Bill O’Boyle

Beyond the Byline: PennDOT seeking feedback through statewide survey

And the survey says?

Well, in the case of PennDOT, the survey results are up to you.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is seeking the public’s feedback on winter services through an online survey.

“Our team works hard throughout the winter to keep us moving and keep us safe,” said Acting PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “Through the survey, the public can share their comments, expectations, and perceptions which helps us review our operations and ways to enhance public information.”

The survey is available through April 6 and should take about five minutes to complete. All responses are completely anonymous.

So take the time and fill out the survey. Tell PennDOT about all those potholes, the litter you see along the highways, the detours you hate to take and the delays you have experienced. Not to mention issues with snow removal or slippery areas.

The 17-question survey asks respondents about their timeline expectations for safe and passable roadways, how they rank snow-removal priorities, and how they rate PennDOT’s winter services.

Respondents are also asked how they receive PennDOT roadway information, and whether or how they use the state’s 511PA traveler information services. During the winter, www.511PA.com offers its standard traffic and incident information while adding PennDOT plow-truck locations, winter roadway conditions, and other services.

At any time, motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information, and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras.

As construction season begins, information on projects occurring or being bid this year is viewable at — www.projects.PennDOT.gov.

About that litter

According to an email received from PestDude.com, a survey they did found that 10% of Pennsylvanians admit to illegal dumping, with food waste the most common item to be dumped. The survey also found that over half would report a neighbor for illegal dumping.

Litter is seen everywhere and it comes in all shapes and sizes, from those discarded food wrapping, to an old couch or bed mattress and even appliances. People discard just about everything that they want to get rid of — it’s disgusting.

According to a recent survey of 3,000 (anonymous) respondents by PestDude.com, a shocking 10% of Pennsylvanians have done just this — left their old, no-longer-useful possessions somewhere, rather than taking the proper and correct course of action.

Zachary Smith, owner of PestDude.com, says:

“Illegally dumped trash is a haven for all kinds of unwanted pests and vermin. Rats, mice and cockroaches are some of the most common pests that are drawn to illegally dumped trash. These pests can breed and multiply quickly in the piles of garbage, leading to an infestation that can quickly spread to neighboring areas. Flies and other insects are also attracted to the rotting food and waste, which can cause not only a nuisance but also health hazards.”

Ewwwww!

And then there are those who have no problem throwing their trash and unwanted items into somebody else’s dumpster.

Smith points out the rudeness of illegal dumpers. He says when it comes to getting rid of unwanted items, “81% of us are taking the semi-honorable route by tossing it in someone else’s dumpster; 9% think it’s perfectly acceptable to litter the sidewalk with their trash. Then we have the 4% who treat roads and highways as their personal dumping grounds. And if you happen to take a refreshing dip in a local river or lake, you might want to keep an eye out for the 4% who have no qualms about turning it into their own personal landfill. And finally, there are the daring 2% who sneak into parking lots to unload their unwanted junk.”

Finally, PestDude’s Smith says over half (58%) said they would (quite rightly) report a neighbor for illegal dumping.

Stop this awful form of March madness — stop littering.

And if you do see it in process, report the villains.