By Mike Johnson
An article appeared in the Arizona Republic on December 18, 1997 entitled "High-tech highways no safer." It described the Arizona Department of Transportation's (ADOT) evaluation of their highway "enhancements"; controlled on-ramps, message boards, and a network of video cameras. The conclusions, based on ADOT's own report, were surprising; reduced traffic flow and severely increased accident rates, over 50% in some places.
These apparently anomalous results prompted the Phoenix section of the American Society for Quality (ASQ) and the Phoenix Skeptics to schedule a combined meeting on Tuesday, April 14 on the subject. AZ Republic reporter Mary Jo Pitzl and an ASQ statistician will give the first presentation of the evening (6:15 - 7:15 p.m.).
ADOT was repeatedly invited to follow this presentation with their response. Their adamant refusal prompted us to invite Jeff Flake, Executive Director of the Goldwater Institute to discuss "Quality Government, or Arrogant Bureaucracy?" (7:30 - 8:30 p.m.) Our government is still welcomed to participate.
The meeting is free, dinner (5:00 - 6:00 p.m.) is optional. For more details see the Calendar or the ASQ Internet home page at http//www.asq-0704.org.
ASQ Program Chairman, Phoenix Skeptics Life Member