x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

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

00:32:07

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

en

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.

en

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.

en

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.

en

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.

en

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

en

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 &

en

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

en

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

en

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.

en

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)

en

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!

en

00:26:27

Episode 14: Louisiana Ports with Julia Fisher-Cormer...

The Driving Force ·

2025/06/17

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.

en

00:15:44

Episode 13: Corey Mayeux

The Driving Force ·

2025/06/03

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!

en

00:20:48

Episode 12: Patrick Mehaffey

The Driving Force ·

2025/05/20

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.

en

00:31:34

Episode 11: Innovative Procurement with Anna Hanks,...

The Driving Force ·

2025/05/06

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.

en

00:21:21

Episode 10: Patrick Frazier, Hannah Boggs, & Will Ritter

The Driving Force ·

2025/04/22

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

en

00:14:44

Episode 09: Rebecca Rizzutto

The Driving Force ·

2025/04/08

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.

en

00:20:23

Episode 08: LTC 25 Recap with Mark Chenevert

The Driving Force ·

2025/03/25

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.

en

00:22:17

Episode 07: Courtney Dupre & Haley Ortiz

The Driving Force ·

2025/03/11

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.

en

26 results

Similar Podcasts

The Fly

Georgetown"s Institute of Politics and...

THE CONSTITUTION STUDY

Paul Engel

The DSR Daily

The DSR Network

The Lawfare Podcast

The Lawfare Institute

Fora do Baralho

Rádio Observador