Transportation Industry

president's message

Institute of Transportation Engineers. ITE Journal, Feb 2005 by Harpst, Timothy P

MULTIMODALISM

Ever ger chat inquisitive puppy dog look from people when you mention multimodalism? Many people do not recognize the word, but they agree with the concept and want to see it happen seamlessly.

Multimodalism has quickly-and too quietly-become very important to our profession. Rodney King's infamous line, "Can't we all just get along?" very much applies. Although most of us work in specialty areas involving one mode of transportation, it is vital that we see the big picture and understand how our work fits into our community's overall transportation system. What we do to benefit one mode of transportation can profoundly affect other modes-sometimes positively and sometimes negatively.

We should keep in mind that both travelers and goods have the same goals: to get to a destination conveniently, efficiently and safely. For both, the political jurisdiction in which they travel and the agencies responsible for roadway maintenance, traffic control and transit vehicles matter little.

Therefore, we find ourselves not only needing to do a good job in our specialized work, but willing to do a good job coordinating with our counterparts in other transportation agencies. As a transportation engineer within a local government, I find my agency spending an increasing amount of time coordinating on projects and operations matters with our metropolitan transit agency, state department of transportation and other organizations.

My city partnered with 12 other cities as well as our county, state department of transportation, transit authority, highway patrol, two metropolitan transportation organizations and the Federal Highway Administration to develop and operate a single metro-wide traffic management system. We agreed early on to focus on customers' needs and not our own turf. Operations and expansion decisions are made by looking at the big picture and what makes the most sense to benefit the entire community.

This approach has paid huge dividends in achieving smoother interaction among pedestrians, bicyclists, buses, light rail vehicles, drivers and-coming soon-commuter rail. The partnering effort has achieved cost efficiencies and the building of long-term relationships among counterparts in other agencies. It is easier to preclude problems from occurring or to quickly resolve those that do. Multimodalism partnering = efficient operations.

I hope you enjoy this issue of ITEJournal, which features several articles on multimodal operations. You can learn more about efficient management and operations while interacting with your fellow ITE members at ITE's 2005 Technical Conference and Exhibit in Las Vegas, NV, USA, February 27 to March 2, 2005. Check out ITE's Web site at www.ite.org/conference/ for more information and to register.

HOW CAN I GET TO AUSTRALIA?

Members often ask me how they can get to Melbourne, Australia, for the ITE 2005 Annual Meeting and Exhibit. I hear the following concerns: "My employer will never send me there." "It's out of the country." "It's too expensive." "It's too far away."

For most of us, the only expense that will be higher than for other more typical conferences is the flight cost. Some members have been thinking outside the box to arrange to attend this year's meeting. Perhaps one of these creative ideas can help you:

1. If your employer pays your way to several meetings annually, combine them for this trip.

2. Use frequent flier miles to reduce your travel costs.

3. Pay the difference. Your employer will see no difference in the company budget, and you will have a discounted trip.

4. Search now for flight deals. Check for non-direct flights, such as through New Zealand, which can be cheaper.

5. Spread the cost over two fiscal years. We are beginning a new year and many employers are developing their budget for the next fiscal year.

6. Negotiate. Do not forget to address why you should go. ITE rarely holds its annual meeting outside of North America. This year's meeting offers more international speakers on more worldwide best practices than any meeting in our history. The learning and networking opportunities will reach a new level.

7. This is a unique opportunity. Our host professionals have achieved one of the world's best highway safety improvement records, have been pioneers in roadway safety audits and have developed successful residential street traffic calming programs.

8. Discuss it with your significant other. Where there is a will, there is a way.

Consider these ideas and make it happen! If you have come up with an innovative idea that will allow you to attend and you wish to share it, drop me a line so I can pass it on. For helpful planning information about the upcoming ITE 2005 Annual Meeting and Exhibit, visit www.ite.org/annualmeeting/.>Timothy P. Harpst

TIMOTHY P. HARPST, P.E., PTOE (F)

INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT OF ITE