Ten VHB thought leaders led sessions at the 2025 MassDOT Innovation Conference, showcasing digital delivery, innovative GIS applications, AI video analysis and other project solutions. The annual event provides a forum for transportation practitioners from federal, state, and local agencies to share insights on new technologies and methods, discuss innovative systems and management ideas, and sponsor peer-to-peer learning.
VHB offered seven sessions spanning the conference’s themes: Interactive Brainstorming on Innovative Ideas, Innovations Across the Country, Transforming Outputs Through Materials and Design, Modernization in Safe and Economical Practices, and Technology and Data Advancements in Transportation.
Vermont Transportation Technology Lead Jeff Bachiochi presented “Advancing Digital Delivery at the Vermont Agency of Transportation,” which highlighted how the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) is leveraging the multi-disciplinary I-89 Exit 17 Interchange project to push the boundaries of digital delivery initiatives, setting a precedent for future projects.
In their presentation, “MassDOT ITS Asset Inventory: Innovative GIS Solutions,” ITS/TTG Task Manager Nadia Boller, Senior GIS Specialist Nate Pacheco, and New Hampshire GIS Team Lead Stephanie Pelletier discussed the transformative impact of integrating GIS applications into ITS asset management to consolidate and operationalize asset data.
Senior Project Engineer & Carbon Reduction Lead Ken Donald and Transportation Engineer Cierra Ford’s session, “Integrating Embodied Carbon on VT I-89 Interchange,” focused on how to evaluate embodied carbon within the scoping phase of transportation projects, promoting sustainable practices.
Metro DC Federal Market Lead Elissa Goughnour led a discussion on the successes and challenges of implementing a systemic approach to the Highway Safety Improvement Program in the session, “Virginia Highway Safety Improvement Program (VHSIP) Systemic Safety Improvements: Program Development, Support, and Implementation Statewide.”
In “Using AI-Supported Tools to Create a Safer System,” Safety Practice Leader Frank Gross shared how AI-driven video analytics can enhance traditional safety studies, offering critical insights into road user behavior and near-misses.
Project Manager Kayla Northup’s session, “RIDOT’s Proactive Approach to Safety Using ArcGIS,” demonstrated a data-informed methodology using ArcGIS applications aimed at decreasing road-related fatalities and serious injuries.
Project Engineer Adam Prichard participated as a panelist in the Spatial Website Analysis Group (SWAG) Meeting, a forum that the Geospatial Technology group at MassDOT created for GIS users to share innovative ideas, analyses, and exciting new GIS tools.
Learn more about VHB’s innovative transportation solutions and technologies.
