AASHTO Journal, 30 November 2012
The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials’ Annual Meeting ended early last week in Pittsburgh, but not before its Board of Directors took care of its business through various new resolutions.
A policy resolution to create a truck oversize/overweight permit harmonization initiative was passed. A policy resolution to commend the National Cooperative Highway Research Program for its advancement of the nation’s transportation system and also its support through requiring all its research products to be provided in AASHTO format for use as AASHTO guidelines and standards was also approved by the Board.
The Board then approved three separate joint position statements that partner AASHTO with the Associated General Contractors of America and the American Road & Transportation Builders Association in a Joint Committee. The first recommends the formation of a task force to steer an initiative to develop a national vision for the future of transportation. The second position statement calls for states to undertake self-assessments, especially as they relate to finding and eliminating policies and procedures that don’t add value to state DOTs. The final joint position statement called for the three organizations to work together to develop a national comprehensive communications strategy to get the public more involved and aware of transportation initiatives.
One amendment to the AASHTO Governing Documents was approved by the Board. The amendment allowed for the inclusion of external stakeholders as non-voting members of the AASHTO Subcommittee on Materials of the Standing Committee on Highways.
Finally, the Board adopted one administrative resolution that directs AASHTO to put in place a Voluntary Technical Services Program that would provide oversight and direction to oversee the Census Transportation Planning Products Program (CTPPP). This allows for support, oversight, and technical assistance in data, information, methods, and tools for state DOTs and support metropolitan planning organizations to enhance the effectiveness of transportation planning.