Infrastructure Technology Podcast

On this episode of the Infrastructure Technology Podcast, co-hosts Gavin Jenkins, Brandon Lewis and Jessica Parks are joined by special guest, Noah Kolenda for the Infrastructure Draft, where each of us created our ideal American city by selecting the best of the best infrastructure across several categories.
The draft order was determined by drawing names from a hat and followed a serpentine format, with the order reversing after each round. Once a host selected a city for a category, that city was off the board for the rest of the draft. The rule added another layer of strategy, forcing the hosts to decide when to use their top cities and when to turn to less obvious picks.
The seven categories for the draft were:
Highways — As the primary mode of travel for much of the country, highways are essential to a functioning city. They connect neighborhoods and surrounding communities, move freight and commuters, provide access to jobs and services, and help direct traffic away from local streets. A strong highway network can reduce congestion, support economic growth and make the entire region more accessible.
Subway/Metro — A strong subway or metro system can set a major city apart. With only a handful of extensive systems across the country, this category put plenty of pressure on the hosts. Rail transit moves large numbers of riders through dense urban areas, reduces congestion on city streets and provides reliable access to jobs, housing, entertainment and commercial centers. An effective system can make daily travel easier while connecting neighborhoods and expanding mobility for residents and visitors alike.
Bus Network — A dependable bus network is one of the most flexible pieces of a city’s transportation system. Buses can reach neighborhoods and destinations that rail lines do not, connect riders to other transit options and provide an essential service for those without access to a car. Frequent routes, broad coverage and reliable service can reduce traffic, expand access to jobs and services, and help keep the entire city moving.
Bridge — With many of the country’s major cities built along rivers, bays or coastal areas, bridges are essential links in transportation networks. They connect neighborhoods and regions, carry commuters and freight, and provide critical access across natural barriers. The best bridges balance capacity, safety and resilience with the needs of the surrounding community. Many also become defining landmarks, giving a city a recognizable symbol while keeping people and goods moving.
Urban Streets — Urban streets are where a city’s transportation network meets daily life. Beyond carrying cars, they must safely accommodate pedestrians, cyclists, buses, deliveries and emergency vehicles while providing access to homes, businesses and public spaces. Well-designed streets can calm traffic, support local commerce and make neighborhoods easier and more inviting to navigate. The strongest networks balance mobility with safety, accessibility and the character of the communities they serve.
Bike Network — A connected bike network gives residents and visitors another safe, efficient way to move around the city. Protected lanes, neighborhood routes and well-designed intersections can link riders to jobs, schools, transit stops, parks and commercial districts. The strongest networks eliminate gaps and make cycling practical for everyday trips, not just recreation. By expanding transportation choices, a reliable bike network can ease congestion, improve access and create more welcoming streets.
Wild Card — This category opened the draft to any piece of transportation infrastructure not already covered, from ferries and airports to trolleys and other specialized systems. The wild card gave each host a chance to address a remaining need, add a distinctive feature or strengthen connections within and beyond the city. With so many possibilities, the pick could provide practical mobility, regional access or simply the final element that made an ideal city stand out.
In the episode, the team reveals every selection and explains the strategy behind each pick. Then it is up to you to decide which host assembles the strongest lineup. Listen or watch, compare the final selections and let us know which infrastructure draft gets your vote.
Don’t forget to subscribe to the ITP and rate and review our podcast! The Infrastructure Draft also marks the Infrastructure Technology Podcast’s YouTube debut!
Email itp@endeavorb2b.com with your draft picks or vote on social media! 

In this episode of the Infrastructure Technology Podcast, Gavin Jenkins, Brandon Lewis and Jessica Parks explore how AI is transforming the transportation and infrastructure workforce. Jessica’s interview with Jonathan Spano, co-founder and CEO of Traffic Management Inc. focuses on the practical applications of AI in traffic management. Spano explains that AI is currently being used primarily to improve office operations, including traffic planning, estimating, scheduling, permitting, documentation and dispatching, rather than replacing field workers. 
Featured Guest
Jonathan Spano - Co-Founder and CEO of Traffic Management
Jonathan Spano is the co-founder and CEO of Traffic Management, LLC, or TMI. Over three decades, he has helped grow the company from a small startup in his great-grandmother’s garage into a nationwide leader in traffic control and work-zone safety, with more than 50 locations across the country. Spano is also known for his commitment to innovation, public safety and community service.
What You'll Learn
Why AI is becoming a tool for transportation workers rather than a replacement for them.
How owning your company's software and data can accelerate AI innovation.
The real-world applications of AI in traffic control, work-zone safety, training and operations.
Why human judgment, experience and relationships remain critical in an increasingly automated industry.
Inside the Episode
Episode Length: 41:55
Timestamps
00:40- Intro conversation
5:20 - Roads & Bridges interview with Jonathan Spano
31:10 - Interview takeaways
Useful Links
Traffic Management
Roads & Bridges
Mass Transit
Send us a topic suggestion! 
Don’t forget to subscribe to the ITP and rate and review our podcast!
Email itp@endeavorb2b.com with your opinions on AI and the workforce — we might read them on air.
 

On this episode of the Infrastructure Technology Podcast, Mass Transit Associate Editor Brandon Lewis interviews Lucy Andre, who serves as the CEO of Signaling North America and is the chief of staff and corporate security of Stadler US in Salt Lake City. They discuss how Stadler is building the next generation of the rail workforce through its apprenticeship program in Utah. Modeled after the Swiss apprenticeship system, the program gives high school students the opportunity to earn wages, gain hands-on experience in rail manufacturing, pursue an associate degree in advanced manufacturing and transition into full-time careers. 
Featured Guest
Lucy Andre - Stadler US
Lucy Andre serves as the CEO of Signaling North America and is the chief of staff and corporate security of Stadler US. 
What You'll Learn
How Stadler's apprenticeship program gives students hands-on experience with diesel, battery-electric, hydrogen and light-rail vehicle technologies.
Where artificial intelligence is making the biggest impact in rail operations, from predictive maintenance to signaling and collision-warning systems.
Why rail industry leaders view automation as a tool to support operators, improve safety and enhance efficiency rather than replace workers.
How apprenticeship programs help build a long-term talent pipeline and strengthen the broader transportation industry.
Inside the Episode
Episode Length: 31:38
Timestamps
1:38 — Intro with Brandon and Jessica
3:30 — Mass Transit interview with Lucy Andre
27:00 — Interview takeaways
Useful Links
Stadler's Youth Apprenticeship Program
Roads & Bridges
Mass Transit
Send us a topic suggestion! 
Don’t forget to subscribe to the ITP and rate and review our podcast!
Email itp@endeavorb2b.com with your opinions on apprenticeship programs — we might read them on air.

In this special "intervention" episode of the Infrastructure Technology Podcast, Brandon Lewis, Jessica Parks and Noah Kolenda team up to challenge Gavin Jenkins' long-standing skepticism toward infrastructure in the Southwest. The group highlights the region's investments in public transportation and how Southwestern states are leading the way in climate resilience, sustainable infrastructure and technological innovation. 
What You'll Learn
Why Brandon Lewis and Noah Kolenda believe Gavin Jenkins is wrong about the state of infrastructure in the Southwest in the first-ever ITP Infrastructure Intervention.
How Phoenix has transformed its transportation network through major investments in light rail, bus service, and multimodal connectivity.
How transit agencies in Southern Nevada are using AI-powered firearm detection technology and other safety measures to improve the rider experience.
Why extreme heat, drought, and rapid population growth are pushing Southwestern states to rethink infrastructure planning and climate resilience.
Inside the Episode
Episode Length: 27:07
Useful Links 
Roads & Bridges
Mass Transit
Send us a topic suggestion! 
Don’t forget to subscribe to the ITP and rate and review our podcast!
Email itp@endeavorb2b.com with your opinions on transportation infrastructure in the Southwest — we might read them on air.

In Episode 19 of the Infrastructure Technology Podcast, the hosts recap the biggest themes and innovations they encountered during the first half of the 2026 conference season, reflecting on how industry events are shaping the future of transportation. Drawing from conferences across the public transit and roads and bridges sectors, the discussion highlights the technologies, policy conversations and operational challenges that generated the most attention. 
What You'll Learn
How conference season revealed the biggest technology trends shaping the future of transportation infrastructure and public transit.
Why artificial intelligence has evolved from a buzzworthy concept to a practical tool agencies are using today.
How transit agencies are advancing digital transformation through open-loop payments, account-based ticketing and mobile fare collection, along with the challenges these systems can create for some riders.
Why predictive maintenance is gaining traction as agencies use AI and vehicle telemetry to monitor assets in real time and reduce unplanned downtime.
Inside the Episode
Episode Length: 30:13
Timestamps:
00:40 — Jessica's move to Oklahoma
6:00 — Discussion on the first half of the 2026 conference season
Useful Links 
Roads & Bridges
Mass Transit
Send us a topic suggestion! 
Don’t forget to subscribe to the ITP and rate and review our podcast!
Email itp@endeavorb2b.com with your favorite state to drive through and industry events — we might read them on air.
 

In Episode 18 of the Infrastructure Technology Podcast, Mass Transit magazine Associate Editor Brandon Lewis and Roads and Bridges Staff Writer Jessica Parks play a true or false game based on questions from Mass Transit’s weekly news quiz. Parks then interviews FYLD CEO and Co-founder Shelley Copsey to discuss how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping emergency response and infrastructure management across the transportation industry. As extreme weather events become more frequent and severe, Shelley explains how AI-powered platforms can help agencies process large volumes of information in real time, prioritize incidents and deploy crews more efficiently.  
Featured Guest
Shelley Copsey, CEO and Co-Founder of FYLD
Shelley Copsey is the co-founder and CEO of FYLD, the AI-powered operating system for high-risk fieldwork. Under her leadership, FYLD has become a trusted partner to global infrastructure, utility, energy, and construction organizations, helping frontline teams and managers reduce risk, improve productivity, and deliver more predictable outcomes through real-time field intelligence.  Shelley has dedicated her career to solving complex operational challenges across critical infrastructure. 
What You'll Learn
How AI can help agencies analyze incoming information, prioritize incidents and deploy response crews more efficiently during emergencies.
Why AI works best as a decision-support tool, helping personnel process large volumes of data while keeping experienced professionals in control.
How predictive analytics can help transportation agencies anticipate severe weather impacts, stage equipment and prepare crews before disasters occur.
How AI can help address workforce shortages by automating repetitive tasks and reducing administrative burdens on agency staff.
Inside the Episode
Episode Length: 35:05
Timestamps: 
1:30 — Mass Transit News Quiz True or False
15:30 — Roads & Bridges Interview
30:39 — Interview Takeaways
Useful Links
FYLD
Roads & Bridges
Mass Transit
Send us a topic suggestion! 
Don’t forget to subscribe to the ITP and rate and review our podcast!
Email itp@endeavorb2b.com with your thoughts on emergency management systems—we might read them on air.

In episode 17 of the Infrastructure Technology Podcast, Gavin, Brandon, Jessica and Noah examine the proposed Build America 250 Act, the bipartisan surface transportation reauthorization bill that would replace the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act when it expires later this year.
The discussion explores how the legislation seeks to continue federal investment in roads, bridges and public transit while introducing new priorities focused on workforce development, project delivery, safety and digital infrastructure.
The hosts break down the bill's major provisions and explain why its bipartisan support makes it one of the most significant transportation proposals currently under consideration in Congress. 
What You'll Learn: 
BUILD America 250 Act passed by House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee: The episode centers around the BUILD America 250 Act, which was passed by the House T&I Committee and now goes to the Senate. The bill would replace the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which expires Sept. 30. 
Transit safety is a major priority: The legislation includes recommendations for safer bus design, protections for transit workers and a continued emphasis on reducing assaults against operators. 
The bill balances highways, bridges and public transit: The proposal attempts to create a balanced investment strategy across multiple transportation modes. 
Workforce development receives significant attention: The legislation includes initiatives focused on recruiting future transportation professionals, expanding workforce training and supporting career development across transportation sectors. 
Inside the Episode
Episode Length: 27:31 
Useful Links
Mass Transit Ballot Measure Tracker
Roads & Bridges
Mass Transit
Send us a topic suggestion! 
Don’t forget to subscribe to the ITP and rate and review our podcast!
Email itp@endeavorb2b.com with your thoughts on public transit ballot measures— we might read them on air.

In Episode 16 of the Infrastructure Technology Podcast, Brandon Lewis, Jessica Parks and Noah Kolenda take a deep dive into Mass Transit's newly launched transit ballot measure tracker, which is tracking public transit-related ballot measures across the U.S. during the 2026 election cycle.
The discussion focuses on several of the most significant measures being considered around the country, including major funding proposals in the San Francisco Bay Area, Charleston County, S.C., and Pima County, Ariz. The hosts examine how these measures could affect transit service, infrastructure investments and long-term financial stability for agencies and discuss how transit ballot measures historically enjoy strong success rates at the ballot box. 
What You'll Learn 
How Mass Transit’s new ballot measure tracker maps more than 20 transit-related votes nationwide, including funding initiatives, tax renewals and governance changes
Why securing transit funding is the dominant issue in the 2026 election cycle—and what’s at stake for agencies facing rising costs
What makes the proposed Bay Area regional transit measure one of the most significant votes to watch
Why public transit ballot measures consistently succeed—and how agencies adjust and retry when measures fail
Inside the Episode
Episode Length: 29:09
Useful Links
Mass Transit Ballot Measure Tracker
Roads & Bridges
Mass Transit
Send us a topic suggestion! 
Don’t forget to subscribe to the ITP and rate and review our podcast!
Email itp@endeavorb2b.com with your thoughts on public transit ballot measures— we might read them on air.
 

In episode 15, Mass Transit magazine Associate Editor Brandon Lewis interviews Linus Adler and Tate Coleman, two recent graduates from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Both guests share their personal journeys into the transit industry and discuss why public transportation remains an essential part of creating connected, accessible communities. Throughout the episode, the guests discuss the importance of hands-on experiences in transit operations.
Lewis, as well as Roads and Bridges Head of Content Gavin Jenkins and Roads and Bridges Staff Writer Jessica Parks also discuss the news that the U.S. is spending more on data centers currently than transportation infrastructure. 
Featured Guests
Linus Adler - UMass Amherst Graduate
Linus Adler graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. During his time in school, he was an intern for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s Highway Project Development. 
Tate Coleman - Public Transportation Director, Great Barrington, MA; UMass Amherst Graduate
Tate Coleman serves as the director of public transportation at the town of Great Barrington, Mass. Tate recently graduated with Master's Degrees in Regional Planning and Civil Engineering from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he served as a U.S. Department of Transportation Dwight D. Eisenhower Graduate Transportation Fellow during the 2023-2024 academic year.
What You'll Learn
 Why surging data center spending is outpacing public transit investment—and what that means for regulating AI’s rapid growth
How AI’s most impactful transit applications may happen behind the scenes, from scheduling to demand forecasting
Why microtransit is gaining traction in rural areas as a flexible, on-demand mobility solution
How different transit experiences can shape similar passions for the industry, regardless of where riders grow up
Inside the Episode
Episode Length: 42:14
Timestamps
0:43 — Listener email and data centers discussion
8:50 — Mass Transit interview
35:30 — Interview takeaways
Useful Links
UMass Amherst Civil Engineering
"US spending on data center construction now exceeds spending on public transportation infrastructure" — The Cool Down
Roads & Bridges
Mass Transit
Send us a topic suggestion! 
Don’t forget to subscribe to the ITP and rate and review our podcast!
Email itp@endeavorb2b.com with your thoughts on data center spending— we might read them on air.

Part II of the World Cup infrastructure series shifts from physical transportation systems to the technology that will help manage them. Gavin Jenkins, Brandon Lewis, Jessica Parks and Noah Kolenda explore how artificial intelligence (AI), smart-city technology and connected infrastructure could shape the fan experience during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The discussion focuses heavily on the growing use of AI in transportation, including adaptive traffic signals, transit signal priority, real-time route optimization and crowd management systems. The hosts explain how cities are increasingly relying on digital twins — virtual models of transportation networks — to simulate event-day conditions and identify potential bottlenecks before they occur. 
What You'll Learn
Why transportation systems must function as a connected ecosystem — and how disruptions in one mode can cascade across an entire network
Where autonomous shuttles are being tested across U.S. host cities and what early deployments reveal
How the World Cup will act as a real-world stress test for AI, smart city tech and infrastructure systems
Which investments — like smart traffic controls and real-time transit tools — could deliver long-term benefits well beyond 2026
Inside the Episode 
Episode Length: 26:05
Useful Links
Roads & Bridges
Mass Transit
Send us a topic suggestion! 
Don’t forget to subscribe to the ITP and rate and review our podcast!Email itp@endeavorb2b.com with your thoughts on transportation amid the World Cup — we might read them on air.