Peggy Smedley Show

Peggy Smedley explains how the emerging trend of green building is not just limited to the work done on the jobsite, as it can extend all the way to the design and planning processes. She further takes a look at modular building that can lead to more efficient results for smart cites and how telematics is enabling the equipment rental markets to become more transparent.  

Peggy Smedley takes you along for a discussion on the transportation superhighway of the future and how it is proposing a better experience for riders, as well as better safety. She moves from the technology side to construction and discusses how the superhighway will be much more energy efficient, but explains how plans in funding must be solidified before moving forward.

Shawn Chandler, senior member, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and Navigant Consulting, explains how focusing more on the occupants of buildings, as opposed to building itself, can lead to better approaches in implementing smart solutions. He says this will be supported by the rising influx of realtime user preferences that machines did not have a century ago, leading to constant...

Michael Shenoda, senior lecturer and coordinator of the Construction Engineering Technology Program, University of North Texas , says construction has a long way to go before it can adopt technology that can support connected infrastructure and smarter roadways. He says small implementations of smart technology do not accurately represent their full potential until they are set up in larger networ...

Peggy Smedley says construction is one industry that is leading the adoption of the IoT (Internet of Things). She says BIM (building information modeling) gives stakeholders the ability to visualize every aspect of a project from the beginning. Along with digital collaboration and data analytics, she explains how this will allow them to make more effective decisions about project problems, employe...

Peggy Smedley examines the status of the wearables market and says that although they present great value for processes, they are still too expensive to justify the investment for contractors. She suggests rentable wearables may be another option to get more of them on the jobsite to keep workers safe and improve productivity overall.

Adam Petrovsky, government and education practice leader, Logicalis US, says technology pulls us forward, despite the progress of laws, if we are prepared for them or not. He explains how video is steadily taking the place of sensors in smart cites and freeway systems, yet many cities are having immense trouble handling the influx of information gathered and how to use it.

Pat Jones, executive director and CEO, International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Assn., explains that although the need and emphasis for improved infrastructure is on the rise, additional turmoil in Washington may cause further delays in major plans for renovations. He explains that with the rise of electric cars and other sustainable automobiles will come vehicle mile travel charges that will con...

Peggy Smedley dives into a new roadmap from the Eno Center for Transportation, which suggests that stakeholder working groups oversee the development of laws directly related to autonomous vehicles. She zeroes in on liability concerns, cybersecurity, research investment, certification, insurance, as well as how data responds to vehicle operators.

Peggy Smedley ends the show with a look at how the IoT (Internet of Things) is altering the project lifecycle in construction. She discusses how data will offer companies a new perspective on the design process, as well as prepare for renovations in the future.

Peggy Smedley takes a look at new instances of failing infrastructure that have destroyed homes and communities, forcing thousands of families to relocate. She says that if we fail to act, this is just the beginning, and deteriorating infrastructure will cause further problems for organizations, the economy, and jobs.

Ronan de Renesse, practice leader for consumer technology, Ovum, talks about the changing nature of connectivity in smart homes and explains how network security systems are aiming to become more proactive than reactive. Despite the push towards this different approach, Ronan says it is not a matter of if, but when a major threat occurs and how we will react to it.

Peggy Smedley begins the show with a look at infrastructure and how construction is gearing up to take on smart cities. While many support the need for smarter solutions in cities, she questions: who is going to pay for it. She says whether it comes from public and private partnerships, taxpayers, or both, we cannot sit by before a major hack occurs.

Antony Livingston, president, Livingston Enterprises LLC, talks about the Distracted Driving Device that will be hard wired into the vehicle's starter, and how it prevents the driver from starting the car if the phone is not out of reach or out of sight. He says this will enable drivers of all vehicle types to establish a better way of policing themselves and be accountable on the road once and fo...

Jennifer Kent, director, research quality & product development, Parks Associates, discusses alarming statistics, highlighting the use of mobile devices behind the wheel and points out there is no going back as the auto industry continues to make vehicles that are an extension of our connected lifestyle. She says although a majority of driver disagree with distracted driving, they often do it and...

Lukas Kuhn, CTO, Tourmaline Labs, explains how gathering and assigning driver data that is similar to receiving a credit score will help them fully understand the depths of their strengths and weaknesses behind the road. He says things like driver environment, driving behavior, and even cultural differences can determine a more passive or aggressive driver.

Peggy Smedley starts the show with a look at how the futuristic view of autonomous vehicles will translate into the real world. She questions who will be responsible for an accident if both cars are self-driving, and discusses if the lending of self-driving cars will serve as a new form of ride-sharing for the future.

Peggy takes a look at new start-up innovations that have been working to get off the ground and serve as effective solutions to distracted driving. She talks about smart gloves enabling motorcyclists to shift lanes safety, as well as a dashcam that serves as a lookout for reckless drivers and accidents on the road.

Jesse Hoggard, vice president of marketing, Cellcontrol, says since distracted driving is so common, it has not been vilified as much as other dangerous acts behind the wheel. He also talks how the Cellcontrol app locks applications once a driver is in motion, reconditioning the driver to fix their problem and establish better habits for the future.

Alex Haro, co-founder and president, Life360, talks about how Life360 extended its reach from giving families peace of mind during natural disasters to peace of mind every time a loved one is behind the wheel. He discusses how the app can notify family members when someone is driving and even aggregates a driving report, letting users know if they are hard braking, accelerating rapidly, or using t...

Peggy says although some progress has been made, there needs to be a shift in public acceptance and opinion similar to that of drunk driving and driving without a seatbelt. She explains what distractions can weigh on a driver's cognitive load and advocates that harsher punishments must be made in order to save lives.

Peggy talks about a new survey revealing that many people believe autonomous vehicles will stop distracted driving once and for all. But what will they do once the car takes the wheel? While some respondents said they will use that time for work, relaxation, entertainment, and even romantic purposes, Peggy says they still need to be alert and prepared for possible disengagement.

Deborah Trombley, senior program manager, Transportation Initiatives, National Safety Council Distracted Driving Program, shares her thoughts on startling research that shows a rise in roadway deaths and says the role of distracted driving is understated. She says we live in a culture that embraces and encourages multitasking, but urges that individuals and enterprises take a step back so people c...

Mike Kellenyi, founder, People Against Distracted Driving, talks turning tragedy into a force that is saving lives of distracted driving through educational programs across the country. He discusses how law enforcement is more capable of reporting distracted driving in accidents, and explains why targeting kids on the dangers of the distracted driving will engrain better habits behind the wheel in...

Peggy gives listeners the hard facts on how the number of motor vehicle deaths has hit an all-time high, and how distracted driving is a leading factor in that alarming trend. She looks at research suggesting that distracted drivers display longer reaction times and explains how hands-free devices can still pull driver focus away from the road.