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PODCAST

The Driving Force

Louisiana Transportation Research Center

A transportation podcast produced by the Louisiana Transportation Research Center. Hosts Todd Blount and Garrett Wheat highlight what and who is driving change in Louisiana transportation.

government

All Episodes

00:37:43

Episode 34: Bridge Inspection w Haylye Brown &...

The Driving Force ·

2026/04/07

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.

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00:30:02

Episode 33: Structures Research Highlights w Dr....

The Driving Force ·

2026/03/17

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

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00:31:59

Episode 32: Planning & Policy Research Highlights w...

The Driving Force ·

2026/03/03

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.

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00:32:36

Episode 31: ITS & Traffic Research Highlights w Dr....

The Driving Force ·

2026/02/17

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

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00:22:42

Episode 30: Safety Research Highlights w Dr....

The Driving Force ·

2026/02/03

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

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00:25:21

Episode 29: Special Studies Research Overview w Dr....

The Driving Force ·

2026/01/20

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

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00:34:33

Episode 28: LTRC External Programs and Partnerships w...

The Driving Force ·

2026/01/06

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

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00:37:15

Episode 27: Geotechnical Design w Chris Nickel, Jesse...

The Driving Force ·

2025/12/16

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

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00:32:07

Episode 26: Pavement Design w Chris Nickel, Mark...

The Driving Force ·

2025/12/02

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

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00:40:32

Episode 25: 40 Years of Materials Research w...

The Driving Force ·

2025/11/18

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.

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00:32:05

Episode 24: Concrete Research Highlight w Drs. Zhen...

The Driving Force ·

2025/11/04

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.

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00:30:30

Episode 23: Asphalt Research Highlights w Dr. Moses...

The Driving Force ·

2025/10/21

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.

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00:36:41

Episode 22: Materials Research w Dr. Sam Cooper III

The Driving Force ·

2025/10/07

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.

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00:25:52

Episode 21: Research Overview w Dr. Tyson Rupnow

The Driving Force ·

2025/09/23

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

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00:31:48

Episode 20: Safety Data Management w Jessica DeVille...

The Driving Force ·

2025/09/09

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 &

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00:22:29

Episode 19: Highway Safety Improvement Program w...

The Driving Force ·

2025/08/26

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

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00:26:45

Episode 18: Strategic Highway Safety Plan w Adriane...

The Driving Force ·

2025/08/12

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

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00:18:29

Episode 17: Sandy Brady

The Driving Force ·

2025/07/29

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.

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00:30:55

Episode 16: Louisiana Waterways with Chris Collins

The Driving Force ·

2025/07/15

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)

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00:35:26

Episode 15: Louisiana Aviation with Josh Duplantis &...

The Driving Force ·

2025/07/01

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!

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34 results

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