Why? Because some people in these professions say whatever it is they are hired to say, whether it is true or not. Professionals, in some instances, use their expertise to justify what they don't necessarily believe or what is not precisely true. I think that is wrong. I just don't think money is that important. When you are paid by a production home builder or mega developer to present a certain fuzzy point of view, and you take that money and you manufacture justification for that point of view, I think you open yourself up to a regrettable life.
Manipulation of data in pursuit of the almighty dollar is a sell-out to yourself and your profession and it reflects on those around you. Let’s face it, anyone can manipulate data, but when you hold a degree and purport to be an expert, you should hold yourself to a higher standard and not engage in manipulation to satisfy your client.
Truth is a sacred tenet in my book and it is specific. It should not be bandied about as if it were composed of shades of gray. For example, for a traffic planner to say in a convoluted explanation, that putting 18,000 people in less than a 2 square mile area will not adversely effect traffic is an untruth. The Traffic Planner knows it isn't true but still he/she will unflinchingly stand by the data he/she has culled through to make the argument work and then the planner will hold up charts and graphs as if they make it MORE TRUE. With a straight face I have heard these Planners manipulate their expert testimony over and over to fit the project, and they act as if their powerpoints were composed by God himself.
Experts who sell out, are not exactly scum of the earth, but they do open themselves up to bad karma (or call it what you like). You can't go around doing sleazy things forever without life's revenge knocking rat-tat-tat on your door.
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Traffic Planners and their power points lead to:
FDOT will 4-lane Krome Avenue
By Pat Wade
No one was surprised when FDOT announced at the last meeting of the Krome Avenue Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) in March that the southern end of the road had to be 4-laned. The north end, from 136 street to Okeechobee Rd in Hialeah, was already destined to be 4-laned.
Short on data that a 4-lane road will be safer but long on politics the die was cast before the CAC had the first meeting.
"Professionals, in some instances, use their expertise to justify what they don't necessary believe or what is not precisely true."
Hmmm, sounds like lawyers.
It's about time Krome got upgraded. Trucks use it as a free bypass around town to get to and from US 27 (the free cross-state truck alternative to the Turnpike). It's scary driving on that narrow thing, especially at night.
Although I understand Pat Wades concerns about growth in the Redland I also think Krome should be widened. Established roads should not be used as governors for growth. Krome from US 41 to Kendall is a death trap. There is no where to pull over on the east if you have car problems and only in the last few years did they clear the right of way on the west side to allow a shoulder to pull off on. Growth should be controlled through a comprehensive master plan that is used wisely. Growth should not be controlled by killing people on a highway.
They are doing the same thing with the 18 mile stretch of US 1 to the keys. It should be 4 lanes not the 3 lane blunder that its going to be.
As for four lane roads being safer, when is the last time you have heard of “bloody 27”. When US 27 from Miami north was two lane you heard it all the time. It was a scary road to drive with all the sugar cane trucks and other 18 wheelers. Although they still have some horrendous crashes on it I still think it’s a lot safer than it used to be.
Let me clarify the earlier blog attributed to me. FDOT could not and did not say a 4-lane road would be safer. They also admitted that a well-designed 2-lane road could be as safe as a 4-lane road. The reason for 4-laning, according to FDOT, was to increase capacity; in direct conflict with the County's Master Plan. Asked to provide some comparisons of safety for 2-lane roads that were subsequently made 4-lanes, FDOT demured. The only comparison presented during the CAC meetings was by a member for Alligator Alley. When Alligator Alley was 4-laned the fatalities increased. Does any fool think that 4-laning makes a safer road? Enforcement and good design make a safer road. Pat Wade
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