Sean Corcoran

With the new call for Railroad Crossing Elimination project applications, here's a reminder of the list of $570 million awarded to 63 projects in 32 states in 2023. https://lnkd.in/eSng2fnE

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Here is something for your better understanding: If you're driving in the U.S., the logic of interstate highway names is hard to understand. But if you zoom out, you can see that the East-West interstates have even numbers, increasing from I-10 in the south to I-90 in the north. North-south interstates have odd numbers, increasing from I-5 on the West Coast to I-95 on the East Coast. Perspective is critical when facing a challenge. If you've been in the weeds for too long, zooming out can help you better grasp a solution. #interstate #highways #UShighways #transportation

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How can we encourage more cooperation among the Generations ("Me" '46-64; "X" '64-'82; and "Millennial" '82-'00) at work? I'm of the "X" Generation sandwiched. between the "Me"and "Millennial". I feel like the "Me" Generation took away our jobs, and "kicked the can down the rumbling and pothole ridden road". Specifically when the "Me" Generation retired from Caltrans, their positions were eliminated making it next to impossible for my "X" Generation to even get on board. The "Millennials" want a state-of-the-art High-Speed Rail System claiming, "This is our turn. This is our system. Previous Generations have given you the transportation systems that. you enjoy. It's your turn to give to our Generation. We'll pay for it. Just get it up and running. This defines how we will access our employment and vacation destinations. As an "X" Generation, I want to do everything I can, through the times of poverty and prosperity, to give the "Millennials" the state-of-the-art High-Speed Rail System that they want without blaming the "Me" Generation. I want to model delivering state-of-the-art infrastructure to the "Millennials". Hopefully my "X" Generation will. get to enjoy it too. #highspeedrail www.ushsr.com

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The outline of my book is complete. The book is "Ultra High-Speed Ground Transportation Systems: Expediting Intercity Travel". I have several historical sections including the history of railroading in the United States, and the history of the streamliner in the United States. Why so much history? I want to sell my book at the California State Railroad Museum (CSRM), and they want books with a lot of history. My book will be hard covered with color graphics throughout. I expect to have an in-print version by the end of the year. #highspeedrail

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Attention High-Speed Rail Stakeholders: Today, the CEO Selection Committee of the California High-Speed Rail Authority met to deliberate over CEO Candidates. I was the only one who participated in public comment. I'm not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing. The good thing would be if I was the only applicant. The bad thing would be if I needed to go through a staffing agency to be considered. I gave the Authority HR department my $50 submittal package. In a nutshell I summarized the testimonies from the April 2012 Board Meeting in San Francisco. 2012 was a tough year for many of us. I only made $3,000.00 that year where many of my colleagues made 100 times that, and knew nothing about the project whatsoever. I was debating, were all of these trips to San Francisco worth it? Then I heard, "This is our turn. This is our System. Previous generations gave you the transportation systems that you enjoyed. It's your turn to give to our generation. We'll pay for it. Just get it up and running. This defines how we will access our employment and vacation destinations." To answer my question, Absolutely! These are Millennials. I'm a Gen X'er. I felt the previous generation the "Me" generation simply "kicked the can down the road", and failed to deal with the realities of our crumbling infrastructure. I also underscored the importance of getting Merced to Bakersfield up and running by the 2028 Summer Olympics and having the basketball venue at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. The current plan is to have Merced to Bakersfield up and running by 2023. #highspeedrail

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How do we love CRISI? Let us count the ways... Ok - spoiler alert - ASLRRA President Chuck Baker has seven reasons why CRISI is so great for railroads, especially short lines. Read his thoughts here: https://lnkd.in/emj-Mxby

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The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has awarded $7.8 million in grants through the Innovative Coordinated Access & Mobility (ICAM) Pilot Program for 17 projects that will improve public transportation for people with disabilities, older adults and low-income individuals. The grants support organizations that coordinate public transportation for underserved groups, allowing them to access healthcare, community services, education and jobs by building partnerships among health, transportation and human services providers. FTA’s ICAM Pilot Program – supported by more than $24 million in funding during the course of five years from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act – increases access for Americans all over the country, with a focus on health and wellness. “Transportation is a lifeline that connects Americans to essential services like health care and today, we’re supporting innovative projects to help more people connect to the help they need,” said U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “These transportation projects, made possible by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will help people with disabilities, older adults and low-income individuals access the health services they need.”  “This program supports statewide and regional strategies to help ensure people who are especially challenged in accessing healthcare can reach those critical services,” said FTA Acting Administrator Veronica Vanterpool. “We are pleased to provide resources that help reach into the sometimes-overlooked areas of our nation to ensure no one is left behind.” In response to the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), FTA received 24 eligible proposals. Projects were selected based on criteria described in the NOFO. 

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https://lnkd.in/gsyamVrZ This is a "Shout Out" for the LeadershipITE program. In a nutshell, it is a multi-moth leadership course for Transportation Professionals on Leadership "through the lens" of Transportation. I still need to sign up. While the total program cost is $3,000.00 (what I made in Calendar Year 2012), scholarships and sponsorships are available. Don't let the $3,000.00 get in the way. Apply for scholarships, or ask public and private sector organizations to sponsor you in exchange for doing a presentation on what was learned at LeadershipITE.

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So I'm working on a book called "Ultra High-Speed Ground Transportation Systems - Brining Cities Together to Foster Face-to-Face Collaboration". I'm contemplating Best Practices. There is a broad spectrum of performances. Pastor Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Life sold so many copies that he reverse-tithed - gave 90% and living off of the remaining 10%. On the other hand, I've seen authors in the hole for upwards of $10,000.00 and garages full of books. Here are some principles I was able to come up with regarding successes: 1. Speak to a significant need of the audience; 2. Include color graphics throughout the book to increase the appeal (This will result in a more expensive product); 3. Get universities, associations, and museums on board during the actual drafting process, because once it's in print, it's too late; 4. Know that the book in and of itself will not sell itself based on its cover - Marketing is absolutely essential; and 5. Once published, give a complimentary copy to each of your points of influence including professors, museums, associations, and high-level government officials who will have an interest in the content of your book. Anything else to add? #civilengineering #transportationplanning #trafficengineering #highspeedrail

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https://lnkd.in/gWRMTuTm Attention LinkedIn Network: Check out this article on "Spike in Pedestrian Deaths Hits Nearly All Metros". This is bad news. What's causing this spike? Are the traffic control devices adequate. It is even related to traffic control devices? How wise are the pedestrians? Are they following all of the rules of the road? #civilengineering #transportationplanning #trafficengineering

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https://lnkd.in/gJkpmKg7 The Parties vs The People is one reason we don't have High-Speed Rail in the US. Another is misplaced spending priorities. A final is the Koch Brothers exposed. Let's take the first one. The Political Parties are more interested in "playing King of the Mountain" than doing what their constituents want. That would explain the single digit approval ratings. The Democrats have championed the framework of High-Speed Rail projects under the Obama Administration. This became the number one target of the Republicans as it was deemed the ultimate example of government waste. #highspeedrail #civilengineering #transportationplanning #trafficengineering

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Flex those schedules! Traffic patterns have been distributed throughout the region due to the tragic collapse of the Key Bridge. As traffic congestion continues on Maryland roadways, consider allowing your employees to flex their work schedules to avoid commuting during peak times! Learn more about how Commuter Choice Maryland can help you at: CommuterChoiceMaryland.com. We are getting there together and staying flexible! #CommuterChoiceMaryland #HumanResources #HR #Benefits #CommuterBenefits #Commute #MDOTcares #MDOTInnovates #KeyBridge #KeyBridgeResources

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USDOT Funds Large Bridge Projects Across the Country July 17, 2024: Grants will repair, restore and address safety issues U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has announced more than $5 billion in Large Bridge Project awards through the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) competitive Bridge Investment Program. The grants will fund the reconstruction, repair, and restoration of 13 bridges in 16. These projects will also address safety issues and make the bridges more resilient to extreme weather. The grants have been increased from Fiscal Year 2022, in which the Bridge Investment Program invested $2.4 billion in the planning and construction of 37 bridges in 29 states across the country. “Under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Bridge Investment Program, we are reinvesting in our infrastructure and ensuring vital connections for Americans who need to get to a job, a class, or a doctor,” said Shailen Bhatt, Federal Highway Administrator, in the press release. Below are some of the 13 Large Bridge Project Grants awarded in this round: The Oregon Department of Transportation will receive $1.4 billion for the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program, connecting Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington, to replace two aging vertical lift bridges that carry Interstate 5 over the Columbia River.  The Massachusetts Department of Transportation will receive $993 million for the Sagamore Bridge Replacement Project in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, to replace the bridge, which experiences high crash rates and congestion, and improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of the movement of people and goods over the Canal.  The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation will receive $500 million for the Interstate 83 South Bridge Replacement Project in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to replace a bridge originally built in 1960, and widened in 1982, that carries more than 125,000 vehicles per day over the Susquehanna River.  The Tennessee Department of Transportation will receive $394 million for the America’s River Crossing Project in Memphis, Tennessee and West Memphis, Arkansas to replace the 75-year-old Interstate 55 bridge over the Mississippi River.  The West Virginia Department of Transportation will receive $88 million for the Market Street Bridge Replacement Project in East Steubenville, West Virginia and Steubenville, Ohio, to replace a historic bridge built in 1904.  The Large Bridge Project Grants under the Bridge Investment Program are available for bridges with total eligible project costs over $100 million, with minimum grant awards of $50 million and a maximum award of 50% of the total eligible project costs. Priority consideration is given to projects ready to proceed to construction. The complete list of awarded projects can be found on USDOT’s website. #USDOT

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Sickness and injuries are the primary issue regarding terminations at the CTA. The only thing keeping this dying public transportation agency’s workforce from completing disappearing is FMLA privileges. https://lnkd.in/gGPge4n8

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This is such a meaningful program. And it's free to enroll. If you are in school transportation, I honestly cannot understand why you would not participate. Your team will have something to rally around. You will receive information on where your strengths and weaknesses are. You have a shot at a free ride to the School Transportation News' STN EXPO in Reno, Nevada (including room and board and transportation). Not to mention recognition within your community, your district, your administration and your peers in neighboring districts. Should I go on? Not to put a guilt trip on you, but you OWE it to your team to throw your hat in the ring. But here's the hitch: TODAY IS THE LAST DAY to enroll. Yes, there still is time, but you need to do it now. If you don't click this link now, chances are, you will put it off, forget about it and when watching late night TV tonight to unwind you'll sit up out of bed and remember that one more thing you wanted to do today. Don't do that to yourself. Don't do that to your team. Click here and get a good night's sleep: https://lnkd.in/ef5Dq_Pu. #transportation #k12 Transfinder

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Here is another argument for High-Speed Rail (HSR) in California (CA). According to this article, California leads the nation in the number of fatalities associated with trains. What does High-Speed Rail have to do with all of this? These fatalities were at at-grade crossings. California High-Speed Rail through the Central Valley would operate at 220 mph, and all at-grade crossings would be eliminated. High-Speed Rail Systems in Japan and France have been operating for decades without a passenger fatality. Let's get CA HSR up and. running, so that we can demonstrate the safety possibilities. #highspeedrail https://lnkd.in/g5DGjX4G

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Looking to improve your city's mass transit system? Consider implementing a bus rapid transit (BRT) system. BRT systems function through a three-stage cooperation between the government, operator, and rider. To ensure quality and efficiency, the 2024 BRT standards focus on key areas such as system design, infrastructure, technology, and sustainability. These standards provide guidance and best practices for cities looking to develop or improve their BRT systems, ensuring that they meet the highest levels of quality and efficiency. By implementing a BRT system, cities can provide a fast, reliable, and sustainable mode of transportation for their citizens. It's a win-win situation for everyone involved. #publictransportation #transportationsystem #BRTsystem #sustainability #urbanplanning

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