On Jan. 19, Ginger Goodin, director of TTI’s Transportation Policy Research Center (PRC), briefed about 50 State Capitol staffers on a range of transportation issues on the agenda of the 85th Session of the Texas Legislature. The staff members represented both individual legislator offices and legislative committees. Lawmakers are expected to take up topics that include:
- permitting for overweight trucks.
- improving seaport operations.
- regulation of transportation network companies (Uber, Lyft, etc.).
- distracted driving.
- autonomous vehicles.
TTI researchers have completed studies in all of these areas, and the PRC is answering a steady stream of information requests to help inform policy discussions in the Capitol. The regular session adjourns in late May.