- What was the impetus for launching a public blog for the US Department of Transportation?
We realized the blog is a great way for us to get beyond news releases and communicate directly with people about what we’re doing and what we hope to do here.
- What is the function of the US Department of Transportation? How are your posts relevant to the services provided by the USDOT?
We have a straightforward mission at DOT: To serve the United States by ensuring a fast, safe, efficient, accessible and convenient transportation system that meets our vital national interests and enhances the quality of life of the American people, today and into the future.
The Secretary’s blog is a way of letting the nation see how we’re trying to negotiate those challenges. Every day, the blog provides a snapshot of how hard we’re working to fulfill that mission.
- Can you give us a brief overview of the USDOT web portal's history?
One important goal is to anticipate what citizens want when they come to dot.gov. Some people use dot.gov for services like getting a DOT number for a commercial truck. Others may want information about the latest aviation consumer protection rules. Others are interested in policy. Crafting one experience for people seeking such a range of content is not easy.
Another goal is to share the wealth of transportation information we have available in a way that is useful to people.
- What were some of the initial objectives of the blog and how have these changed or evolved over time?
When Secretary LaHood started blogging, he wanted to bring people inside the DOT to see how we’re tackling the nation’s transportation challenges. Because the Secretary is such a lively communicator, with such a human voice, his blog has been very effective at that.
- What transportation issues are discussed in the posts and how do you keep information up-to-date?
The Secretary’s blog covers everything from consumer complaints about flying to tips for avoiding distracted driving. If the Department is involved in something, it is likely to turn up on the blog. Because the Secretary’s voice has turned out to be such a great communication tool, his office is inundated with requests from different DOT agencies for him to blog about their activities. So, keeping the blog up-to-date with what’s going on around DOT is not too difficult.
- Who comprises your target audience, and how have your readers helped shape the blog?
The audience can be divided into three segments: transportation professionals (public and private), people interested in government, and people interested in transportation. But even within those large categories, we have wide variations. There are people passionate about the environment and sustainability. There are parents concerned about safety. There are advocates for people with disabilities, advocates for bicycling and people fighting against drunk driving.
- How do you work to promote the blog, both on- and off-line?
Word-of-mouth has been our best friend.
- The Fast Lane blog allows comments from readers -- how hard was it to institute this, and how has it impacted the blog more generally?
You have to allow comments. If you don’t, then the blog is just a one-way machine. Secretary LaHood has been adamant from day one that Fast Lane be a community. And if you read the comments, you’ll see that he is more than willing to post criticism as well as praise.
- Why has it become important for citizens to be informed about Department of Transportation issues?
There are two good reasons why people want to tune into the Secretary’s blog. First, transportation touches the lives of all Americans. We can’t get from A to B without it, and we can’t get the goods we use every day without it.
Second, President Obama has made DOT part of the change he promised America. The transportation portion of the Recovery Act has been an engine for jobs. We’ve introduced livability and sustainability components to transportation policy. We’re building a long-overdue American high-speed passenger rail system. These are game-changers, and the list goes on and on.
- What else would you like to share with us about the Fast Lane USDOT Blog?
Read it!