A drone flying above a multi-lane highway with cars traveling in both directions through a desert landscape.

Rethinking the Chase: How UAVs Could Make High-Speed Pursuits Safer

High-speed vehicle pursuits are among the most dangerous situations faced by law enforcement and the public. Each year, these chases result in crashes, injuries and, in too many cases, fatalities. In regions like El Paso, Texas, the frequency of such pursuits has increased sharply, raising concerns among policymakers and communities about how to respond more safely and effectively.

A person wearing a helmet rides a bicycle in a designated bike lane on a city street with trees and parked vehicles nearby.

TTI Researchers Publish National Guide to Safer Bikeway Design

A multidisciplinary team led by the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) has published a new national guide focused on improving the safety of on-street bicycle facilities. National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Research Report 1136: On-Street Bicycle Facility Design Features—A Guide was developed by TTI in collaboration with Toole Design Group, Portland State University and Safe Streets Research & Consulting.

Group of individuals posing for a picture in front of a city backdrop.

Celebrating 50 Years of AMIVTAC: Cross-Border Collaboration on Transportation Safety and Infrastructure

Ing. Salvador Fernández Ayala, Presidente de la XXV Mesa Directiva Nacional de la Asociación Mexicana de Ingeniería de Vías Terrestres (AMIVTAC), invited TTI Research Scientist Juan Carlos Espinosa and TTI Associate Transportation Researcher Micah Leonard to present at AMIVTAC’s 50th Anniversary.

Two teens stand together holding a sign promoting seat belt use, with text stating most teen drivers wear their seat belt, from a 2024 Texas safety report.

YTS Report Reinforces the Positive for National Teen Driver Safety Week

National Teen Driver Safety Week, scheduled for Oct. 20–26, 2024, is an initiative dedicated to educating parents and teen drivers about the dangers of distracted driving and other critical risk factors. Vehicle crashes are one of the leading causes of death for youth under 25 in Texas and the U.S., and young drivers have a higher crash rate than older, more experienced drivers, according to the Centers for Disease Control. The goal of this week is to raise awareness of the challenges teens face behind the wheel, but also highlight the positive behaviors of our youngest road users.   

Six people stand side by side holding award plaques in front of a projector screen; one person is seated in a wheelchair.

Recognizing Excellence in Impaired Driving Prevention

The Texas Impaired Driving Task Force (TxIDTF) is dedicated to eliminating impaired driving across the state. Comprised of law enforcement, prosecution, prevention, advocacy, media development/communications and more, the task force works diligently to combat one of the leading causes of traffic fatalities in Texas. To honor those making significant contributions to this mission, TxIDTF, in partnership with the Texas Department of Transportation, annually presents the Texas Impaired Driving Safety Awards.

Two smartphones display driving analytics apps, showing a driving score, stats, charts, and a map route, against a green and blue gradient circle background.

Revolutionizing Data Collection in Road Safety Research: The You in the Driver Seat App

Since its launch in October 2020, the You in the Driver Seat (YDS) app has revolutionized data collection efforts in combating distracted driving among young drivers. Developed by Texas A&M Transportation Institute’s (TTI’s) Youth Transportation Safety (YTS) program — which seeks to save lives and prevent injury among youth through education, empowerment, and peer-led outreach — the YDS app promotes safe, distraction-free driving to individuals aged 16 – 25.

TTI’s Roadside Safety and Physical Security Division Spearheads Safety and Security Transportation Advancements.
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TTI’s Roadside Safety and Physical Security Division Spearheads Safety and Security Transportation Advancements

The Texas A&M Transportation Institute’s (TTI’s) Roadside Safety and Physical Security Division has been protecting occupants from roadside hazards since the 1960s. From the early days, this facility…

2023 Texas Statewide Pedestrian Safety Forum logo with a map of Texas, a star, and a pedestrian icon on a blue, red, and white background.

Taking Steps Towards Safer Streets: 2023 Texas Pedestrian Safety Forum Recap

On Aug. 24, 2023, the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) hosted the fifth annual Texas Pedestrian Safety Forum at the Norris Center in San Antonio, Texas. Supported by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and TTI’s Center for Transportation Safety (CTS), this in-person forum helped more than 200 people learn about how to make roadways safer for pedestrians in Texas.

Individual operating a motor vehicle.

Researchers Find Hidden Micro-Stressors in Routine Driving

Commuters around the world dream of ideal driving conditions every day, but they rarely get them. The traffic is often heavy and gets worse when the weather turns sour. Light traffic and good weather are usually perceived as factors for a stress-free commute. Alas, researchers from the University of Houston and the Texas A&M Transportation Institute found that even under such ideal conditions, daily driving is stressful to many people, and for intriguing reasons.