November 19, 2014

Transportation Then & Now: Multi-Modal Transportation

The following article, published in the July 1975 edition of American Highway & Transportation Magazine, focuses on the first-ever U.S. National Highway and Transportation Week. That year’s weeklong observance, with the theme “Transportation, America’s Lifelines,” very much mirrored AASHTO’s then-recent expansion of its mission from a longtime highways focus to an emphasis on all major transportation modes. That change in mission was officially established in 1973 with the transformation of AASHO into AASHTO and ultimately confirmed with an association-wide reorganization that introduced committees centering on public transportation, water transportation, aviation, and rail. That reorientation was amply reflected as well throughout the July 1975 magazine edition, which – along with publishing the article and AASHTO resolution reprinted below – included such articles as “History of Federal Involvement in Aviation” and “A Case for Transit.” Nearly four decades later, AASHTO continues to live up to the spirit of that first National Highway and Transportation Week and the words of that year’s resolution “to raise the awareness of all Americans to the needs and benefits of an adequate and coordinated transportation system.”

National Highway and Transportation Week to Raise the Awareness of Americans

America's first National Highway and Transportation Week will dramatize the tire scope of transportation issues September 21-27 under the theme, "Transportation, America's Lifelines."

This year for the first time, the focus of the traditional National Highway Week Observance has been widened to include all forms of transportation. This follows the expansions of the missions of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and roles of any member departments which have responsibilities for multi-modal transportation development.

The observance offers unique opportunities to member departments to tell the transportation story how adequate safe transportation is absolutely basic to the nation's economy and the life-style and livelihood of every American.

It is a valuable adjunct to the continuing, year-round public information and public affairs programs conducted by the states.

Under AASHTO sponsorship and with the support of transportation users and other industry groups, National Highway and Transportation Week provides a special time for activities which might not be undertaken otherwise-open houses at highway and transportation facilities, tours of construction projects for legislators and newsmen, educational programs in schools, official proclamations by governors and local officials.

This year's honorary national chairman will be television personality Buddy Ebsen. TV's "Barnaby Jones" will lend star quality to the event in television and radio public service announcements.

AASHTO's Subcommittee on Public Information has appointed a special steering committee composed of state and federal representatives and representatives from the private sector to develop plans and to serve in an advisory capacity to the individual member departments.

The steering committee has developed a special packet including a pattern speech, radio public service announcements, newspaper fillers, a draft gubernatorial Proclamation, ideas for news and feature stories, glossy prints of the logo and theme and advice and suggestions for each member department to develop its own observance of National Highway and Transportation Week.

Members of the Committee are: AI Coates, chairman, Virginia Department of Highways and Transportation; Tom H. Taylor, secretary, Texas Highway Department; Roger Allen, Associated General Contractors of America; Hugh Gillespie, Transportation Research Board; Don S. Knight, The Road Information Program; Jack C. Martin, Highway Users Federation; Gene Robbins, Better Roads and Transportation Council ; Randy Russell, American Road Builders' Association; George Bechtel, Wisconsin Department of Transportation; Stan K. Brown, Colorado Department of High­ ways; and Werner A. Siems, Federal Highway Administration.

The key to success is the effort each individual state puts forth. A resolution passed by the AASHTO Executive Committee at its meeting June 17 in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, urged members of AASHTO to "Begin planning now for National Highway and Transportation Week so that a concerted effort will raise the awareness of all Americans to the needs and benefits of an adequate and coordinated transportation system."

In a letter transmitting copies of the resolution to AASHTO member departments, PI Subcommittee Chairman Walter J. Hjelle said:

"Each local observance can be geared to the size and scope of the transportation program in your area. No matter how small or large your work program or agency, your efforts in support of National Highway and Transportation Week will have an impact. The overall nationwide effect of this observance truly can be greater than the sum of its parts."