Advances in technology can present a double-edged sword. For example, smart phones and social media applications can improve communications between surface transportation authorities and their clients. On the other hand, texting and cell phone usage in automobiles can have disastrous results.

In response, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood is working with his department and others across the country to aggressively combat distracted driving.

In their white paper, “Getting Connected, Staying Safe,” two of the technology experts at HNTB make the case that the transportation industry needs to quickly adapt to these emerging tools or watch them move ahead — and drivers take unnecessary risks — without proper input, thought or support. In a follow-up paper, "Delivering critical information to drivers," they provide some additional perspective on the opportunities and challenges to safely introducing new technology, and one example of how it's being done right in New Jersey.

On a related note, a previous guest column in Forbes by Jack Finn, chair toll services, reviewed how advances in cashless tolling make it possible for congestion pricing to work in the United States, much as it has in Europe. There are numerous, proven benefits.

Each of these transportation and technology experts are available for interviews and media inquiries.

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