The New York State Department of Transportation recently launched its first-ever podcast, called the “The D.O.T. P.O.D.,” which aims to share the “human story” of the department, its people, and the work the agency performs to keep the state’s transportation system up and running.
[Above image by NYSDOT]
From building bridges and paving roads in the summertime to clearing snow in the winter, “The D.O.T. P.O.D.” will explore how it all gets done by the talented women and men who perform that infrastructure construction and maintenance work on behalf of the state.
Listen in or subscribe to the NYSDOT’s new podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, and Amazon Music or on the agency’s website.
“NYSDOT is a diverse organization and the work we do touches the lives of New Yorkers each and every day, which is why we are constantly looking for new and innovative ways to engage with people and with this podcast we hope to reach a brand new audience – providing an opportunity to learn about who we are, what we do and the stories behind the people who get it all done,” said NYSDOT Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez in a statement.
“Combined with great hosts and interesting guests, this podcast will take a deep dive into some of the issues, programs and projects across the state that are meaningful to New Yorkers,” she added.
During each episode, listeners will hear compelling conversations with NYSDOT leaders, engineers, project, program and maintenance staff, and other proud NYSDOT employees who are the lifeblood of the agency – with an occasional guest from outside the department as well.
Every two weeks – occasionally more frequently – co-hosts Josh Heller and Anya Kardos will explore the inner workings of NYSDOT, the infrastructure it oversees, and most of all its people.
NYSDOT is now one of several state departments of transportation that produce regular podcasts that touch on a wide variety of topics.
For example, the Michigan Department of Transportation hosts a podcast called “Talking Michigan Transportation,” which touches on anything and everything related to mobility, including rail, transit and the development of connected and automated vehicles.
A recent episode of that podcast featured Shane Peck – communications and public involvement director and vice president at engineering firm WSP – who discussed a major study funded by the National Cooperative Highway Research Program that examined the most effective way to explain the benefits of transportation; especially in terms of “quality of life” improvements.
Meanwhile, the “Extra Mile” podcast produced by the Mississippi Department of Transportation seeks to take the state’s traveling public “behind the scenes” of transportation infrastructure.
It covers topics like construction updates, technology in transportation, legislation affecting the agency, current transportation related information and more via interviews with Mississippi DOT employees and leaders, along with industry stakeholders as well as other government officials.