Episodes

4 days ago
4 days ago
In the season one finale of the Infrastructure Technology Podcast, hosts Gavin Jenkins, Brandon Lewis and Harlee Hewitt reflect on their inaugural season before Gavin interviews Brad Miller, senior product manager at AT&T. The pair discuss the company’s internet of things video intelligence technology, which aims to improve road safety, especially in rural and construction zones, by allowing cities and transportation agencies to monitor intersections and roadways in real time.

Tuesday Jun 03, 2025
Tuesday Jun 03, 2025
Key Takeaways
· State DOTs are increasingly trusting of integrating crowd-sourced mobility data as it becomes more robust and comprehensive, offering greater temporal and spatial coverage than traditional sensors.
· New data types like origin-destination and volume data are emerging, but agencies must evaluate their credibility before relying on them for planning and funding decisions.
· Vehicle probe data, now collected from roughly one in three vehicles, offers significant insights into traffic flow, energy use, and emissions, especially valuable in high-density urban areas.
· Despite advances, rural areas still face challenges due to limited data penetration and connectivity, but emerging connected vehicle technologies may help close that gap.
About the episode
What if your car’s data could help shape the future of transportation? In this episode of the Infrastructure Technology Podcast, Harlee Hewitt speaks with three leading mobility data experts about the evolution and future of crowd-sourced transportation data. Michael Fontaine of the Virginia Transportation Research Council discusses how mobility data has progressed and what it means for state DOTs. Then, Stanley Young and Jeff Gonder of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory join to share insights into how real-time vehicle probe data is transforming everything from energy efficiency to rural infrastructure monitoring. Tune in to hear how mobility data is shaping the future of infrastructure planning and public transportation.

Tuesday May 20, 2025
Tuesday May 20, 2025
Key takeaways:
Jake Bailosky developed OnStation to solve a specific pain point in the field: determining exact location on a project site. Inspired by golf yardage apps, the tool automates stationing for road workers and inspectors.
The app immediately improved field efficiency by eliminating manual calculations and replacing measuring wheels—offering instant location data to crews and helping streamline project documentation.
Transit App’s new bike routing feature prioritizes safety by routing cyclists through protected lanes and quieter streets using Open Street Map data, with visual warnings for busy roads.
Real-time data accuracy is critical not just for buses, but for all modes of transit; Transit App’s ongoing feedback loops and data refinement ensure reliable and accessible trip planning for riders.
There’s an app for everything these days—even for navigating construction zones and biking city streets. In this episode of the Infrastructure Technology Podcast, Host Gavin Jenkins and Co-hosts Harlee Hewitt and Brandon Lewis dive into the transformative role of apps in transit and construction.
Gavin speaks with Jake Bailosky, the former Ohio Department of Transportation engineer who created OnStation—a job site location app that revolutionized field operations. Then, Brandon interviews Stephen Miller, policy lead at Transit App, about how real-time data and turn-by-turn bike routing are enhancing the rider experience. From simplifying site inspections to safer cycling routes, this episode explores how app-based innovations are streamlining infrastructure work on the ground and on the go.

Tuesday May 06, 2025
Tuesday May 06, 2025
Key Takeaways:
By using unmanned aerial systems (UAS), the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) significantly reduces the need for crews and equipment on busy roadways, minimizing worker exposure to traffic and improving safety conditions.
Drone-collected data is processed and delivered to engineers within 24 to 48 hours, allowing for rapid decision-making, real-time project monitoring and quicker responses to infrastructure needs.
Cincinnati’s new bus rapid transit corridors will feature level boarding, transit signal priority, queue jumps and articulated buses—designed to provide faster, more accessible service while reflecting the character of each neighborhood.
Cincinnati Metro uses fare data and origin-destination analysis to plan routes more effectively while also investing in alternative-fuel vehicles and infrastructure with long-term flexibility in mind.
Description:
In episode nine of the Infrastructure Technology Podcast, the team explores innovation on the ground and in the air. First, Roads and Bridges’ Gavin Jenkins speaks with Dr. Sinan Abood from MassDOT Aeronautics Division about how drones (UAS technology) are transforming highway inspections, increasing safety and reducing costs. Then, Mass Transit’s Brandon Lewis sits down with Khaled Shammout, newly promoted deputy innovation and vision officer at Cincinnati Metro, to explore the city's ambitious plans for bus rapid transit, the challenges of transitioning to zero-emission vehicles and how data and advanced modeling are driving smarter public transit systems.

Tuesday Apr 22, 2025
Tuesday Apr 22, 2025
Key takeaways:
The Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) Second Chance Program helps returning residents and others with employment barriers gain one year of paid, supportive work experience, with a focus on long-term career development.
The program has grown from 50 to 350 positions and includes technological resources, resume workshops, CDL prep and connections to both internal CTA roles and outside employment.
The Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) of Southern Nevada uses artificial intelligence (AI)-driven tools like Rekor and ZeroEyes to enhance traffic management, detect weapons in real time and reduce response times to incidents.
AI-powered intersection analytics identified patterns of red-light running and jaywalking, helping RTC make data-informed decisions for improving roadway safety.
In this episode, the ITP team dives into the power of transformation—both human and technological. First, Brandon Lewis interviews Geisha Ester, former VP of training and workforce development at the CTA, about CTA’s Second Chance program. This initiative supports returning residents and others with employment barriers as they reenter the workforce and build lasting careers.
Next up, Harlee Hewitt speaks with MJ Maynard, CEO of the RTC of Southern Nevada, about how AI is reshaping transit safety. From predictive analytics to weapon detection and smart intersections, Maynard shares how the RTC is leveraging AI to enhance public safety and improve regional mobility.
This episode is all about opportunity, innovation and the human side of infrastructure and transit.

Tuesday Apr 08, 2025
Tuesday Apr 08, 2025
Key takeaways
Importance of infrastructure maintenance – Michigan DOT’s Ancillary Structures Program, supported by HNTB software, emphasizes the need for proactive inspections and maintenance of critical structures like bridges, overpasses and traffic signals.
Risk mitigation – By assessing vulnerabilities, programs like the Ancillary Structures Program helps prevent structural failures, ensuring public safety and reducing costly emergency repairs.
AI-driven traffic optimization – LYT’s system leverages AI to adjust traffic signals dynamically, reducing congestion and improving traffic flow.
Data-Driven Decision-Making – The platform provides cities with real-time data insights, allowing for more effective transportation planning and long-term infrastructure improvements.
Episode seven of the Infrastructure Technology Podcast explores the latest innovations revolutionizing urban infrastructure and traffic management. The episode dives into Michigan Department of Transportation’s Ancillary Structures Program, an initiative designed to maintain the safety and integrity of bridges, overpasses and other critical structures through proactive inspections and advanced technology.
Brandon Lewis sits down with the founder of LYT, a leader in smart traffic solutions, to discuss how artificial intelligence-driven technology is optimizing traffic flow, reducing congestion and improving emergency response times. From enhancing sustainability to making data-driven urban planning decisions, this episode sheds light on the future of intelligent city infrastructure.

Tuesday Mar 25, 2025
Tuesday Mar 25, 2025
In this episode of the Infrastructure Technology Podcast, Gavin Jenkins is joined by WSP’s digital leaders, Jay Wratten and Chris Harman, for a discussion on the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technology in infrastructure. They explore key trends in 2025, including AI's increasing implementation in transportation, predictive analytics for road and rail maintenance and the shift from 2D to 3D data modeling.
The conversation highlights how major engineering firms like WSP are evolving to keep up with state department of transportation's ambitious AI-driven strategies. The guests also tackle the responsibilities of large AEC firms in shaping AI’s role, the future of digital twins and whether futuristic technology like virtual reality is ready for widespread adoption in the industry.

Tuesday Mar 11, 2025
Tuesday Mar 11, 2025
Episode five of the Infrastructure Technology Podcast features an interview with Tyler Duvall, CEO and co-founder of Cavnue, who discusses the future of smart roadways and the I-94 CAV Corridor project in Michigan.

Tuesday Feb 25, 2025
Tuesday Feb 25, 2025
In the fourth episode of the ITP, co-host Brandon Lewis interviews Stacey Matlen, Senior Vice President of Innovation at the Partnership for New York City, which co-founded the Transit Tech Lab. They discuss how the lab navigates the "choreographed chaos" of NYC transit, the innovations driving infrastructure and transportation resilience and the challenges of modernizing transit systems. Later, Mark Pittman, founder of Blyncsy and Director of Transportation AI for Bentley Systems, shares insights with host Gavin Jenkins on leveraging AI to improve roadway maintenance and streamline traffic operations. Tune in for a fascinating look at technology transforming infrastructure and transportation.

Tuesday Feb 11, 2025
Tuesday Feb 11, 2025
In our new episode of the Infrastructure Technology Podcast, Gavin, Harlee and Brandon focus on transportation technology and safety with two interviews. Harlee interviews Terri Johnson, director of public sector services at INRIX, with the conversation focusing on traffic slowdown alerts and intelligent transportation systems. Then, Brandon has a chat with Bill Khelm, the CEO and chairman of ebliss Global, as the two discuss the current state and the future of e-bikes.
This episode emphasizes how technology is transforming transportation safety, from large-scale traffic management for trucks to innovations in personal e-bike commuting. The hosts discuss how connected vehicle technology and smart roadways will shape the future.

Gavin Jenkins
Gavin Jenkins has been the senior managing editor of Roads and Bridges since April 2022. Residing in Pittsburgh, he is also an adjunct professor of journalism at the Community College of Allegheny County. He has written for The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Atlantic.

Harlee Hewitt
Harlee Hewitt, associate editor, Construction Equipment and Roads and Bridges, came to EBM in 2023 through EBM’s Pathways Program. She has a bachelor’s degree in English, with a focus on technical writing from Oklahoma State University. She is the brains behind the idea of the ITP.

Brandon Lewis
Brandon Lewis is one of two Mass Transit associate editors. Lewis came to Mass Transit in late 2022 after working on a part-time basis with Endeavor Business Media’s (EBM) Vehicle Service Pros. Lewis graduated from Kent State University (KSU) in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and has experience behind the microphone, as he hosted his own sports-talk radio show while at KSU. He currently resides in Cleveland.