Reasons for selection Essay

Goals and objectives are the starting point for any planning effort because they provide a clear direction. With respect to the transportation system, goals and objective act as a barometer of the quality of life expected by a community and are also used to measure the success or failure of implementing a proposed plan. This is a summary of the goals and objectives of the Regional 2030 Transportation Plan derived from a series of public forums in the early 1990s and reviewed by the Capital Area Regional Transportation System Study (CARTS) Long Range Plan Task Force. For the first time, a number of interest groups, communities and non-traditional partners had been involved in the planning process in order to ensure that the goals and objectives were consistent with the adopted â€Å"Wise Growth† land use alternative and included a cross section of needs and perspectives. The adopted goals and objectives of the Regional Transportation 2030 Plan are as follows: †¢ Accessibility – to provide accessibility to all persons and goods. Objectives include providing reasonable access through planning capacity and routing, giving priority to multi-modal projects, maximize accessibility to all persons regardless of their economic, physical and social status and assure compliance with the Disabilities Act. †¢ Mobility Options – to provide multi-modal transportation choices for all people and goods. Objectives include inter and intra regional routing and modal options, giving priority to projects that enhance all modes and provide balance, to stage programs and projects in priority corridors, minimize disruptions and provide alternative routes and modes, reduce congestion, promote Transportation Demand Management strategies, encourage events, businesses and facilities managers to advertise alternative travel modes and services, undertake pre-emptive measures, use the guidebook â€Å"Evaluating Traffic Impact Studies in local and intergovernmental reviews and to consider and expand public transit in rural areas. †¢ Safety – to design, manage and maintain transportation systems consistent with accepted multi-modal safety standards, goals and the regional plan. Objectives include reduction of number, severity and resultant casualties of traffic crashes, encourage traffic control measures and Intelligent Transportation Systems applications, minimize conflicts between transportation modes and implement programs to improve traffic calming measures, sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, railroad crossings, paved shoulders, bicycle facilities, safety education, enforcement programs, multi-use paths, paths to accommodate horse drawn carriages and access management, to encourage installation and improvement of sidewalks where missing or substandard and to provide adequate safety lighting in pedestrian areas or transit stops. †¢ System Efficiency – to maximize efficiencies in utilization and performance of the multi-modal transportation systems. Objectives include using the transportation system management techniques to maximize operating efficiency including ridesharing, public bus transit, walking, biking, traffic sign and signal improvements, intersection improvements and way-finding; to develop policies and incentives to increase vehicle occupancies, coordinate movement of both people and goods, guide transportation expenditures in line with the seven mandatory planning factors listed in federal law (SAFETEA-LU), social, economic development and land use goals, travel time, operating cost, accident risk and performance standards and provide alternative forms of travel connecting services. †¢ Environmental Impacts – to develop a transportation system compatible with federal, state and local environmental standards. Objectives include reducing air pollutant emissions, reducing energy consumption, promoting use of alternative fuels and technologies, minimize transportation-generated noise, minimize disruptions to open space and natural areas, encourage alternate modes of transportation and encourage environmentally friendly design standards and practices. †¢ Land Use – to develop a system which maximizes positive impact and minimizes conflict. Objectives include encouraging local governments to adopt and implement land use plans, strengthen the regional metropolitan center, develop transformation services consistent with regional growth plan, preservation of land and open space, promotion of regional greenways, existing public utilities, local land use plans, regional non-motorized transportation plan, growth centers; prioritize development of sidewalks, provide non-motorized links within the community, encourage non-motorized connectivity, encourage transit oriented development and consider transit access and appropriate standards. †¢ Financial Considerations – to seek financial resources to preserve, maintain and improve the transportation system. Objectives include preserving and enhancing the existing system, seeking maximum state and federal funds, seeking local governmental funding, seeking alternative sources of funding, encouraging economic development, maintain and modernize existing system, coordinate and negotiate concurrent public and private infrastructure investments, use surface transportation systems, demonstrate wise and efficient operations and consider life cycle costs. †¢ Economic Development – to develop a system that fosters economic development at reduced cost and better opportunities. Objectives include improved services, intermodal connectivity, enhanced travel and freight services, regional cooperation, non-motorized enhancements, flexible and timely response and transit access. †¢ Public Involvement – to involve the public in planning and development. Objectives include public participation throughout the plan, continued feedback, involvement of interest groups and an active process of public information and education. †¢ Transit – to develop, maintain and expand public bus transit system. Objectives include decreasing auto dependency and demands on the roadway system, increasing public transit’s hare, reduce congestion, reduce need for highway improvements, serve the transit dependent, develop cost-effective system, increase intermodal transportation linkages, direct resources and efforts to increase ridership, accommodate passenger rail service, make transit an attractive alternative, connect employment centers and public services, provide safety comfort and aesthetic improvements. †¢ Parking/Parking Management – to provide for parking needs and minimize urban congestion. Objectives include finding alternatives to parking, evaluate removal or restriction on street parking, support land use that is conducive to transit, reduce overall parking demand, increase parking facilities for bicycles, promote construction of parking facilities, improve pedestrian access and develop parking facilities in line with standards. †¢ Community Impact – to design systems compatible with community character and environmental standards. Objectives include minimizing disruptions through transportation projects, enhancing community goals, enhance community character, provide non-motorized enhancements, consider community goals, prioritize aesthetic enhancement projects. †¢ Intermodal – to increase opportunities for intermodal and freight connections. Objectives include providing services that provide multimodal connections, incorporate rail, truck and air transport, improve access to intermodal facilities, complete alternative analysis, consider transit oriented park and ride facilities and encourage use of rail freight where available. †¢ Non-motorized – to encourage pedestrian and bicycle modes. Objectives include improved bicycle facilities, utilizing the natural character of the landscape, bike parking and storage facilities, bike parking, consider privacy of adjoining properties, complete regional River Trail system, encourage multi-use pathways, improve bicycle parking standards, provide improved bicycle transportation system, improve safety, provide close to home and regional activities and encourage use of non-motorized transportation system, safe pedestrian access, non-motorized connectivity, regional greenway system and complete route location and design studies, installation of sidewalks, non-motorized facilities, acquisition of raid corridors and projects within rail and utility corridors. †¢ Management Systems – to evaluate alternate transportation investments and strategies. Objectives include using the Congestion Management System, the Safety Management System, the Intermodal Management System, Pavement Management System, Bridge Management System and Public Transportation Management System. †¢ Airport Issues – to promote region’s air facilities. Objectives include supporting local policies, maintain region’s air facilities, evaluate alternative routing access to airport, pursue balancing funding for airport, encourage gateway and way-finding improvements, consider emissions and noise pollution, encourage airport partnerships with local governments and incorporate intermodal connections. †¢ Intelligent Transportation System – to better manage existing resources and enhance efficiency. Objectives include improved safety of regional transportation system, improved management during special events or system disruptions, minimize community and land use impact, manage parking demand and supply, enhance level of service and reduce environmental impact. The new transportation planning process is intended to clearly relate programs and projects to state and local transportation goals and objectives, make the process more strategic, focused and flexible and improve performance measures. For an effective 20-25 year regional plan it is important to apply a temporal component to achieve regional goals and objectives and to regularly measure progress generally after every four year period. Types and characteristics of projects may also change over time to better fit with goals and objectives. The Long Range Plan Task Force has also identified short term and long term strategies, projects and performances measures for this plan. There are several reasons why I have selected the flute over the others. First of all, almost all the people in my life either play or have played the flute at one point of their lives; my mother and all her brothers play the flute; my brothers and sisters have the same passion for it as well; my cousins play for their respective schools too; and most importantly, the love of my life is busy with the development of the skills and talents that would make her career flourish. Second, I have played other instruments in the past. I have developed my skills in playing the piano and practiced that for over seven years. I have also played the violin for quite sometime. However, for some reasons that no words can articulate, I keep on going back to my real love – the flute. Finally, it is the only sound that de-stresses me when I extremely feel tired, that makes me happy when I am so frustrated, and that makes me feel complete. Qualities and Features of the Flute that Interests Me The sound that comes from the flute’s hole is always dominant because of its clearness. It is really â€Å"music† to my ears because it is so graceful, elegant, and exceedingly sweet. That is the major reason why it makes me feel better all the time. Also I have observed that it is not very effective in a rather large venue but is extremely soothing if played in smaller setting. Role of the Flute in the Orchestra The flute plays a large role in the orchestra because there are times when it has to be in the front position, sometimes, it is up to it to carry the whole performance altogether. Its dominance is the main reason for this, because of its power, it stands out, and so it has to sound outstanding to be able to carry the whole performance altogether. References Debost, M. (2001). The Simple Flute. NY: Oxford University Press. Leonard, H. (2000). Essential Elements 2000 Flute Book. n. p. p. : n. p.