Discussion: View Thread

Advocating for Vehicular Transportation Improvements in Metropolitan Areas

How can the collective frustration of drivers be harnessed through social media and a public outreach campaign into a coalition that has a voice which can forcefully advocate for the needed infrastructure improvements within the political and public arena?

As the infrastructure needs are outpaced by vehicular demands, and as I sit in traffic on a regular basis in, and around, the Metro-Boston area, I constantly ponder the question of why needed transportation improvements are not being made and what can be done? 

Can a coalition of those with a vested interest in improving conditions for drivers, which would also support the transportation engineer's goals of bringing infrastructure improvements through the design process and to completion, be created? 

At the same time, can this coalition develop a political action committee (PAC) that can pressure the local, state and federal governments into advocating for and funding the needed improvements?  For some reason politicians often side with the minority group opposed to an infrastructure improvement project, why?

As a Professional Engineer with more than 35 years of transportation and legal experience, I am very familiar with the planned improvements for highway improvement projects in the Metro-Boston area; however, many of the projects, that are so desperately needed and which have been contemplated and in many cases designed, have never been completed.

The traveling public deserves a voice in support of needed improvements; however, I am unaware as to whether such a group exists in the in the Metro-Boston Area, or whether there is a model that exists elsewhere in the country. 

Road user delays experienced by drivers should be considered and the voices of those experiencing these delays should be heard.  If a road user benefit analysis is applied and/or an analysis based on the lost productivity resulting from the delays is performed, these needed transportation improvements can be easily justified.  In addition, an analysis of the gas taxes that are being generated by the drives using the roadway on a regular basis and those sitting in traffic for significant periods of time, if targeted toward the improvements, would also justify the financial cost of the needed improvements.  In addition, safety improvements to infrastructure, which benefit the traveling public, should be another component that supports the initiative.

It is obvious that opponents to transportation improvements have a much louder voice than the proponents of these improvements.  Also, because it is too difficult to battle with the opponents, we are now at a point where needed improvements are not made in order to avoid the conflict.  Further, due to regulatory requirements, it also takes years of effort to gain the necessary approvals for any project that is ultimately built. 

The collective voices of the "Not-In-My-Backyard" opponents along with the environmental lobby, which does not want cars on the roads, have silenced the voices of those who are working for the needed transportation improvements.  The opponent lobby has also made the design and permitting process much more complicated, which has resulted in a significant loss of time and money that would be better spent on bricks, mortar and asphalt.  These improvements would clearly benefit the overall region and would stimulate the local economy.  

A public relations initiative should also be undertaken by Civil Engineers to make drivers understand the need transportation improvements which include additional travel lanes, HOV lanes where tolls are paid to travel in these lanes and the funds generated are targeted towards further improvements.  Members of ASCE should band together and create a group that will advocate for an agenda that will benefit drivers everywhere.  In addition an outreach and public relations campaigns for the needed improvements should be created.

I welcome input on this topic.

Advocating for Vehicular Transportation Improvements in Metropolitan Areas

How can the collective frustration of drivers be harnessed through social media and a public outreach campaign into a coalition that has a voice which can forcefully advocate for the needed infrastructure improvements within the political and public arena?

As the infrastructure needs are outpaced by vehicular demands, and as I sit in traffic on a regular basis in, and around, the Metro-Boston area, I constantly ponder the question of why needed transportation improvements are not being made and what can be done? 

Can a coalition of those with a vested interest in improving conditions for drivers, which would also support the transportation engineer's goals of bringing infrastructure improvements through the design process and to completion, be created? 

At the same time, can this coalition develop a political action committee (PAC) that can pressure the local, state and federal governments into advocating for and funding the needed improvements?  For some reason politicians often side with the minority group opposed to an infrastructure improvement project, why?

As a Professional Engineer with more than 35 years of transportation and legal experience, I am very familiar with the planned improvements for highway improvement projects in the Metro-Boston area; however, many of the projects, that are so desperately needed and which have been contemplated and in many cases designed, have never been completed.

The traveling public deserves a voice in support of needed improvements; however, I am unaware as to whether such a group exists in the in the Metro-Boston Area, or whether there is a model that exists elsewhere in the country. 

Road user delays experienced by drivers should be considered and the voices of those experiencing these delays should be heard.  If a road user benefit analysis is applied and/or an analysis based on the lost productivity resulting from the delays is performed, these needed transportation improvements can be easily justified.  In addition, an analysis of the gas taxes that are being generated by the drives using the roadway on a regular basis and those sitting in traffic for significant periods of time, if targeted toward the improvements, would also justify the financial cost of the needed improvements.  In addition, safety improvements to infrastructure, which benefit the traveling public, should be another component that supports the initiative.

It is obvious that opponents to transportation improvements have a much louder voice than the proponents of these improvements.  Also, because it is too difficult to battle with the opponents, we are now at a point where needed improvements are not made in order to avoid the conflict.  Further, due to regulatory requirements, it also takes years of effort to gain the necessary approvals for any project that is ultimately built. 

The collective voices of the "Not-In-My-Backyard" opponents along with the environmental lobby, which does not want cars on the roads, have silenced the voices of those who are working for the needed transportation improvements.  The opponent lobby has also made the design and permitting process much more complicated, which has resulted in a significant loss of time and money that would be better spent on bricks, mortar and asphalt.  These improvements would clearly benefit the overall region and would stimulate the local economy.  

A public relations initiative should also be undertaken by Civil Engineers to make drivers understand the need transportation improvements which include additional travel lanes, HOV lanes where tolls are paid to travel in these lanes and the funds generated are targeted towards further improvements.  Members of ASCE should band together and create a group that will advocate for an agenda that will benefit drivers everywhere.  In addition an outreach and public relations campaigns for the needed improvements should be created.

I welcome input on this topic.

Advocating for Vehicular Transportation Improvements in Metropolitan Areas

How can the collective frustration of drivers be harnessed through social media and a public outreach campaign into a coalition that has a voice which can forcefully advocate for the needed infrastructure improvements within the political and public arena?

As the infrastructure needs are outpaced by vehicular demands, and as I sit in traffic on a regular basis in, and around, the Metro-Boston area, I constantly ponder the question of why needed transportation improvements are not being made and what can be done? 

Can a coalition of those with a vested interest in improving conditions for drivers, which would also support the transportation engineer's goals of bringing infrastructure improvements through the design process and to completion, be created? 

At the same time, can this coalition develop a political action committee (PAC) that can pressure the local, state and federal governments into advocating for and funding the needed improvements?  For some reason politicians often side with the minority group opposed to an infrastructure improvement project, why?

As a Professional Engineer with more than 35 years of transportation and legal experience, I am very familiar with the planned improvements for highway improvement projects in the Metro-Boston area; however, many of the projects, that are so desperately needed and which have been contemplated and in many cases designed, have never been completed.

The traveling public deserves a voice in support of needed improvements; however, I am unaware as to whether such a group exists in the in the Metro-Boston Area, or whether there is a model that exists elsewhere in the country. 

Road user delays experienced by drivers should be considered and the voices of those experiencing these delays should be heard.  If a road user benefit analysis is applied and/or an analysis based on the lost productivity resulting from the delays is performed, these needed transportation improvements can be easily justified.  In addition, an analysis of the gas taxes that are being generated by the drives using the roadway on a regular basis and those sitting in traffic for significant periods of time, if targeted toward the improvements, would also justify the financial cost of the needed improvements.  In addition, safety improvements to infrastructure, which benefit the traveling public, should be another component that supports the initiative.

It is obvious that opponents to transportation improvements have a much louder voice than the proponents of these improvements.  Also, because it is too difficult to battle with the opponents, we are now at a point where needed improvements are not made in order to avoid the conflict.  Further, due to regulatory requirements, it also takes years of effort to gain the necessary approvals for any project that is ultimately built. 

The collective voices of the "Not-In-My-Backyard" opponents along with the environmental lobby, which does not want cars on the roads, have silenced the voices of those who are working for the needed transportation improvements.  The opponent lobby has also made the design and permitting process much more complicated, which has resulted in a significant loss of time and money that would be better spent on bricks, mortar and asphalt.  These improvements would clearly benefit the overall region and would stimulate the local economy.  

A public relations initiative should also be undertaken by Civil Engineers to make drivers understand the need transportation improvements which include additional travel lanes, HOV lanes where tolls are paid to travel in these lanes and the funds generated are targeted towards further improvements.  Members of ASCE should band together and create a group that will advocate for an agenda that will benefit drivers everywhere.  In addition an outreach and public relations campaigns for the needed improvements should be created.

I welcome input on this topic.

Advocating for Vehicular Transportation Improvements in Metropolitan Areas

How can the collective frustration of drivers be harnessed through social media and a public outreach campaign into a coalition that has a voice which can forcefully advocate for the needed infrastructure improvements within the political and public arena?

As the infrastructure needs are outpaced by vehicular demands, and as I sit in traffic on a regular basis in, and around, the Metro-Boston area, I constantly ponder the question of why needed transportation improvements are not being made and what can be done? 

Can a coalition of those with a vested interest in improving conditions for drivers, which would also support the transportation engineer's goals of bringing infrastructure improvements through the design process and to completion, be created? 

At the same time, can this coalition develop a political action committee (PAC) that can pressure the local, state and federal governments into advocating for and funding the needed improvements?  For some reason politicians often side with the minority group opposed to an infrastructure improvement project, why?

As a Professional Engineer with more than 35 years of transportation and legal experience, I am very familiar with the planned improvements for highway improvement projects in the Metro-Boston area; however, many of the projects, that are so desperately needed and which have been contemplated and in many cases designed, have never been completed.

The traveling public deserves a voice in support of needed improvements; however, I am unaware as to whether such a group exists in the in the Metro-Boston Area, or whether there is a model that exists elsewhere in the country. 

Road user delays experienced by drivers should be considered and the voices of those experiencing these delays should be heard.  If a road user benefit analysis is applied and/or an analysis based on the lost productivity resulting from the delays is performed, these needed transportation improvements can be easily justified.  In addition, an analysis of the gas taxes that are being generated by the drives using the roadway on a regular basis and those sitting in traffic for significant periods of time, if targeted toward the improvements, would also justify the financial cost of the needed improvements.  In addition, safety improvements to infrastructure, which benefit the traveling public, should be another component that supports the initiative.

It is obvious that opponents to transportation improvements have a much louder voice than the proponents of these improvements.  Also, because it is too difficult to battle with the opponents, we are now at a point where needed improvements are not made in order to avoid the conflict.  Further, due to regulatory requirements, it also takes years of effort to gain the necessary approvals for any project that is ultimately built. 

The collective voices of the "Not-In-My-Backyard" opponents along with the environmental lobby, which does not want cars on the roads, have silenced the voices of those who are working for the needed transportation improvements.  The opponent lobby has also made the design and permitting process much more complicated, which has resulted in a significant loss of time and money that would be better spent on bricks, mortar and asphalt.  These improvements would clearly benefit the overall region and would stimulate the local economy.  

A public relations initiative should also be undertaken by Civil Engineers to make drivers understand the need transportation improvements which include additional travel lanes, HOV lanes where tolls are paid to travel in these lanes and the funds generated are targeted towards further improvements.  Members of ASCE should band together and create a group that will advocate for an agenda that will benefit drivers everywhere.  In addition an outreach and public relations campaigns for the needed improvements should be created.

I welcome input on this topic.

Advocating for Vehicular Transportation Improvements in Metropolitan Areas

How can the collective frustration of drivers be harnessed through social media and a public outreach campaign into a coalition that has a voice which can forcefully advocate for the needed infrastructure improvements within the political and public arena?

As the infrastructure needs are outpaced by vehicular demands, and as I sit in traffic on a regular basis in, and around, the Metro-Boston area, I constantly ponder the question of why needed transportation improvements are not being made and what can be done? 

Can a coalition of those with a vested interest in improving conditions for drivers, which would also support the transportation engineer's goals of bringing infrastructure improvements through the design process and to completion, be created? 

At the same time, can this coalition develop a political action committee (PAC) that can pressure the local, state and federal governments into advocating for and funding the needed improvements?  For some reason politicians often side with the minority group opposed to an infrastructure improvement project, why?

As a Professional Engineer with more than 35 years of transportation and legal experience, I am very familiar with the planned improvements for highway improvement projects in the Metro-Boston area; however, many of the projects, that are so desperately needed and which have been contemplated and in many cases designed, have never been completed.

The traveling public deserves a voice in support of needed improvements; however, I am unaware as to whether such a group exists in the in the Metro-Boston Area, or whether there is a model that exists elsewhere in the country. 

Road user delays experienced by drivers should be considered and the voices of those experiencing these delays should be heard.  If a road user benefit analysis is applied and/or an analysis based on the lost productivity resulting from the delays is performed, these needed transportation improvements can be easily justified.  In addition, an analysis of the gas taxes that are being generated by the drives using the roadway on a regular basis and those sitting in traffic for significant periods of time, if targeted toward the improvements, would also justify the financial cost of the needed improvements.  In addition, safety improvements to infrastructure, which benefit the traveling public, should be another component that supports the initiative.

It is obvious that opponents to transportation improvements have a much louder voice than the proponents of these improvements.  Also, because it is too difficult to battle with the opponents, we are now at a point where needed improvements are not made in order to avoid the conflict.  Further, due to regulatory requirements, it also takes years of effort to gain the necessary approvals for any project that is ultimately built. 

The collective voices of the "Not-In-My-Backyard" opponents along with the environmental lobby, which does not want cars on the roads, have silenced the voices of those who are working for the needed transportation improvements.  The opponent lobby has also made the design and permitting process much more complicated, which has resulted in a significant loss of time and money that would be better spent on bricks, mortar and asphalt.  These improvements would clearly benefit the overall region and would stimulate the local economy.  

A public relations initiative should also be undertaken by Civil Engineers to make drivers understand the need transportation improvements which include additional travel lanes, HOV lanes where tolls are paid to travel in these lanes and the funds generated are targeted towards further improvements.  Members of ASCE should band together and create a group that will advocate for an agenda that will benefit drivers everywhere.  In addition an outreach and public relations campaigns for the needed improvements should be created.

I welcome input on this topic.

I (as an individual) am in total agreement with the sentiments expressed in this post.

I am the Chair of the Eastside Transportation Association (Transportation, Traffic Problems & Solutions on the Eastside | ETA) here in the Seattle suburban crescent (Eastside meaning East King County, east of Lake Washington, centered in Bellevue, WA).  ETA was formed 28 years ago and continues as a volunteer transportation think tank for urban transportation.  CONGESTION IS THE PROBLEM.  WE CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! is our motto. 

In Nov., 2016 the 3 county urban taxing district of Sound Transit passed a $54 Billion 25 year tax increase for light rail expansion connecting light rail from Everett (110,000) through Seattle (700,000) to Tacoma (220,000), each in separate counties.  Our MPO estimates that by 2040, after the $54 billion program, light rail will carry less than 0.5% of the then regional daily trips of over 19,000,000 per day.  See an example of ETA documents at http://www.eastsideta.com/docs/How-people-choose-travel.pdf

ETA advocates that the buses run on roads as well as the pedestrian and bicyclists, and when added to the SOV's, HOV's, vanpools (King County Metro operates a fleet of over 1,700 vans) and private buses (Microsoft Connect - an 80 coach private bus system for employees), about 99.5% of the daily trips operate on our roads.

Washington has a gas tax rate of 49.5 cents per gallon, protected by a state constitutional amendment that requires gas taxes be spent "for highway purposes".  That means that almost no other revenue source is used for state roads.

The State of Washington has about 5.7 million licensed drivers, with virtually no statewide advocacy group involved in promoting their interests.  

We have a failed two year pilot program for Express Toll Lanes (ETL's) on I-405, our suburban belt loop, from Bellevue to Bothell, about 10 miles.  One lane each direction was added to a 6 lane freeway and the new lane plus the old 2+ HOV lane were converted to 3+ ETL's in the peak periods, with variable tolls ranging from $.75 to $10.00 for the full corridor (WSDOT converted the north end of I 405, from Bothell to Lynnwood from a single 2+ HOV lane to  3+ ETL for the next 8 miles).  Overall congestion increased and moved to new locations.  The Legislature removed the ETL tolls on weekends and at night after six months.  The two year pilot ends in Sept. 2017, with independent analysis currently being conducted by the Univ. of Minn. Hubert Humphrey School of  Public Affairs.  ETA is following this analysis carefully. 

We in the profession who believe that suburban traffic congestion (we see 4-5 hrs of breakdown in each peak period on I-405 and other local freeways/arterials daily) http://wstc.wa.gov/Meetings/AgendasMinutes/agendas/2015/May19/documents/2015_0519_BP7_StuckinTraffic_2015Report.pdf  really need to band together in an effective way to change the mantra.  In my 50+ year career, it is capacity increases that provide congestion relief, and congestion is the largest environmental impact that we experience on a daily basis. 

Victor H. Bishop, P.E.

Fellow, ASCE

Advocating for Vehicular Transportation Improvements in Metropolitan Areas

How can the collective frustration of drivers be harnessed through social media and a public outreach campaign into a coalition that has a voice which can forcefully advocate for the needed infrastructure improvements within the political and public arena?

As the infrastructure needs are outpaced by vehicular demands, and as I sit in traffic on a regular basis in, and around, the Metro-Boston area, I constantly ponder the question of why needed transportation improvements are not being made and what can be done? 

Can a coalition of those with a vested interest in improving conditions for drivers, which would also support the transportation engineer's goals of bringing infrastructure improvements through the design process and to completion, be created? 

At the same time, can this coalition develop a political action committee (PAC) that can pressure the local, state and federal governments into advocating for and funding the needed improvements?  For some reason politicians often side with the minority group opposed to an infrastructure improvement project, why?

As a Professional Engineer with more than 35 years of transportation and legal experience, I am very familiar with the planned improvements for highway improvement projects in the Metro-Boston area; however, many of the projects, that are so desperately needed and which have been contemplated and in many cases designed, have never been completed.

The traveling public deserves a voice in support of needed improvements; however, I am unaware as to whether such a group exists in the in the Metro-Boston Area, or whether there is a model that exists elsewhere in the country. 

Road user delays experienced by drivers should be considered and the voices of those experiencing these delays should be heard.  If a road user benefit analysis is applied and/or an analysis based on the lost productivity resulting from the delays is performed, these needed transportation improvements can be easily justified.  In addition, an analysis of the gas taxes that are being generated by the drives using the roadway on a regular basis and those sitting in traffic for significant periods of time, if targeted toward the improvements, would also justify the financial cost of the needed improvements.  In addition, safety improvements to infrastructure, which benefit the traveling public, should be another component that supports the initiative.

It is obvious that opponents to transportation improvements have a much louder voice than the proponents of these improvements.  Also, because it is too difficult to battle with the opponents, we are now at a point where needed improvements are not made in order to avoid the conflict.  Further, due to regulatory requirements, it also takes years of effort to gain the necessary approvals for any project that is ultimately built. 

The collective voices of the "Not-In-My-Backyard" opponents along with the environmental lobby, which does not want cars on the roads, have silenced the voices of those who are working for the needed transportation improvements.  The opponent lobby has also made the design and permitting process much more complicated, which has resulted in a significant loss of time and money that would be better spent on bricks, mortar and asphalt.  These improvements would clearly benefit the overall region and would stimulate the local economy.  

A public relations initiative should also be undertaken by Civil Engineers to make drivers understand the need transportation improvements which include additional travel lanes, HOV lanes where tolls are paid to travel in these lanes and the funds generated are targeted towards further improvements.  Members of ASCE should band together and create a group that will advocate for an agenda that will benefit drivers everywhere.  In addition an outreach and public relations campaigns for the needed improvements should be created.

I welcome input on this topic.

Advocating for Vehicular Transportation Improvements in Metropolitan Areas

How can the collective frustration of drivers be harnessed through social media and a public outreach campaign into a coalition that has a voice which can forcefully advocate for the needed infrastructure improvements within the political and public arena?

As the infrastructure needs are outpaced by vehicular demands, and as I sit in traffic on a regular basis in, and around, the Metro-Boston area, I constantly ponder the question of why needed transportation improvements are not being made and what can be done? 

Can a coalition of those with a vested interest in improving conditions for drivers, which would also support the transportation engineer's goals of bringing infrastructure improvements through the design process and to completion, be created? 

At the same time, can this coalition develop a political action committee (PAC) that can pressure the local, state and federal governments into advocating for and funding the needed improvements?  For some reason politicians often side with the minority group opposed to an infrastructure improvement project, why?

As a Professional Engineer with more than 35 years of transportation and legal experience, I am very familiar with the planned improvements for highway improvement projects in the Metro-Boston area; however, many of the projects, that are so desperately needed and which have been contemplated and in many cases designed, have never been completed.

The traveling public deserves a voice in support of needed improvements; however, I am unaware as to whether such a group exists in the in the Metro-Boston Area, or whether there is a model that exists elsewhere in the country. 

Road user delays experienced by drivers should be considered and the voices of those experiencing these delays should be heard.  If a road user benefit analysis is applied and/or an analysis based on the lost productivity resulting from the delays is performed, these needed transportation improvements can be easily justified.  In addition, an analysis of the gas taxes that are being generated by the drives using the roadway on a regular basis and those sitting in traffic for significant periods of time, if targeted toward the improvements, would also justify the financial cost of the needed improvements.  In addition, safety improvements to infrastructure, which benefit the traveling public, should be another component that supports the initiative.

It is obvious that opponents to transportation improvements have a much louder voice than the proponents of these improvements.  Also, because it is too difficult to battle with the opponents, we are now at a point where needed improvements are not made in order to avoid the conflict.  Further, due to regulatory requirements, it also takes years of effort to gain the necessary approvals for any project that is ultimately built. 

The collective voices of the "Not-In-My-Backyard" opponents along with the environmental lobby, which does not want cars on the roads, have silenced the voices of those who are working for the needed transportation improvements.  The opponent lobby has also made the design and permitting process much more complicated, which has resulted in a significant loss of time and money that would be better spent on bricks, mortar and asphalt.  These improvements would clearly benefit the overall region and would stimulate the local economy.  

A public relations initiative should also be undertaken by Civil Engineers to make drivers understand the need transportation improvements which include additional travel lanes, HOV lanes where tolls are paid to travel in these lanes and the funds generated are targeted towards further improvements.  Members of ASCE should band together and create a group that will advocate for an agenda that will benefit drivers everywhere.  In addition an outreach and public relations campaigns for the needed improvements should be created.

I welcome input on this topic.

Advocating for Vehicular Transportation Improvements in Metropolitan Areas

How can the collective frustration of drivers be harnessed through social media and a public outreach campaign into a coalition that has a voice which can forcefully advocate for the needed infrastructure improvements within the political and public arena?

As the infrastructure needs are outpaced by vehicular demands, and as I sit in traffic on a regular basis in, and around, the Metro-Boston area, I constantly ponder the question of why needed transportation improvements are not being made and what can be done? 

Can a coalition of those with a vested interest in improving conditions for drivers, which would also support the transportation engineer's goals of bringing infrastructure improvements through the design process and to completion, be created? 

At the same time, can this coalition develop a political action committee (PAC) that can pressure the local, state and federal governments into advocating for and funding the needed improvements?  For some reason politicians often side with the minority group opposed to an infrastructure improvement project, why?

As a Professional Engineer with more than 35 years of transportation and legal experience, I am very familiar with the planned improvements for highway improvement projects in the Metro-Boston area; however, many of the projects, that are so desperately needed and which have been contemplated and in many cases designed, have never been completed.

The traveling public deserves a voice in support of needed improvements; however, I am unaware as to whether such a group exists in the in the Metro-Boston Area, or whether there is a model that exists elsewhere in the country. 

Road user delays experienced by drivers should be considered and the voices of those experiencing these delays should be heard.  If a road user benefit analysis is applied and/or an analysis based on the lost productivity resulting from the delays is performed, these needed transportation improvements can be easily justified.  In addition, an analysis of the gas taxes that are being generated by the drives using the roadway on a regular basis and those sitting in traffic for significant periods of time, if targeted toward the improvements, would also justify the financial cost of the needed improvements.  In addition, safety improvements to infrastructure, which benefit the traveling public, should be another component that supports the initiative.

It is obvious that opponents to transportation improvements have a much louder voice than the proponents of these improvements.  Also, because it is too difficult to battle with the opponents, we are now at a point where needed improvements are not made in order to avoid the conflict.  Further, due to regulatory requirements, it also takes years of effort to gain the necessary approvals for any project that is ultimately built. 

The collective voices of the "Not-In-My-Backyard" opponents along with the environmental lobby, which does not want cars on the roads, have silenced the voices of those who are working for the needed transportation improvements.  The opponent lobby has also made the design and permitting process much more complicated, which has resulted in a significant loss of time and money that would be better spent on bricks, mortar and asphalt.  These improvements would clearly benefit the overall region and would stimulate the local economy.  

A public relations initiative should also be undertaken by Civil Engineers to make drivers understand the need transportation improvements which include additional travel lanes, HOV lanes where tolls are paid to travel in these lanes and the funds generated are targeted towards further improvements.  Members of ASCE should band together and create a group that will advocate for an agenda that will benefit drivers everywhere.  In addition an outreach and public relations campaigns for the needed improvements should be created.

I welcome input on this topic.

Advocating for Vehicular Transportation Improvements in Metropolitan Areas

How can the collective frustration of drivers be harnessed through social media and a public outreach campaign into a coalition that has a voice which can forcefully advocate for the needed infrastructure improvements within the political and public arena?

As the infrastructure needs are outpaced by vehicular demands, and as I sit in traffic on a regular basis in, and around, the Metro-Boston area, I constantly ponder the question of why needed transportation improvements are not being made and what can be done? 

Can a coalition of those with a vested interest in improving conditions for drivers, which would also support the transportation engineer's goals of bringing infrastructure improvements through the design process and to completion, be created? 

At the same time, can this coalition develop a political action committee (PAC) that can pressure the local, state and federal governments into advocating for and funding the needed improvements?  For some reason politicians often side with the minority group opposed to an infrastructure improvement project, why?

As a Professional Engineer with more than 35 years of transportation and legal experience, I am very familiar with the planned improvements for highway improvement projects in the Metro-Boston area; however, many of the projects, that are so desperately needed and which have been contemplated and in many cases designed, have never been completed.

The traveling public deserves a voice in support of needed improvements; however, I am unaware as to whether such a group exists in the in the Metro-Boston Area, or whether there is a model that exists elsewhere in the country. 

Road user delays experienced by drivers should be considered and the voices of those experiencing these delays should be heard.  If a road user benefit analysis is applied and/or an analysis based on the lost productivity resulting from the delays is performed, these needed transportation improvements can be easily justified.  In addition, an analysis of the gas taxes that are being generated by the drives using the roadway on a regular basis and those sitting in traffic for significant periods of time, if targeted toward the improvements, would also justify the financial cost of the needed improvements.  In addition, safety improvements to infrastructure, which benefit the traveling public, should be another component that supports the initiative.

It is obvious that opponents to transportation improvements have a much louder voice than the proponents of these improvements.  Also, because it is too difficult to battle with the opponents, we are now at a point where needed improvements are not made in order to avoid the conflict.  Further, due to regulatory requirements, it also takes years of effort to gain the necessary approvals for any project that is ultimately built. 

The collective voices of the "Not-In-My-Backyard" opponents along with the environmental lobby, which does not want cars on the roads, have silenced the voices of those who are working for the needed transportation improvements.  The opponent lobby has also made the design and permitting process much more complicated, which has resulted in a significant loss of time and money that would be better spent on bricks, mortar and asphalt.  These improvements would clearly benefit the overall region and would stimulate the local economy.  

A public relations initiative should also be undertaken by Civil Engineers to make drivers understand the need transportation improvements which include additional travel lanes, HOV lanes where tolls are paid to travel in these lanes and the funds generated are targeted towards further improvements.  Members of ASCE should band together and create a group that will advocate for an agenda that will benefit drivers everywhere.  In addition an outreach and public relations campaigns for the needed improvements should be created.

I welcome input on this topic.

Advocating for Vehicular Transportation Improvements in Metropolitan Areas

How can the collective frustration of drivers be harnessed through social media and a public outreach campaign into a coalition that has a voice which can forcefully advocate for the needed infrastructure improvements within the political and public arena?

As the infrastructure needs are outpaced by vehicular demands, and as I sit in traffic on a regular basis in, and around, the Metro-Boston area, I constantly ponder the question of why needed transportation improvements are not being made and what can be done? 

Can a coalition of those with a vested interest in improving conditions for drivers, which would also support the transportation engineer's goals of bringing infrastructure improvements through the design process and to completion, be created? 

At the same time, can this coalition develop a political action committee (PAC) that can pressure the local, state and federal governments into advocating for and funding the needed improvements?  For some reason politicians often side with the minority group opposed to an infrastructure improvement project, why?

As a Professional Engineer with more than 35 years of transportation and legal experience, I am very familiar with the planned improvements for highway improvement projects in the Metro-Boston area; however, many of the projects, that are so desperately needed and which have been contemplated and in many cases designed, have never been completed.

The traveling public deserves a voice in support of needed improvements; however, I am unaware as to whether such a group exists in the in the Metro-Boston Area, or whether there is a model that exists elsewhere in the country. 

Road user delays experienced by drivers should be considered and the voices of those experiencing these delays should be heard.  If a road user benefit analysis is applied and/or an analysis based on the lost productivity resulting from the delays is performed, these needed transportation improvements can be easily justified.  In addition, an analysis of the gas taxes that are being generated by the drives using the roadway on a regular basis and those sitting in traffic for significant periods of time, if targeted toward the improvements, would also justify the financial cost of the needed improvements.  In addition, safety improvements to infrastructure, which benefit the traveling public, should be another component that supports the initiative.

It is obvious that opponents to transportation improvements have a much louder voice than the proponents of these improvements.  Also, because it is too difficult to battle with the opponents, we are now at a point where needed improvements are not made in order to avoid the conflict.  Further, due to regulatory requirements, it also takes years of effort to gain the necessary approvals for any project that is ultimately built. 

The collective voices of the "Not-In-My-Backyard" opponents along with the environmental lobby, which does not want cars on the roads, have silenced the voices of those who are working for the needed transportation improvements.  The opponent lobby has also made the design and permitting process much more complicated, which has resulted in a significant loss of time and money that would be better spent on bricks, mortar and asphalt.  These improvements would clearly benefit the overall region and would stimulate the local economy.  

A public relations initiative should also be undertaken by Civil Engineers to make drivers understand the need transportation improvements which include additional travel lanes, HOV lanes where tolls are paid to travel in these lanes and the funds generated are targeted towards further improvements.  Members of ASCE should band together and create a group that will advocate for an agenda that will benefit drivers everywhere.  In addition an outreach and public relations campaigns for the needed improvements should be created.

I welcome input on this topic.

Advocating for Vehicular Transportation Improvements in Metropolitan Areas

How can the collective frustration of drivers be harnessed through social media and a public outreach campaign into a coalition that has a voice which can forcefully advocate for the needed infrastructure improvements within the political and public arena?

As the infrastructure needs are outpaced by vehicular demands, and as I sit in traffic on a regular basis in, and around, the Metro-Boston area, I constantly ponder the question of why needed transportation improvements are not being made and what can be done? 

Can a coalition of those with a vested interest in improving conditions for drivers, which would also support the transportation engineer's goals of bringing infrastructure improvements through the design process and to completion, be created? 

At the same time, can this coalition develop a political action committee (PAC) that can pressure the local, state and federal governments into advocating for and funding the needed improvements?  For some reason politicians often side with the minority group opposed to an infrastructure improvement project, why?

As a Professional Engineer with more than 35 years of transportation and legal experience, I am very familiar with the planned improvements for highway improvement projects in the Metro-Boston area; however, many of the projects, that are so desperately needed and which have been contemplated and in many cases designed, have never been completed.

The traveling public deserves a voice in support of needed improvements; however, I am unaware as to whether such a group exists in the in the Metro-Boston Area, or whether there is a model that exists elsewhere in the country. 

Road user delays experienced by drivers should be considered and the voices of those experiencing these delays should be heard.  If a road user benefit analysis is applied and/or an analysis based on the lost productivity resulting from the delays is performed, these needed transportation improvements can be easily justified.  In addition, an analysis of the gas taxes that are being generated by the drives using the roadway on a regular basis and those sitting in traffic for significant periods of time, if targeted toward the improvements, would also justify the financial cost of the needed improvements.  In addition, safety improvements to infrastructure, which benefit the traveling public, should be another component that supports the initiative.

It is obvious that opponents to transportation improvements have a much louder voice than the proponents of these improvements.  Also, because it is too difficult to battle with the opponents, we are now at a point where needed improvements are not made in order to avoid the conflict.  Further, due to regulatory requirements, it also takes years of effort to gain the necessary approvals for any project that is ultimately built. 

The collective voices of the "Not-In-My-Backyard" opponents along with the environmental lobby, which does not want cars on the roads, have silenced the voices of those who are working for the needed transportation improvements.  The opponent lobby has also made the design and permitting process much more complicated, which has resulted in a significant loss of time and money that would be better spent on bricks, mortar and asphalt.  These improvements would clearly benefit the overall region and would stimulate the local economy.  

A public relations initiative should also be undertaken by Civil Engineers to make drivers understand the need transportation improvements which include additional travel lanes, HOV lanes where tolls are paid to travel in these lanes and the funds generated are targeted towards further improvements.  Members of ASCE should band together and create a group that will advocate for an agenda that will benefit drivers everywhere.  In addition an outreach and public relations campaigns for the needed improvements should be created.

I welcome input on this topic.

Advocating for Vehicular Transportation Improvements in Metropolitan Areas

How can the collective frustration of drivers be harnessed through social media and a public outreach campaign into a coalition that has a voice which can forcefully advocate for the needed infrastructure improvements within the political and public arena?

As the infrastructure needs are outpaced by vehicular demands, and as I sit in traffic on a regular basis in, and around, the Metro-Boston area, I constantly ponder the question of why needed transportation improvements are not being made and what can be done? 

Can a coalition of those with a vested interest in improving conditions for drivers, which would also support the transportation engineer's goals of bringing infrastructure improvements through the design process and to completion, be created? 

At the same time, can this coalition develop a political action committee (PAC) that can pressure the local, state and federal governments into advocating for and funding the needed improvements?  For some reason politicians often side with the minority group opposed to an infrastructure improvement project, why?

As a Professional Engineer with more than 35 years of transportation and legal experience, I am very familiar with the planned improvements for highway improvement projects in the Metro-Boston area; however, many of the projects, that are so desperately needed and which have been contemplated and in many cases designed, have never been completed.

The traveling public deserves a voice in support of needed improvements; however, I am unaware as to whether such a group exists in the in the Metro-Boston Area, or whether there is a model that exists elsewhere in the country. 

Road user delays experienced by drivers should be considered and the voices of those experiencing these delays should be heard.  If a road user benefit analysis is applied and/or an analysis based on the lost productivity resulting from the delays is performed, these needed transportation improvements can be easily justified.  In addition, an analysis of the gas taxes that are being generated by the drives using the roadway on a regular basis and those sitting in traffic for significant periods of time, if targeted toward the improvements, would also justify the financial cost of the needed improvements.  In addition, safety improvements to infrastructure, which benefit the traveling public, should be another component that supports the initiative.

It is obvious that opponents to transportation improvements have a much louder voice than the proponents of these improvements.  Also, because it is too difficult to battle with the opponents, we are now at a point where needed improvements are not made in order to avoid the conflict.  Further, due to regulatory requirements, it also takes years of effort to gain the necessary approvals for any project that is ultimately built. 

The collective voices of the "Not-In-My-Backyard" opponents along with the environmental lobby, which does not want cars on the roads, have silenced the voices of those who are working for the needed transportation improvements.  The opponent lobby has also made the design and permitting process much more complicated, which has resulted in a significant loss of time and money that would be better spent on bricks, mortar and asphalt.  These improvements would clearly benefit the overall region and would stimulate the local economy.  

A public relations initiative should also be undertaken by Civil Engineers to make drivers understand the need transportation improvements which include additional travel lanes, HOV lanes where tolls are paid to travel in these lanes and the funds generated are targeted towards further improvements.  Members of ASCE should band together and create a group that will advocate for an agenda that will benefit drivers everywhere.  In addition an outreach and public relations campaigns for the needed improvements should be created.

I welcome input on this topic.

Advocating for Vehicular Transportation Improvements in Metropolitan Areas

How can the collective frustration of drivers be harnessed through social media and a public outreach campaign into a coalition that has a voice which can forcefully advocate for the needed infrastructure improvements within the political and public arena?

As the infrastructure needs are outpaced by vehicular demands, and as I sit in traffic on a regular basis in, and around, the Metro-Boston area, I constantly ponder the question of why needed transportation improvements are not being made and what can be done? 

Can a coalition of those with a vested interest in improving conditions for drivers, which would also support the transportation engineer's goals of bringing infrastructure improvements through the design process and to completion, be created? 

At the same time, can this coalition develop a political action committee (PAC) that can pressure the local, state and federal governments into advocating for and funding the needed improvements?  For some reason politicians often side with the minority group opposed to an infrastructure improvement project, why?

As a Professional Engineer with more than 35 years of transportation and legal experience, I am very familiar with the planned improvements for highway improvement projects in the Metro-Boston area; however, many of the projects, that are so desperately needed and which have been contemplated and in many cases designed, have never been completed.

The traveling public deserves a voice in support of needed improvements; however, I am unaware as to whether such a group exists in the in the Metro-Boston Area, or whether there is a model that exists elsewhere in the country. 

Road user delays experienced by drivers should be considered and the voices of those experiencing these delays should be heard.  If a road user benefit analysis is applied and/or an analysis based on the lost productivity resulting from the delays is performed, these needed transportation improvements can be easily justified.  In addition, an analysis of the gas taxes that are being generated by the drives using the roadway on a regular basis and those sitting in traffic for significant periods of time, if targeted toward the improvements, would also justify the financial cost of the needed improvements.  In addition, safety improvements to infrastructure, which benefit the traveling public, should be another component that supports the initiative.

It is obvious that opponents to transportation improvements have a much louder voice than the proponents of these improvements.  Also, because it is too difficult to battle with the opponents, we are now at a point where needed improvements are not made in order to avoid the conflict.  Further, due to regulatory requirements, it also takes years of effort to gain the necessary approvals for any project that is ultimately built. 

The collective voices of the "Not-In-My-Backyard" opponents along with the environmental lobby, which does not want cars on the roads, have silenced the voices of those who are working for the needed transportation improvements.  The opponent lobby has also made the design and permitting process much more complicated, which has resulted in a significant loss of time and money that would be better spent on bricks, mortar and asphalt.  These improvements would clearly benefit the overall region and would stimulate the local economy.  

A public relations initiative should also be undertaken by Civil Engineers to make drivers understand the need transportation improvements which include additional travel lanes, HOV lanes where tolls are paid to travel in these lanes and the funds generated are targeted towards further improvements.  Members of ASCE should band together and create a group that will advocate for an agenda that will benefit drivers everywhere.  In addition an outreach and public relations campaigns for the needed improvements should be created.

I welcome input on this topic.