Highway Officials Take Road Needs to Social Media

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials is tapping into social media to build support for more funding of transport projects, by urging Facebook and YouTube users to tell Congress what they want in basic infrastructure.

As lawmakers prepare to write long-term transportation legislation, the organization wants travelers from long-haul truckers to city commuters and bike riders to "share their transportation comments and concerns," AASHTO said.

AASHTO Executive Director John Horsley announced the campaign Jan. 19 from Washington, D.C.'s Union Station - a transportation hub next to Capitol Hill where Amtrak passenger trains and the city's subway system converge. Joining him were officials from the Associated General Contractors of America and the American Public Transportation Association.

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"We expect Congress to draft new legislation this year that will set transportation policy and funding levels for years to come," Horsley said. "It is AASHTO's goal to help Congress understand the priorities of the American people."

Over six weeks, AASHTO is making its Facebook page available for viewers to post their own YouTube videos and written comments about transportation - their ideas, priorities or personal stories. The group said some people have already weighed in about traffic congestion, safety, high-speed rail and job creation through transportation projects.

AASHTO first tried a similar campaign in November 2008, when it collected YouTube videos and comments on infrastructure investment needs while President-elect Obama was shaping his initial economic emergency agenda. This time it is moving the effort through Facebook, where it already has hundreds of followers. The group plans to keep the campaign going through February, so it can deliver the results to key officials before current highway legislation expires early in March.

-- Contact John D. Boyd at jboyd@joc.com.