TRIP TALK

It was 30 years ago this Nov-ember that The Road Information Program (TRIP) Board of Directors met and adopted by-laws as an independent agency incorporated in the District of Columbia. Since then, many volunteers and associations have invested a lot of time and money to make TRIP the credible organization that it is today, utilizing research to reach the news media and the general public with key highway construction industry messages.

Since its inception, TRIP has released hundreds of customized reports and conducted media campaigns on road and bridge needs throughout the country. We’ve publicized the resulting extra vehicle operating costs incurred by motorists driving over roads in need of repair or improvement. Safety, air quality gains and the good business of timely road and bridge repairs have all been themes publicized by TRIP research reports.

At the national level, TRIP’s "Truths About Transportation in the 21st Century" Campaign ("TRUTHS-21") has helped industry allies block Congressional and state legislative proposals to cut or suspend the federal and state gasoline taxes.

TRIP’s public relations efforts at the national level often generate media coverage at the grassroots level. For example, TRIP’s research-based reports on traffic congestion resulted in news stories in numerous states. TRIP also elicited media coverage when it turned its attention to an increasingly important issue to highway advocates: "smart growth."

Last year, TRIP released "Smart Growth: A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing?," which analyzed many of the proposals promoted by certain anti-highway, smart growth advocates. We are now working with other industry groups in the "Partnership for Quality Growth: Building Better Communities."

In addition to issuing research-based reports on national issues, TRIP also has produced tailor-made reports in nearly every state in the country.

We will be marking our 30th anniversary on Nov. 18 in Washington, D.C., with a dinner that will recognize some individuals and organizations that have played key roles in TRIP’s development and success over the past 30 years.

We invite everyone to join with us as TRIP marks its 30th anniversary. It is an anniversary for everyone involved in the highway construction industry—because TRIP is comprised of members from all segments of the industry. For additional information, visit our updated website at www.tripnet.org.