David Zipper, senior fellow at the MIT Mobility Initiative and transportation policy expert, recently joined Good Roads Podcast hosts Thomas Barakat and Andrew Blackburn. Zipper shared his insights on the future of urban mobility, from changes in U.S. transportation policy to Ontario’s bike lane battles. In this interview, we explore the big-picture shifts Zipper anticipates and the lessons Canadian cities might take from global trends.

In this episode, we dive into the complexities of municipal winter maintenance with expert instructors from Good Roads Snow School. As winter approaches, learn essential strategies and solutions to keep your roads safe and communities secure. Scott Holmes and Darnell Bernardo share insights on planning, equipment, and best practices for navigating the challenges that come with snow and ice. Whether you're in a rural or urban setting, this discussion will equip you with the knowledge needed...

In Episode 34 of the Good Roads Podcast, Jared and guest host Dr. James Smith interview Brian Keierleber, the County Engineer for Buchanan County, Iowa. Brian is a a keynote speaker for the upcoming Low Volume Roads workshop in October. Many municipalities responsible for low volume roads share the same pain points and Mr. Keierleber discusses bridge construction, maintenance of low volume roads, and cost-saving strategies to help you and your municipality effectively maintain this type of...

In this episode of the Good Roads Podcast, host Jared LeMay dives into the ambitious Downtown Revitalization Project in Brantford. With guest Gagan Batra, Manager of Business Support and Sustainability, they explore the city's plans to transform its car-centric downtown into a vibrant, pedestrian and cyclist-friendly space. They discuss the current state of downtown Brantford, the challenges faced in implementing such a project, and the inspiration behind these forward-thinking urban...

In this episode of the Good Roads Podcast, Thomas and Jared talk with renowned climate scientist, and keynote speaker at the 2024 Good Roads Conference, Katharine Hayhoe. Hayhoe dives deep into the complexities of climate change, offering insightful perspectives on its impact and the urgency of action. Through her engaging storytelling and expertise, she navigates the intersection of climate science and society. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of climate change and discover pathways...

In this compelling episode of the Good Roads podcast, hosts Thomas and Jared engage in a thought-provoking conversation with urban planner and renowned walkability advocate, Jeff Speck. The trio delves into the transformative concept of walkable cities and its profound impact on the urban landscape. Jeff Speck, with his extensive expertise in urban design and planning, shares valuable insights on how creating walkable environments not only enhances the quality of life for residents but...

Thomas and Jared enter their second day of training on the path to becoming Certified Road Safety Auditors through Good Roads' new course. After a long day of class, they sit down with course directors Kenn Beer and Max McCardel to discuss how students of the course will revolutionize road safety. Road Safety Auditors will help municipalities identify problem areas on roads which will not only money save money, but lives as well. Tune in to hear how the practice of road safety auditing is...

In episode 29 of the Good Roads Podcast, Thomas and Jared explore the inspiring collaboration between municipalities and Indigenous communities as they navigate sustainable resource extraction, from minerals to LNG. Join us in this insightful conversation on fostering partnerships that prioritize environmental stewardship, mutual benefit, and taking meaningful steps towards reconciliation through trust and collaboration.

On this episode of the Good Roads Podcast, Thomas and Jared speak with Dr. Nicholas Duck, an organizational psychologist and head of Opposite, a company that looks at human factors when approaching road safety. So often the discussion of road safety and Vision Zero is centred on design. In this conversation, Nicholas explains that if we take into account how people behave in a given space, we can better utilize and design spaces that are not only more functional for people, but safer as...

On this episode of the Good Roads Podcast, Thomas and Jared speak with Pierre Ranger, Chair of the Let's Remember Adam: Stop for the School Bus campaign. Pierre addressed delegates at the 2023 Good Roads Conference, speaking about his brother’s untimely death after getting off a school bus. This conversation expands on Pierre’s remarks and examines what can, and is, being done to prevent future tragedies.

Sunil Johal, the Vice President of Public Policy at the CSA Group joins Thomas & Jared on the Good Roads Podcast ahead of this address at the Good Roads Conference. The CSA Group released a report entitled Navigating Complexity: Policy Making for an Evolving World which investigates some of the big shifts happening in society. Sunil discusses some of these trends and prescribes solutions on how decision makers can best address these changes. Hear what Sunil has to say about declining...

On this episode of the Good Roads Podcast Thomas and Jared talk to Brent Toderian, a renowned urbanist and city planner, and keynote speaker at this years Good Roads Conference. In this episode, we discuss some of the most pressing issues facing the transportation industry and how cities can plan and design their roads and transportation systems to better serve their communities. Join us and learn how municipalities and cities both big and small can take a creative approach, as well as...

On the latest episode of the Good Roads Podcast, Jared and Thomas speak with Mike Schreiner, Leader of the Ontario Green Party. The three delved into Bill 23 and its effects on municipalities and two new Green bills which aim to tackle the housing crisis. The conversation also included a discussion on road safety, electric vehicles, and Ontario’s future energy mix. For all this and more, tune into the latest episode of the Good Roads Podcast.

An important issue councillors and mayors across Ontario are always hearing about from their constituents is speeding – especially in school and community safety zones. But what is the best way to slow drivers down to help protect the most vulnerable in our community? Geoff Wilkinson of the Ontario Traffic Council joins the Good Roads Podcast to discuss Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) and how it can help reduce speeding in critical areas in your municipality. Tune in to this episode as we...

With municipalities looking for any way to curb the increases in municipal insurance costs, we take a look at joint and several liability for another perspective. Our guests this week, from Advantage Forensics, talk to us about their upcoming Good Roads course, Municipal Liability - Traffic Collisions, where they provide an in-depth understanding of municipalities’ exposure to liability due to their legal obligation to provide safe road facilities to the public, and how to avoid that costly...

With the broad reach and general anonymity of the internet it was only a matter of time before people began using it with malicious intent. With the ability to reach a great many people with minimal cost and effort scams have been ramping up not only in complexity, but also in quantity, and with our lives becoming ever more entwined in the digital world these scams are getting more frequent and wider ranging, not only to us at home, but to the places we work and municipalities we serve. With...

With municipal elections in full swing, Aakash Desai, the outgoing Deputy Mayor of Grey Highlands, joined the Good Roads Podcast to reflect on his time in office. In this conversation, Aakash opened up about why he and so many other elected officials have opted not to run again. He also spoke to the challenge of balancing long-term issues such as asset management with the four-year election cycle and offered insights on why voter apathy appears to be rising. To hear more about the challenges...

With the 2022 provincial election campaign in high gear, Thomas and Jared take a deep dive into the party platforms to see how they line up with the municipal infrastructure & transportation priorities identified by Good Roads: 1. Sustainable Infrastructure Funding 2. Safe Public Infrastructure 3. Adapting to a Changing Climate 4. Relief From Skyrocketing Insurance Premiums 5. A Trusted Partner for the Future To hear how the parties plan to address these priorities and more, take some...

Municipalities across Ontario are being asked to step up their game in terms of carbon reduction strategies. But the journey to net zero may just lie with a familiar face. Shannon Joseph of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) joins Thomas and Jared on the Good Roads Podcast to discuss how an "all or nothing" approach to carbon reduction could actually be detrimental to a net zero future. Hear why CAPP believes our standard of living, progress on emissions reduction, and...

With the 2022 Good Roads Conference rapidly approaching, there’s no better time to get to know keynote speaker Bruce Katz. Thomas and Jared speak with Bruce about what he calls “The New Localism”: a shift in power dynamics from federal governments to solutions-oriented local networks. These networks are spearheaded by municipal governments, who have the power to affect great change – whether they know it or not. To hear Bruce speak about how municipalities can take advantage of these new...

Have you ever wondered why your town is constantly struggling to fix its infrastructure? Does growth really pay for growth in the long-run? Do you know why its important to build both roads and streets? For the answers to these questions and much more, tune in to the latest episode of the Good Roads Podcast, where Thomas and Jared chat with Charles Marohn, the Founder of Strong Towns. Charles will be headlining the 2022 Good Roads Conference. Be sure to register to see him live in-person....

The federal election is well underway and you may be wondering how each party's platform sizes up against the most pressing municipal priorities. Thomas and Jared break down party platforms so you don't have to. Tune in to see what the parties are promising and what this means for the sector over the next few years.

The devastating discoveries of the remains of Indigenous children on the lands of former residential schools has reignited the call for reconciliation across the country. While the federal and provincial governments have more clear-cut roles to play, many in the municipal sector are wondering what they can do to advance reconciliation. Thomas and Jared speak with Hornepayne Mayor & OGRA Director Cheryl Fort. As only the second Indigenous female mayor in Ontario history, she is uniquely...