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As part of our strategic plan the board is reviewing historic ITE charters, missions and strategic plans. Through our workshop, we defined five primary goals for District 6. The top two (student initiatives and career development) are aimed at strengthening our profession through our people – attracting the best and developing the best to our field. Technical excellence/emergence, social networking and promoting the profession are aimed at how we can retain strong professionals by learning, sharing information and recognition. The board will be developing this plan over the remainder of this year and I would encourage you all to share your ideas about ITE with any board member.
At the Mid-Year meeting, one of my campaign objectives was achieved. The District Board approved a data collection fund that will be utilized to obtain data regarding pragmatic issues in transportation engineering that seem to go un-researched. From trip generation to stop sign compliance, simple before/after studies, travel times, parking demand and multi-lane freeway ramp merging turbulence – there are numerous issues we all deal with daily that go un-quantified and/or un-documented to our profession. This program is aimed at initiating or seeding research in these areas as a platform for more comprehensive research. It will involve student chapters and retired members of ITE, providing unique mentoring opportunities. While only $5,000, I believe it will be a catalyst to further investments in pragmatic documentation and research in transportation engineering. Please review the more detailed description of the program on our web site along with the RFP for student chapter participation that is due April 1.
Finally, we are heading into the election season and we have outstanding candidates from District 6, including two International Vice President nominees, that will be looking for your support and learning from you how best to serve you. At the section and chapter level, one thing you can do to help the candidates it provide them time to speak to your members and help them with reduced meeting costs and arrangements. The candidates have to fund much of their campaigns themselves and any support is greatly appreciated.
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