Step 8. Institute a new, permanent stakeholder think-tank to ensure ongoing collaboration between the public and private sectors in the implementation of this business plan

OnTrackPennsylvania proposes a new alternative to transportation planning that brings together a wide array of stakeholders to collaboratively deal with the transportation challenges facing the state. The vision for OnTrackPennsylvania as an independent think tank is grounded in a commitment to strategic planning, productivity, and results. We call this concept transportation action planning. This multi-stakeholder engagement is designed to generate recommendations, plans, and most importantly, commitments and action steps.

This think tank will surpass the traditional role of state transportation advisory councils. We intend to unshackle the straitjacket that anti-trust regulations have placed on intelligent collaborative activity among public and private sector entities involved in important infrastructure issues. Government personnel at all levels need this new process for collaborative transportation planning that allows them to work together with the private sector, NGOs and community representatives to more effectively implement comprehensive transportation plans

OnTrackPennsylvania and its academic and professional partners, notably Dr. Barbara Gray of Penn State University’s Smeal College of Business and Dr. Beverly Cigler of Penn State’s Public Policy program, bring a wealth of experience not only in transportation, but also in collaborative problem-solving, industrial negotiations, and consensus-based decision making. Our intention is to apply these proven techniques to the now widely acknowledged need for improved private- and public-sector collaboration in the transportation fields.