ATSSA The Signal January February 2020

American Traffic Safety Services Association 40 Member Engagement Transportation Conversations In this issue of The Signal we talk to Shawn Wilson, who was appointed to Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development by Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards in 2016. During his tenure, Wilson has advocated for new revenue, maximizing federal dollars available to his state, advancing a balanced and comprehensive transportation policy, and ensuring his department is more collaborative and diverse in its work. Shawn Wilson, secretary of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development Q: What do you consider your biggest successes in roadway infrastructure policy or changes? A: We have used innovative funding to address much-needed projects. We widened Interstate 10 from I-49 and the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge using a FASTLANE grant. We also completed the Terrace Street exit, widened I-10 from Highland Road to La. 73, and completed the I-49 interchange on I-220 in Caddo Parish. We are moving forward with the widening of I-10 in Baton Rouge. Our goal is to transition from a motorist- focused approach to designing and maintaining our road networks with all road users in mind, including pedestri- ans and bicyclists. Q: What innovations do you see impacting your state? A: We are always looking to use the latest technology to make traffic safer. We live-stream on our 511la.org web page andprovide ongoing traffic updates using Twitter and 511 notices. Louisiana is researching opportunities to use traf- fic speed probe data to help all phases of project development. For example, we are considering howprobe data could be integrated with work zone queue detec- tion systems. We also are researching ways technology can help us capture local road Average Daily Traffic and non-motorized exposure data. Q: What measures has Louisiana implemented to reduce traffic fatalities? A: We’re seeing tremendous safety benefits from installing cable barriers along high-speed, rural-controlledaccess facilities. By 2022, we plan to havemore than 700miles of cable barrier installed across the state. We have basically elim- inated the threat of severe crossover crashes where cable barriers have been installed. We’re seeing fewer roadway departure crashes by installing system- wide improvements on two-lane rural roads such as centerline and edgeline rumble strips, and shoulder wedge, plus site-specific improvements such as enhanced signing, striping and high fric- tion surface treatment in curves. We’re working to reduce right-angle crashes at Q A &