soon as spring 2017.
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Studies Show That Converting from HOV to Express Benefits Transit
February 4, 2016
A December 2015 report from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials shows that transit benefits from Express Lanes. Across the U.S., transit ridership and speeds increase when HOV goes HOT.
Converting the I-395 HOV lanes to Express Lanes will offer dedicated transit funding, tools to manage congestion and a greater incentive to travel by bus. The experiences in other metropolitan areas demonstrate the possibilities.
See the results below from major cities that converted to Express Lanes. Critically, across these cities on average, one third of new transit riders previously drove alone.
Miami 
- Average bus travel speed increased from 18 to 55 mph on the I-95 Express Lanes
- Travel time decreased from 25 to 8 minutes
- Average weekday ridership increased 57 percent from 2008-2010 to August 2011
- 53 percent of riders said tolling affected their decision to use transit
Los Angeles
- On-time performance increased for bus rapid transit on I-110 Metro ExpressLanes
- Average daily peak period ridership increased by 52 percent in the AM peak and 41 percent in the PM peak after USDOT-funded service was added
- Ridership increased again by 29 percent in the AM peak and 25 percent in the PM peak after tolling began
Minneapolis
- Bus speeds increased and bus travel times decreased after I-35W converted to HOT lanes
395 Express Lanes Design-Build Procurement Industry Outreach
March 1, 2016
Transurban is currently in negotiations with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to extend the 95 Express Lanes along 395 approximately 8 miles from Edsall Road to the 14th Street Bridge. This project will require the procurement of a design-build contractor for the following scope:
- Reconfiguration and reconstruction of the two existing HOV lanes to three HOT lanes between Turkeycock Run (current terminus of the 95 Express Lanes) and the vicinity of Eads Street interchange, including traffic control, pavement modifications, signing, pavement markings and lighting;
- Construction of modified entry and exit connections to the HOT lanes at Eads Street;
- Installation of a comprehensive Traffic Management System (TMS), including lane use management signals, variable speed limit signs, dynamic message signs, microwave vehicle detectors, closed circuit television cameras, automated incident detectors and supporting infrastructure (e.g., fiber optic communications network, power, controllers, cabinets, etc.); and
- Installation of an electronic toll collection system (Tolling System), including gantries and tolling equipment, and supporting infrastructure (e.g., fiber optic communications network, power, controllers, cabinets, etc.).
Transurban is hosting an Industry Outreach meeting on March 23, 2016. If your company is interested in attending, please complete the 395 Express Lanes Industry Registration Form.
Procurement Timeline (subject to change):
- Industry Outreach – March 2016
- RFQ – May 2016
- RFP – July 2016
- Contractor Selection – December 2016
For questions about the 395 Express Lanes design-build procurement, please contact Sean Mallipudi at 571-527-8395 or smallipudi@transurban.com.
395 Express Lanes Award Community Grants to Alexandria Police Foundation and Carpenter’s Shelter
September 19, 2016
Alexandria, Va. – Transurban, the Virginia Department of Transportation’s partner on the 395 Express Lanes project, today announced that the Alexandria Police Foundation’s Community Oriented Policing Section (COPS) program and the clinic at Carpenter’s Shelter each received a $5,000 grant through the 395 Express Lanes Community Grant Program.
“The 395 Express Lanes community grant is helping the Alexandria Police Department engage directly with many of our at-risk youth and their families throughout the City of Alexandria,” said Willem Polak, chairman, Alexandria Police Foundation. “Thanks to the support of Transurban, our Community Oriented Policing Section programs will continue to develop young role models and help build trust between officers and the Alexandria community.”
The COPS program supports Alexandria Police Department officers working with at-risk youth and families in the City of Alexandria to foster an atmosphere of communication and cooperation. Under the program, officers engage directly with youth through community projects, acknowledgement of academic achievement and recreational activities.
as Through its clinic, Carpenter’s Shelter provides medical attention to homeless in need of care. Under the volunteer leadership of Dr. William Rogers, Carpenter’s Clinic is able to provide quality medical care to uninsured clients.
“Carpenter’s Shelter is pleased to receive a grant from the 395 Express Lanes Community Grant program,” said Mary-Parker Lamm, deputy director, Carpenter's Shelter. “These grant funds will support our Carpenter’s Clinic and its work providing professional care and treatment to uninsured, homeless clients at our facility in Alexandria. The funds will provide more than 225 clinic visits for clients throughout the region and continue our nearly 30-year effort to improve the health and safety of the homeless.”
“As a part of the Northern Virginia community, Transurban cares about the wellbeing of our region,” said Mike McGurk, spokesman, Transurban. “Through the 395 Express Lanes Community Grant Program, we seek opportunities to address the needs of our neighbors and community partners within the I-395 corridor. We are excited to support the Alexandria Police Foundation and Carpenter’s Shelter in their efforts to strengthen community partnerships and provide for the homeless.”
About the 395 Express Lanes
The 395 Express Lanes project will convert the I-395 HOV lanes to Express Lanes to provide travelers with faster, more predictable travel options. The project will extend the Express Lanes network and add a third lane along the project corridor. The 395 Express Lanes will span from Edsall Road to the vicinity of the Eads Street Interchange. The improvements will be delivered through a public-private partnership between the Virginia Department of Transportation and Transurban. Construction could begin as soon as spring 2017.
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Governor McAuliffe Announces Acceptance of Private Sector Proposal to Deliver I-395 Express Lanes Extension
February 28, 2017
RICHMOND – Governor Terry McAuliffe today announced that the Commonwealth has accepted a proposal from Transurban to deliver an eight-mile extension of the I-395 Express Lanes from Turkeycock Run near Edsall Road in Alexandria to the Washington, D.C. line.
“This acceptance is the latest step in our ongoing effort to move more people and provide more travel choices in one of the most congested corridors of the country,” said Governor McAuliffe. “The agreement we have reached with Transurban clearly meets the Commonwealth’s requirements and will give Virginia travelers and taxpayers the value they deserve for a project of this scope.”
Plans to extend the Express Lanes began in November 2015 under a Framework Agreement in accordance with the 95 Express Lanes Comprehensive Agreement between the Virginia Department of Transportation and Transurban, its private partner and operator of the 95 and 495 Express Lanes. After meeting specific project-delivery and financial criteria, including a competitive procurement for a design-build partner, and yearly payment of $15 million (to be escalated annually) for transit improvements and traffic demand strategies in the corridor, the Commonwealth has approved Transurban’s proposal to finance, design, build, maintain and operate the 395 Express Lanes extension.
Secretary of Transportation Aubrey Layne added, “Under Governor McAuliffe’s leadership, we followed a process allowing our 95 Express Lanes partner 120 days to develop their financial and technical plans on this critical improvement project. Working together, we were able to ensure that the Commonwealth’s commitment to provide a $15 million annual payment for transit could be met while shifting key project risks to the private sector and enabling timely project delivery.”
“Transurban is pleased to begin delivery of the I-395 Express Lanes project, which will provide a historic investment in regional transit,” said Jennifer Aument, group general manager, Transurban. “Our proposal represents the best value to the Commonwealth and we are committed to delivering the project safely, on-time and on-budget.”
In addition to the annual transit investment by Transurban, other project components include:
- Converting and upgrading the existing High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes to express lanes from the current Express Lanes northern terminus at Edsall Road to the D.C. line
- Adding a third reversible lane from Edsall Road to just south of Eads Street near the Pentagon
- Improving the Eads Street Interchange and transit and carpool access at the Pentagon
- Adding a fourth regular southbound lane on I-395 between Duke Street and Edsall Road
- Rehabilitating five bridges over I-395
- New sound walls to protect neighboring communities
Design and construction of the project is anticipated to cost approximately $500 million, through combination of private and public funds. The project is one element of the Commonwealth’s Atlantic Gateway program, a series of major improvements to the I-95/I-395 corridor. Project construction will generate local jobs, economic activity and opportunities for both disadvantaged business enterprises and small, women and minority-owned businesses.
Construction is expected to begin this summer and scheduled to be complete by fall 2019. As early as this week, crews will begin preliminary work such as geotechnical investigations and surveying. Construction will occur largely within VDOT’s right-of-way; some work such as sound walls may require access to areas adjacent to the project corridor.
For more details on the project, visit www.virginiadot.org/395express and www.395expresslanes.com.
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395 Express Lanes Project Team Beings "Early Works" Activities
March 3, 2017
FAIRFAX - Next week the 395 Express Lanes project team will begin preliminary work, or "early work" to prepare for project construction to kick off this summer. Early works activities will help the project meet its aggressive schedule and will include efforts performed both in-the-field and remotely.
Early works activities include geotechnical investigations and surveying, and may require crews to access areas adjacent to the project corridor. Other activities such as preliminary design and drawing submittals also will occur, but will not require crews to work in the project corridor.
To support this work, the I-395 HOV lanes from the Edsall Road area to Boundary Channel Drive will be closed during late-night periods next week, weather permitting, as follows:
- March 8 to March 10 beginning at 8 p.m. until 4 a.m.
- March 10 to March 12 beginning at 11 p.m. until 10 a.m. on March 11 and 12, and until 4 a.m. on March 13
During these hours, all motorists traveling northbound on the 95 Express Lanes will be routed off to the regular lanes near Edsall Road. Southbound motorists in the I-395 HOV lanes will be routed off to the regular lanes near Boundary Channel Drive. There will be no access to and from the HOV lanes via the Eads Street interchange during these closures. The 95 Express Lanes south of the Edsall Road area will remain open and operating under the standard reversal schedule.
What area drivers and residents near the I-395 corridor should expect during the 395 Express Lanes Project early works phase:
- Any necessary lane closures will take place outside of rush hours and will be communicated to the traveling public in advance
- Project officials will provide information about early works activities to keep residents informed
- Permanent construction activities will not begin until summer 2017
- Drivers should travel with caution and remain vigilant for construction crew members both on I-395 and within nearby residential communities
The 395 Express Lanes project will extend the 95 Express Lanes for eight miles north on I-395 to the border of Washington, D.C. The project will convert the two high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes to three high-occupancy or toll Express Lanes, allowing non-HOV travelers the option to pay a toll to access the roadway while maintaining free travel for transit and HOV-3 carpools. The project will also deliver additional corridor improvements including:
- A fourth southbound regular lane between Duke Street and Edsall Road
- Rehabilitation of five bridges over I-395
- Enhancements to the south Pentagon parking area to improve transit access and circulation
Project construction is scheduled to begin in summer 2017 with the Express Lanes opening in fall 2019. More information about the project is available at: www.virginiadot.org/395express and www.395expresslanes.com.
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Governor McAuliffe Breaks Ground on I-395 Express Lanes Extension
August 9, 2017
RICHMOND - Governor Terry McAuliffe today joined the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and its private partner and operator of the I-95 Express Lanes, Transurban, to break ground on the start of construction of an eight-mile extension of the I-395 Express Lanes from Turkeycock Run near Edsall Road in Alexandria to the Washington, D.C. border. The project provides more options for faster and more reliable travel in one of the most heavily traveled corridors in the country and expands the region’s network of express lanes. The project includes a long-term investment in transit for the corridor, through a yearly payment of $15 million (to be escalated annually) that will be paid by Transurban to the Commonwealth. This annual transit payment will support transit and multimodal initiatives benefitting the corridor.
“Anyone who travels on I-395 and I-95 today can attest that this is one of the most congested corridors in the country,” said Governor McAuliffe. “Today’s groundbreaking is the first project of the Commonwealth’s larger Atlantic Gateway Initiative which aims to unlock the I-95 Corridor. The Atlantic Gateway Initiative and the I-395 project demonstrate how we can work
with our public and private partners to improve the quality of life for Virginians and our visitors – and keep our new Virginia economy growing.”
Secretary of Transportation Aubrey Layne added, “Under Governor McAuliffe’s leadership, today’s milestone is one more step toward expanding the express lanes network in Northern Virginia, and providing travelers with much-needed travel choices to reach their destinations faster. The key benefit continues to be options, and we are ready to focus on delivering this new choice on 395.”
The I-395 Express Lanes project provides specific benefits for the thousands of commuters who work at or near the Pentagon, as well as the many carpoolers or commuter bus users transferring at the Pentagon to continue to their destination. By reconstructing the Pentagon’s South Parking area and adding new bus lanes and HOV commuter and “slug” lanes to improve traffic flow and safety for buses and carpools, the project’s benefits extend well beyond the express lanes.
Other key project features include adding a fourth regular lane on I-395 South between the Duke Street and Edsall Road Interchanges, to help relieve the congestion which occurs when I-395 shrinks from four to three lanes in this area. Additionally, the project includes rehabilitating several I-395 bridges, and building new sound walls to protect neighboring communities.
The project is anticipated to cost approximately $500 million, with a combination of private and public funds. The project is one element of the Commonwealth’s Atlantic Gateway Program, a series of major improvements to the I-95/I-395 corridor.
“We are pleased to partner with Virginia to deliver a critical missing link that will connect Express Lanes customers to new destinations along I-395 and Washington D.C.,” said Jennifer Aument, Group General Manager, North America, Transurban. “Crews will begin work right away on improvements that are going to help drivers on I-395 get home faster, while also generating funds to support new transit options. As construction begins, we encourage all travelers to stay alert to changing conditions, avoid distractions and keep an eye out for workers on the road.”
Plans to extend the Express Lanes began in November 2015 with a Framework Agreement under the 95 Express Lanes Comprehensive Agreement between VDOT and Transurban. In February 2017, after meeting specific project-delivery and financial criteria, the Commonwealth approved Transurban’s proposal to finance, design, build, operate and maintain the 395 Express Lanes extension.
AECOM Engineering Company and Lane Construction are under contract to Transurban to design and build the extended 395 Express Lanes. The express lanes are scheduled to open in fall 2019 and the other elements of the project are expected to be completed by summer 2020.
Construction of the expanded express lanes will occur largely within VDOT’s right-of-way; however, some work such as sound wall construction may require crews to access right-of-way and areas adjacent to the project corridor. Preliminary work such as geotechnical investigations and surveying began last March.
More information about the project is available at: 395expresslanes.com and virginiadot.org/395express
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Express Lanes Community Grant Program Recipients Announced
February 6, 2018
Since 2008, Transurban has been active in the local community through the Express Lanes Community Grant Program. To date, more than $750,000 has been awarded to organizations in Northern Virginia. Transurban is proud to announce the recipients of the Express Lanes Grant Program and the 395 Express Lanes Grant Program for the fall 2017 quarter.
|
395 Express Lanes grant recipient |
Grant purpose |
Location of organization |
|
Good Shepherd Housing & Family Services |
Homeless shelter |
Arlington |
|
Running Brooke Move2Learn Four Mile Run Community Playground |
Community Playground |
Alexandria |
|
Mount Eagle Elementary Health Community Expedition and Project Based Learning plan |
Student health program |
Alexandria |
|
ACT for Alexandria - Light It Up! Fund |
Lights for Basketball and Tennis Courts |
Alexandria |
|
Express Lanes grant recipient |
Grant purpose |
Location of organization |
|
Assistance League of Northern Virginia |
Weekend food for kids program |
Herndon |
|
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington |
Transportation and employment services for refugee program |
Arlington |
|
Woodbridge Women's Club |
Home Life Program, food and clothes for homeless |
Prince William County |
The Express Lanes Grant Programs support organizations that undertake projects that sustain, enhance and protect the local community. As a long-term partner to Northern Virginia, Transurban cares about the environment, safety and wellbeing of the communities in which we operate. We strive to be good neighbors in the region and are committed to giving back to our community.
Recent survey find nine in 10 Washington, D.C., Area Drivers Use Cellphone While Behind the Wheel
May 10, 2018
WASHINGTON, May 10, 2018 — A survey of more than 1,000 Washington, D.C., area drivers who travel the Interstate 395 corridor shows that motorists self-‐report engaging in a number of distractions while behind the wheel. Following the survey findings, Transurban, operator of the 495 and 95 Express Lanes, and the Virginia Department of Transportation announced today the launch of a 2018 “Orange Cones. No Phones.” campaign to reduce distracted driving within the 395 Express Lanes work zone.
“We focus on safety on the Express Lanes and in the 395 Express Lanes work zone every day,” said Jennifer Aument, president, North America, Transurban. “We need the help of drivers to create a safer work zone to ensure on-‐road construction crews and other travelers are getting where they need to go safely.”
The top three cellphone distractions reported among D.C. area motorists were using a phone to talk, checking GPS or travel planning, and reading a text message. Despite growing research that finds holding a conversation on a cellphone is still dangerously distracting*, more than half of area drivers report feeling unconcerned about using their phones to talk while behind the wheel. The “Orange Cones. No Phones.” campaign aims to improve safety by reducing distracted driving within the 395 Express Lanes work zone.
“In 2017, distracted driving accounted for almost 25 percent of traffic fatalities,” said Shannon Valentine, Virginia Secretary of Transportation. “In work zones alone, VDOT recorded 2,666 crashes resulting in 1,329 injuries and 12 fatalities. The lives lost were completely preventable. We must continue to engage the public about the dangers of distracted driving. The ‘Orange Cones. No Phones.’ campaign is an important component to help deliver safety on our roads and reduce incidents.”
The survey** conducted in March 2018 finds:
- Nine out of 10 drivers say they have used a cellphone while driving.
- One in five drivers who have had an accident or near accident claim it was due to cellphone use.
- Nearly three out of four drivers say they keep their phone close when driving, and one in six have it in their hand.
- Fifty-‐four percent of drivers admit to using a cellphone at least occasionally while driving.
- One-‐third of drivers in the survey said the last time they used their phone while driving was “today.”
- One-‐third of drivers feel “it’s OK” to use a cellphone while stopped at a red light, a stop sign or in traffic.
- Compared to a similar survey of area drivers in 2014***, hands-‐free talking while driving increased by 14 percent, with 53 percent of drivers in March 2018 now admitting to doing it.
- One in four people admit that using a cellphone for activities other than conversations while driving is “frightening.”
- Seven out of 10 drivers say they stop cellphone use while driving after seeing a sign advising them to do so.
- Seeing a police officer causes 78 percent of drivers to stop cellphone use while on the roads.
“As the first responders to many of these crashes, we understand the serious consequences of distracted driving,” said Colonel Gary T. Settle, Virginia State Police superintendent. “Safety is our number one concern, and we are pleased to support this program to educate and increase awareness with drivers across the region to help cut down on distracted driving.”
“With so many drivers on the roads around the Washington area admitting they are distracted while driving, there is a huge safety concern for everyone on the roads,” said John Townsend, spokesperson for AAA Mid-‐Atlantic. “Holding a conversation is still a distraction, and our hope is that this program will help drivers become more aware of the dangers of distracted driving, especially around work zones on our highways, and take active steps to make better choices.”
Checking a cellphone or sending a text using voice commands at seemingly safe moments such as when there is a lull in traffic or the car is stopped at an intersection also has been found to be dangerous behavior. According to a Study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, these types of potentially unsafe mental distractions can affect motorists’ attention for as long as 27 seconds, which is equivalent to traveling the length of nearly three football fields at a speed of 25 miles per hour.
As part of the “Orange Cones. No Phones.” campaign, the partners are implementing a number of tactics supported by the study’s findings, industry data and best practices to improve safety for all drivers:
- “Orange Cones. No Phones.” signs will be visible throughout the 395 Express Lanes construction corridor.
- The Virginia State Police presence will be increased in the 395 corridor.
- Advertisements will remind drivers to travel safely and not to drive while distracted.
- Press throughout the region will be engaged to help increase awareness with drivers around this important safety message.
The 395 Express Lanes are scheduled to open in fall 2019. The Lanes will extend the 95 Express Lanes eight miles north to the D.C. line and help get people moving in the I-‐395 corridor. The Lanes will increase capacity by adding another HOV lane, creating three reversible lanes on I-‐395. As part of this project, Transurban will provide $15 million in transit funding per year to enable multimodal solutions in the corridor.
* https://www.acsh.org/news/2018/03/07/cell-‐phones-‐and-‐talking-‐passengers-‐both-‐lead-‐distracted-‐driving-‐12663
** The online survey of 1,003 Washington, D.C., area drivers who travel I-‐395 at least monthly was conducted by international market research firm YouGov between March 21 and March 28, 2018.
*** Online survey of 1,023 frequent I-‐95 drivers who live in Northern Virginia.
About the Express Lanes
The 495 and 95 Express Lanes operate on I-‐495 and I-‐95, providing drivers with faster and more predictable travel options in Northern Virginia. Together, the 495 and 95 Express Lanes create a region-‐wide network of free-‐flowing lanes for over 40 miles from the Dulles Toll Road to Stafford County. Delivered through a public-‐private partnership between the Virginia Department of Transportation and Transurban, the Express Lanes give drivers reliable travel choices on two of Northern Virginia’s most congested roadways. For more information, please
visit ExpressLanes.com.
About Transurban
For over twenty years, Transurban has improved the quality of life for customers by providing innovative solutions for their transportation needs. Transurban is a pioneer of the public-‐private partnership (P3) managed lanes concept in the United States. The North American business was among the first to implement major transportation infrastructures in the Virginia region. Our Express Lanes network features industry-‐leading tolling and traffic management systems on more than 40 miles of managed lanes across the 495 and 95 Express Lanes. Transurban was one of the first to use a number of innovative financing and technology strategies in the development of major toll road projects.
Media contacts:
Mike McGurk, Transurban
571-‐421-‐5364, mmcgurk@transurban.com
Transurban and VTTI Partner to Make Roadways Safer for Motorcycle Riders
August 7, 2018
Transurban and VTTI Partner to Make Roadways Safer for Motorcycle Riders
Vendors to submit technologies for a chance to undergo real-world testing
Transurban has invested $400,000 in a partnership with the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) to launch the Motorcycle Technology Evaluation Challenge (MotoTEC). Motorcyclist fatalities nationwide increased five percent from 2015 to 2016, accounting for 14 percent of all traffic deaths, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. However, riders are often overlooked in the discussion about advanced motorcycle technology. MotoTec seeks to implement rider-centric research to identify and advance potential new technologies to address the safety and usability needs of riders on the road and around construction work zones.
“VTTI created our motorcycle research group to direct research attention to the specific needs of motorcyclists. Transurban shares this goal,” said Shane McLaughlin, Motorcycle Research Group Leader. “We’ve designed MotoTEC to focus on the needs of riders, to reveal promising safety and rider support solutions, and to provide system developers with design review and robust testing. There is great opportunity here to reduce the number of crashes on our roadways. We can’t wait to get started.”
Technology vendors with market or near-market ready motorcycle technologies are invited to submit their innovations and products free of cost to a steering committee comprised of representatives across the motorcycle and transportation industries. The steering committee will review these proposals and select a final technology to undergo testing. VTTI will also work alongside the selected vendor to evaluate the product’s ability to create a better and safer riding experience for motorcyclists.
“The risk of injury to motorcycle riders increases in work zones, especially as our nation’s highways become more congested,” said Jennifer Aument, President of Transurban North America. Research shows that motorcyclists account for 10 percent of all work zone fatalities. “At Transurban, we believe investing in innovation and partnering with research leaders like VTTI is instrumental in delivering the safest, most advanced roadways – and that can start on Transurban’s Express Lanes network here in Virginia.”
VTTI and Transurban have a history of accelerating transportation innovation, technology testing, and development in Virginia. In 2015, the two organizations in partnership with the Virginia Department of Transportation, the Virginia Transportation Research Council, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, and HERE, launched the Virginia Automated Corridors test bed in Northern Virginia. Transurban also recently announced the launch of pilot technology projects in partnership with two startups identified through its Smart Highways Challenge to improve traffic management and forecasting on its 40-mile, dynamically tolled road network.MotoTEC will be unveiled during a private ceremony on August 7 in Arlington, Va. with officials from the Virginia Department of Transportation, Arlington County, Virginia Tech, as well as industry representatives.
To participate in MotoTEC as a vendor or steering committee member, please visit https://www.motorcycle.vtti.vt.edu/mototec.html
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About Transurban
Transurban is a global leader in toll road redevelopment, financing, delivery, operations and technology with a network encompassing more than 900 miles of all-electronic toll roads, tunnels and bridges across North America and Australia. At the heart of the company’s business strategy is the desire to be a partner of choice for government clients and to be an organization that meets the needs of its customers. Transurban has built a track record of partnering with governments to successfully deliver key infrastructure and is recognized for developing smarter, safer and more sustainable solutions that meet the long-term transportation needs of growing cities. Transurban’s growing road networks support millions of drivers — its two U.S. roads make up more than 40 miles of Express Lanes in the Washington, D.C. area, one of the nation’s most congested markets. The Express Lanes are dynamically tolled lanes that operate on I-495 and I-95 in Northern Virginia to provide customers with faster and more predictable travel options.
About Virginia Tech Transportation Institute
The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute conducts research to save lives, time, and money and protect the environment. As one of seven premier research institutes created by Virginia Tech to answer national challenges, VTTI is continually advancing transportation through innovation and has impacted public policy on national and international levels. In 2007, VTTI founded the Motorcycle Research Group with the objective of applying VTTI’s multidisciplinary research capabilities to real-world motorcycle riding. With the help of study participants and customers in the public and private sectors, the group has collected hundreds of thousands of real-world miles in approximately half of the United States.