Client Spotlight: Triad International Studies Academy
This month’s JMTE Newsletter recognizes one of our newest clients…The Triad International Studies Academy (TISA). High Point is known as North Carolina’s International City, hosting visitors from across the world twice each year in its International Home Furnishings Market. TISA is bringing multi-language immersion instruction to High Point in the fall of 2025. TISA’s Mission is to “educate and empower students to become global citizens with multilingual language proficiency, intercultural competence, strong academics and leadership skills.” This mission makes TISA a good fit for North Carolina, the Piedmont Triad and High Point. From its 622 E. Lexington Avenue, High Point Campus, TISA plans to enroll 390 students immersing them in Mandarin and Spanish.
Anybody can run the numbers. JMTE is pleased to go beyond the numbers and become a trusted advisor for TISA. Our Principal Engineer and our Engineering Director have met face-to-face with Board Chair Dr. Chaowei Zhu, pictured below, learning from him and sharing our expertise with him. JMTE looks forward helping TISA expand their unique program to other sites and states.
Winter Road Safety: Tips for Driving in Inclement Weather
With winter weather here in Western North Carolina, it’s crucial to prepare for driving in challenging conditions like snow, ice, rain, and fog. At J.M. Teague Engineering and Planning, we’re committed to promoting roadway safety. Here are practical tips to help you navigate inclement weather and keep yourself, your passengers, and others on the road safe.
Plan Ahead Before Hitting the Road
- Check the Weather: Before traveling, monitor local weather forecasts and road conditions. Resources like NCDOT’s DriveNC.gov provide up-to-date road closures and advisories.
- Prepare Your Vehicle:
- Inspect your tires for proper inflation and tread depth.
- Ensure your windshield wipers are in good condition and your washer fluid is winter-ready.
- Keep your lights clean and functional, including headlights, brake lights, and turn signals.
- Carry an emergency kit with essentials like blankets, water, non-perishable snacks, a flashlight, jumper cables, and a first aid kit.
Drive Safely in Adverse Conditions
1. Slow Down: Speed limits are designed for optimal weather conditions. Reduce your speed significantly on wet, snowy, or icy roads.
2. Increase Following Distance: Leave at least 6-8 seconds between your vehicle and the one ahead. This extra space allows for longer stopping distances on slick surfaces.
3. Use Your Headlights: Turn on your headlights during rain, snow, or fog to improve visibility for yourself and other drivers. Avoid using high beams in fog, as they can reflect light and reduce visibility.
4. Avoid Sudden Movements: Accelerate, brake, and steer gently to maintain traction. Sudden changes can cause skidding or hydroplaning.
5. Watch for Clear Ice: Clear ice often forms on bridges, overpasses, and shaded areas. If you hit a patch, stay calm, ease off the accelerator, and steer gently in the desired direction.
6. Use Lower Gears: When descending steep grades, especially in the mountains, shift to a lower gear to maintain control and reduce brake use.
Specific Tips for WNC’s Mountain Roads
- Be Aware of Rockslides: Wet or freezing weather increases the risk of falling rocks on mountain roads. Pay attention to warning signs and avoid stopping in high-risk areas.
- Fog Navigation: Fog is common in the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains. Use low-beam headlights and reduce your speed. Rely on pavement markings to guide your path.
- Snow Chains: For higher elevations, such as the Blue Ridge Parkway, consider carrying snow chains or traction devices when snow is expected.
Sometimes the safest decision is to avoid driving altogether. If conditions include heavy snowfall, freezing rain, or extreme icing, postpone your travel until roads have been cleared and treated.
By following these tips, you can help ensure safer travel during the winter months. At J.M. Teague Engineering and Planning, we encourage everyone to prioritize safety and remain prepared for whatever conditions come your way. For additional resources or questions about roadway safety, feel free to reach out to us.
Stay safe and drive smart this winter!
Innovations in Road Safety: Advancing Winter Weather Preparedness
Winter weather poses unique challenges for drivers, but technological advancements and proactive strategies are making roads safer during inclement conditions. At J.M. Teague Engineering and Planning, we’re always monitoring the latest developments to support our clients and improve roadway safety. Here are some recent innovations that are transforming winter road safety.
NCDOT Leading the Way
- Brining and Salting Operations
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) continues to improve pre-treatment strategies for winter weather. Using brine solutions to treat roads ahead of storms prevents snow and ice from bonding to surfaces. This proactive measure reduces the time and resources needed for snow removal while improving traction for drivers.
- Real-Time Monitoring with Vehicle Cameras
In collaboration with Vizzion and Iteris, NCDOT has adopted vehicle-mounted cameras to monitor road conditions in real time. These cameras provide valuable data to assess road closures, detect damage, and enhance traffic flow during severe weather events, ensuring quicker and more effective responses.
Innovations Beyond NCDOT
- Goodyear’s Smart Tires
Goodyear has developed tires embedded with sensors that detect hazardous road conditions, including rain, ice, and snow. These “smart” tires communicate with advanced driver-assist systems to adjust braking and improve stopping distances, significantly enhancing safety in adverse weather.
- Intelligent Road Monitoring Systems
New technologies like RoadSense AI employ smart sensors and cameras to continuously monitor road conditions. These systems can detect hazards such as black ice or debris and send instant alerts to drivers, enabling quick responses to prevent accidents.
- AI and Sensor-Based Winter Road Safety
Artificial intelligence and advanced sensors now play a key role in winter road maintenance. These systems analyze real-time road surface conditions, predict the impact of weather on traffic, and automate tasks like snow removal and de-icing. Such innovations improve response times and minimize risks for drivers.
Looking Ahead
The integration of these advanced technologies highlights the importance of combining innovation with proactive planning to ensure safer travel during winter. By staying informed and embracing new tools, we can reduce accidents and disruptions caused by inclement weather.
At J.M. Teague Engineering and Planning, we are committed to keeping our clients updated on cutting-edge road safety practices.
Please visit our website below for education and training opportunities.
INSTRUCTOR • Mark Blanton Work Zone Safety Specialist
REGISTER:MARK.BLANTON@JMTEAGUEENGINEERING.COM
OR CALL 919-413-4004