Question: Where are they getting the information for that new pavement-condition map? Not enough roads are marked “poor,” in my opinion.
Answer: Hawaii’s Department of Transportation uses an automated road-inspection method, called the Laser Crack Measurement System, to collect data on the condition of state roads. Pavement-condition data, as well as information about traffic counts, fatal crashes and DOT projects underway or beginning in the next two years, are included in the Highways Program Status Map, which you can see at 808ne.ws/pavcond.
The LCMS uses 3-D laser sensors that are mounted on vehicles. As the vehicle travels, the activated sensors “map” the road, assessing its overall smoothness and detecting and measuring cracks and ruts. Pavemetrics, the company that Hawaii contracted, says its LCMS “delivers proven results on more surfaces than any other sensor in the market” and can perform a complete pavement inspection in a single pass, day or night.
Hawaii’s map shows overall pavement condition averaged over half-mile sections of state roadways. This reflects a combined measure of pavement smoothness, cracking and rutting, according to the DOT.
Most state roads on Oahu are marked fair (yellow), interspersed with a few sections of green (good) and red (poor). The pavement-condition data set will be updated annually.
Q: Thanks for answering the question about that survey (808ne.ws/106kline). Do I have to fill it out? What happens if I don’t?
A: Yes, the random sample of U.S. residents who receive the American Community Survey must fill it out, according to federal law. You may receive follow-up mailers, phone calls and perhaps a home visit if you don’t, according to the U.S. Census Bureau and two civil liberties groups that track the issue.
It’s a federal offense to refuse to answer any question on the ACS or to intentionally give false answers; fines may be imposed, under the federal statute.
The relevant laws are Title 18 U.S.C Section 3571 and Section 3559, which amends Title 13 U.S.C. Section 221, according to the Census Bureau.
However, it does not appear that the Census Bureau is quick to enforce the harshest penalties. On their websites, the American Civil Liberties Union and the Rutherford Institute cite no recent instances of anyone being prosecuted for failing to fill out the ACS, which asks about income, education, citizenship, housing, fertility and other personal topics.
The Rutherford Institute says the ACS raises significant privacy and constitutional concerns, and offers a form letter recipients can use to inform the Census Bureau that they don’t want to complete the survey. You can read more at 808ne.ws/acsruth, which includes a link to the form letter.
The Census Bureau, meanwhile, urges recipients to fill out the survey completely and accurately, emphasizing that the information collected helps determine how more than $675 billion in federal funding is dispersed throughout the country each year. The confidentiality of individual respondents is protected, it insists.
“When you respond to the ACS, you are doing your part to help your community plan hospitals and schools, support school lunch programs, improve emergency services, build bridges, and inform businesses looking to add jobs and expand to new markets, and more,” it says.
Mahalo
I dropped my iPhone at the Kuakini Medical Plaza. It was turned in to the pharmacy. This World War II veteran would like to express a grateful mahalo. — Mits
Write to Kokua Line at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
