In this episode of Unboxed: The SRF Podcast, host Nick Busse sits down with Cassie Champion (Metropolitan Council) and Abby Moore (Mississippi Watershed Management Organization) to discuss Sacred Water Shared Future. This regional campaign commemorates a century of restoration efforts on the Mississippi River in the Twin Cities.

In 1926, the river was so polluted that a survey found only three living fish in a 42-mile stretch. Today, we explore the engineering marvels, public policy shifts, and community stories that transformed an "ecological disaster" back into a thriving resource.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The harrowing state of the river in the 1920s and 30s.
• The construction of the Metro Water Resource Recovery Facility, the first treatment plant on the Mississippi.
• Modern challenges like microplastics, phosphorus, and chloride.
• How a bass drum auctioned by the band Semisonic helped kickstart the campaign’s branding.

Learn more and share your story: Visit Sacred Water Shared Future to find local events or contribute to the Minnesota Story Collective.

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SRF is a leading consulting firm committed to improving the future of public and private infrastructure and transportation systems. Our comprehensive approach integrates planning, engineering, landscape architecture, and project delivery to provide innovative and sustainable solutions. Learn more at srfconsulting.com.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of SRF Consulting Group. This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional engineering advice. Listening to this podcast does not create a consultant-client relationship. Always consult with a qualified professional for your specific project needs.

Traffic data is more than just numbers on a spreadsheet — it is the invisible current that powers our transportation infrastructure.

In this episode of Unboxed: The SRF Podcast, we explore the evolution of traffic monitoring, from manual clipboards to cutting-edge AI and video technology. We discuss how “quality data for informed decisions” impacts everything from federal funding and pavement design to public safety and commercial real estate.

• The Foundation of Infrastructure: Why traffic volume data is the base dataset for every DOT operation, including design and construction.
• The Shift to AI: How video technology and AI systems now classify over 2,000 vehicle types with high accuracy.
• Predictive Safety: A look at "near-miss" technology that identifies potential crashes before they happen.
• Real-World Impact: Case studies showing how visual data uncovers hidden pedestrian patterns that traditional spreadsheets miss.
• The “Data Wrangler”: The importance of data sharing between agencies to save time and taxpayer dollars.

• Nick Busse, host and Multimedia Manager at SRF.
• Justin Sebens, Traffic Operations and Modeling Lead at SRF.
• Liz Stolz, Director of Traffic Data Programs and national expert on micro-mobility.
• Stephen Jessberger, Senior Project Manager with 30+ years of experience, including time with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave us a review!

SRF is a leading consulting firm committed to improving the future of public and private infrastructure and transportation systems. Our comprehensive approach integrates planning, engineering, landscape architecture, and project delivery to provide innovative and sustainable solutions. Learn more at: https://www.srfconsulting.com/

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of SRF Consulting Group. This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional engineering advice. Listening to this podcast does not create a consultant-client relationship. Always consult with a qualified professional for your specific project needs.