Hundreds gather for the Vision Zero Partner Conference
The NDDOT Highway Safety Division hosted nearly 275 registrants at the annual Vision Zero Partner Conference (VZPC) April 3-4.
This year’s VZPC had a heavy emphasis on the E’s of traffic safety to bring together partners in education, enforcement, engineering, evaluation and emergency medical services to build capacity to advance Vision Zero in North Dakota. Some of the highlights include a welcome from Governor Doug Burgum, a motivational presentation from Miss North Dakota Sydney Helgeson, a panel highlighting the teamwork it took to respond to the Hatton-Northwood school bus crash, the success of roundabouts in North Dakota and a breakout session with the Vision Zero Outreach Coordinators.
“The 2024 VZPC was a huge success thanks to our partners, presenters and attendees,” said Highway Safety Division Director Karin Mongeon. “We ended the conference feeling inspired to continue the Vision Zero mission of eliminating fatalities and serious injuries on North Dakota roadways.”
In addition to the presentations, traffic safety advocates were recognized for their successes during the Vision Zero Traffic Safety Partner Awards Dinner.
Planning is underway for the 2025 Vision Zero Partner Conference tentatively scheduled for May 2025. Please visit the conference website for more information and updates.
NDDOT selects 66 local projects for Flexible Transportation Fund
The NDDOT selected 66 local projects in the amount $84 million to fund through its Flexible Transportation Fund (Flex Fund) program. A complete list of projects can be found at dot.nd.gov/flexfund.
The program provided $222.5 million to the NDDOT for improvements to transportation infrastructure on and off the state highway system, including within townships, cities, counties, and tribal reservations.
“Investing in our infrastructure is critically important to provide North Dakota citizens with a safe and reliable transportation system,” said Gov. Doug Burgum. “The Flex Fund will allow the state more flexibility to support local, county, and tribal highway projects.”
The Flex Fund was recommended in the governor's executive budget proposal and established by the 68th Legislative Assembly to complement the Federal Aid Highway Program and further support an interconnected transportation system.
“There was a very high interest level among local partners in the initial Flex Fund rollout which highlights the need for transportation funding across the state,” said NDDOT Director Ron Henke. “This program shows the commitment of the state legislature, governor and NDDOT to provide the needed funding to safely move people and goods.”
The NDDOT received 264 applications for the program totaling more than $674 million in project costs.
For more information about grant and funding programs visit dot.nd.gov/construction-and-planning/grant-and-funding-programs.
Name-A-Plow meet & greets are underway!
The final phase of the 2023 Name-A-Plow contest has taken place over the last month. Contest winners from the districts of Dickinson, Bismarck, Devils Lake, and Fargo have had the opportunity to check out their named plow and meet its driver.
Devils Lake district winner Paisley A. and Polar Patroler's driver Cara Hansen-Thompson.
While it might not have been a record-breaking year for snow fall, it sure was a record-breaking year for the number of snowplow names submitted. A total of 1,153 snowplow names were submitted from across North Dakota throughout the duration of the contest, which ran from Oct. 30 - Nov. 20.
Stay tuned to the NDDOT Facebook page for more photos from upcoming Name-A-Plow Meet & Greets as well as snowplow driver highlights.
We greatly appreciate the public's enthusiasm about this event and look forward to next year's contest! Please remember to watch for plows and give them space on the roads. At the end of the day, we want everyone to get home safe to their families.
Check out the Name-A-Plow Meet & Greet news stories
Springing into April with new reflective signs
New high visibility reflective sheeting is being installed on mowers and other NDDOT vehicles this spring. The red and yellow checkerboard pattern markings were ordered from Rough Rider Industries and installed in-house in each district.
“We’re always thinking about ways to improve safety,” said Fargo District Engineer Aaron Murra. “This is one small thing we can do to help keep our employees safe while working on the highway.”
Maintenance and Safety studied a variety of colors, sizes and designs and consulted studies before landing on the pattern. “Checkerboards indicate a stop or ‘attention’ position, which is preferred to other symbols that might suggest moving to either side," said Assistant Division Engineer for Maintenance Mike Kisse. The reflective sheeting is also high on the reflective spectrum – the same grade as highway signs.
The department has a strong emphasis on employee safety, so districts are strongly encouraged to add reflective sheeting as they are able. Oshkosh rotary blowers, section pickups, rotary mowers and truck mounted attenuators are receiving the new reflective sheeting first.
Use of reflective sheeting on equipment is not required or mandatory, other than where required to meet motor carrier regulations, Kisse explained. “It’s another tool that can be used to enhance equipment visibility creating a safer work environment.”