Brief Description of the Problem
Traffic jams are common occurrences for many individuals who to commute to work using their motor vehicles. According to Hartman (n.d.), “the roadways leading into and out of most major cities can become gridlocked due to an accident, road construction or simply a high number of cars on the road. Traffic congestion can have a number of effects on drivers, the environment, health and the economy” (para. 1). The problems associated with traffic jams can be handled using many different decision making processes. However within this paper, I will use Osborn’s 73 idea spurring question process to create an idea checklist of questions that I will ask and answer as a means determining a solution to traffic jams from a new perspective.
Osborn’s 73 Idea Spurring Questions
Marakas (2003) proposed that Osborn’s model presents nine basic ideas: put to other uses, adapt, modify, magnify, minify, substitute, rearrange, reverse, and combine.
1. What are some new ways to utilize time spent in traffic jams? There are a lot of professional students at all levels, undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral. Many students can take advantage of this time stuck in traffic to catch up on homework since most schools rely on Internet as a mode of delivery.
2. How have people learned to adapt with traffic jams in their everyday lives? Many people realize that traffic jams are inevitable. Therefore, many people attempt to leave out as a means of beating the traffic jam or reducing the amount of time spent in the traffic jam.
3. Are there any changes to the roadway that will cause traffic jams to be modified? By increasing the number of lanes of a road, has the potential to increase traffic flow and reduce the chance of traffic jams.
4. Are there any things that can be subtracted or omitted that will because traffic jams to be minified? Corporate America could decide to adjust the work week to 4 days a week instead of 5 in order to reduce incidents of traffic jams.
5. Is it possible for commuters to rearrange their work schedules to accommodate traffic patterns? Many companies offer flexible work schedules to employees in certain departments. If you know you have the option to arrive at work before or after peak traffic jams times, I would explore this option fully.
6. Are there any ways in which a motorist can turn the tables in terms of limiting a traffic jam? If more turnabout lanes were constructed on roadways, many motorists would have to option to turn around on a roadway and use an alternative route to and from work.
7. What other forms of transportation can be used instead of motor vehicles can be used to commute to and from work? Individuals might have the option to use public transportation such as trains and/or buses, especially if a person lives in an area where public transportation
References
Hartman, D. (n.d.). The Effects of Traffic Congestion. Retrieved November 7, 2013 from http://www.ehow.com/list_6308569_effects-traffic-congestion.html Marakas, G. (2003). Decisions Support Systems, 2nd Ed. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey:
Prentice-Hall.