A Clear View Ahead for the Transportation Industry
Posted by Karen Thomas on Mon, Aug 23, 2010 @ 11:39 PM
Is 100% transparency a realistic endeavor? Perhaps not. When it comes to business – and even governmental regulation – some secrets are best kept as just that. Proprietary technology, ventures, investments, etc. are best kept under-wraps at times. The Department of Transportation (DOT) though is commended for its transparency.
Transparency within the DOT is no accident. In fact – there's a plan. The DOT Open Government Plan is explained as follows:
“DOT leadership and employees from across the Department worked together to help create an Open Government Plan to meet the requirements of Open Government Directive. A PDF version and a Web version are both available. This plan is a living document. As we continue towards increased transparency, participation, collaboration, and innovation, we will be refining and enhancing our strategic efforts. We welcome public comments regarding the content of this plan on our Citizen Engagement Tool and at open@dot.gov.
[The] Open Government Plan. This framework enabled us to quickly identify planning steps; analyze and address the relevant technology, policy, and cultural issues that would impact Open Government activities; and get the best-suited people involved in Open Government efforts from the very beginning. Read more about this framework and our approach to Open Government here, (www.dot.gov)
While the DOT is subject to continued transparency, other sectors of the transportation industry are motivated to provide factual information on a day to day basis due to economic factors. Take for example, the oil industry. Real time data is accessible at a moment's notice (depending on your electronic device – smart phone, iPdad, desktop, land-line, etc.). The Energy Information Administration of the Department of Energy posts daily statistics in regards to the prices of gasoline and diesel prices. For example, the EIA reported today that the, “average weekly retail price of a gallon of on-highway diesel dropped for the second consecutive week, falling 2.2 cents to $2.957 for the week ending Aug. 23,” (www.eia.dot.gov.)
Seeing through something insinuates being able to see truth – whether it's the truth in numbers, or information in general. The transportation industry – being one that's subject to numerical data as well as regulatory initiatives, is doing its part to crystallize its plans.