WASHTO-X Program :Videoconferencing Information Exchange
Kevin P. Heaslip, Doyt Bolling, Peter T. Martin · 2009
This research began as a way to increase information exchange between different State DOTs and expand networking between experts in different states. Videoconferencing lowers the cost of this higher level of interaction relative to the traditional conference. Typically, only higher-level managers would travel to a conference location because of the expense. This old format places a limit on the amount of information shared between administrators in the different states. While there is an increasing amount of information available among specialists, there is a decreasing amount of resources at the state level to pay for conference travel. The WASHTO-X project sought to prove that videoconferencing technology could effectively replace this level of information exchange. The success of phase one (2002 to 2004) led to an extension of the project through June 2008. The project is evaluated on its ability to expand the number of people involved in exchange of information and the cost of delivering this higher level of service.