Infrastructure Technology Podcast

Episode 11 of the Infrastructure Technology Podcast focuses on the future of urban transportation, the next generation of transit professionals and the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in public transportation systems.
University of Illinois Chicago Professor Kate Lowe joined graduate students Noah Arroyo and Maisie Westerfield to discuss transportation policy, transit equity, mobility justice and emerging technology. The episode explores how younger professionals view AI differently from previous generations, especially in transit planning, customer service, geospatial analysis and safety systems.
Gavin, Brandon and Jessica also discuss Bentley Systems receiving FedRAMP authorization for its federal infrastructure software platforms, highlighting cybersecurity and cloud modernization in transportation infrastructure. 
Featured Guests
Kate Lowe - Associate Professor of Urban Planning and Policy, University of Illinois Chicago
Kate Lowe studies transportation at the intersection of policy, funding, and mobility justice. Her work examines how varied stakeholders and transportation policies interact across different levels of government and how this impacts transportation investments and racial inequities. She also conducts qualitative research on lived experiences of mobility and accessibility for low-income populations and Black and Brown communities.   
Noah Arroyo - Graduate Assistant, University of Illinois Chicago
Noah Arroyo is a current Graduate Assistant, where he manages administrative functions for the UIC Urban Planning and Policy department within the college. He is also an intern with the Chicago Transit Authority, where he maintains partnerships with transportation officials, elected officials, Federal Transit Authority representatives, 13 block clubs, neighborhood stakeholders, businesses and four chambers of commerce for the Red Purple Modernization Government & Community Relations group.  
Maisie Westerfield - Master's Student, University of Illinois Chicago
Maisie Westerfield is a masters' student at the University of Illinois at Chicago studying urban planning and policy with a concentration in urban transportation. She has a bachelors degree in environmental management from Indiana University. She is interested in climate resilient transportation, climate activism in young generations and environmental justice. 
What You'll Learn 
How Bentley Systems’ FedRAMP authorization could help accelerate secure, cloud-based modernization efforts across U.S. transportation infrastructure
Why the rollout of AI in transit is expected to be gradual—and how it’s already being applied in real-world, rural mobility challenges
How transit, housing and land use are becoming increasingly interconnected through transit-oriented development
Why many transit agencies still lag technologically, and how budget constraints and legacy systems continue to shape adoption of new tools
Inside the Episode 
Episode Length: 38:44
Timestamps: 
1:50 — FedRAMP Authorization discussion
9:45 — Mass Transit interview
32:43 — Interview takeaways
Useful Links
Useful Links
University of Chicago Illinois Department of Urban Planning and Policy
"Bentley Systems Achieves Key U.S. Government Security Milestone to Help Modernize the Nation's Infrastructure" - Bentley Systems
Roads & Bridges
Mass Transit
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On this episode of the Infrastructure Technology Podcast, Roads and Bridges Staff Writer Jessica Parks interviews Doug Kraus and Josh Zhou from North Highland about how artificial intelligence is transforming transportation infrastructure, workforce development and public sector operations. The discussion focuses on North Highland’s partnership with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation to deploy AI-driven analytics for bridge management, roadway monitoring and infrastructure planning.
At the conclusion of the interview, Parks is joined by Gavin Jenkins, head of content for Roads and Bridges, and Brandon Lewis, associate editor for Mass Transit magazine, where they discuss the broader impact of AI on transportation, construction and media industries, including workforce concerns, automation trends and the growing role of AI-powered technology in public transit and infrastructure operations. 
Featured Guests
Doug Kraus - North Highland
Doug Kraus is North Highlands senior director of AI and data architecture, bringing over 25 years of experience leading analytics strategy and implementation across large complex organizations.  
Josh Zhou - North Highland
Josh Zhou is an AI and data engineer at North Highland, whose expertise in database management and dashboard development helps transform raw data and clear actionable insights. 
What You'll Learn
How AI-powered analytics, automation and real-time monitoring are transforming transportation and construction workflows
How North Highland and the Oklahoma DOT are using AI to prioritize bridge maintenance, assess roadway conditions and guide long-term infrastructure planning
How real-time data, sensors and predictive analytics improve safety by identifying issues like potholes, structural concerns and crash hotspots before they escalate
What AI means for the future of the workforce, including its potential impact on construction jobs and related fields like journalism
Inside the Episode
Episode Length: 34:33
Timestamps
2:00 — Roads & Bridges interview with North Highland
24:10 — Interview takeaways
28:50 — Mass Transit news discussion
Useful Links
North Highland
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 AI and the workforce — we might read them on air.
 

This episode of the Infrastructure Technology Podcast explores how GIS technology, data analytics and emerging artificial intelligence tools are transforming public transit planning and accessibility.
Featuring an interview with University of New Orleans graduate Jackie Strohmeyer, the episode highlights how data-driven methods are being used to improve mobility equity, optimize transit routes and support smarter infrastructure decisions. The discussion emphasizes the growing role of GIS in mapping transit access, analyzing community needs and guiding transit-oriented development. 
The episode also tackles the evolving role of AI in transit systems, noting its benefits in data analysis and operational efficiency while underscoring the continued need for human oversight—especially when addressing complex equity challenges like Title VI compliance. 
Featured Guests
Jackie Strohmeyer - University of New Orleans Graduate
Jackie Strohmeyer holds a BA in Sociology and is an MPA candidate with a concentration in GIS at the University of New Orleans (UNO). During her time at the university, she worked as a graduate assistant and data analyst supporting planning and scheduling at the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority through the UNO Transportation Institute. Her work focuses on Geographic Information Systems-based accessibility analysis, spatial equity and the application of data-driven methods to transportation planning and policy evaluation. 
What You’ll Learn
How GIS and data-driven planning are helping transit agencies improve accessibility and make more equitable decisions.
Why careers in public transit extend beyond engineering, including roles in policy, data analysis, and social research.
How AI is supporting transit planning and operations — while still relying on human judgment to balance efficiency and equity.
How AI could play a role in managing traffic congestion during major events like the FIFA World Cup.
Inside the Episode
Episode Length: 36:20
Timestamps
2:55 — Mass Transit interview with Jackie Strohmeyer
27:40 — Interview takeaways and AI discussion
Useful Links
University of New Orleans' Geographic Information Systems Graduate Certificate
North Texas Cities are using AI to Help with Traffic Ahead of World Cup
Roads & Bridges
Mass Transit
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Don’t forget to subscribe to the ITP and rate and review our podcast!Email itp@endeavorb2b.com with your thoughts on public transit's technological shift — we might read them on air.

In this episode of the ITP, Roads & Bridges Staff Writer Jessica Parks interviews Scott Peterson, an associate professor of geomatics engineering at California State University, Fresno and program coordinator for the Trimble Technology lab, and Shaaden Salem, the education program manager of field systems at Trimble, where she focuses on building the next generation of geomatic professionals.
The discussion highlights how today’s technology—like GNSS, LIDAR and automated systems—is transforming the industry by increasing speed, efficiency and data collection while still requiring skilled professionals to validate and interpret results. The episode spotlights the new Trimble Technology Lab at Fresno State, a hands-on learning environment designed to better prepare students for real-world careers. 
Roads & Bridges
Featured Guests
Scott Peterson - California State University, Fresno
Scott Peterson is an associate professor of geomatics engineering at California State University Fresno and program coordinator for the Trimble Technology Lab.  
Shaaden Salem - Trimble
Shaaden Salem is the education program manager of field systems at Trimble, where she focuses on building the next generation of geomatic professionals. 
What You'll Learn
Why geomatics is shaping the future of infrastructure: How technologies like GPS, LiDAR and mobile mapping are changing how roads and bridges are planned, built and maintained.
How technology supports — not replaces — the workforce: Why automation and advanced data collection tools are accelerating fieldwork while still relying on skilled professionals.
What the looming workforce shortage means for the industry: How an aging workforce and projected retirements are pushing the infrastructure sector to rethink recruitment and training.
How education is adapting to meet industry needs: Inside the Trimble Technology Lab and how hands-on access to real-world tools helps prepare the next generation of infrastructure professionals.
 
Inside the Episode
Episode Length: 56:10
Timestamps
00:40 — Roads & Bridges interview with Scott and Shaaden
50:46 —  Interview takeaways
Useful Links
Trimble Technology Labs
Fresno State Geomatics Engineering
Roads & Bridges
Mass Transit
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This episode of the Infrastructure Technology Podcast focuses on National Work Zone Awareness Week and the programs the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) is offering to help introduce the next generation to a career in public transit.
Throughout the episode, Roads and Bridges Head of Content Gavin Jenkins hosts a discussion on the top 10 innovations that are transforming safety in the roads and bridges construction industry with Mass Transit Associate Editor Brandon Lewis and Roads & Bridges Staff Writer Jessica Parks. 
Brandon interviews APTA’s Vice President of Workforce Development and Educational Services Carita Ducre. Their conversation focuses on the wide array of career opportunities within public transit and how artificial intelligence is affecting the public transit industry. 
Featured Guest
Carita Ducre- APTA
Carita Ducre is the vice president of workforce development and educational services at the American Public Transportation Association. She is also on the board of advisors for the National Transit Institute and Young Professionals In Transportation. 
What You'll Learn
Why National Work Zone Awareness Week remains a critical priority for protecting workers in road and bridge construction.
Which safety innovations are making the biggest difference on today’s roads and bridges jobsites.
How APTA is working to support and prepare the next generation of public transit professionals.
Why careers in public transit span a wide range of roles and skill sets beyond traditional operations.
Inside the Episode
Episode Length: 50:25
Timestamps
1:05 — Safety innovations discussion
11:35 — Mass Transit interview with APTA's Carita Ducre
40:40 — Interview takeaways
43:04 — Safety innovations discussion part two
Useful Links
National Work Zone Awareness Week
APTA Workforce Resources
Roads & Bridges
Mass Transit
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Mass Transit Associate Editor Noah Kolenda kicks off this episode of the ITP with a deep dive into bus fare data from the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).
Roads and Bridges Head of Content Gavin Jenkins interviews Susan Baillargeon, director of the Highway Maintenance Program at Front Range Community College in Colorado, and Don Strange, streets superintendent for Highland Village, Texas. As the program’s first graduate, Strange credits it with strengthening his leadership and communication skills, enhancing his ability to advocate for his department.
Mass Transit Associate Editor and co-host Brandon Lewis leads a game of higher or lower using APTA's 2025 Q4 data to compare average weekday bus ridership across U.S. agencies.
Featured Guests
Don Strange 
Strange is the streets superintendent for the City of Highland Village, Texas. His career in public works spans more than 30 years. He is the first to graduate from Front Range Community College's Applied Science in Highway Management program in May 2025. Strange continues to pursue a doctoral degree in business from Edgewood College. 
Susan Baillargeon
Baillargeon directs the Highway Maintenance Management program at Front Range Community College. Prior to her current position, she served 32 years at the Connecticut Department of Transportation, which included 19 years as a highway maintainer and 13 years as a curriculum manager. Baillargeon holds a master's degree in Adult Learning from the University of Connecticut.
What You'll Learn
Which transit systems have the highest and lowest bus fares, and how have prices moved over time. 
How a longtime public works employee honed his skills in an online course focusing on highway management. 
Why online programs, such as the one offered at Front Range Community College, will play a central role in the future of the industry. 
How bus ridership in Q4 2025 stacked up city by city. 
Inside the Episode
Episode Length: 1:03:32
Timestamps:
0:26 — The team's daily tasks
3:25 — Mass Transit data download
18:39 — Roads & Bridges interview
52:55 — Over/Under with Mass Transit
Useful Links
APTA Fare Database
Front Range Community College Highway Maintenance Management Program
APTA Ridership Data
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 bus fares — we might read them on air.

On this episode of the ITP, Mass Transit magazine Associate Editor Brandon Lewis sits down with Dan McNichol, Bill Goodrich and Joe Stanford to discuss their new book, "Second Avenue Subway: Building New York City's Most Famous Thing Never Built" — a 350-page hardcover featuring over 256 mostly unpublished photographs on Phase 1 of the project. 
About the book
A hundred years of planning. A decade of construction. New York City's Future. "Second Avenue Subway: Building New York City's Most Famous Thing Never Built" is the story of the past, present and future of New York's newest subway line. This 350-page hardcover book tells the story of the multi-faceted challenges faced by critical infrastructure projects, and how Phase 1 of the project was finally completed through the grit and determination of everyone involved. 
Featured Guests
Dan McNichol
Dan McNichol is a best-selling author, award-winning journalist and public speaker known for chronicling America’s most significant infrastructure projects. A contributor to National Public Radio and a former White House appointee focused on transportation policy, he has also served as chief spokesman for major projects, including Boston's Big Dig, California's High-Speed Rail and the reconstruction of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. 
Bill Goodrich
Bill Goodrich is a transportation infrastructure executive and licensed professional engineer with more than 40 years of experience in engineering and construction management. Most recently, he served as executive vice president and senior program executive at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, overseeing Phase 1 of the Second Avenue Subway and East Side Access, including the opening of Grand Central Madison. He previously contributed to the Fulton Transit Center and Boston’s Big Dig and is a graduate of United States Military Academy with an MS in civil engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.  
Joe Stanford
Joe Stanford is a strategic communicator and editor with decades of experience in America's infrastructure, including work with the U.S. Departments of Energy and Transportation. He has worked as transportation systems analyst, energy technology specialist, writer and editor, with a constant focus on communicating difficult and important concepts to key stakeholders. He has a master's degree from MIT in System Design and Management, focusing on complex socio-technical systems, with a specialization in transportation and urban planning.  
What You'll Learn
Why NYC’s Second Avenue Subway took nearly a century to advance — and what finally pushed the project forward.
What made constructing a subway beneath one of the world’s densest urban environments uniquely challenging.
How the Second Avenue Subway set off a domino effect, unlocking projects like East Side Access, Grand Central Madison, and the Hudson Tunnel Project.
What surprised the project’s chroniclers most about New York City’s aging and complex infrastructure.
Inside the Episode 
Episode Length: 39:31
 
Timestamps:
2:25 — Mass Transit interview
32:30 — The team's takeaways 
Useful Links
"Second Avenue Subway: Building New York City's Most Famous Thing Never Built"
Phase 2 of the Second Avenue Subway Project
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 the Second Avenue Subway — we might read them on air. 

The ITP team opens this episode by responding to a listener question about whether artificial intelligence is being pushed too quickly — and what the surge of AI marketing says about regulation, responsibility and public trust. 
Later in the episode, Gavin sits down with UC Berkeley civil engineering students Michael Yamaguchi and Sarah Saadeh from the American Society of Civil Engineers student chapter to explore how digital tools like AI, building information modeling (BIM) and digital twins are reshaping construction and transportation. 
To wrap up the episode, Brandon quizzes Gavin and Jessica on the history of some of the oldest transit systems and bridges in the United States.
Featured Guests 
Michael Yamaguchi - UC Berkeley
Michael Yamaguchi is the president of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) UC Berkeley Student Chapter and a civil engineering student with a focus on construction and rail infrastructure.
Sarah Saadeh - UC Berkeley
Sarah Saadeh is the vice president of the ASCE UC Berkeley Student Chapter and a civil engineering student with a data science background, interested in the intersection of technology, ethics and infrastructure delivery.
What You’ll Learn
Why the rapid rise of AI is raising questions about regulation, ethics, and public trust.
How digital twins, BIM and real‑time data are changing how infrastructure is designed, built and maintained.
Where data collection and AI cross ethical boundaries in transportation and construction.
How the next generation of engineers views technology, workforce challenges and long‑term infrastructure impact.
Insight into the history and longevity of major U.S. transit systems and bridges.
Inside the Episode
Episode Length: 1:12:55
Timestamps: 
6:25 — Listener emails 
13:15 — Interview with Sarah Saadeh and Michael Yamaguchi
1:00:40 — Over and Under with Mass Transit
Useful Links
American Society of Civil Engineers UC Berkeley Student Chapter
UC Berkeley Civil and Environmental Engineering 
"AI Moves From Concept to Construction" Roads & Bridges
"How Technology is Reshaping Roadway Safety and Traffic Management" Roads & Bridges
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 AI and transportation  — we might read them on air. 
 

Co-hosts Brandon Lewis and Jessica Parks lead this episode of the ITP, joined by Mass Transit's Noah Kolenda. They examine one year of congestion pricing and its impact on traffic patterns and urban mobility in New York City and beyond. 
Brandon also sits down with Penn State student Jorge Diaz to explore the future of transit through the lens of an emerging professional — from data analytics and machine learning to the growing need for more multimodal, people-focused infrastructure.
To close out the episode, Jessica quizzes Brandon and Noah on project pricing from Roads & Bridges' 2025 Top 10 Bridge Awards. 
Featured Guests
Jorge Diaz - Penn State University 
Jorge Diaz is a transportation engineering student in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Penn State. His studies focus on transit systems, with research spanning the impacts of transit policies on ridership, security incidents, accessibility and equity. 
Noah Kolenda - Mass Transit 
Noah Kolenda is the associate editor at Mass Transit, where he specializes in data-driven coverage of transit operations, ridership and urban mobility trends. 
What You'll Learn
How congestion pricing in New York City has reduced traffic in Manhattan and reshaped travel behavior across the Five Boroughs in its first year. 
How a new generation of transit professionals is applying data-driven thinking, global perspective and multimodal planning. 
Why the next generation of the industry is shifting from car-centric design towards systems focused on moving people more efficiently. 
How well you can stack up on bridge project pricing from Roads & Bridges' 2025 Top 10 Bridge Awards. 
Inside the Episode
Episode length: 44:34 
Timestamps: 
2:17 — Congestion pricing
14:18  — Interview with Jorge Diaz
32:43 — Quiz on Roads & Bridges 2025 Top 10 Bridge Awards
Useful Links
"NYC marks one year of congestion pricing with faster travel, cleaner air, safer streets and more revenue than expected" — Noah Kolenda 
Congestion Relief Zone Tolling First Evaluation Report
Roads & Bridges Top 10 Bridge Awards
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The ITP team returns to dive into post-pandemic transit and the evolving forces shaping infrastructure today. Mass Transit’s Noah Kolenda joins Gavin, Brandon, and Jessica to break down five years of ridership recovery across the New York MTA system — revealing how commuter rail, buses, subways and paratransit have each rebounded differently as travel habits shift.
Later in the episode, Gavin speaks with Keith Plokhoy of CMC to explore how construction materials, supply chains and pre‑engineered bridge technology are transforming project delivery. Their conversation highlights how accelerated bridge construction can improve resilience, cut man‑hours and reopen critical routes faster after disruptive events.
To wrap up the episode, Brandon puts the team to the test with a fresh round of Mass Transit trivia.
Featured Guests 
Noah Kolenda - Mass Transit 
Noah Kolenda is the associate editor at Mass Transit, where he specializes in data-driven coverage of transit operations, ridership and urban mobility trends. 
Keith Plokhoy - CMC 
Keith Plokhoy is the director of bridge systems at CMC. His work focuses on bringing pre‑engineered, accelerated bridge construction solutions to market, helping agencies deliver projects faster, more safely and with greater long‑term resilience.
What You'll Learn
How ridership has recovered across MTA modes — from commuter rail to subways — and what the data reveals about changing post‑pandemic travel habits.
How construction materials, supply chains and accelerated bridge construction technologies are influencing project delivery timelines and cost savings.
How pre‑engineered bridge systems improve resilience in areas facing extreme weather and repeated flooding.
Insights from Brandon’s Mass Transit trivia showdown — covering the latest news, fleet transitions and funding shifts across the industry.
Inside the Episode 
Episode Length: 50:50
Timestamps: 
1:40 – Noah's MTA data dive 
16:53 – Interview with Keith Plokhoy
44:10 – Mass Transit news quiz
Useful Links
CMC Bridge Systems
MTA Ridership Data (NY Open Data Portal) 
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 transit or infrastructure hot takes — we might read them on air.