The Human-Scale Design Podcast

Talking transportation, with AASHTO’s Lloyd Brown

Play episode – with guest Lloyd Brown

NYC bar, likely German, 1920s - Copy

 

Lloyd Brown is the communications director for AASHTO. For the non-transport geek, that’s the American Association of State Highway Officials. Lloyd’s group is responsible for national marketing campaigns, media relations, producing a regular journal, a web TV channel, websites, and policy reports. Basically Lloyd is familiar with anything AASHTO is involved with.

 

Great, another lobbyist group?

If you work in the world of road and bridge design, you’re familiar with AASHTO. But everyone else, it’s just alphabet soup. Lloyd talks about why AASHTO exists, gives a bit of their history, and talks about the type of influence they have on the design industry.

 

State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) still wrestle with communications

Today’s state DOT is not our fathers’ state DOT. Many things have changed. Communications is one challenge that will always be present. All DOTs communicate all the time. But what do they communicate to tax payers and project stakeholders? And how do they communicate? AASHTO recently conducted a very interesting survey of all 50 states, with a particular emphasis on newer forms of communication like Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube. But are state DOT employees able to access these tools? Are public agencies following the same trends that the average person is following?

 

Social media tools are a waste of time!

That’s the message many public agencies are sending, whether or not they realize it. Is Facebook just for sharing pictures of your cute kids? Is YouTube just for posting a video of your neighbor sledding into a tree? Lloyd talks about how AASHTO and others have been using social media tools. Agency employees, there are plenty of takeaways here for you!

 

AASHTO videos – proof that America has a secret love affair with transportation issues

Transportation issues might not always rank at the top of election-year issues, but most of us grumble about it frequently. It ranks up there with weather when you’re making small talk at your community pool party. AASHTO has its own video channel, Transportation TV. YouTube is the 3rd most visited website in the world and the 2nd most popular search engine (right behind Google, of course). Lloyd talks about the exposure AASHTO receives from its video content, including some surprising stats about viewing habits.

 

Is AASHTO’s mission broad enough to help state DOTs find their voice?

AASHTO’s motto is “the voice of transportation”. But is their mission broad enough to guide 50 states with widely diverse communications programs?

 

Don’t bore us, get to the chorus!

State DOTs will always have a need to share information with the public. (Hey, it’s our money — they better keep sharing!) But we have busy schedules, especially those of us with children. If we take the time to participate in a project information meeting, we don’t want our time wasted with jargon and slippery answers. Does AASHTO put together any resources for someone looking for concise, jargon-free coverage of transportation issues?

 

What new communications projects are coming from AASHTO in 2013?

Lloyd talks about AASHTO’s plan for 2013, including some news to please anyone who consumes online content with their mobile phone or tablet.

 

Connect with our guest

If you want to connect directly with Lloyd Brown, please visit his website. He’s always talking transportation. And do what I did — follow him on Twitter. Also, be sure to check out:

 

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