Side roads, main roads and highways have seemingly transformed into race tracks or obstacle courses during the last couple of years. Drivers slowing down, wearing seatbelts and not being under the influence can help reduce the number of deaths on roads; however, Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) researchers are also working on other ways to make roads safer. TTI Senior Research Engineers Robert Wunderlich and Roger Bligh were … [Read more...] about How a More Forgiving Roadside Could Impact Severity of Crashes
After a Suspected 157 MPH Crash in Fort Worth, TxDOT Reminds Drivers to Slow Down
Center for Transportation Safety Director Robert Wunderlich is quoted in a KERA News article after a suspect was arrested for crashing into an SUV while driving 157 MPH in Forth Worth — killing one person and injuring two others. The article links to a 2021 interview with KERA News where Wunderlich mentions speed as the number one determinant of the severity of a crash. … [Read more...] about After a Suspected 157 MPH Crash in Fort Worth, TxDOT Reminds Drivers to Slow Down
Texas Just Saw its Second-Deadliest Year on Record for Road Fatalities. Here’s Why.
Robert Wunderlich, CTS director, was recently interviewed by Texas Standard to discuss the factors that contributed to 2021 being the second-deadliest year on Texas roadways on record. New data from the Texas Department of Transportation reports 4,480 people died in car wrecks in 2021. The only year with more vehicle fatalities was 1981. … [Read more...] about Texas Just Saw its Second-Deadliest Year on Record for Road Fatalities. Here’s Why.
What’s to Blame for the Increase in Texas Traffic-Related Deaths?
CTS Director Robert Wunderlich joins Texas Public Radio on "The Source" to talk traffic safety, and address concerns over the rise in Texas roadway deaths during the pandemic. … [Read more...] about What’s to Blame for the Increase in Texas Traffic-Related Deaths?
The Federal Government Plan to Reduce Roadway Deaths—With Smarter Road Design
Robert Wunderlich, CTS director, is featured in a WIRED story discussing the U.S. Department of Transportation’s desire to shift the focus from the actions of individual drivers to the role of street layouts and local policies to reduce roadway deaths. … [Read more...] about The Federal Government Plan to Reduce Roadway Deaths—With Smarter Road Design
Wunderlich Elected to Honorary Membership by ITE
Robert Wunderlich, CTS director, was recently elected to Honorary Membership by the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE). The highest recognition of notable and outstanding professional achievement presented by ITE, only 86 individuals have been honored since 1933. … [Read more...] about Wunderlich Elected to Honorary Membership by ITE
TTI, TxDOT Win National Safety Award
The Roadway Safety Foundation has honored the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) with a 2021 National Roadway Safety Award. The foundation lauded the TxDOT-sponsored, TTI-developed “Safer by Design” tool, a user-friendly innovation roadway designers can use to assess the safety characteristics of rural highway design. … [Read more...] about TTI, TxDOT Win National Safety Award
Deadly Crashes on Rural Roads Prompt New Safety Efforts
Robert Wunderlich, CTS director, is featured in a USA Today story (source: Stateline) discussing built-in safety to prevent traffic crashes. Simple engineering changes such as rumble strips, median barriers, pavement markings, better lighting and wider shoulders could make a big difference in rural road safety. … [Read more...] about Deadly Crashes on Rural Roads Prompt New Safety Efforts
Infrastructure Overhaul Should Focus More on Safety
Robert Wunderlich, CTS director, is featured in a Stateline story discussing a “safe system” approach to road planning. The idea is to anticipate human errors by road users, then engineer and redesign roads to reduce or eliminate risks that result in serious traffic injuries or deaths. … [Read more...] about Infrastructure Overhaul Should Focus More on Safety
Did We Forget How to Drive During the Pandemic?
CTS Director Robert Wunderlich joins CBS News Radio Los Angeles to talk traffic safety, and addresses concerns over the number of traffic fatalities reported during the COVID-19 pandemic. Wunderlich is featured in the final segment (at the 39:35-minute mark in the episode). … [Read more...] about Did We Forget How to Drive During the Pandemic?