May/June
2001
Editor's
Notes
Our guest columnist for this issue's "Editor's Notes" is
Cynthia Burbank, program manager for the Federal Highway Administration's
Planning and Environment Core Business Unit (CBU). Ms. Burbank discusses
the National Scenic Byways Program and introduces two articles about
"America's Byways" in this issue.
To
Capture the Imagination: The National Scenic Byways Program
The Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA)
was about many things: completing the Interstate Highway System and
keeping it in good shape, establishing a National Highway System,
improving the nation's bridges, encouraging the use of transit and
bicycling, giving state and local governments greater flexibility
in addressing their unique transportation challenges, enhancing the
environment and cleaning the air, and establishing a National Scenic
Byways Program.
Section
1047 of ISTEA, which called for such a scenic byways program, was
the culmination of decades of effort by transportation and tourism
officials, travel organizations, and grass-roots supporters. The centerpiece
of the National Scenic Byways Program is the designation of All-American
Roads and National Scenic Byways. Each route possesses the scenic,
historic, recreational, cultural, natural, or archaeological characteristics
that make it a unique national treasure.
When
former Secretary of Transportation Federico Peña announced
the first designations under the National Scenic Byways Program in
September 1996, he said, "Unlike most roads, scenic byways are
about the pleasures along the way and the qualities we treasure most
in our country, in our history, and in our lives. Now it is up to
all of us to preserve the integrity of these roads so they will continue
to serve future generations as shining examples of the scenic and
historic qualities that we so enjoy today."
Former
Secretary of Transportation Rodney E. Slater awarded additional designations
in 1998 and 2000.
Today,
with 72 nationally designated byways in all parts of the country,
The National Scenic Byways Program is ready to let the people
of America know about the abundant treasures awaiting them on the
open road. This issue of Public Roads features two articles about
"America's Byways" - the collection of nationally designated
roads. The first, "Branding America's Byways," explains
how the Federal Highway Administration, working with the scenic byways
community, has launched an initiative to create an awareness of America's
Byways. The second, "Travelers Seek Byway Experiences,"
is about travel trends that are generating new interest in scenic
byways.
In the
20th century, Americans took to the road. At the start of the 21st
century, people are still seeking driving adventures. We want to let
people know they have the option of traveling roads that capture the
imagination, enrich the national spirit, and reveal the heart of America.
These roads are America's Byways - a multigenerational legacy of our
history, natural wonders, and engineering skills. They are "America's
storyteller."
Cynthia
J. Burbank
Program Manager
Planning and Environment CBU
Other
Articles in this Issue:
5-1-1: Traffic Help May Soon Be Three Digits Away
Using
the Dynamic Modulus Test to Assess the Mix Strength of HMA
The
ITS Public Safety Program: Creating a Public Safety Coalition
Handling
the Worst Crash Ever in Virginia
Moving
Ahead - The American Public Speaks on Roadways and Transportation
in Communities
Branding America's Byways
Travelers
Seek Byway Experiences
National
Work-Zone Awareness Week Commemorated Across the Nation
Work-Zone
Traffic Control: Survey of Contracting Techniques