OTA Dispatch Issue 4, 2021

6 Oregon Trucking Associations, Inc. Oregon Truck Dispatch Mark Gibson, Chair OTA in Action Committee/ President, Siskiyou Transportation THIS YEAR WAS full of high-profile, big ticket transportation items that grabbed headlines and, more than likely, raised our blood pressure. Of course, trucking is not easily distracted. We kept our heads down and continued to deliver for our customers and our communities; however, sometimes we have to look up to identify the “roadblocks” in our path. While topics like the supply chain, rising fuels costs, and climate change are hot topics that could come up around the dinner table at our holiday gatherings, let’s not forget about some of the smaller, more localized issues that will quite literally impact the roads we travel on. Round & Round We Go… It’s not a new issue, but it’s one that keeps coming back around…and around…and around. Roundabouts are once again gaining popularity in various portions of the state, primarily because they’re considered a cost-effective alternative to traffic lights at intersections that require attention. While less expensive, and on paper a potentially good idea, the real-world physics of roundabouts can wreak havoc on our industry. As someone involved in the industry, you know that tight turns and trucks don’t necessarily go together. Unfortunately, many of those making the decisions on roundabout placement don’t have the same depth of knowledge. Their Prius or Tesla doesn’t have any trouble getting around a roundabout. I was actively involved in these discussions throughout the year. We were able to convey many of our concerns and even simulate why roundabouts are not a one-size-fits-all scenario. I fear that, without at least one representative from the trucking industry involved, we would likely see roundabouts popping up all over our landscape, rivaling even the number of roundabouts in the U.K. and other parts of Europe. The safety concerns and potential slowing of our schedules would be noticeable and problematic for trucking. Road Work Ahead… While we’ve come to the end of the busy summer road construction period in Oregon, there are still plenty of ODOT projects that are going to alter our “paths” in some way. Two big ones are in the Portland area, where talk of equity and environmental justice is informing most decisions. If you’ve ever had trucks travel through the Rose Quarter section of I-5 or go over the Interstate Bridge into Washington, then you have just as much—or more—say in how these projects move forward than environmental and activist groups. Our taxes, both as an industry and as private citizens, pay for these projects. We’re already invested, but it’s up to us to protect our investments and bring attention to our priorities. This need to get involved repeats itself in every region of the state. We all have projects happening in our backyards, whether they’re state, county or city. Some could take a few weeks to complete, while others could take months or even years. If they fall along our normal routes, then our operations are impacted. Trucks need to be rerouted. Schedules need to be updated. Too often, the concept of commerce isn’t considered as these entities make plans. Now that Oregon has been promised a substantial chunk ($5 billion over five years) of the recently passed Biden infrastructure bill, we can anticipate even more projects being planned for the future. How will that money be used? What are the priorities, or more importantly, who is setting those priorities? Oregon government departments and agencies are unabashedly pursuing climate change policies above all else, with a side of social justice tossed in. It may seem like an odd combination when centered around fixing roads and bridges, but that’s the reality we’re operating in right now. And we won’t even get started on the idea of “tree equity.” The freeway systems, highways, and even back roads we rely on will likely be “reimagined” as part of the progressive agenda that currently dominates our news cycles and permeates every committee, meeting, and workgroup in Oregon. Proactive, Not Reactive Our industry spends a fair amount of time reacting— to new rules and regulations to new technology and training. The list goes on. Contrary to some media opinions, we’re actually pretty efficient at adapting to new situations. Our operations are streamlined and nimble. We have a workforce that represents diverse segments of our population, growing more so every year. We are the boots on the ground, connecting with wide swaths of the country and the people and businesses that depend on us for their lives and livelihoods. With all of this experience in play, we should have a seat at the table as key decisionmakers. Choose Your Battles Wisely To learn more about the ACT in your area and sign up for email updates, go to www.oregon. gov/odot/ get-involved/ pages/area_ commissions. aspx.