tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8926814049729213370.comments2020-03-02T15:34:14.591-08:00APA Transportation Planning DivisionHilaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06343876323916492997noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8926814049729213370.post-18031059587576744192011-11-22T07:13:05.745-08:002011-11-22T07:13:05.745-08:00There's an article related to this on the APA ...There's an article related to this on the APA website:<br /><br />http://www.planning.org/planning/default.htmHilaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06343876323916492997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8926814049729213370.post-10892706698282884522008-06-13T05:59:00.000-07:002008-06-13T05:59:00.000-07:00The letter states my issues with the CM program ve...The letter states my issues with the CM program very well. Something is very wrong if the CM program does not allow credit for attending the TRB Annual Meeting. It seems to me it would not hurt to have a reciprocal agreement with ITE to allow credit for ITE training programs.jhuegyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02166441970930197704noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8926814049729213370.post-41150330546476905152008-06-03T13:59:00.000-07:002008-06-03T13:59:00.000-07:00great letter but not likely to elicit a positive r...great letter but not likely to elicit a positive response. I am pretty sure APA and AICP do not particulary care about transportation planners as a groupfritz13https://www.blogger.com/profile/05331188877938753165noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8926814049729213370.post-85702653929987400472008-05-28T06:23:00.000-07:002008-05-28T06:23:00.000-07:00I was unable to attend the business mtg at TRB las...I was unable to attend the business mtg at TRB last year, but, I do plan to attend future meetings if they are held at TRB in January. I also only attend the APA natl conferences sporadically so the January date works very well.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for asking.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02010300432746979717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8926814049729213370.post-12981647028287042772008-05-28T04:26:00.000-07:002008-05-28T04:26:00.000-07:00i will be at TRB, but not Railvolution.i will be at TRB, but not Railvolution.jmbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05843589139962678862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8926814049729213370.post-57142934171399212932008-05-27T15:19:00.000-07:002008-05-27T15:19:00.000-07:00I attend TRB annually and usually go to the busine...I attend TRB annually and usually go to the business meeting (although I did not this year). Due to the academic calendar I would not not attend an October meeting. I also go to the APA meetings frequently, and generally attend the division meeting there.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10040572852899855521noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8926814049729213370.post-69188616382882978242008-05-27T14:56:00.000-07:002008-05-27T14:56:00.000-07:00Railvolution looks interesting but if it is Octobe...Railvolution looks interesting but if it is October 2008 (you don't say) then I can not attend as it is in direct conflict with a WSDOT conference I am involved with.<BR/><BR/>I attend TRB every year. I rarely attend the National APA meeting. So TRB works very well for me.<BR/>RARR Rollandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15866301221647809000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8926814049729213370.post-34490778389395516192008-05-08T13:17:00.000-07:002008-05-08T13:17:00.000-07:00Hilary,Thanks for the mention of the TCN in your b...Hilary,<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the mention of the TCN in your blog!<BR/><BR/>Bernie WagenblastBernie Wagenblasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15482783785268557732noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8926814049729213370.post-74044428448018184302008-04-30T08:44:00.000-07:002008-04-30T08:44:00.000-07:00I didn't read the entire policy guide, but I did r...I didn't read the entire policy guide, but I did read through the section on transportation.<BR/><BR/>I think APA should support moving away from the gas tax and the principal method for funding transportation. I recommend that APA advocate shifting the gas tax over to a sales tax for transportation for these reasons: 1) The gas tax (cents per gallon) does not keep pace with inflation 2) gas tax revenues can be expected to decline as gas consumption declines in response to higher prices and 3) we can begin the philosophical shift from a gas tax being a user fee to support roads to a sales tax being a user fee to support a multi-modal transportation system.<BR/><BR/>- Frank Millerknarfmohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18338411369411256772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8926814049729213370.post-87352229191848095032008-04-22T16:07:00.000-07:002008-04-22T16:07:00.000-07:00Try again please. Hopefully I changed the viewing...Try again please. Hopefully I changed the viewing settings correctly.<BR/><BR/>Thanks,<BR/>HilaryHilaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06343876323916492997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8926814049729213370.post-22979022575717679352008-04-22T15:21:00.000-07:002008-04-22T15:21:00.000-07:00I don't know if I'm alone, but I get a message tha...I don't know if I'm alone, but I get a message that I don't have access to the document. Is it possible to post the text so that all may read? ThanksAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07279519961657148046noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8926814049729213370.post-16159204411797314292008-03-10T07:00:00.000-07:002008-03-10T07:00:00.000-07:00I am not opposed to the CM concept and it's goal o...I am not opposed to the CM concept and it's goal of elevating the value of the AICP title. However, I agree with the Planetizen article and others here regarding access to continuing ed. I work for a private engineering firm. Despite what some may think, our margins are such that training budgets are kept pretty low. As a result, unless I'm presenting a paper (cheap publicity) attendance at conferences (especially planning conferences - remember 'engineering' firm) is pretty hard to sell to those that control the overhead budgets. Likewise with all-day training courses.<BR/><BR/>The engineers in my office seem to get the majority of their PDH credits through local ASCE chapter meetings. Unfortunately, my local APA chapter isn't very active and apparently doesn't have much budget to provide training. <BR/><BR/>My suggestion - By waiving any CM registration fees for local chapter activities, APA National could accomplish two things: assuage the current backlash regarding costs, and encourage a greater level of activity at the local level. Win-win.DPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15038691937231952655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8926814049729213370.post-57500946029409691252008-03-10T06:23:00.000-07:002008-03-10T06:23:00.000-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.knarfmohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18338411369411256772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8926814049729213370.post-92077046608851239152008-03-07T13:30:00.000-08:002008-03-07T13:30:00.000-08:00AICP is an honarary title. It means you passed an ...AICP is an honarary title. It means you passed an exam and have a reasonable knowledge about planning, ethics, etc. As far as I know you don't have to have a AICP to practice your planning profession in any state, so it isn't like a PE or passing the bar.<BR/><BR/>Here is my solution: Let's give the letters (AICP) to anyone you goes through the effort of studying and passing the AICP exam. If we want CM, let's REWARD our members, not punish them. How about AICP (level 1,2 or 3 or AICP gold, silver,broze) based on your completion of CM credits. This works well for Boy Scouts, Toastmasters, etc...Honey is better than vinegar.johnnydwahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08122670957818145052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8926814049729213370.post-15831746736644635942008-03-07T12:57:00.000-08:002008-03-07T12:57:00.000-08:00Roundabouts were very popular in Maryland with our...Roundabouts were very popular in Maryland with our state's Department of Transportation (MDOT) -- I retired in 2005 and moved from Baltimore to PA. I found them in suburban/rural areas at intersections where traffic needed to be managed but where traffic signals were not necessarily the best way to do that. There is also the famous "Towson Roundabout" which you may have heard about at conferences or in literature. This one is part of a town center where 5+ streets meet and there is active pedestrian traffic. There's been debate about the engineering of its design and adjustments made to the car stop lines (1 space in front of a ped crosswalk) that seem to have helped. This one gets lots of use and does appear to work better than a very complicated signalization would at this difficult intersection where major arterials and side streets meet adjacent to a major shopping area.pldrakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00892825955541639101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8926814049729213370.post-2095138002707624622008-03-07T12:41:00.000-08:002008-03-07T12:41:00.000-08:00They are rare in these parts - and most people hav...They are rare in these parts - and most people have an opinion about them: good and bad, neither well-informed. (In fact I get tired of people asking why we're not recommending more in high-volume and/or high-speed areas.) But we are considering a few more as part of some intersection treatments - bowtie and median u-turn intersections, for example. <BR/><BR/>As for modeling, my consultants recommended using VISSIM on a local scale.Boisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13070854985500070393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8926814049729213370.post-13973591615948591882008-03-07T11:23:00.000-08:002008-03-07T11:23:00.000-08:00I don't think that they are on either extreme end ...I don't think that they are on either extreme end of the spectrum. However, people are fearful of the new and we haven't built any here, though they are constantly being recomended. My question is how do other places model them?Tomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16950896197630071677noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8926814049729213370.post-63964415771069680312008-03-07T11:20:00.000-08:002008-03-07T11:20:00.000-08:00David,I think that the point is that the CM progra...David,<BR/>I think that the point is that the CM program as it currently exists actually limits access to a variety of training. Especially to those of us in the transportation field. It essentially rules out training not provided by APA.Tomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16950896197630071677noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8926814049729213370.post-33340300145127854032008-03-07T11:08:00.000-08:002008-03-07T11:08:00.000-08:00I am a strong supporter on continuing education. ...I am a strong supporter on continuing education. Before ACIP adopted the current process, I voiced concern about the method used to certify training hours. I want to be sure that we have adequate access to a variety of relevant training. This is of particular importance for transportation planners. At that time I suggested that the cost be assessed across AICP membership since we all are subject to the same requirement.3speedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11474216460893838950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8926814049729213370.post-79493652690677373462008-03-07T10:16:00.000-08:002008-03-07T10:16:00.000-08:00I'm not sure that mandatory continuing education i...I'm not sure that mandatory continuing education is even required. My experience is that people who go into planning are the type of people who keep up with the profession just because they like to be up to date. However, I can see where the existence of a CM program would be viewed favorably by those outside the profession. <BR/>I would think that training provided by FHWA, FTA should be automatically eligible for CM. I think that ITE training should also be automatic, perhaps APA could work an agreement that would offer c.e.u.s to engineers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8926814049729213370.post-30325209668238636502008-03-07T07:12:00.000-08:002008-03-07T07:12:00.000-08:00I have a Master of Science in Planning degree with...I have a Master of Science in Planning degree with specialization in transportation planning, 20 years of planning experience and membership in the AICP for 15 years. In the past two decades, I have encountered very few practicing planners with degrees in planning and only a few more who had taken courses in planning history, theory and/or methods. Mandatory education requirements would be more effective if applied to the "front end" before someone ever becomes an AICP member. Should not a priority be placed instead on requiring a planning degree for those who wish to take the AICP exam?ResidentOrcahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07732339889541824170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8926814049729213370.post-86991308687716919902008-03-07T06:57:00.000-08:002008-03-07T06:57:00.000-08:00I agree with anonymous immediately above regarding...I agree with anonymous immediately above regarding increasing AICP fees if necessary to cover the admistrative costs as I too support the AICP CM program...just not in its current format. I think we should reduce the administrative costs by moving to the "honor" system. In the honor system, I would just log the courses/conferences that I attended as I work toward my goal credit goal. In the "honor" system, conferences and training by all providers including TRB, ITE, Railvolution, FHWA, APTA etc would all be automatically eligible and we wouldn't have the perception that APA/AICP is just looking to feed their own machine.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8926814049729213370.post-48531714615361464232008-03-07T06:40:00.000-08:002008-03-07T06:40:00.000-08:00I've been a solid supporter of mandatory continuin...I've been a solid supporter of mandatory continuing education for planners throughout my entire career in the profession. I remain so, and firmly believe that the certification (including certification maintenance) of community planners should be handled by APA. So the idea of abandoning the planning "community" doesn't appeal to me; it seems a bit like cutting down the tree because of a noisy bird's nest.<BR/><BR/>If you boil it down, there appears to be only one fundamental problem area with the CM issue now, centered around the charging of fees for credits, which APA staff seems to think is justified to offset the administrative costs associated with making sure that the programs, courses, etc. are of sufficient quality to be allowed as continuing education. That, and a (cynical, but still probably accurate) recognition that the fee structure drives people to APA-sponsored events, conferences, etc.<BR/><BR/>So I, for one, wouldn't have a problem with my AICP dues being raised by a reasonable amount to cover the administrative cost associated with maintaining my certification. That way, no fees would be charged to providers, and no non-AICP member would have to bear the cost of my requirements.<BR/><BR/>In this aspect of their work, APA/AICP should view their business--and this "cost center"--as a not-for-profit clearinghouse, rather than a cost center that supports other centers that don't break even.<BR/><BR/>Thoughts?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8926814049729213370.post-25000032345359490672008-03-06T17:32:00.000-08:002008-03-06T17:32:00.000-08:00It would probably be cheaper in the long run to go...It would probably be cheaper in the long run to go back to college and receive an Engineering degree. Engineers pay $50.00 annually (NC) to maintain their license. That's approximately 1/4 of what I pay into APA/AICP and guess what? A P.E. actually means something. Oh, and they rely on the HONOR system for their continuing education.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8926814049729213370.post-54697265825645613702008-03-06T17:16:00.000-08:002008-03-06T17:16:00.000-08:00ITEs professional transportation planner certifica...ITEs professional transportation planner certification is looking better and better. The planners really messed up on CM. Im going with the engineers..Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com