Conference Proceedings 26 - Transportation Research Board

Workshop SummaryScott Bassett, Oregon Department of TransportationBradley Beck, Contra Costa Transportation AuthorityConan Cheung, San Diego Association of GovernmentsJim Dorre, Arizona Department of TransportationTremain Downey, California Department of TransportationLisa Klein, Metropolitan Transportation CommissionMarian Lee-Skowronek, San Francisco County Transportation AuthorityJon Williams, Transportation Research BoardSTATE OF THE PRACTICEThe issues raised during the presentation at the finalsession can be summarized as follows:• Just baby steps to date;• Increasing demands that agencies deal withbroader goals;• Limited research connecting transportation andbroader goals; and• Transportation being behind the curve but agenciesgetting involved in more interagency efforts,more interdisciplinary efforts, and more public andprivate efforts.In discussion, the group defined broader goals asthose that affect everyone and are not directed towardone individual. Although some transportationagencies may be slightly ahead of others in what theyare trying or have accomplished, we all need to recognizethat the steps taken are only baby steps. Thereis an ever-increasing demand that agencies deal withgoals and issues that were or are considered outsidethe influence of the transportation agency. There islimited research to guide the agencies in connectingtransportation to the broader goals demanded by society.To overcome the limited knowledge, transportationagencies must become more involved withother agencies outside of the transportation community,support interdisciplinary efforts, and developan outreach to other public and private efforts.ISSUES• No public accountability in long-range plans;• Lack of understanding about the cause and effecton broader goals;• Difficulty in balancing multiple broad objectives;• Arrogant stewardship perhaps;• Definition of common measures for differentgroups and areas; and• Subjective definitions of broader issues, such asequity, mobility, and others.In discussion, participants commented that currentlythe long-range plans of transportation agencieshave no public accountability. This situation stemsfrom the failure to implement plans or from a changeof goals before implementation, resulting in the constantupdating of long-range plans. The transportationagency’s desire to respond to changes may, infact, have a long-term negative impact and may displaya lack of understanding of the long-term causeand effect of transportation on broader goals. Theresult is a difficulty to balance multiple broad objectivesin the community. Sometimes the public considersthe transportation agency as practicing arrogantstewardship because of the apparent short-sightedgoals and protection of the transportation processfrom the public. Some ways to overcome this viewpointwould be the understanding and definition ofcommon measures for the different customer groupsand areas, such as defining equity and mobility.135