What topics or issues have you recently been addressing, and have prompted you to say, "gosh, there should be an ITE informational report or maybe a recommended practice to help with this topic!" Well, even if you didn't say anything out loud, there is a way to bring your good topic ideas to light and address the needs of our profession!
The Traffic Engineering Council has several technical project committees that have been formed to develop products ranging from informational reports to recommended practices to standards. The topical areas vary from LED signals to sidewalk guidelines to speed management. The status of the current committees can be found on the ITE website at www.ite.org/councils/projects/default.asp. There are currently 16 different topics that are being explored, but we would like to have some new ones. The members and chairs of these committees are all volunteers, have an interest in the topic and have a desire to expand and enhance our profession’s understanding and practices on the topic.
If you have suggestions on new topics to explore with the idea of preparing an informational report, recommended practice, or maybe some other product. Please let us know and also give thoughtful consideration to lending your time and talents towards a technical project committee either now or in the future. You do not need special expertise in a topic, but just a willingness to serve and contribute. These groups will conduct most of their business via e-mail or conference calls, and some will meet face to face at the ITE International Annual Meeting or the Technical Conference. It is a great way to get involved in the Institute and contribute to your profession.
If you have any suggestions for new topics or questions about current committees, please feel free to contact John Davis, Technical Projects Manager at DavisJ@AyresAssociates.com.