Key Points

The office of Secretary of Transportation is a great honor-and, at the same time, an enormous responsibility

• It is a responsibility that I welcome.
  
• My professional experience as a CPA and my involvement in public service, which includes eight years as a Board of Transportation member, have led me to accept this new challenge.
  
• Look forward to working with the department's dedicated employees

Top Priorities at NCDOT

• Maintenance-Currently working with the General Assembly to develop creative ways to address these needs for the long term
  
• Mass Transit-Must seek alternatives to the automobile. A mass transit system would link all modes of travel, from public transportation to rail to bicycles. Will continue to push for expansion for public transportation and rail and will make bicycle and pedestrian a regular part of business
  
• Environment-Must protect the beautiful environment of the Old North State. Will continue to work with all resource agencies involved in the transportation planning process as partners

Addressing Traffic Congestion Throughout the State

• ITS-intelligent transportation systems such as variable message signs and traffic cameras allow us to maximize the existing system and keep travelers informed of incidents ahead
  
• Transportation Systems Management (TSM)-efficiency improvements to highways including exclusive turn lanes at intersections and incident management systems
  
• Mass Transit-Alternatives to the automobile
  
• Working with RTP tenants as partners, pushing alternative work schedules and carpooling to reduce congestion at peak times
  
• Conducting congestion management studies on key arteries-I-40 and I-85 to identify short term, low cost alternatives to address peak-period congestion in these highly traveled corridors