The Driving Force

On this unique episode, Todd and Garrett are joined by Bridge Maintenance Administrator Haylye Brown and Louisiana Roadside Development Manager Ryan Duhon. They discuss Ryan and his team's impressive and extensive work to manage vegetation, control litter, and beautify Louisiana's roadsides- and how all of this work supports DOTD's maintenance and safety efforts.Louisiana Transportation Research CenterDOTD Bridge Maintenance & Inspection

On this episode, Todd and Garrett continue our series with Louisiana's DOTD Bridge Maintenance Group with a focus on structural bridge repair and rehabilitation across the state. Bridge Maintenance Administrator Haylye Brown and Maintenance Repair Engineer Bradley Mistich share how their team works both proactively and responsively to keep Louisiana's extensive bridge inventory in top operating condition.Louisiana Transportation Research CenterDOTD Bridge Maintenance Group

On this episode, Todd and Garrett kick off an exciting new series on bridge maintenance in Louisiana by welcoming Bridge Maintenance Administrator Haylye Brown and Bridge Inspection Engineer Stephanie Doolittle. In this lively conversation, Haylye and Stephanie provide an overview of their team's efforts to thoroughly and consistently inspect the state's nearly 13,000 bridges, along with a few fun stories from the field.

On this episode, Todd and Garrett wrap up our series with LTRC's Special Studies Research Group by welcoming Dr. Walid Alaywan, Senior Structures Research Engineer. Dr. Alaywan shares about a wide range of bridge and other structural projects across Louisiana, including the rebuilding of the I-10 Twin Span Bridge following Hurricane Katrina. Louisiana Transportation Research CenterSpecial Studies Research Publications

Todd and Garrett continue our Special Studies Research Highlights series by welcoming Dr. Ashifur Rahman, LTRC's Planning and Intermodal Research Manager. In this conversation, Dr. Rahman discusses how he and his partners are working together on a broad range of high-impact projects related to the safety and efficiency of Louisiana's transportation system.

Dr. Milhan Moomen joins Todd and Garrett for a fascinating conversation about his work in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and traffic research, highlighting several current projects exploring and evaluating the latest technologies in transportation engineering and how they can be used for the benefit of road users across Louisiana.Louisiana Transportation Research CenterSpecial Studies Research Publications

LTRC Safety Research Manager Dr. Elisabeta Mitran joins Todd and Garrett on this episode to share about the latest in her team's groundbreaking transportation safety research. She highlights several recently completed and in-progress projects exploring both infrastructure and behavioral factors that contribute to enhanced safety on Louisiana's roadways.Louisiana Transportation Research CenterSpecial Studies Research Publications

On this episode, Todd and Garrett kick off a new series highlighting the work of LTRC's Special Studies Research Group. They are joined by Research Administrator Dr. Julius Codjoe, who provides an overview of the unique and diverse research performed by his team, along with some fascinating insights on his personal journey from Ghana to the United States.Louisiana Transportation Research CenterSpecial Studies Research Publications

Todd and Garrett kick off Year Two of The Driving Force by sitting down with Dr. VJ Gopu, LTRC's Associate Director of External Programs. In this conversation, Dr. Gopu shares highlights from his decorated and far-reaching career in transportation and discusses the exciting research partnerships LTRC has across Louisiana, the United States, and beyond.Louisiana Transportation Research Center

In Part Two of our series with Louisiana DOTD's Pavement and Geotechnical Unit, Todd is joined by section head Chris Nickel and geotechnical engineers Jesse Rauser and Miranda Perkins. This conversation highlights how this talented team of engineers designs and monitors deep foundations, retaining walls, embankments, and other critical portions of Louisiana's transportation infrastructure.Louisiana Transportation Research CenterDOTD Geotechnical Design

On this episode, Todd and Garrett are joined by three members of DOTD's Pavement Design group- Chris Nickel, Mark Ordogne, and Xingwei Chen. This trio gives a fascinating overview of their group's day-to-day operations across Louisiana, highlighting how their ongoing efforts serve the state's traveling public.Louisiana Transportation Research CenterDOTD Pavement Design

Professor Louay Mohammad, LTRC's longest tenured researcher, joins Todd and Garrett on this episode to reflect on his four decade career in teaching and materials research. He discusses what has changed in the transportation field since he began his work, as well as what keeps him excited and motivated at this stage of his accomplished career.

On this episode, Todd and Garrett welcome Drs. Zhen Liu and Ricardo Hungria, two members of LTRC's excellent and award-winning concrete research team. This conversation touches on several recently completed or in-progress projects and their potential impacts on the transportation system in Louisiana.

On this episode, Dr. Moses Akentuna and Saman Salari, two of LTRC's talented and hard-working asphalt research engineers, join Todd and Garrett to discuss several of their recently completed and in-progress projects, highlighting the positive impact of their work across Louisiana and beyond.

On this episode, Todd and Garrett are joined by Dr. Sam Cooper III, LTRC's Materials Research Administrator. In our conversation, Dr. Cooper provides an overview of how LTRC is making groundbreaking advances in materials research to create safer, more durable, and more cost-effective roadways across Louisiana.

On this episode, Todd and Garrett kick off our transportation research series with a conversation with LTRC's Associate Director of Research, Dr. Tyson Rupnow. In this interview, Dr. Rupnow provides us with an overview of the fantastic, groundbreaking research happening at LTRC every day.Louisiana Transportation Research CenterLTRC Research Publications

On this episode, Todd and Garrett close out our Highway Safety series with a deep dive into how Louisiana DOTD collects, analyzes, and utilizes a broad range of safety and crash data from across the state. In this conversation, Assistant Highway Safety Administrator Jessica DeVille and Lake Charles District Traffic Operations Engineer Jared Chaumont provide an inside look at many of the tools and processes used daily to enhance the safety of Louisiana's roads for everyone.DOTD Safety Data & AnalysisCenter for Analytics & Research in Transportation Safety

On this episode, Todd and Garrett continue our series on Highway Safety by welcoming Assistant Highway Safety Administator Laura Riggs to discuss Louisiana's Highway Safety Improvement Program. In this conversation, Laura outlines the extensive and data-driven process by which Louisiana leaders identify and implement a broad range of safety countermeasures.Louisiana Highway Safety Improvement Program

On this episode, Todd and Garrett kick off a three-part series with DOTD's Highway Safety section by focusing on Louisiana's Strategic Highway Safety Plan. They are joined by Highway Safety Administrator Adriane McRae and SHSP Program Manager Autumn Goodfellow-Thompson for this important and informative conversation!LTRCDOTD Highway SafetyDestination Zero Deaths

Sandy Brady, LTRC's Research Librarian, joins Todd and Garrett on this episode to give us a "behind the stacks" look at how she has built, maintained, and managed LTRC's world-class transportation research library over nearly 20 years, serving as an ever-ready resource for researchers across Louisiana and beyond.

On this special edition of The Current Force, Todd and Garrett talk with DOTD Director of Waterways Chris Collins about the critical importance of Louisiana's rivers and navigation channels to the state's economy and more. In this conversation, you'll learn more about the fascinating, intensive process of maintaining navigational safety and efficiency across the state!DOTD Waterways PageAdvantages of Inland Waterways (USACE)

In this special edition of The Flying Force, Todd and Garrett are joined by Josh Duplantis and Heather Henson of Louisiana DOTD's Aviation Group to explore all things aviation, including facilities, safety, emerging technologies, and more. You won't want to miss a minute of this fascinating conversation!

On this special episode of The Connecting Force, we begin a three-part series featuring members of DOTD's Multimodal Commerce Group. Today we interview OMC Commissioner Julia Fisher-Cormier and Director of Ports Molly Bourgoyne to learn more about the critical importance and practical operations of Louisiana's extensive port system.

Corey Mayeux, LTRC's Technology Transfer Engineer, joins Todd and Garrett to take our listeners on every LTRC project's journey from initial concept to completed research to final publication. Corey's unique background as both a transportation researcher and a technical editor make this a fascinating conversation!

Patrick Mehaffey, LTRC's Audio-Visual Manager, joins Todd and Garrett on this episode for a behind-the-scenes look at the technology and tools LTRC utilizes to provide world-class transportation training to thousands of men and women every year.

Three members of DOTD's Innovative Procurement group- Anna Hanks, Morgan Kelley, and Tim Nickel- join Todd and Garrett for a "crash course" on how their team is pursuing creative solutions to finance and execute road, bridge, and other infrastructure projects across Louisiana.

Three members of LTRC's Internal Training Team- Patrick Frazier, Hannah Boggs, and Will Ritter- join Todd and Garrett to share more about their important work with DOTD construction personnel across Louisiana, ensuring the highest standards of safety, quality, and effectiveness.LTRC | Facebook | Linktree

Rebecca Rizzutto, LTRC's External Training Director, joins Todd and Garrett to for an engaging conversation about our ongoing outreach initiatives to Louisiana's K-12 educators, specifically the acclaimed AASHTO Stem Outreach Solutions program.

The 2025 Louisiana Transportation Conference is in the books! On this episode, DOTD’s Contract Services Administrator, Mark Chenevert, joins Todd and Garrett to discuss several highlights from this year’s conference, as well as the reasons he looks forward to participating each time it is offered.

Two members of Louisiana's Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP), Courtney Dupre and Haley Ortiz, join Todd and Garrett to discuss several exciting upcoming initiatives and opportunities for local transportation officials across Louisiana.

Emily Wolfe, LTRC's Public Information Director, joins Todd and Garrett for Episode 06 of The Driving Force. In their conversation, Emily reflects on over two decades of change and growth at LTRC, especially in the areas of communication and publications. She also highlights several upcoming training opportunities organized and hosted by the LTRC team.

Kirk Wales, LTRC's Structured Training Program Manager and head of our Internal Training Team, joins Todd and Garrett to discuss how he and his team contribute to the workforce development efforts of DOTD's 4,000+ statewide employees. ⁠www.ltrc.lsu.edu⁠

Dr. Marcus Sylvas, LTRC's Leadership Development Program Manager, joins Todd and Garrett to share how he is engaging and equipping hundreds of DOTD leaders across Louisiana through a series of development courses. www.ltrc.lsu.edu

Dynah Capone, Director of the Louisiana Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP), joins Todd and Garrett for Episode 03 of The Driving Force. In their conversation, Dynah provides an overview of how she and her LTAP team are engaging and equipping local government officials across Louisiana with transportation training opportunities and resources. ⁠⁠www.ltrc.lsu.edu⁠⁠ ⁠⁠www.ltrc.lsu.edu/ltc_25⁠ www.ltrc.lsu.edu/ltap

Stacey Wilton, LTRC's Education Outreach Program Manager, joins Todd and Garrett for the Episode 02 of The Driving Force. In their conversation, Stacey shares about two exciting programs providing hands-on experience and opportunities to rising young engineers across Louisiana. ⁠www.ltrc.lsu.edu⁠ ⁠www.ltrc.lsu.edu/ltc_25 www.ltrc.lsu.edu/co_op www.ltrc.lsu.edu/erdp [email protected]

Dr. Mary Leah Coco, LTRC's Associate Director of Technology Transfer and Training, joins Todd and Garrett for the inaugural episode of The Driving Force. In their conversation, Mary Leah provides an overview of LTRC's expansive efforts to train the transportation workforce of Louisiana and beyond. www.ltrc.lsu.edu www.ltrc.lsu.edu/ltc_25