The mission of the American Society of Highway Engineers is to promote the planning, design, construction, maintenance and operation of safe and efficient highways; to foster a general understanding of the value of highways and seek support for their fiscal viability; to stimulate and publicize technology advances in the highway field; to encourage communications among all segments of the highway industry; to stress the value of individuals; and to facilitate ethics, leadership and career growth of the members. 

The realization of the enormous growth of the highway industry in the Mid-20^th century, in particular, the inauguration and implementation of the National System of Interstate and Defense Highway Act of 1956, and the recognition that the knowledge for such a program could only be consummated by the whole-hearted and integrated efforts of all persons associated with the highway industry, led to the formation of the American Society of Highway Engineers with the intent and determination to assume its responsibility for the development of the rapid growing demands of the highway industry.

The Society was incorporated in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1958 with the conception and inception of the first Chartered Section credited to a small group of dedicated engineers from the Pennsylvania Department of Highways, in associaion with a group of outstanding contractors, material suppliers and consulting engineers in the Harrisburg area.

The Board of Directors consists of representatives of contractors, consulting engineers, government agencies, materials producers, utility companies and other highway related agencies being duly elected Officers to serve as the Administrative Staff of the Society.

Being desirous of offering participation at all levels of responsibility, a classified membership is available to everyone in the highway industry. Individuals who have practiced or are now practicing in the highway industry or its allied as Senior Members, Members, Associate Members, and Honorary Members.

At the present time, the Society membership numbers over four thousand consisting of eleven (11) sections in Pennsylvania - Altoona, Clearfield, Delaware Valley (Philadelphia area), East Penn (Allentown, Easton, Reading areas), Franklin, Harrisburg, Mid-Allegheny (Indiana area), North-East Penn (Scranton area), Pittsburgh, Southwestern Pennsylvania (Uniontown area) and Williamsport; six (6) sections in Ohio - Cuyahoga Valley (Akron-Canton area), Western Reserve (Youngstown area), Central Ohio (Columbus area), Lake Erie (Cleveland area), Northwest Ohio (Toledo area), and Triko Valley (Cincinnatti area); one (1) section in West Virginia - North Central West Virginia (Clarksburg area); two (2) sections in New Jersey - Southern New Jersey and North Central New Jersey; one (1) section in Delaware - First State Section; one (1) section in Maryland - Chesapeake; two (2) sections in Virginia - Potomac (Virginia - D.C.) area and Old Dominion (Richmond); two (2) sections in North Carolina - Carolina Triangle (Raleigh area) and Carolina Piedmont (Charlotte area); two (2) sections in Florida - Central Florida (Orlando area) and Tampa Bay (Tampa area); and one section in North Dakota - Central Dacotah (Bismarck area). The Society also includes members from numerous other states.

The many and diverse benefits of a mutual desire among the members to cooperatively approach and solve the common concerns that must be faced has become manifest. The direction of the Society is presented by the goals in the Long Range Plan. The spirit of professional and personal fellowship has added to the strength of all.

This Long Range Plan, as adopted by the Board of Directors at its meeting of January 19, 1996, establishes the goals and objectives of the American Society of Highway Engineers for the period 1997-2000. The Society is firmly committed to long range planning and believes that the process of identifying its goals and objectives allows the Society to focus on changing conditions and to be responsive to the membership's needs through proper utilization of its resources.

The planning process identifies the short-term and long-term goals and objectives of the Society and establishes strategies to address issues within the period. The process strives to direct the efforts of the Society toward attainment of these goals and objectives.

The Long Range Plan will require a periodic review with input from members of the Society on a three-year basis to assess the issues, assumptions and goals. The Long Range Planning Committee is responsible to review and update the plan for approval by the Board of Directors.

The Long Range Planning Committee is chaired by the 2nd Vice President and includes the President, 1st Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and a minimum of two (2) at-large members.

The Long Range Plan 1993-1996 as approved January 22, 1993 is superseded in its entirety by the adoption of this Long Range Plan for the 1997-2000 period.

The Mission of the American Society of Highway Engineers is to promote the quality planning, design, construction, maintenance and operation of safe and efficient highways; to foster a general understanding of the economic importance of highways and seek support for their fiscal viability; to advance the highway aspects of intermodal transportation; to stimulate and publicize technology advances in the highway field; to encourage communication and cooperation among all segments of the highway industry; to stress the value of individuals; and to facilitate the ethics, leadership, and career growth of its members.

The American Society of Highway Engineers has defined the following assumptions as the basis for accomplishing the goals and objectives:

a. The Society supports the need for strong national associations in the highway industry.

b. Professional and technical expertise and guidance are available from the membership of the Society.

c. The Society will continue to strive to achieve the goals described in the Mission Statement for the betterment of the nation.

d. The highway industry will continue to be vital to local and national economic viability.

e. Highway industry proponents face increasingly severe challenges and competition.

f. Highways are a public responsibility and are essential to the health, welfare and safety of all people.

GOAL I - SOCIETY ORGANIZATION

Provide for the most effective and efficient management of the Society which will best serve the membership and fulfill the Mission Statement,

GOAL II - MEMBERSHIP

Increase the membership to expand the influence of the Society through communications that will promote and improve all segments of the highway industry, and facilitate the ethics, leadership and career growth of the membership.

GOAL III - NATIONAL CONFERENCE

Promote and improve the National Conference and encourage the collective participation of the membership so that the Conference plays a strong role in fulfilling the Mission of the Society.

GOAL IV - PUBLIC AWARENESS

Improve the identification and image of the Society and foster a general understanding of the value of highways.

GOAL V - MEMBERSHIP SERVICES

Promote and publicize technological advances and cost saving techniques used in the highway industry; recognize the value of individual contributions and facilitate the ethics, leadership and career growth of members.

GOAL VI - SOCIETY INVOLVEMENT

Promote all levels of Society involvement in local, state and national issues to bring about a heightened public awareness of the benefits that highways bring to the nation.

GOAL VII - FISCAL VIABILITY

Maintain an effective national organization that supports the Regions by providing leadership and services while maintaining an equitable dues structure and funding policy for the Society.

Provide for the most effective and efficient management of the Society which will best serve the membership and fulfill the Mission Statement.

Objectives:

1. Maintain a National Board which effectively and efficiently represents and serves the membership.

Strategies:

a. Evaluate the size and structure of the Board considering the growth and needs of the Society.

b. Identify methods of evaluating the effectiveness of the committees.

c. Encourage diversity on the Board from all facets of the highway industry.

2. Effect and maintain a close relationship between the National Board and the Regions.

Strategies:

a. Evaluate the need for implementation of any specific actions to improve the direct relationship of the Board and the Regions.

b. Solicit membership surveys on specific issues to obtain information concerning the effectiveness of the Society and National Board, directions and goal adjustments to be considered, and other related matters which will achieve a common understanding by the National Board and the membership.

3. Review and update the constitution and bylaws to assure that the operation of the Society serves the needs of the membership.

Strategy:

Evaluate the bylaws on an as-needed basis to effect any adjustments necessary due to growth and changes in the Mission of the Society.

4. Review the need for an Executive Director to provide assistance to the National Board.

Strategies:

a. Evaluate the gradual incorporation of secretarial services, membership records maintenance and SCANNER editing and publishing services through short term contracts with service corporations.

b. Evaluate the need for full time Executive Director services.

c. Evaluate the costs for these services and provide an effective funding mechanism.

Increase the membership to expand the influence of the Society through communications that will promote and improve all segments of the highway industry, and facilitate the ethics, leadership and career growth of the membership.

1. Expand the Society's presence and involvement.

Strategies:

a. Target at least one new state each year for membership through an active New Sections Committee and target a minimum of at least two new Sections each year.

b. Major efforts should be in the larger metropolitan areas and/or capital cities where the State DOT is located.

c. Utilize a New Sections Committee, consisting of subcommittees corresponding to various areas of expansion.

d. Update new section marketing tools.

e. Update guidelines for establishment of new Sections.

2. Expand within existing states.

Strategies:

a. Recruit members to assist in establishing new Sections adjacent to their own.

b. Use similar strategies as expansion into new states.

3. Nurture younger Sections.

Strategy:

a. Through National Board Members and/or special committees, follow up and encourage activities of the newer Sections.

b. Expand the duties of the Membership Committee to assist the Sections in maintaining and expanding their membership.

4. Encourage an increase in membership of all Sections.

Strategies:

a. Expand the duties of the Membership Committee to assist the Sections in maintaining and expanding their membership.

b. Assist Sections in membership drives.

c. Develop and suggest new and interesting programs for Section meetings.

d. Coordinate programs and activities between the Regions.

e. Encourage more contractor, supplier and utility representatives to become ASHE members.

f. Increase public awareness of the Society by use of local media.

g. Evaluate the establishment of a Student Membership category.

5. Advance personal growth of the membership.

Strategies:

a. Promote high standards of personal conduct within the highway industry.

b. Build confidence and good will among members and the public.

c. Develop leadership skills.

Promote and improve the National Conference and encourage the collective participation of the membership so that the Conference plays a strong role in fulfilling the Mission of the Society.

Objectives:

1 . Through the National Conference Committee, develop recommendations on Conference Policy

2. Define the respective roles of the Sections and the National Board of Directors in producing the Conference.

3. Establish financial policies for the Conference that best promotes the Mission of the Society.

4. Promote sponsorship of the Conference site(s) by Sections or Regions to equitably serve the membership and interests of the Society.

5. Evaluate annually the most recent past Conference and prepare recommendations for subsequent Conferences.

6. Provide active communication between the National Conference Committee and the sponsoring Section regarding technical programs, social events, educational materials, budget, and accountability.

7. Adjust the Conference guidelines to reflect current policy.

Improve the identification and image of the Society and foster a general understanding of the value of highways.

Objectives:

1 Promote the identity of ASHE.

Strategies:

a. Update and distribute the Society's brochure.

b. Exhibit Society information at major association meetings, conferences and conventions.

c. Encourage distribution of the SCANNER to outside agencies.

d. Distribute the SCANNER to State DOT offices and FHWA Regional offices.

e. Promote student awareness of ASHE and the highway industry through Section participation in high school career day activities.

f. Encourage Regions and/or Sections to offer scholarships to college students who are perusing a curriculum leading towards a career in the highway industry.

2. Provide the public with information about the Society's activities, meetings, positions on legislation, technical articles, and the National Conference.

Strategies:

a. Publish a Society brochure.

b. Establish a local public relations committee in each Section to publish information about local Section meetings.

c. Promote the Society through the news media.

d. Utilize the resources of outside groups to promote the Society.

e. Publish the Society's position on legislation.

f. Establish a speakers bureau.

g. Publish Society events in Engineering Publications.

Promote and publicize technological advances and cost saving techniques used in the highway industry, recognize the value of individual contributions, and facilitate the ethics, leadership and career growth of the members.

Objectives:

1 . Provide a library of video tapes and training aids.

Strategies:

a. Investigate the availability, cost and means of providing various membership services,

b. Initiate a program to make available the latest technological advances in the highway industry through visual and audio aids and publications.

2. Conduct technical seminars.

Strategies:

a. Initiate a program to conduct regional technical seminars so that members may hear speakers present subjects relating to the highway industry,

b. Provide support services.

c. Participate in industry-wide continuing education programs.

d. Participate as a co-sponsor with other organizations related to the highway industry in conducting technical seminars.

3. Provide a membership directory,

Strategies:

a. Provide a new membership directory a minimum of every three years.

b. Encourage local Sections to maintain and distribute a current listing of members.

Promote all levels of Society involvement in local, state and national issues to bring about a heightened public awareness of the benefits that highways bring to the nation.

Objective:

1. Increase public support for programs that will facilitate all highways that have a positive impact on the national economy.

Strategies:

a. Publish Position Papers and Information Bulletins concerning the development and improvement of highways for distribution and presentation by members of the Society at public forums, hearings, and planning meetings.

b. Encourage members to serve on local and regional planning boards, regulatory agencies, and authorities and to lend their support and expertise in developing programs that will improve public transportation.

c. Encourage members to join the Citizens Committee of their regional planning board to promote highway issues.

2. Promote the development and approval of local, state and national legislation which will most effectively utilize available funding to build and maintain our nation's highways and bridges:

Strategies:

a. Encourage, support, and publicly recognize members who volunteer to serve in public office and solicit support from individual members for those who seek elective office.

b. Prepare and distribute sample letters for use by the membership in responding to proposed legislative and regulatory issues affecting the planning and financing of highway improvements.

c. Actively pursue the input of technical societies and organizations in developing policies and in responding to legislative proposals through intersociety liaison activities.

Maintain an effective National Organization that supports the Regions by providing leadership and services while maintaining an equitable dues structure and funding policy for the Society.

Objectives:

1. Develop a three year plan for spending which is consistent with the long-range plan.

2. Develop new initiatives in order to make the SCANNER self-supporting.

3. Evaluate the benefits and services which could be offered if a corporate membership grade would be established.