Chris McCahill
@chrismccahill.bsky.social
Managing Director at ssti.us | Transportation Commission & Plan Commission for #MadisonWI | he/him
Thanks to federal funding from Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) and changes to the MUTCD, #MadisonWI is moving forward with a series of asphalt art projects. The first one will hit the streets in September.
August 28, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Thanks to federal funding from Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) and changes to the MUTCD, #MadisonWI is moving forward with a series of asphalt art projects. The first one will hit the streets in September.
States are rethinking a long-held rule that often calls for speed limits to be *raised* on roads with excessive speeding.
#MadisonWI is one community taking a different approach, says @apnews.com.
#MadisonWI is one community taking a different approach, says @apnews.com.
States rethink a long-held practice of setting speed limits based on how fast drivers travel
Road safety activists and some states are pushing to depart from a longstanding rule that sets speed limits in the United States based largely on how fast drivers actually travel.
apnews.com
August 19, 2025 at 6:56 PM
States are rethinking a long-held rule that often calls for speed limits to be *raised* on roads with excessive speeding.
#MadisonWI is one community taking a different approach, says @apnews.com.
#MadisonWI is one community taking a different approach, says @apnews.com.
Angie Schmitt reminds us, over a five-year period, 150 elderly folks (over age 75) apparently "darted" or "dashed" into the road before being killed by a driver—a finding by @kenmcld.bsky.social.
Why are pedestrians always "darting" (i.e. at fault)? - Streetsblog Chicago
How accusatory descriptions for pedestrian victims are baked into national policy.
chi.streetsblog.org
August 15, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Angie Schmitt reminds us, over a five-year period, 150 elderly folks (over age 75) apparently "darted" or "dashed" into the road before being killed by a driver—a finding by @kenmcld.bsky.social.
Reposted by Chris McCahill
A bit of news:
@wesmars.bsky.social & I are launching Look Both Ways, a new podcast where we’ll debate everything transportation – from street design to robotaxis to fare-free transit.
First episode will be recorded live on Thurs, July 17th at 6p ET.
Join us then (and subscribe) ⤵️
🧵
@wesmars.bsky.social & I are launching Look Both Ways, a new podcast where we’ll debate everything transportation – from street design to robotaxis to fare-free transit.
First episode will be recorded live on Thurs, July 17th at 6p ET.
Join us then (and subscribe) ⤵️
🧵
Look Both Ways Podcast: Episode 1
YouTube video by Look Both Ways with David & Wes
www.youtube.com
July 15, 2025 at 3:28 PM
A bit of news:
@wesmars.bsky.social & I are launching Look Both Ways, a new podcast where we’ll debate everything transportation – from street design to robotaxis to fare-free transit.
First episode will be recorded live on Thurs, July 17th at 6p ET.
Join us then (and subscribe) ⤵️
🧵
@wesmars.bsky.social & I are launching Look Both Ways, a new podcast where we’ll debate everything transportation – from street design to robotaxis to fare-free transit.
First episode will be recorded live on Thurs, July 17th at 6p ET.
Join us then (and subscribe) ⤵️
🧵
Reposted by Chris McCahill
Summary from the always interesting @chrismccahill.bsky.social:
For better mental health, researchers recommend walking and biking
Staying grounded and mentally fit can be challenging these days. While some people turn to meditation or self-medication, a large and growing body of research points to a simpler solution: walkable ne...
ssti.us
July 1, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Summary from the always interesting @chrismccahill.bsky.social:
Eno reports the following changes in staffing since January 20:
- Federal Transit Administration: -30%
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: -25%
- Federal Highway Administration: -25%
That's 1,200 people, not counting another 854 at the Federal Aviation Administration.
- Federal Transit Administration: -30%
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: -25%
- Federal Highway Administration: -25%
That's 1,200 people, not counting another 854 at the Federal Aviation Administration.
DOT Job Cuts Already Over 30% at FTA; 25% at FHWA, NHTSA - The Eno Center for Transportation
May 2, 2025 - The Federal Transit Administration has already lost 30 percent of its staff since January 20, with the Federal Highway Administration not far behind at 25 percent.
enotrans.org
June 4, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Eno reports the following changes in staffing since January 20:
- Federal Transit Administration: -30%
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: -25%
- Federal Highway Administration: -25%
That's 1,200 people, not counting another 854 at the Federal Aviation Administration.
- Federal Transit Administration: -30%
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: -25%
- Federal Highway Administration: -25%
That's 1,200 people, not counting another 854 at the Federal Aviation Administration.
USDOT seems to be withdrawing requirements for a Safe Systems Approach and "all road users" from the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP). Curious what others make of it.
Proposed rule:
www.federalregister.gov/public-inspe...
Rule from 2/21/24:
www.federalregister.gov/documents/20...
Proposed rule:
www.federalregister.gov/public-inspe...
Rule from 2/21/24:
www.federalregister.gov/documents/20...
Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Slashes Red Tape Across FHWA, NHTSA, and FMCSA to Unburden Americans of Costly Regulations
More than 50 burdensome regulations were axed from the Code of Federal Regulations
www.transportation.gov
May 29, 2025 at 5:48 PM
USDOT seems to be withdrawing requirements for a Safe Systems Approach and "all road users" from the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP). Curious what others make of it.
Proposed rule:
www.federalregister.gov/public-inspe...
Rule from 2/21/24:
www.federalregister.gov/documents/20...
Proposed rule:
www.federalregister.gov/public-inspe...
Rule from 2/21/24:
www.federalregister.gov/documents/20...
Last week I received notice that FHWA’s INVEST tool—a resource launched in 2012 to help transportation agencies evaluate the sustainability of their programs and projects—will no longer be available starting this June. www.sustainablehighways.org
Welcome to INVEST Version 1.3! | INVEST - Sustainable Highways Self-Evaluation Tool | Federal Highway Administration
www.sustainablehighways.org
May 9, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Last week I received notice that FHWA’s INVEST tool—a resource launched in 2012 to help transportation agencies evaluate the sustainability of their programs and projects—will no longer be available starting this June. www.sustainablehighways.org
Madison's Common Council spends half its time on two things: "discussing internal council structure, and rezoning or development requests that almost always are approved and had already been studied and endorsed by city staff and commissions." madison.com/news/local/g...
Here's what the Madison City Council spends most of its time talking about
Disputes over developments and council policy occupied more than half of the council’s time. Property taxes and homelessness? Not so much.
madison.com
May 2, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Madison's Common Council spends half its time on two things: "discussing internal council structure, and rezoning or development requests that almost always are approved and had already been studied and endorsed by city staff and commissions." madison.com/news/local/g...
Reposted by Chris McCahill
Wednesday's Most Read # 2 - Complex urban streets encourage safer driving link.theoverheadwire.com/h78mc SSTI @chrismccahill.bsky.social
Complex urban streets encourage safer driving
Reducing excessive speeding is one of the most effective ways to improve road safety—especially where people are walking or biking. While lowering speed limits and adding traffic calming measures help...
link.theoverheadwire.com
May 1, 2025 at 12:30 AM
Wednesday's Most Read # 2 - Complex urban streets encourage safer driving link.theoverheadwire.com/h78mc SSTI @chrismccahill.bsky.social
My staff at @innovativedot.bsky.social was just discussing this study earlier in the week.
One noteworthy detail: the typical community that benefited under the previous Justice40 initiative was around 52% Trump supporter. Under the proposed new policy, that moves to 73%.
One noteworthy detail: the typical community that benefited under the previous Justice40 initiative was around 52% Trump supporter. Under the proposed new policy, that moves to 73%.
The 2025 DOT policy prioritizes areas with high marriage/birth rates and compliance with the administration's immigration policies. We show how the median tract prioritized under the prior Justice40 initiative was about 37% white. Under the 2025 DOT policy, the median tract is 83% white.
March 26, 2025 at 3:26 PM
My staff at @innovativedot.bsky.social was just discussing this study earlier in the week.
One noteworthy detail: the typical community that benefited under the previous Justice40 initiative was around 52% Trump supporter. Under the proposed new policy, that moves to 73%.
One noteworthy detail: the typical community that benefited under the previous Justice40 initiative was around 52% Trump supporter. Under the proposed new policy, that moves to 73%.
Reposted by Chris McCahill
A groundbreaking new study found that the surge in SUVs from 1995 to 2019 reduced Minnesota's highway lane capacity by 9.5%.
Less lane capacity --> More congestion
Me, in CityLab 🧵
Less lane capacity --> More congestion
Me, in CityLab 🧵
How SUVs Are Making Traffic Worse
As larger, taller sport utility vehicles took over US roads, they also aggravated highway congestion, according to a new study. It’s yet another ill effect of “car bloat.”
www.bloomberg.com
March 25, 2025 at 1:31 PM
A groundbreaking new study found that the surge in SUVs from 1995 to 2019 reduced Minnesota's highway lane capacity by 9.5%.
Less lane capacity --> More congestion
Me, in CityLab 🧵
Less lane capacity --> More congestion
Me, in CityLab 🧵
Many states are counting on strong electric vehicle sales to meet ambitious climate goals. Without federal incentives, reaching those targets will require much more local effort.
WaPo: The electric-vehicle revolution may be on shakier ground than you think wapo.st/4iGvNlq
WaPo: The electric-vehicle revolution may be on shakier ground than you think wapo.st/4iGvNlq
March 20, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Many states are counting on strong electric vehicle sales to meet ambitious climate goals. Without federal incentives, reaching those targets will require much more local effort.
WaPo: The electric-vehicle revolution may be on shakier ground than you think wapo.st/4iGvNlq
WaPo: The electric-vehicle revolution may be on shakier ground than you think wapo.st/4iGvNlq
I just learned about Lunatrain from @hsrail.bsky.social. They plan to launch overnight train service along the East Coast and throughout the Midwest. www.trains.com/trn/news-rev...
Start-up Lunatrain plans private night trains in East, Midwest - Trains
PHILADELPHIA — A new company has announced plans to develop a private sleeper-train service connecting major destinations, and says it aims to have a demonstration unit in the second half of 2026. Lun...
www.trains.com
March 14, 2025 at 2:03 PM
I just learned about Lunatrain from @hsrail.bsky.social. They plan to launch overnight train service along the East Coast and throughout the Midwest. www.trains.com/trn/news-rev...
Travel times on certain routes dropped 6% to 10% after NYC launched congestion pricing, according to StreetLight Data. Most other routes stayed about the same. www.streetlightdata.com/is-congestio...
Before & After Congestion Pricing: From Staten Island to NJ to Manhattan, How Travel Times Look Now
Is NYC's congestion pricing working? StreetLight analyzed travel times on ten key routes to see how traffic conditions have changed during rush hour and beyond.
www.streetlightdata.com
March 13, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Travel times on certain routes dropped 6% to 10% after NYC launched congestion pricing, according to StreetLight Data. Most other routes stayed about the same. www.streetlightdata.com/is-congestio...
Reposted by Chris McCahill
This is Madison’s most recent ordinance change package to address housing issues.
Mayor Rhodes-Conway, city alders introduce housing package
Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, alongside a group of the city’s alders, has introduced a package of changes to be made in hopes of diversifying and creating more types of housing, according to a City of Ma...
badgerherald.com
March 8, 2025 at 3:09 PM
This is Madison’s most recent ordinance change package to address housing issues.
As #MadisonWI celebrates women in construction, here's Renee Callaway—the city's Assistant Director for Traffic Engineering. She's great, and she's retiring 😭
City of Madison Women in Construction Week 2025 Profile: Renee Callaway
YouTube video by City of Madison Engineering Division
www.youtube.com
March 6, 2025 at 3:25 PM
As #MadisonWI celebrates women in construction, here's Renee Callaway—the city's Assistant Director for Traffic Engineering. She's great, and she's retiring 😭
Pedestrian deaths dropped by around 2.6% in the first half of 2024, according to @ghsahq.bsky.social.
But that number is still 48% higher than a decade earlier.
But that number is still 48% higher than a decade earlier.
Early 2024 U.S. Pedestrian Fatalities Up 48% From a Decade Ago
Drivers hit and killed 3,304 people walking in the United States in the first half of 2024, down 2.6% from the year before but a staggering 48% above a decade ago, according to a new analysis from GHS...
ghsa.org
March 5, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Pedestrian deaths dropped by around 2.6% in the first half of 2024, according to @ghsahq.bsky.social.
But that number is still 48% higher than a decade earlier.
But that number is still 48% higher than a decade earlier.
Madison's former Police Chief is settling into his new role in Seattle.
New Seattle Police Department Chief Shon Barnes outlined his strategy in a presentation to the Seattle City Council, pledging the department would put scandals behind it and forge ahead with new resolve.
Story: www.theurbanist.org/2025/03/04/c...
Story: www.theurbanist.org/2025/03/04/c...
March 4, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Madison's former Police Chief is settling into his new role in Seattle.
"In Madison, an official with knowledge of the situation confirmed that a lease had been terminated for the Federal Highway Administration office, which employs about 30 people."
16 federal offices across the state appear to be closing.
16 federal offices across the state appear to be closing.
DOGE Terminates Leases for 16 Federal Offices in Wisconsin
Many in Milwaukee and Madison, but also in Green Bay and Ashland.
urbanmilwaukee.com
March 4, 2025 at 5:03 PM
"In Madison, an official with knowledge of the situation confirmed that a lease had been terminated for the Federal Highway Administration office, which employs about 30 people."
16 federal offices across the state appear to be closing.
16 federal offices across the state appear to be closing.
With the federal government abandoning its commitment to sustainability and equity, state transportation agencies have a larger role to play. My team produced a framework to guide them through. nextcity.org/urbanist-new...
State Transportation Agencies Can Still Lead on Sustainability and Equity. Here’s How.
Op-ed: Federal policy has become hostile to sustainability and equity. A new framework shows how state and local DOTs can take up the baton.
nextcity.org
March 4, 2025 at 4:36 PM
With the federal government abandoning its commitment to sustainability and equity, state transportation agencies have a larger role to play. My team produced a framework to guide them through. nextcity.org/urbanist-new...
Reposted by Chris McCahill
A deeply reported piece on the state of transportation research. My tl;dr - it's quite bad and it's not clear how we come out the other side without building up alternative means of support and dissemination.
The Trump admin is causing chaos in transport research. Studies have been canceled, datasets have vanished, and experts have been fired.
The Nat'l Academies’ Transportation Research Board has caved to Trump’s demands for censorship, triggering upheaval. Its future is in doubt.
From me (w/scoops) 🧵
The Nat'l Academies’ Transportation Research Board has caved to Trump’s demands for censorship, triggering upheaval. Its future is in doubt.
From me (w/scoops) 🧵
The Trump Administration Takes Aim at Transportation Research
Researchers warn of a “chilling environment” as studies examining road safety and other topics are killed off and layoffs hit federal agencies.
www.bloomberg.com
February 26, 2025 at 3:44 PM
A deeply reported piece on the state of transportation research. My tl;dr - it's quite bad and it's not clear how we come out the other side without building up alternative means of support and dissemination.
"Last Friday, we noticed that the main Complete Streets page on the Federal Highway Administration’s website had been removed—erasing decades of research, case studies, and proven solutions." via @smartgrowthusa.bsky.social @eicova.bsky.social
Federal actions threaten roadway safety efforts: What’s at stake - Smart Growth America
This post was written by Heidi Simon and Eric Cova. The Complete Streets movement was started more than twenty years ago to build shared energy and strategy for making our streets safer. As the conven...
smartgrowthamerica.org
February 7, 2025 at 7:49 PM
"Last Friday, we noticed that the main Complete Streets page on the Federal Highway Administration’s website had been removed—erasing decades of research, case studies, and proven solutions." via @smartgrowthusa.bsky.social @eicova.bsky.social
Reposted by Chris McCahill
SSTI is here!
SSTI is helping shape our transportation system to be more sustainable, equitable, safe, and efficient.
We share the latest research, highlight innovative practices from state DOTs, and connect transportation professionals across the country to exchange solutions.
Stay up to date: ssti.us/blog/
We share the latest research, highlight innovative practices from state DOTs, and connect transportation professionals across the country to exchange solutions.
Stay up to date: ssti.us/blog/
February 7, 2025 at 4:39 PM
SSTI is here!
New research suggests congestion pricing and transit investments are probably the only practical way of reducing traffic congestion. New York City is the perfect test case.
I wrote about it for @innovativedot.bsky.social. ssti.us/2025/02/03/c...
I wrote about it for @innovativedot.bsky.social. ssti.us/2025/02/03/c...
Congestion pricing could be the only path to managing gridlock
Transportation agencies in the U.S. spend billions of dollars each year expanding highways to ease gridlock. Yet commute times have increased 20% over the last 50 years and traffic congestion is still...
ssti.us
February 7, 2025 at 4:37 PM
New research suggests congestion pricing and transit investments are probably the only practical way of reducing traffic congestion. New York City is the perfect test case.
I wrote about it for @innovativedot.bsky.social. ssti.us/2025/02/03/c...
I wrote about it for @innovativedot.bsky.social. ssti.us/2025/02/03/c...