TEN SOLUTIONS FOR THE VIRGINIA REST AREA PROBLEM
BY DAMIAN OF a_smart_union on twitter
(FUTURIST ANDE VALUES DRIVEN CRITICAL REASONING PROMOTER
PROVIDING INFORMATION ON PROFITABLE, VALUES DRIVEN,  EMPATHETIC CAPITALIST SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS, MY SPECIALTY. WHERE OTHERS SEE SHORTAGES, FINANCIAL CRISES, PROBLEMS ETC. I SEE ALMOST INFINITE POSSIBILITIES AND SOLUTIONS. WHERE OTHERS CAN ONLY SEE SINGLE SELF INTEREST SOLUTIONS FOR THE BENEFIT OF A FEW, I SEE I SEE ABUNDANT  SOLUTIONS FOR THE BENEFIT OF EVERYONE).

PREFACE:

RECENTLY BECAUSE OF THE BUDGET CRISES, THE VIRGINIA DOT STARTED CLOSING DOWN REST AREAS THAT TRUCK DRIVERS DEPENDED ON TO GET CRITICAL SLEEP TIME AND FOR THEIR GENERAL WELL BEING AND THE PUBLIC SAFETY. IN ADDITION, VIRGINIA HAD HARSH RESTRICTIVE TIME LIMITS AT THE REST AREAS THAT VIOLATED FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER LAWS,  A STATE POLICY WAS IN EFFECT, ALLOWING DRIVERS ONLY 2 HOURS OF SLEEPTIME, WHEN THE FEDERAL LAW REQUIRED 10 HOURS.

WELL CLOSING DOWN THE REST AREAS WAS THE LAST STRAW, MANY TRUCKERS GOT UPSET,BUT A FEW ACTIVIST TRUCKERS (SEE THEM LISTED AT THE END), GOT INVOLVED AND ACTUALLY STARTED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT WHEN MANY SAID IT COULDN’T BE DONE AND THE VIRGINIA DOT WILL NEVER BE TRUCKER FRIENDLY.

IT STARTED WITH A VIRGINIA BOYCOTT, WHICH SLOWLY GOT PRESS ATTRENTION. THEN @SilverSurfer_TX DID LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH AND FILED TO HAVE THE FEDERAL INFRASTTRUCTURE FUNDING FOR THE  STATE OF VIRGINIA CUT OFF DUE THE ILLEGAL STATE DOT POLICIES.

THEN OTHER ACTIVIST DRIVERS @ASKTHETRUCKER AND @DANIELAUDET STARTED HOSTING GUEST ON THEIR RADIO SHOWS INVOLVED WITH THE VIRGINIA REST AREA CLOSURES, INCLUDING A STATE OFFIC IAL AND A RELATIVE OF A DRIVER WHO DIED FROM LACK OF SECURE REST AREAS THRUOUGHOUT THE NORTHEAST.

@TRUCKERDESIREE WORKING WITH AMONG OTHERS,  @TruckDriverNews (  http://TruckDriversNews.com ) WAS ALSO INTRUMENTAL IN FINDING AND POPULARIZING JASON’S LAW , ( HR 2156,  S971 http://jhlrivenburg.com ) WHICH WILL ALSO HELP SOLVE THE REST AREA SHORTAGE FOR LARGE VEHICLES.

SLOWING THINGS ARE STARTING TO CHANGE IN VIRGINIA’S ATTITUDE. THE HAVE SIGNALED VIRGINIA WILL CHANGE THE 2 HR REST LIMIT TO 10. THE HAVE ALSO REVERSED THEIR STANCE ON APPLYING FOR A CHANGE IN  THE FEDERAL LAW TO ALLOW PRIVITIZING THE REST AREAS TO FUND KEEPING THEM OPEN.

AND SO WE MOVE TO STAGE TWO. NOW THAT WE KNOW FUNDS ARE  AVAILABLE, AND EVEN MORE IN THE FUTURE, IF JASON’S LAW IS PASSED (PLEASE SUPPORT BY CALLING YOUR LEGISLATOR) TO SUPPORT), WE NOW HAVE TO JUDICIOUSLY APPLY THE FUNDS FOR PROFITABLE TAX NUETRAL REST AREA SOLUTIONS.

I INVITE VIRGINIANS TO CONTACT BY TWITTER OR EMAIL, ME OR ANY OF THE  ACTIVIST DRIVERS LISTED HERE  AT THE END FOR IDEAS, AND WE CAN BEGIN THE PROCESS OF CREATING AND DEVELOPING PROPOSALS TO BOTH SOLVE THE REST ARE SHORTAGE, AND STIMULATE THE VIRGINIA ECONOMY, PROVIDING JOBS AND EXPANDING TAX REVENUES.

HERE ARE 10 PROFITABLE REST AREA SOLUTIONS OR OR IDEAS

(SINCE I AM A FUTURIST, THE FIRST ONE IS FUTURIST BASED, BUT ACTUALLY POSSIBLE)

1)  THE HEALTHY ENERGY HIGHWAY.
RECENT CAMPAIGNER FOR GOVERNOR TERRY MC AULIFFE,  HAD PROPOSED A SERIES OF WINDMILLS OUT OVER THE OCEAN’S CONTINENTAL SHELF. I ACTUALLY THINK THIS IS A FANTASTIC IDEA, I WOULD JUST LIKE TO APPPY A LITTLE FUTURISM TO IT. WHY NOT ADD TIDAL EXPERIMENTS TO THIS AS WELL TO PRODUCE ENERGY FROM WAVE ACTIONS?

AND IF YOU COULD CONNECT THE WINDTURBINES TOGETHER ECONOMICALLY SOMEHOW, WHY NOT ADD SOLAR PANELS IF APPLICAL FOR THE AMOUNT SUNLIGHT  AVAILABLE IN THIS AREA? AND THIS WOULD PRODUCE A LOT OF WHAT I CALL HEALTHY ENERGY, (ENERG IY THAT PRODUCES NO HEALTH DESTROYING POLUTANTS SO THAT YOU GET A LONG TEM SYNERGISTIC SAVINGS IN HEALTHCARE COSTS BY SWITCHING OVER TO THIS TYPE OF ENERGY USE).

INDEED IF THIS ENERGY SYTEM OF THREE HEALTHY ENERGIES, WIND, SOLAR, TIDAL EXPERIMENTAL; WERE FINANCIALLY VIABLE, IT COULD CONCEIVABLEY GET A LOT OF PRIVATE BOND FINACING, LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS, HEDGEFUNDS, STOCK INVESTORS, ETC. IN ADDITION TO THE FEDERAL TAX CREDITS ALREADY AVAILABLE FOR SOLAR AND WIND.

IT SEEMS FEASABLE FROM ANOTHER STANDPOINT TOO. THE ENERGY IS BEING PRODUCE NEAR ITS USAGE POINT, INSTEAD OF BEING TRANSPORTED OVER A FUTURE SMART GRID FROM OUT WEST, WHERE OTHER WIND FARMS ARE PLANNED. IN ESSENCE A LOCALLY GROWN AND HARVESTED CLEAN HEALTHY ENERGY SYSTEM

BUT TO MAKE THE PROJECT FEASIBLE AND GET IT OFF THE GROUND, WILL REQUIRE GOVERNMENT TO PLAY A ROLE.

FOR EXA, TO MAKE IT AS COST NUETRAL AS POSSIBLE I PROPOSE SYNERGIZING IT WITH ANOTHER FUTURIST PROJECT OFTEN TOUTED BY FORMER PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE MIKE HUCKLEBEE AND THAT IS A I-95 BYPASS CORRIDOR. THIS WOULD MAKE HIGHWAY FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR THE PROJECT AND BUILDING SYNERGIES COULD ALSO BE ACHIEVE AS THE WINDMILLS COULD ALSO BE HIGHWAY SUPPORT PYLONS FOR THE BYPASS HIGHWAY. AND IF YOU WANTED TO INCLUDE A BULLET TRAIN UNDERNEATH THE HIGHWAY, THEN THOSE FUNDS TOO COULD INTEGRATE INTO THE PROJECT.

AND IN THE FUTURE OF ELECTRIC CARS OR HYDROGEN CARS, THIS FUTURISTIC HEALTHY ENERGY HIGHWAY WOULD HAVE ELECTRIC PLUG INS AT REST AREAS THAT WERE ALSO TOURIST STOPS FOR FISHING, BOATING, TOURING THE WIND TURBINES ETC.

AND THESE TURBINES COULD PRODUCE NOT ONLY ELECTRICTY FOR CARS, PUT ALSO HYDROGEN, ANOTHER FUEL OF THE FUTURE, BY SEPARATING WATER INTO HYDROGEN, WITH A BYPRODUCT OF  OXYGEN. SO THE HEALTHY ENERGY HIGHWAY COULD NOT ONLY PRODUCE LOCAL ENERGY, BUT ALL THE FUEL FOR THE VEHICLES USING THE BYPASS HIGHWAY. THIS MIGHT HELP GET FUNDING AND INVESTMENT FROM OIL COMPANIES FOR THE PROJECT SO THAT THEY COUD BE PART OF THE FUTURE HELATHY ENERGY SYSTEMS.

THE MORE FUNCTIONS YOU BUILD INTO THIS HEALTHY ENERGY HIGHWAY, THE MORE FUNDING POSIBILITIES THAT BECOME AVAILABLE, E.G. FROM UTILITY COMPANIES THAT CAN FINACE IT WITH STOCK AND BOND INVESTORS, FROM OIL COMPANIES THAT CAN DO THE SAME, FROM HEDGE FUND INVESTORS,  FROM REAEARCH FUNDS FROM THE GOVERNMENT ON TIDAL ENERGY EXPERIMENTS, FROM HIGHWAY FUNDS, FROM BULLET TRAIN FUNDS, FROM WINDMILL SOLAR TAXBREAK AND CREDIT FUNDS, ETC.

AND I ALSO PROPOSE IT AS A TOURIST ATTRACTION, A WONDER OF THE WORLD, AS WELL AS AN I-95 CORRIDOR BYPASS FROM BOSTON TO RICHMOND & VIRGINIA BEACH.

NOT ONLY THAT, BUT IF SUCCESSFUL DUPLICATE THE PROJECT WORLDWIDE, INCORPORATING IMPROVEMENTS ON EACH SUCCESSIVE HEALTHY ENERGY HIGHWAY.

AS AN IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY, I WOULD BUILD IT IN SMALL EXPERIMENTAL STAGES. SAY FROM VIRGINIA BEACH TO ATLANTIC CITY.  THIS WOULD GENERATE INTEREST AND SUPPORT POLITICALLY FORM HOTEL CASINOS THERE.

TO GATHER POLITCAL BI-PARTISAN SUPPORT, YOU HAVE MIKE HUCKLEBEE (REPUB) AND TERRY MC AULIFF (DEM) AS SUPPORTERS FOR THEIR PROPOSAL BEING PART OF THE SYSTEM. AND EVEN PRESIDENT BARRACK OBAMA IF YOU INCLUDE A BULLET TRAIN IN THE STRUCTURE.

YOU WOULD GET SYNERGIES FROM FEDERAL PRIVATE FUNDING SOURCES & GOVERNMENT FUNDING SOURCES; CROSS PARTISAN POLITICAL IDEAS; CONSTRUCTIION SYNERGIES,;ENERGY PRODUCTION TAXES & TOLLS & RETAIL SERVICES CREATING SUSTAINABILITY SYNERGIES; AS WELL AS SPURS TO PROMOTE LOCAL TOURIST ATTRACTIONS & AT THE SAME TIME THE HEALTHY ENERGY HIGHWAY IS A TOURIST ATTRACTION IN AND OF ITSELF.

A SYSTEM THAT SHOULD BE JUDGED ON NOT TOTAL COST,  BUT ON COST PER MILE. AND HOW MUCH IS PRIVATELY FUNDED OR FUNDED WITH ALREADY AVAILABLE GOVERNMNET FUNDING PER MILE, AND ANY TAX REVENUE IT MIGHT ACTUALLY PRODUCE, E.G. TAX REVENUES’S FROM THE ELECTRICITY AND HYDROGEN FUEL GENERATED. AND DON’T FORGET THE I-95 CORRIDOR IS ALREADY A HEAVILY TOLLED ROAD SO A TOLL ON THE ENERGY HIGHWAY MAY NOT BE PERCEIVED AS BAD.

RENTAL HYDROGEN CARS COULD ALSO BE AVAILBLE AS A TOURIST AND PUBLICITY ATTRACTION. AND OTHER TOURIST ATTRACTIONS COULD BE PROMOTED AS WELL. AND THE BULLET TRAIN I IMAGINE WOULD HELP PAY FOR SOME OF THE TOLLING COST FROM TICKET REVENUES, WHICH MIGHT BE COMPETITIVE WITH DRIVING TO THESE TOURIST AREAS.

SO THIS IS ONE WAY TO SOLVE THE VIRGINIA REAT AREA PROBLEM, BUILD A HEALTHY ENERGY HIGHWAY AND BULLET TRAIN I-95 BY PASS. THIS WILL TAKE A LOT OF THE THROUGH TRAFFIC OFF OF I-95. REDUCING THE NUMBER OF TRUCKS AND LARGE VEHICLES LOOLKING FOR PARKING SPACES IN  VIRGINIA.

#2  BULLPEN STAGING AREAS FOR LARGE VEHICLES
AS PROPOSED BY THE RIVENBURGS AND FRED SCHAFFNER

SIMILAR TO THE WEST VIRGINIA TOLL PLAZA REST AREAS.
THESE BULLPENS CAN BE STRATEGICALLY LOCATED THROUGHOUT KEY INTERSTATE JUCNTIONS AS FRED SCHAFFNER IS PROPOSING, OR AT MAJOR CITIES AS TIMOTHY HARDENDORF (ORIGINATOR OF JASON’S LAW FOR THE RIVENBURG FAMILY) IS PROPOSING, OR EVEN DOWN TO THE INDUSTRIAL PARK LEVEL  BY PROMOTING IT WITH TAX BREAKS FOR THE INDUSTRIAL PARK OWNERS AND LAND DEVELOPERS.

THIS BULLPEN TAXBREAKS CAN EVEN APPLY TO INDIVIDUAL CORPORATIONS WHO PROVIDE OVERNITE PARKING ON SITE AT THEIR SHIPPING/RECEIVING FACILITIES. RIGHT NOW A COMMON PRACTICE AT SHIPPERS RECEIVERS IS NOT TO ALLOW DRIVERS OVERNITE PARKING AT THEIR FACILITIES, EVEN WHEN THEY HAVE PLENTY OF ROOM. TAXBREAKS SHOULD BE CONTIGENT ON COMPANIES ALLOWING OVERNITE PARKING.

AND I SUGGEST, WHERE FEASIBLE, PROVIDE COMMERCIAL SEVICES FOR THE LARGE VEHICLES PARKED THERE, E.G. ALLOW DROPPED TRAILERS FOR A SMALL FEE, FOOD, FUEL, AND PROVIDE GOOD LIGHTING AND TRUCKER DESIREE HAS PROPOSED THE NEED OF  SOME FORM OF SECURITY. ETC.

MAJOR CITIES LIKE RICHMOND, PITTRSBURGH PA,  AND SOME AREAS IN DALLAS TX TYPICALLY HAVE STAGING AREA PROBLEMS. AND I WOULD SUGGEST PEOPLE IN THE LOCAL RICHMOND AREA COULD APPLY TO THE GOVERNOR FOR THESE TYPES OF FUNDS, STARTING AT THEIR LOCAL COUNCILPERSON’S LEVEL AND WORKING WITH THEIR VIRGINIA STATE OFFICIALS TO DO ECONOMIC AND JOB ANALYSIS BEFORE DOING THE FINAL GRANT PROPOSAL TO THE GOVERNOR, OR IN THE FUTURE UNDER JASON’S LAW GRANTS.

#3 TAX BREAKS AND EXPEDITED PERMITS FOR BUSINESES THAT WANT TO ADD LARGE VEHICLE PARKING, OR INCORPORATE IT INTO NEW CONSTRUCTION

THERE ARE COMPANIES LIKE CABELA’S THAT INCORPORATE LARGE VEHICLE PARKING AT THEIR OUTDOOR STORES. ENCOURAGE MORE OF  THIS WITH TAXBREAKS FOR THIS TYPE OF NEW CONSTRUCTION AT OTHER TYPES OF STORES LIKE SUPERMARKETS, FASTFOOD STORES LIKE MCDONALD’S, WALMARTS, SHOPPING MALLS, CONVENTION CENTERS, AIRPORTS, MARINA’S, BEACHES AND BEACH AREAS, BUS TERMINALS, RV STOPS, CAMPGROUNDS, TOURIST ATRACTIONS, COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS, CASINO’S, STRIP MALLS, ANTIQUE & USED ITEM SALES AREAS, LARGE FLEETMARKET CENTERS ETC.  THE TAX BREAKS SHOULD BE CONTIGENT ON KEEPING THE PARKING FACILITIES OPEN 24/7 AND NOT JUST FOR EVENTS.  CURRENTLY A LOT OF THESE PARKING FACILITIES ARE EMPTY MOST OF THE TIME. THIS WILL HELP INTEGRATE LARGE VEHICLES INTO SOCIETY.

THE RETIREMENT CROWD IS ONLY GETTING BIGGER, AND BUYING EVER MORE LARGER AND LARGER TOURIST TRAVELING VEHICLES.  THIS IS IN ADDITION TO THE INCREASING TOURIST BUSES,. AND I WOULD POINT OUT AMERICAN TOURIST SITES ARE ONE OF THE FEW INDUSTRIES THAT HAS NOT BEEN OUTSOURCED YET.

IN ADDITION TO THIS GIVE TAX BREAKS TO BUSINESSES ALREADY BUILT BUT ARE WILLING TO ADD LARGE VEHICLE PARKING TO THEIR FACILITIES.

AND “EXPEDITE THE PERMITING PROCESS“, AS FRED SCHAFFNER HAS SAID AND HE HAS MORE INFO ON HOW VIRGINIA SLOWS DOWN THE PERMITTING PROCESS FOR FIRMS TRYING TO ADD LARGE VEHICLE PARKING.

AND IF THE FACILITY ALLOWS OVERNITE PARKING, 34 HR BREAK PARKING, AND SOME LIMITED FREE 48 HR DROPPED TRAILERS( OR FOR A SMALL FEE), INCREASE THE TAX BREAK.

THIS SHOULD BENEFIT ALL AREAS OF VIRGINIA, IN RURAL AREAS NEAR TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IT CAN HELP INCREASE TOURISM. IN CONGESTED AREAS, IT WILL GIVE RV’S, TOUR BUSES ETC MORE PLACES TO PARK AND HELP INTEGRATE LARGE VEHICLES INTO SOCIETY BETTER.

AGAIN BUSINESSES THROUGH THEIR LOCAL COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES, CAN HELP PETITIONSFOR THESE TYPE OF FUNDS OR TO GET THE NECESSARY LAWS PASSED, BY WORKING WITH THEIR LOCAL COUNCIL REPRESENTITIVE AND STATE LEGISLATORS. ECONOMIC STUDY HELP FROM LOCAL STATE LEGISLATORS SHOULD HELP TO SHOW POSITIVE ECONOMIC GROWTH ASPECTS OF THIS TYPE OF LAW AND PARKING PLAN.

#4 PAYGO IDEAS OR OFFSETS TO HELP PAY FOR TAXBREAKS

AS A NOD TO CONSERVVATIVES (I AM AN INDEPENDENT), WHO INITIATED PAYGO, AND WHO CLAIM THEY WANT EVERYTHING PAID FOR AND FUNDED SO AS NOT TO INCREASE BORROWING COSTS AND TAXES FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS, I ALSO PROPOSE TWO PAYGO IDEAS TO EVENTUALLY HELP OFFSET OR FUND ANY COSTS FOR THESE IDEAS.

A) AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL: LINE ITEM VETO

B) AT THE VIRGINIA LEVEL: PUT THE VIRGINIA BUDGET ON LINE AS IOWA AND PRESIDENT OBAMA PLAN TO DO TO LET CITIZENS HELP CONTROL THE BUDGET AND FIND WASTE, FRAUD, ABUSE, SAVINGS, AND SUGGEST MORE EFFFICIENT IDEAS.

#5 PRIVITIZATION OF REAT AREAS TO RELIEVE VIRGINIA TAXPAYERS OF MAINTENANCE COSTS

A) CONNECTICUT HAS NON, TOLL ROAD, PRIVITIZED REST AREAS & THEY SEEM TO WORK JUST FINE. BENCHMARK THEIR COST STRUCTURE, SEE IF IT COVERS THEIR YEARLY MAINTENANCE COSTS.

ALSO ON ALMOST ALL TOLLROADS WITH THESE PRIVITIZESD REST AREAS, I ALMOST NEVER HAVE ANY PROBLEMS FINDING PARKING SPACES. I SITE, WEST VIRGINIA AND OHIO AS TWO STATES WHOSE TOLL ROADS ALMOST NEVER PRESENT ME WITH A PARKING PROBLEM SITUATION. ALTHOUGH THEY MAY NEED TO START TO INCREASE SPACES AVAILABLE SOON IN SOME SPOTS.

PRIVITIZATION WILL REQUIRE CHANGE IN  CURRENT FEDERAL LAW, BUT VIRGINIA CAN IMMEDIATELY APPLY FOR AN EXEMPTION TO FEDERAL LAW NOW. FRED SHAFFNER HAS DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH ON THIS TRANSPORTATION BILL THAT STOPPED PRIVITIZATION ETC.

B) FOR IMMEDIATE PRIVATIZATION EFFORTS,  ALLOW MICRO KIOSK FOR LOCAL ATTRACTION VENDERS AND OTHER RETAIL SERVICES LIKE FOOD ETC. , IN THE CURRENT VIRGINIA REST AREAS. VIRGINIA REST AREAS I NOTICE HAVE PLENTY OF ROOM FOR THESE MINI KIOSK BUILDINGS. SEE THE ONES IN WEST VIRGINIA TO BENCHMARK. I SUGGEST THOUGH THAT YOU HAVE COMPETITION BETWEEN THESE MINI KIOSK TO KEEP PRICES INLINE. ALSO HAVE THEM AVAILABLE FOR UNIQUE LOCAL PRODUCTS LIKE NEW MARKET POTTERY & BATTLEFIELD TOURS ETC.

EVENTUALLY MAYBE EVEN CHANGE THE REST AREA ON I-81 TO A MICRO-SPUR TO THE NEW MARKET VIRGINIA AREA TOURIST ATTRACTIONS, WHERE  LARGE VEHICLE PARKING MAY STIMULATE MORE DEVELOPMENT. E.G. HORSE TRAILS, CAMPING  ETC.  THIS WOULD ALSO BE A GOOD PLACE TO EXPERIMENT WITH HYBRID RV-LARGEVEHICLE PARKING NEARBY OR AS PART OF THE MICRO-SPUR REST AREA FOR TRAVELERS, COMPLETE WITH TAX BREAKS FOR RV DEVELOPER OWNER WHO ATTEMPTS THIS.

#6  RAMPS AND TURNOUTS STUDIES FOR SAFE PARKING SPOTS

FRED SCHAFFNER IS FOR WHAT IS KNOWN AS TURNOUTS, SIMILAR TO WHAT YOU SEE ON THE PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE. WHICH CAN BE DONE CHEAPLY AND INEXPENSIVELY. I ALSO PROPOSE SAFETY STUDIES FOR THAT AND CERTAIN SPECIAL RAMP PARKING SPACES PAST THE OFF RAMP INTERSECTION JUST PAST THE STOP SIGN BUT FAR AWAY FROM THE MERGE AREA TO THE INTERSTATE.

FOR AN IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY, STARTR WITH SMALL NUMBERS OF TEST TURNOUTS AND RAMP PARKING TO SEE IF THEY MEET SAFETY GOALS FOR SAFE PARKING.

IN  BOTH CASES I ALSO PROPOSE LEGAL PROTECTIONS AGAINST DRUNK DRIVERS WHO MAY ILLEGALLY RAM INTO A LEGALLY PARKED VEHICLE IN ONE OF THESE TYPE PARKING SPOTS. AND ANY OTHER LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS THAT MAY BE NECESSARY.

#7 MICRO SPURS SMALL-NATURAL BRIDGE, MED-BRISTOL, LARGE WASHINGTON DC.

THE MICRO SPUR INTO A PRIVITIZED REST AREA. IT WORKS WELL WHERE THERE IS A LOCAL ATTRACTION NEAR THE INTERSTATES. LOCAL ROAD SPOKES COMING OUT OF THE REST AREA CAN LEAD TO OR FEED TO LOCAL ATRACTIONS. THE BULLPEN WOULD ACCOMODATE ALL LARGE VEHICLES AND IF BIG ENOUGH EVEN DROPPED TRAILERS AT A SMALL FEE FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. AGAIN WHERE FEASIBLE, THESE BULLPENS WOULD INCLUDE REATAIL SERVICES TO COVER TAXPAYER COST OF MAINTAINING THE AREA.

SMALL CITIES FOR THIS INCLUDE:

NEW MARKET VIRGINIA POTTERY
NATURAL BRIDGE VIRGINIA
LURAY CAVERNS VIRGINIA

MEDIUM VIRGINIA CITIES INCLUDE:
BRISTOL, VA.
HARRISON VA.

LARGE POPULATION CITY AREAS INCLUDE:
RICHMOND
WASHINGTON DC
VIRGINIA BEACH AREA

THE TYPE OF MICRO-SPUR BULLPEN WOULD VARY ACCORDING TO GEORGRAPHY, POPULATION, ECONOMY, TOURIST POTENTION, CURRENT AVAIILABILITY OF LARGE VEHICLE PARKING ETC.

8# PROVIDE TAXBREAKS TO EXPERIMENT WITH RV TRUCK PARKING HYBRIDS.

RV PARKS MAY BE THE CLOSEST LARGE VEHICLE PARKING FACILITY NEAR SOME OUT OF THE WAY TOURIST AREAS AND THIS IS ONE WAY ENCOURAGE MORE TOURSISM, BUSES ETC  TO GO TO THESE OUT OF THE WAY SITES, LIKE VIRGINIA’S MANY CIVIL WAR BATTLEFIELD SITES. WAR MEMORIALS, AND OTHER HISTORICAL SITES.

9# TAILOR REST AREA IDEAS TO DIFFERENT VIRGINIA AREA CHARACTERISTICS. CONSIDER WHICH IDEA IS BEST SUITED FOR WHICH AREA.

A) LOOK FOR RURAL DEVELOP IDEAS EG BEDFORD VA RV/TRUCK HYBRIDS.  OFTEN RV CAMPS ARE NOT REALLY SET UP FOR OTHER LARGE VEHICLE PARKING. I SUGGET A TAX BREAK FOR OTHER TYPES OF PARKING, EG TRUCKS AND LETTING TRUCKS DROP A  TRAILER FOR A  FEE.

B) LOOK FOR CONGESTION RELIEF IDEAS
E.G. ROANOKE/TROUTDALE/WYTHEVILLE
TAX BREAKS FOR ADDING PARKING TO MC’DONOLDS,  SUPOERMARKETS,MALL, CONVENTION CENTERS ETC.

ETC.

HOW ABOUT THESE TOURIST AREAS ? HOW WOULD YOU CUSTOMIZE REST AREA OR LARGE VEHICLE PARKING TO ACCOMMODATE THESE AREAS:

NEW MRKET VIRGINIA; POTERY AND BATRTLEFIELD
LURAY VA ;LURAY CAVES
NATURAL BRIDGE VA; SAFARI PARK
BUCHANAN VA; RIVER TRIPS
MINT SPRING VA; CLASSIC CARS MUSEUM
FRONT ROYAL VA ;SKYLINE CAVERNS
EDINBURG VA ; SHENANDOAH VINEYARDS
BEDFORD VA; WAR MEMORIAL
NORFOLK VA; NAVAL MUSEUM
MARTINSVILLE VA; RACETRACK
BRISTOL VA; NASCAR RACING
ROANOKE VA; CPONVENTION CENTER
FORT CHISWELL VA; ANIMAL PARK

10# LOOK FOR SYNERGY IDEAS OR HOW ONE POSIBLE SOLUTION ALSO SOLVES AN AOTHER

A) E.G. THE OBAMA HIGH SPEED RAIL TERMINALS SHOULD ALSO INCLUDE A SPECIAL TYPE OF BULLPEN FOR LARGE VEHICLES IN A SECURE AREA. ESPECIALLY IF THEY PUT ONE NEAR WASHINGTON D.C. AND LIKE AIRPORTS IT SHOULD INCLUDE BOTH LONG TERM AND SHORT TERM PARKING. ALSO DESIGNED SO IT CAN BE OUTWARDLY EXPANDABLE.  LIKE A REVERSE MALL PARKINGG ON THE INSIDE, THEN LATER IF NEEDED EXPANDALE RINGS OF PARKING AND SERVICES FOR FUTURE GROWTH.

IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA. AGAIN IT SHOULD BE PRIVATIZED WITH RETAIL SERVICES FOR CONVENIENCE AND TO OFFSET TAXPAYER MAINTENANCE COSTS.

B) MICRO SPURS TO TOURIST ATTRACTIONS HELP STOPPPING MOTORIST BOTH REST AND FIND NEW ATTRACTIONS. E.G. BRISTOL, VA AREA HAS THE BRISTOL NASCAR RACEWAY.

THIS CONCLUDES THE SECTION ON 10 EMPHATETIC , VALUES DRIVEN, CAPITALISTIC SOLUTIONS OR THE VIRGINIA REST AREA  SHORTAGE, AND FUNDING CRISES.

SOME ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS AND COMMENTARY:

* NOTE THE LAST TWO, #9 AND 10# ARE PROCESS IDEAS OR HOW TO USE, IMPLEMENT AND DEVELOP THE ABOVE IDEAS AS A WHOLE PROCESS WITH VARIOUS GOALS PER REGION AND PER AMOUNT OF ECONOMIC ACTIVITY.

IN MY FUTURISM PAPER, ON SOLVING THE WORLD FINACIAL CRISES,  I WILL CALL THESE CROSS FUNCTIONS. THIS #9 AND # 10 ARE PROCESS CROSS FUNCTIONS THAT THE SOLUTIONS SOULD TRY TO MEET.  VARIOUS PROCESS AND IMPLENTATION STRATEFGIES IS JUST ONE CROSS FUNCTION.

OTHERS COULD BE POLITICAL, CULTURAL POPULARITY, BENEFITS ALL OF SOCIETY, PSYCHOLOGICAL/ SOCIOLOGICAL/ CULTURAL BLOCKS TO OVERCOME, POSSIBLE LEGISLATIVE POSITIONING AND COMPROMISE POSITIONS, ETC.

#4 PAYCO, COULD ALSO BE CONSIDERED A CROSS FUNCTION FOR HELPING WITH  BUDGET  BALANCING, GATHERING BI-PARTISAN SUPORT ETC

I BELIEVE THEREARE MANY POSSIBLE PROFITABLE, SYNERGISTIC, EMPHTHETIC, VALUES DRIVEN, CAPITALISTIC SOLUTIONS TO THE VIRGINIA REST AREA PROBLEM THAT WOULD BE ECONOMICALLY SUSTAINABLE, RETURN THE TAXPAYERS’ INVESTMENT, AND BENEFIT ALL OF SOCIETY WHILE HELPING TO CREATE GROWTH AND JOBS IN VIRGINIA.

ITS JUST A MATTER OF FITTING SOLUTIONS TO VARIOUS CROSS FUNCTIONS, LIKE TOURISM

JUST REMEMBER THESE IDEAS ARE LIKE BOTH SEEDS AND EVENTUALLY WHEN FULLY DEVELOPED, A SMOGASBOARD BUFFET.

LETS TAKE A SEED. A SEED LOOKS NOTHING LIKE THE FINAL PRODUCT IT BECOMES. THE SAME IS WITH REST AREAS IDEAS. THEY MAY CONTINUE AND EVOLVE POSITIVELY INTO A BETTER AND BETTER IDEA. FOR EXAMPLE, I COMPLETELY FORGOT TO MENTION PROMOTING AMNIMAL SERVICES AT PRIVITIZED REST AREAS,  SUCH AS WALKING YOUR PET, BOARDING SERVICES, TRAVELING ANIMAL CARE ETC. (A TOPIC THAT @TruckerDesiree IS PASSIONATE ABOUT)

AND EVEN THOUGH THE SEED MAY LOOK NOTHING LIKE THE FINAL PRODUCT, SO TOO THE FINAL PRODUCT MAY NEVER HAVE EXISTED OR COME TO FRUITION, IF THE SEED HAD NOT BEEN PLANTED. AND SOMETIMES, ONE GOOOD IDEA, LIKE THE FRUIT OF A SEED, OFTEN PRODUCES MANY MORE GOOD SEEDS, OR IDEAS.

ALSO LOOK AT VIRGINIA REST AREA IDEAS AND SOLUTIONS AS A  BUFFET OR SMORGASBOARD, NOT EVERYONES REGIONAL TASTE WILL BE THE SAME BUT THE MORE ITEMS ON THE BUFFET THE BETTER THE BUFFET IS CONSIDERED TO BE AND THE MORE PEOPLE IN GENERAL IT WILL SERVE. SO DO NOT SEE THE VIRGINIA REST AREAS’ SOLUTIONS AS A ONE ITEM BUFFET, WHERE ONE FOOD ITEM IS SUPPOSED TO APPEAL TO ALL VIRGINIA GEOGEOGRAPHIC AREAS; AND REGIONAL ECONOMIC AND PROBLEM SITUATIONS.

BY DAMIAN OF @a_smart_union ON TWITTER
FUTURIST ANDE VALUES DRIVEN CRITICAL REASONING PROMOTER

PROVIDING INFORMATION ON PROFITABLE, VALUES DRIVEN,  EMPATHETIC CAPITALIST SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS, MY SPECIALTY. WHERE OTHERS SEE SHORTAGES, FINANCIAL CRISES, PROBLEMS ETC. I SEE ALMOST INFINITE POSSIBILITIES AND SOLUTIONS.

NOW HERE IS A LIST OF THE DRIVERS WHO WORKED SO HARD TO HELP START GET THE PARKINGG AND SLEEPING SITUATION SOLVED FOR THE BETTER, FOR ALL CONCERNED INCLUDING DRIVERS, THE PUBLIC AND VIRGINIANS.

ACTIVIST TRUCK DRIVERS, THE BEST OF THE BEST OF DRIVERS WORKING ON ISSUES OF CONCERN TO ALL DRIVERS, INCLUDING THE VIRGINIA BOYCOTT AND REST AREA SOLUTIONS.

AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS AND INFORMATION REQUESTS:

1)  ACTIVIST DRIVERS FRED & JB SCHAFFNER
ALSO DO PLAINSTALKRADIO.COM ON FRIDAYS 6-8.
ON TWITTER AS @SilverSurfer_TX
BLOG:  http://TheAmericanDriver.com
AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW

2)  ACTIVIST DRIVER ALLEN SMITH & WIFE DONNA
BLOGS  http://askthetrucker.com  AND http://truthintrucking.com
PH: 352-209-2210 AND 347-826-9170
ON TWITTER AS @askthetrucker , & @truckerapp
THEY ALSO DO A BLOGTALKRADIO.COM SHOW WEEKLY ON THIS AND MANY OTHER TRUCKING RELATED ISSUES. PLUS THEY HAVE AN IPHONE TRUCKERS RESOUCE APPLICATION CALLED “TRUCKER“ THEY HAVE LOTS OF INFORMATION ON THE BOYCOTT AND ARE AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS.

3) ACTIVIST DRIVER DANIEL AUDET
BLOG http://TruckStarRadio.com
ON TWITTER AS @DanielAudet
HE DOES A RADIO SHOW SEVERAL DAYS A WEEK LIVE ABOUT MANY TRUCKER RELATED ISSUES. CONTACT HIM BY PHONE OR JUST CALL IN TO HIS RADIO SHOW ON USUALLY AROUND 8PM EST.

4)  ACTIVIST DRIVER AND REPORTER JASON
PH: SKYPE CLICK ON: TruckDriversNews
BLOG REPORTER AT http://TruckDriverNews.com
ON TWITTER AS: @TruckDriverNews
JASON ALSO HAS LOTS OF BOYCOTT INFORMATION INCLUDING WHY DRIVERS ARE SUPPORTING “JASON’S” LAW TO BRING EVEN MORE FEDERAL FOUNDS INTO EXISTENCE FOR REST AREA SOLUTIONS FOR DRIVERS

5)  ACTIVIST DRIVER TRUCKER DESIREE
ON TWITTER AS @TruckerDesiree

http://TruckerDesiree.com

HAS HUNDREDS OF TRUCKER CONTACTS AND EXTREMELY POPULAR WITH TRUCKERS AND VERY KNOWLEGEABLE ON THE BOYCOTT AND JASON’S LAW.

6) ACTIVIST DRIVER DAMIAN a_smart_union
AVAILABLE FOR LAST MINUTE INTERVIEWS

BLOG: http:// smart union.wordpress.com
ON TWITTER AS MICRO-BLOGGER: @a_smart_union
CREATIVE RE-INVENTIONIST & FUTURIST, i USE FAIR & ETHICAL CRITICAL REASONING TO PROPOSE VALUES-DRIVEN CAPITALIST SOLUTIONS TO SOCIETY’S PROBLEMS FOR THE EQUAL AND BALANCED BENEFIT OF ALL THREE CLASSES: THE POOR, MIDDLE CLASS AND RICH.