It's amazing in life how much we require feedback to get through our day. Think about it. From the moment you wake up until you close your eyes at night, our days are filled with people asking for our feedback, or us asking others for feedback.
Think about how many times a day, your spouse, your friends and your co-workers ask your opinion about something. Now think about how many times you ask them for input. "Does this shirt look okay?" "What did you think about my presentation?" "Was that email I sent appropriate?" "Did I leave a big enough tip?"
This happens all day long. We require feedback, and we are asked for feedback.
My wife constantly asks for input on her clothes. She always wants to know what I think about the dinner she cooked. Looking for feedback is so ingrained in our daily lives, I think we hardly even recognize it anymore.
Which leads me to the purpose of this column. I get plenty of feedback on my traffic reports from my various bosses and consultants. They tell me what they think I should say, what they think is most important to the listeners and viewers. It's their job to know these things, and they often spend a lot of money on research to find out what "you" want in a traffic report.
But rarely, if ever, do I ask you directly what you want to hear and see in a traffic report. So here is me looking for your feedback. To quote the infamous Jerry McGuire, "help me, help you."
I want to know what you need and/or require from me when planning your commute. What do you want to hear when you are in your car? What do you want to see when you are at home about to hit the roads?
I've always leaned heavily on "trip times" in my reports. I think it is helpful to know how long it will take to get from Point A to Point B. When I'm driving I want to know how long my trip will take.
What's important to you? Are alternate routes essential to you if there is a major incident or major delays on the interstates?
Do I put too much emphasis on the interstates? Would you rather hear more about problems on the side streets?
Are you interested in MARTA updates? Do you want to know when MARTA trains or buses are delayed?
Do you like seeing live camera shots of the freeways in the mornings? Would you like to see more chopper shots over the roads you are about to take?
Do you use the "traffic ticker" at the bottom of your television screen? What other traffic info would you like to see on the ticker?
Are there roads or sections of town that you feel don't get enough traffic coverage?
I really want to help you to get to work and school on time. I want you to have easy commutes. I want you to be less stressed. I want you to help me do this for you.
Tell me what I'm doing right, and more importantly, what I'm doing wrong.
Please feel free to email me: mark.arum@wsbtv.com
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