Give us your comments on our Open Government Plan!
This plan, which was released April 7th, will help Transportation:
Get active and tell the motoring public of this site. Continual conversation about Highway Drama keeps people interested and focused on better ...more »
Get active and tell the motoring public of this site. Continual conversation about Highway Drama keeps people interested and focused on better driving.Everyone ahs an opion about everyone elses driving. So let's get"em' Talkin!
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Most highway users do not know this site exist. Our highways are a battlefield. The national news depicts frightening wrecks involving commercial ...more »
Most highway users do not know this site exist. Our highways are a battlefield. The national news depicts frightening wrecks involving commercial vehicles. Of course the feds answer to any commercial vehicle crash is distracted driving, fatigue,hours of service or weather related. Indeed these crashes may have relationship to the crash. Many of "us", long time highway drivers know ther is more to the story that incidentals. Our Commercial workforce is seriously lacking " Talent ".Professional Drivers have no more " on the ball" than the average driver. Fact is they drive the " Big Rigs" like cars which represents a serious lack of knowledgeable education by Driver and Regulator. This site could become a valuable source, or it could be like a FMCSA listening session.
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Dear DOT Team and readers, Just thought of sharing this idea with you, as I was reading through a book called "Lean Solutions" by Womack and ...more »
Dear DOT Team and readers,
Just thought of sharing this idea with you, as I was reading through a book called "Lean Solutions" by Womack and Jones. During my last visit to US, in 2006, when I just landed up, during the initial days was commuting on the California city buses.
Many times, the buses were half-empty / were not stopping even when I used to wave my hands and while I was reflecting on some of the pointers of this book, thought would share the following pointers with you, in the hope that some of your Improvement or Kaizen champions might want to try the same out, in some form. You may take this as an idea, as my tribute to make the lives of the commuters of all Public transport vehicles way easier and for your department, to put in some thoughts on making the transport system a bit more relaxing, easy, efficient and cost-effective.
Problem:
Improper utilization of the existing "big-sized" transport systems which operate on a fixed schedule, for a fixed route for a fixed transport provider.
For commuters, who are the end consumers, the pitfalls are as follows:
1. Crowded buses during the rush hours
2. Unavailability of buses during the non-office hours
3. Wait and Stranding on the road for the buses / volvos
For providers, which includes the transport operators, both government and private, the pitfalls could be
1. Plying huge buses across non-profitable routes even when there is no demand, causing losses along the routes
2. Operating margins take a hit due to the under-utilized or unitilized services provided using the standard fleet
3. Infrastructure cost for maintaining the big vehicles - overnight storage space, maintenance etc.
Suggested Solution Overview:
- Pull-based dynamic route assignment
- Efficient utilization of entire fleet in response to Customer demands
- With downsizing of commuting vehicle size, possibly an eco-friendly minimal seater fleet, the reach to the Customers could be increased to narrow streets / perhaps to a door-pickup
- Demand capture based on Customer needs - the Customer can just send a message through Cell / Web a day / at a specified time before and the "pacemaker" center-in-charge can allocate the best possible route depending on the demand patterns for the requested date and time of travel and based on other transportation preferences and reply back with a message containing the route numbers, vehicle IDs and other details. Non-stop destination travel would be the preferred solution
What can be done:
Build a message-sending command center which can talk with the Route Operators and depending on the predicted demand for that specific day based on the information received, help route exactly the required number of vehicles of the exact sizes for the exact routes for the exact times required. Based on the distance of travel, the operators can be paid using the information from this center. The Command Center's knowledge intelligence can be built in the solution.
Best Regards,
Saumava
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Hello fellow Traffic Safety Advocates! Inerested in a campaign to create a Driving Education program? The Traffic Safety advocasy formerely known ...more »
Hello fellow Traffic Safety Advocates! Inerested in a campaign to create a Driving Education program? The Traffic Safety advocasy formerely known as " MY HIGHWAY" is about to launch a podcast that broadcast Driver Education. Interested parties can contact this new Traffic Safety Alliance at; myhighwayman@gmail.com
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I suggest you...The change the people were looking for at election time was, the way government works. We the people don;t want to see Studies ...more »
I suggest you...The change the people were looking for at election time was, the way government works. We the people don;t want to see Studies about studies or conferences on exotic islands.We want roll up your sleves, get out there and get dirty rather than A different suit everyday so you can go discuss, lobby, rediscuss and lobbby somemore. Heck when 911 happened,I saw my congress sing " GOD BLESS AMERICA" rather than roll up your sleves.
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I suggest you...Utilze weigh Stations to extend your Traffic Safety intentions. Weigh Stations should be in the interest of Promoting Public ...more »
I suggest you...Utilze weigh Stations to extend your Traffic Safety intentions. Weigh Stations should be in the interest of Promoting Public Safety and Good Driving Habits. Private Safety Organizations march right to the government to demand something be done because their loved one was involved in a traffic dilemna. All the dialogue,conferences and studies,etc., could have funded a campaign to hand out literature at places trucks frequent.
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I suggest you...Allow Veteran Commercial Drivers w/excellent safety records be allowed to report bad driving behaviors of other trucks. Giving ...more »
I suggest you...Allow Veteran Commercial Drivers w/excellent safety records be allowed to report bad driving behaviors of other trucks. Giving these drivers this accredidation bolsters the professional driver image and quite frankly gives DOT an avenue to seek out Dangerous Driving Behaviors,THAT CAN BE REMEDIED!
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I suggest you...Look into utize corporate sponsorship to provide regular maintenance on bridges or pre-existing structures where a traffic safety ...more »
I suggest you...Look into utize corporate sponsorship to provide regular maintenance on bridges or pre-existing structures where a traffic safety message could be placed. Keeping motorist focused on good driving behavior is the guidance that every highway user needs.
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As we harvest wheat this year in our great state of Kansas and haul our grain to town we see people texting, putting on makeup, talking on phones, ...more »
As we harvest wheat this year in our great state of Kansas and haul our grain to town we see people texting, putting on makeup, talking on phones, looking at papers or maps, we see everything sitting up high in our trucks. I would have had several mishaps this year alone if I had not been on my toes, as farmers all we are trying to do is earn a living and take our crops to town. We are already regulated to death, spraying our crops, Irrigation permits, people who move to the country and do not like our dust so they call the police. Let us do our job and go after thoes who can not even handle a car. Thankyou P. S. But when a accident does happen it is always our fault because we are in the big rigs.
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Through all the so-called benefits, I would like to know if any of you has driven the Pennsylvania Turnpike-the weights for safety are at a max. ...more »
Through all the so-called benefits, I would like to know if any of you has driven the Pennsylvania Turnpike-the weights for safety are at a max.
Blowing smoke at us of one 'study' of the UK, that is not comparable to our interstate system does not fly.
The motive is clear, the same trend we see across the country with our politicians/government owned by corporate America-to eliminate jobs or shrink the pay of middle class workers, i.e. truck drivers, teachers, etc (anyone that can make a survivable wage/salary) The motive is clear.
A stronger economy for who? Not for the middle class that is essential in the feeding chain of the economy.
Sorry, I do not buy into your ruse.
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Trains are creating a lot of noise pollution in the US. I would like to inform you about what happens in Europe where population and train traffic ...more »
Trains are creating a lot of noise pollution in the US. I would like to inform you about what happens in Europe where population and train traffic is a lot denser than here in the US:
Trains in Europe don't honk. Period.
Drivers are assumed to respect the red lights, barriers and bell signals at the railroad crossings. Offenders are caught by cameras just as they are caught while not-respecting a red light at other traffic crossings.
Penalties are severe and can even include drivers license suspension and jail time (just as for drunk driving).
If I understand it well, some 1990’s Federal rule forces the trains to honk always, several times at every railroad crossing in the US.
Instead of solving the real problem (hunt and fine the offenders) this law is punishing everyone living miles around railroads.
Instead of repealing this federal honking law, we are forcing each and every city to pay expensive changes to install "quiet zones".
I live about 1 mile from 3 small railroad crossings in Mission, Kansas. 75 trains honking 4 times "warn" me 900 times every night, interrupting my sleep!
Some people think that the sound of train horns is "romantic". I agree but only in Western movies....
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I suggest you.add a flashing light inside with the green light that will flash two seconds before the green light changes to yellow. This will ...more »
I suggest you.add a flashing light inside with the green light that will flash two seconds before the green light changes to yellow. This will help especially truck drivers by telling them that the light is about to change to yellow. I drive a truck and when loaded I have a hard time trying to stop on the time allowed on the yellow light.The two extra seconds could be the difference in me running a red light.
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II would like you to consider upgrades in traffic control. To keep this short I would like to do some quick math. I car uses approximately 1 ...more »
II would like you to consider upgrades in traffic control. To keep this short I would like to do some quick math.
I car uses approximately 1 ounce of gasoline idling for one minute.
Traffic lights typically cycle in 30 second to 1 minute cycles.
If we saved just 1 ounce of gasoline at only 1000 traffic lights per hour per state (51 counting DC) the math goes like this:
(1ounce)X(1000lights)X(24hours)X(365days)X(51states)divided by (128ounces per gallon) equals 3,490,312 GALLONS (yes 3.49 MILLION GALLONS) of GASOLINE a year being saved by just fixing 1000 traffic lights (not to mention all the thousands more) that need to be fixed. I believe this would be an extremely simple cost efficient program that could save America millions of gasoline a year. Please consider this in the President's new Race For The Green Program..
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In the past, the federal government has had industrial competitions to improve energy efficiency (refrigerators, for example). How about similar ...more »
In the past, the federal government has had industrial competitions to improve energy efficiency (refrigerators, for example). How about similar competitions to improve our infrastructure technology. For example, we still repave roads with asphalt, which deteriorates pretty rapidly, especially when subjected to freeze/thaw cycles in the Northeast. This technology has not changed in generations! Can't we improve the materials used or the application procedures so that they last longer? I saw a report several years ago that in Europe they use concrete in road construction that lasts longer because they mix it with ash. I costs more, but is more economical in the long term. Can't the federal government specify that such better systems be used in projects supported by federal funds?
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I suggest you look at a promising new technology from a company in Israel called "Innowattech" They have recently been awarded a multi million ...more »
I suggest you look at a promising new technology from a company in Israel called "Innowattech"
They have recently been awarded a multi million dollar contract in Italy to install a system into a highway that converts mechanical energy into electricity. The system uses what is called "Piezo Electric Generators" that are placed under the surface of the road way. The generators converts the motion of passing vehicles into electricity.
http://www.innowattech.co.il/index.aspx
You will find lots of valuable information on their site to include lots of press releases.
With the proposal of an infastructure bank this technology might offer a way for the DOT to generate income buy generating electricity from our highways and selling it to the local utilities.
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With E-Book readers becoming so popular this holiday season, it may be time to issue various government manuals and other items as E-Books. E-Books ...more »
With E-Book readers becoming so popular this holiday season, it may be time to issue various government manuals and other items as E-Books. E-Books are easier to download. They can be searched more easily the PDF files. And they can be made quite secure. Publishers have made their copy-write books secure.
I am particularly interested in having the FHWA MUTCD made available as an E-Book.
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In these difficult economic times it is exceedingly important for the public to save and be watchful of where we spend. For several years now, ...more »
In these difficult economic times it is exceedingly important for the public to save and be watchful of where we spend. For several years now, I've ridden the commuter bus into the Capitol for work, rather than drive. With so many new riders the commuter bus lines are full to the point of bursting. Something really needs to be done to increase the lines and offer alternatives to driving. Some days I do ride in either motorcycle or electric scooter but both are extremely dangerous in this area.
I propose that we offer special routes for bicycles, motorcycles & scooters, etc that are separate from and off limits to cars.
I also propose that we extend the run times of the commuter buses and offer more frequent rotations of them.
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2011 Job Creation Incentive: Only Tax individuals / business owners earning over $250k who have less than X "employee credits" Situation: Opposing ...more »
2011 Job Creation Incentive: Only Tax individuals / business owners earning over $250k who have less than X "employee credits"
Situation: Opposing views re expiring taxes for $250k+ earners do not appear to be focused on job creation, but rather on politics. President Obama's 2011 proposed tax increase for $250k+ earners may significantly reduce deficit. Republicans appear concerned that further job loss, may be an unintended consequence.
Assumption/Guiding Principle: Bilateral agreement on placing primary focus on American job creation, instead of "playing politics."
Ideal Outcome: Use bilateral common ground, e.g., job creation to drive decision making process. Take "highest" common denominator for a hybrid solution that would benefit the majority of Americans.
Recommendation: ONLY extend tax break for both individuals and business owners that earn over $250k AND also have more than X number of part-time / full-time employees (for individuals this may include: nannies, maids, assistants, drivers, trainers, bodyguards, accountants, etc.). Business owners tax breaks may apply at different levels depending on size, so as to provide incentives encouraging them to not only keep but also hire additional employees so that they can "keep" their tax break. Individual earners may consider hiring P/T or F/T "assistants" so they too can "keep" their tax break.
Benefits: Assuming a proper framework is established for implementation, this may indeed create incentives for solid job creation, while making both sides agree to do what is best for America, instead of the current "politics as usual" stance.
Drawbacks: Improper rules/framework may not yield adequate execution negating intended benefits, i.e., loopholes. May be costly to implement / regulate.
Personal Plea to Politicians: Please, put aside your differences and focus on what is best for our wonderful country. Consider the likes of Warren Buffet, et. al.; to assist in establishing a proper framework so as to achieve intended results. Say YES to extending the $250k tax break for ONLY those that are helping generate more jobs. Let's work together to get America back!!!.
Thanks and Regards,
A Warren Buffet admirer and concerned Independent American
P.S. Apologies, if this has been brought up before. This is my first visit and post to what appears to be a viable feedback mechanism.
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Please keep professional race cars on the tracks that they were designed for. Our kids are without public drivers ed oinmost juruisdictions ...more »
Please keep professional race cars on the tracks that they were designed for. Our kids are without public drivers ed oinmost juruisdictions and the racing companies are enticing our kids with their promotions:Open Letter To Indy Racing Experience
posted Nov 30, 2010 7:06 AM by clbr@palfreystreet.com
To jsmith and “Indy racing Experience”
We, as parents who have lost children from the sad realities of illegal street racing in central Florida are really disappointed that you see the need to bring the “indy racing” experience off of the professional track and into our neighborhoods with your new Dallara Racing Tubs, favorite racing drivers etc.
The 2 –seater racing extravaganza display on racedays and during the Indy “Race to the Party” is also very disturbing since professional automobile racing is meant for “professionals,” on professional racing venues..
As a citizen of Central Florida and a tax-payer my question is, who and what department in the federal government is the Indy Racing experience regulated by? Is it regulated under professional racing, carnivals, or Disney INC.?
I hope that you understand that the youngsters in Central Florida who cannot afford your racing experiences and then the amateurs who decide to cash in on their “bucket lists” really are taking great risks with SPEED. Obviously, from my own experience with the “professionals” who all have friends from racing have your excuses and alibis for the need for speed.
The Dallara company recently moved into gasoline alley for the benefit of professional racing, hopefully the racing standard will be kept to strict “professional” standards and not precipitously or recklessly bantered about for our youngsters, who in Central Florida have had public drivers education eliminated from their educational programs.
Fortunately we have just initiated an illegal street racing bill that will impose fines however, the loss of life from this kind of activity is staggering here. On and off the professional track. Certainly the laws are in place however the sad fact is for many of our teenagers and young drivers is that once the adrenaline is “turned on..” it doesn’t just shut off. It is sad to see a company in this day and age presenting its commodities to the public when the originators are fully aware of the statistics of loss of life. The history of the Italian company Ferrari, as an example, with great numbers of loss of life in racing history and one time, not so long ago, racing was almost banned from the U.S.A. Since the racing experience is on the Disney Property and is far beyond a reasonable carnival ride, are they regulating your racing experience?
In Florida, for instance we have regulations about “adult activities” that are not for children under 21…perhaps your racing experience is more like an “adult activity” …since it is not “professional” autosports .
As you cross the state lines perhaps the regulations regarding your activities are in the federal jurisdiction?
Please advise.
Concerned Citizen and tax payer
Sincerely
Cynthia@Neon18.com
RIP Ashley Phalen
And all others who have died for the love of speed without regard….
All In my Opinion…and other professionals as well.
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Currently, FAA contractors are blocked from entering ideas and suggestions on IdeaHub. This countermands the spirit of the Open Gov. Directive's ...more »
Currently, FAA contractors are blocked from entering ideas and suggestions on IdeaHub. This countermands the spirit of the Open Gov. Directive's call for participation and collaboration on the part of the citizen (like me).
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The new 250 flight path is TAKING PROPERTY from residents by forcing a new flight path on a neighborhood that has never endured the torture of ...more »
The new 250 flight path is TAKING PROPERTY from residents by forcing a new flight path on a neighborhood that has never endured the torture of being a flight path previously. The FAA is taking value from homes and communities by flying hundreds of RECREATIONAL and STUDENT propeller planes over homes on a daily basis. The FAA is also flying 737 size jets that blast our homes.
Mr. J. Randolph Babbitt, STOP 250 and give back our quality of life and property.
We don't want the danger, pollution, and constant noise of a recreational flight path.
Rob Nokes
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Why in the heck has rear-view cameras not been mandated on Garbage Trucks? In California, the law states that they are only required on all ...more »
Why in the heck has rear-view cameras not been mandated on Garbage Trucks? In California, the law states that they are only required on all Newly purchased Garbage trucks, after January of 2010. Why is it not required on existing trucks? Is a life not worth $2000 or less? Do you realize how many people/children have been killed by garbage trucks backing up? Children have a fascination with them. Your stupid law on back up alarms only attracts them. They don't know what that means. I have many relatives in the Garbage Industry that feel like they are playing Russian Ru-let. Their bosses tell them that even though they have a camera that is broken on their vehicle, it's not required by LAW and it's just a "Luxury". Is your child's life a Luxury? What the heck is going on with you people? Sitting at a desk pushing a pencil does not save lives. Do you not read? PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE do something about this, not just for the children, but for the poor Garbage man sitting in Jail because his boss wouldn't fix the Camera and he has to live with this for the rest of his life. After all even though they drive and back up every day, it was just a "Luxury".
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TO SEC LAHOOD: FOR SOME REASON MARAD RECENTLY FORBADE CHARGING FOR FOOTBALL GAME TICKETS EVEN THO ALL OTHER FEDERAL ACADEMIES CHARGE ADMISSION ...more »
TO SEC LAHOOD:
FOR SOME REASON MARAD RECENTLY FORBADE CHARGING FOR FOOTBALL GAME TICKETS EVEN THO ALL OTHER FEDERAL ACADEMIES CHARGE ADMISSION TO HELP SUPPORT VITAL ATHETIC PROGRAMS
NOW I HEAR MARAD WILL FORBID SPENDING MONEY FOR RECRUITING ATHLETES TO KINGS POINT. WHAT IS GOING ON HERE? I THOUGHT YOU SAID THAT YOU WANTED KP TO BE THE PREMIER FEDERAL ACADEMY, BUT YOUR MARAD EMPLOYEES ARE SUBMARINING THE ACADEMY AT EVERY TURN PLEASE SIR WHAT IS GOING ON??
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I have been in the transportation profession over twenty years . I live in an area of the country that has a highway touted as the most dangerous ...more »
I have been in the transportation profession over twenty years . I live in an area of the country that has a highway touted as the most dangerous in the country . I believe that this is directly related to drivers being paid by the mile . This type of compensation encourages drivers to drive in excess of the permitted time . Everyone in the industry knows all of the tricks to avoid detection of driving excess hours . The result are usually catastophic .How many times have you seen drivers swerving from fatigue ? A driver should be compensated by the load knowing what the pay is before hand . This may be perceived as overegulation , but would save lives . Additionally I have heard and read many stories about how milages are calculated . Read some of the trucking blogs and you will understand serious and negative impact that per mile compensation encourages . If the government does not interviene the industry will continue to have serious shortages of drivers . Imagine making as litte as 35 dollars per trip from a rail yard . Finally , one of my customers worked for a company that actually gave an award for the most turnarounds . my custumer won the Top gun Award three consecutive months . The fourth month I passed a tractor that was upside down on a local highway . The driver was killed . If we encourage drivers to push themselves by compensating for miles and trips ... then at least we should make a separate lane for them and see that they have good insurance policies .
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Generators known as APU's, Alternate Power Units that allow drivers to have air conditioning, electric and heat should become standard equipment ...more »
Generators known as APU's, Alternate Power Units that allow drivers to have air conditioning, electric and heat should become standard equipment on commercial vehicles that have sleeper units. .It's unlawful to idle a truck in many places example NYC. The driver is forced to try and sleep in a cab sometimes in excess of 120 degrees Farheinheit, That is absurd. If the driver runs their vehicle they recieve tickets for 350 to 1000 dollars on average. Not the drivers fault. Most drivers work for companies who refuse to install apu's. What's it really gonna take? A tired driver who kills someone due to lack of sleep in many cases is not the root of the problem. If you can't sleep in 120 degree heat than you can't expect truckers to do it.
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