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07/06/2012: "Speak Your Mind On State Transportation"

the Washington State Transportation Commission (WSTC) has launched the Voice of Washington State (VOWS) and they encourage you to join the discussion. And then what?

The program includes seven regional online discussion forums and an online survey panel. The WSTC is asking state residents to log on to www.voiceofwashingtonstate.org to sign up and share input on how to improve the state’s transportation system.

The idea is that one can go on-line and "voice their opinions, post ideas and interact with other citizens in their community. They can also join the VOWS Survey Panel to participate in occasional online surveys."

WSTC stats the that "a robust conversation around transportation issues, and collecting survey data that indicates people’s opinions and thoughts on policy and funding approaches, will help decision makers identify possible solutions and investment priorities,� noted Reema Griffith, executive director of the WSTC.

Adding: "“When people share what matters to them when they drive, ride, bike, walk or fly within their communities, their needs can be more effectively addressed.�

The plan is for the governor and Legislature will be briefed on the ideas and data generated through the online discussion forums and surveys.

The Commission has conducted successful phone and email surveys through the Ferry Riders Opinion Group for a few years, the primary community input tool has been public meetings.

The online tools remove the distance and travel barriers inherent to public meetings; this increases the opportunity for everyone â€" no matter where they live â€" to participate and share their views.


Details about the VOWS program components are as follows:

* The VOWS Online Discussion Forums are for publicly sharing, voting and commenting on regional and statewide transportation ideas. Participants can join any or all of the seven regional discussion forums.

* The VOWS Survey Panel is a way for citizens to communicate their opinions and preferences by taking occasional surveys on transportation policy, funding and tax issues. The result is statistically valid data representing the priorities and opinions of Washington state residents. The input from individuals is anonymous because the survey company does not attach personal information to the survey results. Each participant will receive the surveys through email.

The seven regional discussion forums are as follows:
West (Region 1), North Puget Sound (Region 2), Central Puget Sound (Region 3), Southwest (Region 4), Central (Region 5), Northeast (Region 6) and Southeast (Region 7).

Discussions within each forum will focus on both region-specific issues as well as statewide topics, such as roads and pedestrian safety.

Any Washington state resident is eligible to join the VOWS Online Discussion Forums or the VOWS Survey Panel. Registration is limited to one email address per person; submission of the person’s name, email address and county is all that is required to set up a VOWS account for participation.