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The World Cup proved to be big for sports and Qatar's business future
The 2022 FIFA World Cup was one of the world’s most-watched sporting events, but it also provided an opportunity for exponential growth for business development in the Middle East. Qatar was selected as the first country from the Middle East to host the worldwide tournament over 12 years ago, allowing plenty of time to prepare for the competition and create everlasting business relationships. Kyriaki Kaplanidou, a UF professor and researcher, published a study in 2016 for the Journal of Business Research, working alongside her fellow colleagues. The study followed the industrial progress made in Qatar after its 2010 selection and demonstrated how their networking efforts improved the Persian Gulf region business infrastructure. “The country has invested a great deal of time and money to expand its physical and human resources. They’ve had to understand how business is done in other countries, learn innovative construction techniques and develop their human capital in areas of knowledge, skill and awareness of other cultures and business practices,” Kaplanidou said. Kaplanidou and her team interviewed 24 Qatar sports organizations stakeholders, both indirectly and directly involved with the 2022 World Cup. Her research found that almost all the interviewees highlighted Qatar’s characteristics that either impede or improve their current development status. The most highlighted criteria pertained to labor cases pertaining to hazardous working conditions and displayed racial discrimination, as the United Nations put Qatar on blast for their treatment of infrastructure workers. The government decided to implement changes and with the introduction of new, stricter labor laws, Qatar is now considered one of the most worker-friendly places in the Gulf Region. Despite all the controversy surrounding the FIFA World Cup host country, fans were still excited to cheer on their team of choice, and the tournament provided Middle East countries with something to be proud of. “It will be interesting to see if the country can reposition itself in the business world and establish its presence in other industries now that it has gained new experience and knowledge through the process of preparing for this mega event,” Kaplanidou said. By Halle Burton
• Professor Patricia Thornley has led a Department for Transport advisory paper • Advises decarbonisation will need low-carbon fuels alongside electrification • Calls for continued investment in this area. A leading energy expert at Aston University has advised government to invest in low carbon fuels - as well as electric - if it wants to reach its 2050 net zero ambition. Professor Patricia Thornley has led a Department for Transport (DfT) advisory paper on low carbon transport fuels. The paper advises that decarbonisation of the UK’s transport systems will need the government to support the use of low-carbon fuels alongside widespread battery electrification where possible. Professor Thornley and the other members who sat on the Scientific Advisory Council examined the challenges and opportunities of developing and using different fuels and their potential impact on the wider energy system. The authors highlight that low carbon fuels such as those made from agricultural waste can deliver reductions in carbon emissions, helping to meet the government’s 2050 net zero ambition. As a result, they state that continued investment in this area is crucial. The paper also states that at this point it’s not yet clear if low carbon fuels will support just the transition to full electrification of the UK’s transport systems or will be a long-term solution. Professor Thornley who is director of Aston University’s Energy and Bioproducts Research Institute (EBRI) and the Supergen Bioenergy Hub said: “Successful decarbonisation of transport systems in the UK will require flexible and adaptive government strategies that support the use of low-carbon fuels alongside widespread battery electrification, where that is possible. “The optimal mix of low carbon fuels vs battery electrification in transport will depend on many different factors, some technological, some supply related, and others linked to the capacity of the UK to generate low carbon electricity. “We urgently need to better understand and manage the airborne emissions that can still be present with low carbon fuels (including hydrogen). That might result in us prioritising different fuels or propulsion systems in different applications or even different parts of the UK. “Agreeing that prioritisation would allow us to prioritise appropriate next generation of infrastructure to support the UK’s net zero ambitions.” Back in March 2022 the Council was asked to provide guidance to the DfT which is currently developing a low carbon fuels strategy. The report, Low carbon transport fuels: DfT Science Advisory Council position paper was published on 5 June and provides an independent advice on the role of low carbon fuels in reducing transport systems’ greenhouse gas emissions.
Potholes and Cracked Pavement Keep Barton Street East in the Top Spot on the provincial CAA Worst Roads List. The votes are in, and the CAA Worst Road for 2023 is Barton Street East in Hamilton. Barton Street's persistent issues with potholes and severe alligator cracking in the pavement have led to its dubious distinction. The road first appeared on the top 10 list in 2019 and has steadily climbed its way to the top now for the second year in a row. Taking the second and third place spots are roads that at one point have also crowned the top of the list, Eglinton Avenue West in Toronto and County Road 49 in Prince Edward County. "The 2023 CAA Worst Roads campaign provides a valuable snapshot of the roads that the public perceives as pain points," said Teresa Di Felice, assistant vice president for CAA South Central Ontario. "For 20 years, this campaign has served as a powerful advocacy tool, initiating dialogues with decision-makers and driving positive change for safer roads across Ontario." Four new roads have debuted this year on the provincial top 10 list. Laclie Street, Orillia, Steeles Avenue East, Toronto, Aberdeen Avenue, Hamilton and Hurontario Street, Mississauga. Many of the roads nominated have undergone or are undergoing significant improvements. The success stories of the campaign are primarily attributed to the government's prioritization of infrastructure through multi-year capital investments. These investments demonstrate the impact of proactive measures on enhancing road conditions and addressing public concerns. The CAA Worst Road list is verified this year by the Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario (RCCAO). “RCCAO is proud to support and partner with this year’s CAA Worst Roads advocacy campaign to give Ontarians a platform to raise awareness about the state of vital road infrastructure in their communities,” said Nadia Todorova, Executive Director of RCCAO. “The campaign highlights once again the need for dedicated funding to address the state-of-good-repair and maintenance of critical infrastructure needed to support our growing province. I want to thank RCCAO members for their initiative to offer their technical expertise to this campaign, including the Greater Toronto Sewer and Watermain Contractors Association (GTSWCA), Heavy Construction Association of Toronto (HCAT), and the Toronto and Area Road Builders Association (TARBA).” Ontario's Top 10 Worst Roads for 2023 Barton Street East, Hamilton Eglinton Avenue West, Toronto County Road 49, Prince Edward County Carling Avenue, Ottawa Finch Avenue West, Toronto Laclie Street, Orillia Steeles Avenue East, Toronto Aberdeen Avenue, Hamilton Lake Shore Boulevard East, Toronto Hurontario Street, Mississauga Worst Roads by Region Central— Laclie Street, Orillia Eastern— County Road 49, Prince Edward County Halton-Peel-York-Durham— Hurontario Street, Mississauga Niagara— Portage Road, Niagara Falls North— Algonquin Boulevard East, Timmins Southwest— Lauzon Parkway, Windsor Western— York Road, Guelph Ottawa— Carling Avenue, Ottawa For regional lists and historical results please visit: https://www.caasco.com/advocacy/worst-roads
Expertise Marketing and Content Marketing - Is There a Difference?
We often get asked the question about how Content Marketing compares to Expertise Marketing. It’s ironic that still to this day many of our academic clients don’t refer to what they do as “content marketing.” But corporate customers are well acquainted with the importance of developing content to build reputation, relationships and revenue. Adding to the confusion are all the names that are bantered about by marketing departments and agencies - There’s inbound marketing popularized by companies such as Hubspot. And there are more bespoke “Thought Leadership” programs that are often developed by outside agencies such as Weber Shandwick and Edelman. While there are a lot of common elements to these programs there are some important differences that we focus on when developing and launching Expertise Marketing programs with our institutional and corporate clients. Here’s a deeper dive to help you better understand the value of Expertise Marketing. Introducing Expertise Marketing Expertise marketing is the practice of making the knowledge and skills of your human resources more visible to your partners and audiences. It draws attention to the value that your people can bring as brand ambassadors and strategically leverages the work your experts are doing to tell a more personal story. In many cases, expertise marketing can also be used to showcase your strengths in research and innovation. Creating a stronger digital presence, expertise marketing more effectively uses your channels to connect with audiences such as media, customers, partners and donors. It builds a sense of trust with your customers and above all else, it helps establish your reputation as an industry leader. ex•per•tise mar•ket•ing 1. The practice of collectively promoting an organization’s experts as brand ambassadors to demonstrate their skills or knowledge. 2. Best practices to publish and connect The Value of Expertise Marketing Reputation - Positions research, client work, thought leadership perspectives and achievements in the context of relevant topics that are in the news. Market Awareness - Expertise marketing makes it easier for key audiences to find expert content and people in search engines and on the organization’s website. Audience Engagement - Provides more intuitive search features for visible content which can be expanded to include assets such as video, social, and publications to drive richer conversations with audiences. Metrics on performance in areas related to expert development, content contribution and audience engagement page views and inquiries can be tracked. Demand Generation - Increased number of direct leads/ inquiries from audiences such as: Customers/Students Industry Partners Alumni Donors Media New Employee Recruits Conference Organizers Talent - Better engage stakeholders, researchers & subject-matter experts in the development and distribution of content while improving recruitment and retention of talent. Internal Collaboration - Better coordinate the knowledge and resources across internal communications teams and other departments as they engage experts. Provide a faster, more efficient way to generate content for breaking news and events. Content Contribution - Increase the size of the organization’s digital footprint by aggregating more content and distributing it contextually to multiple websites and third-party databases. Efficiency - Help employees get their jobs done faster and more efficiently. Enable them to find information faster, speed up internal processes and foster collaboration among people in multiple locations. Leverage Current and Future Infrastructure - Properly integrated, new technology investments should integrate seamlessly to leverage existing/proposed infrastructure such as content management systems (such as WordPress™) and marketing automation systems (such as Hubspot) How is Expertise Marketing Different from Content Marketing? A More Human Approach: People buy from people. That’s why content that is more personalized and attributed to specific experts who are well-identified as expert sources is far more trusted than most company-sponsored content. A More Collaborative Process that Engages Employees: A more structured “win-win” model empowers experts to contribute their knowledge. Expertise marketing is a proven way to build culture and celebrate diversity which assists with talent retention and recruitment. An Efficient Way to Create More Content to Boost SEO & Website Traffic: Engaging your experts creates a larger hub of “owned” content that is proven to boost PageRank in search engines and site traffic. Expert content is used by organizations to enhance their “About Us” page, staff/faculty/physician directories, newsroom pages, research pages and speakers bureaus. Optimized Content Formats Better Connect with Audiences: A variety of short format, long format and visual content formats (such as expert profiles, blogs, Q&A and videos) are designed to engage specific audiences at various stages of the customer journey. Improved Calls to Action & Analytics Boost Demand Generation & Leads/Inquiries: Experts become more approachable as “lead magnets” that generate measurable inbound opportunities, avoiding common issues of lost customer leads due to poor processes and workflow. You might be surprised at how much value expertise marketing can bring to your organisation. The chances are, that the time you are currently spending on ineffective content marketing strategies will be greatly reduced with a redefined focus on expertise marketing. By putting the focus back on the skills and relevance of your experts, as people, you're not only making them more visible but also establishing your brand reputation which will simultaneously generate more leads and increase efficiency.
Aston University biofuel experts advise on how Ukraine can build back greener
• Aston University biofuel experts provide advice on Ukraine’s recovery • Professor Patricia Thornley and Dr Vesna Najdanovic were invited to Royal Society conference • Outcomes will be presented to policymakers at Ukraine Recovery Conference in June. Two Aston University scientists have provided expert advice on how the UK’s wealth of research can support Ukraine’s reconstruction. A two-day conference was organised by the Royal Society and its outcomes will be presented to policymakers ahead of the UK government-hosted Ukraine Recovery Conference in June. As Ukraine is one of the largest agricultural producers and exporters it also generates large amounts of agricultural waste which could be used to produce biofuels and valuable chemicals. This could decrease the country’s fuel import dependency and increase the revenues for the sector. Researchers at the conference explored how to tackle some of the many challenges facing Ukraine, from rebuilding its economy, health and wellbeing, regional security and planning for a green recovery. Professor Patricia Thornley who is director of Aston University’s Energy and Bioproducts Research Institute (EBRI), was one of the just three academics invited to contribute to an infrastructure roundtable session. Professor Thornley said: “I was honoured to be asked to attend the infrastructure roundtable and share my expertise on renewable energy and sustainable products. “Ukraine has significant sustainable agricultural and forestry residues, which can be valuable to plug potential gaps in oil and gas supply for heating in the short term. But in the long term these can provide opportunities to produce sustainable bio chemicals and materials which could provide a basis to grow green chemical, material and construction industries. “UK researchers, such as those at EBRI at Aston University and the Supergen Bioenergy Hub, have the experience needed to work on developing these solutions to build back greener. Research evidence and expertise have a vital role to play in supporting policy makers to tackle the complex and urgent challenges related to the reconstruction and recovery of a resilient, sustainable Ukraine.” Meanwhile, Dr Vesna Najdanovic presented opportunities to develop bioenergy and bioproducts in Ukraine at the event and participated as a panel member. Ukraine’s recovery: rebuilding with research, which brought together Ukrainian and UK researchers and policy makers, was held on 15 and 16 May in London. It was funded by Universities UK International, Research England and the British Council and supported by the Academy of Medical Sciences, British Academy and the Royal Academy of Engineering.
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Going green: Solar and wind power remain the best alternatives to fossil fuels
Find video for use here. In the U.S., more and more individuals, and even corporations, are making it a priority to go green in an effort to reduce the nation's dependence on fossil fuels. Studies have proven carbon dioxide is a main contributor to human-caused climate change, so we're tapping into natural elements more often to reduce the use of fossil fuels. From solar farms to solar panels on houses and wind turbines, it’s tough not to find efforts to go green, and that’s a move in the right direction, according to Jessica Reichmuth, PhD, professor in the Department of Biological Sciences in the College of Science and Mathematics at Augusta University. She said we’re heading in the right direction, but more can be done. “We are taking the right steps, but I’m not sure if we will be entirely able to be green energy, but we definitely need to be more green than we are today,” said Reichmuth. “Fossil fuels will eventually run out and are a non-renewable resource.” Homeowners and municipalities are tapping into solar panels most often as a green resource. Some concerns include the costs involved and the fact that in most cases, the panels are permanently attached to a house. Reichmuth points to California as an example of a state trying to ease that burden. Some people who are moving into rental houses and know they aren’t going to be there for a long period of time can have a company attach removable panels. There are other companies jumping into the business of leasing solar panels as well. Even small panels the size of a binder located in a backyard can make a big difference in producing a noticeable amount of electricity. These are great steps, said Reichmuth, but more progress can still be made. “We are at a point within society with green technology that we know and understand how to make solar panels, the infrastructure is there to support them, we just need a movement to get them so they’re used everywhere,” Reichmuth said. Wind turbines remain a big source of discussion. Yes, they provide an alternative electric source, but at what cost? A big negative is the possibility of bird strikes. “Birds will learn to navigate around wind turbines. They are not built in a way that they are impervious to long-distance migration.” Hydroelectricity and geothermal energy are two other green sources of energy. There are not a lot of areas in the U.S. that offer geothermal resources, and as far as hydroelectricity goes, there’s still concern in Reichmuth’s eyes. “I think it would be great to see if dams are going to be used for hydroelectricity, but not as a water containment system. There are portions of the U.S., especially in the southwest, that are dealing with water issues because we have dammed them. Hydroelectricity is good if the dam is used specifically for that purpose and not water containment.” Renewable energy, cost savings and ESG are top of mind for corporations, governments and populations as we look to the future, and if you're a journalist covering this topic, then let us help. Jessica Reichmuth is available to speak with media. Simply click on her icon now to arrange an interview today.
Researchers fight cybercrime with new digital forensic tools and techniques
Irfan Ahmed, Ph.D., associate professor of computer science, provides digital forensic tools — and the knowledge to use them — to the good guys fighting the never-ending cyber-security war. Ahmed is director of the Security and Forensics Engineering (SAFE) Lab within the Department of Computer Science and VCU Engineering. He leads a pair of interrelated projects funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) aimed at keeping important industrial systems safe from the bad guys — and shows the same tools crafted for investigating cyber attacks can be used to probe other crimes. The goal of cyber attacks on physical infrastructure may be to cause chaos by disrupting systems and/or to hold systems for ransom. The SAFE lab focuses on protecting industrial control systems used in the operation of nuclear plants, dams, electricity delivery systems and a wide range of other elements of critical infrastructure in the U.S. The problem isn’t new: In 2010, the Stuxnet computer worm targeted centrifuges at Iranian nuclear facilities before getting loose and infecting “innocent” computers around the world. Cyber attacks often target a portion of the software architecture known as the control logic. Control logic is vulnerable in that one of its functions is to receive instructions from the user and hand them off to be executed by a programmable logic controller. For instance, the control logic monitoring a natural gas pipeline might be programmed to open a valve if the system detects pressure getting too high. Programmers can modify the control logic — but so can attackers. One of Ahmed’s DHS-supported projects, called “Digital Forensic Tools and Techniques for Investigating Control Logic Attacks in Industrial Control Systems,” allows him to craft devices and techniques that cyber detectives can use in their investigations of attacks on sensitive critical infrastructure. Their investigation capabilities, he explains, is an under-researched area, as most of the emphasis to date has been on the prevention and detection of their cyber attacks. “The best scenario is to prevent the attacks on industrial systems,” Ahmed said. “But if an attack does happen, then what? This is where we try to fill the gap at VCU. And the knowledge that we gain in a cyber attack investigation can further help us to detect or even prevent similar attacks.” In the cat-and-mouse world of cyber security, the way cybercriminals work is in constant evolution, and Ahmed’s SAFE lab pays close attention to the latest developments by malefactors. For instance, an attacker may go for a more subtle approach than modifying the original control logic. An attack method called return-oriented programming sees the malefactor using the existing control logic code, but artfully switching the execution sequence of the code. Other attackers might insert their malware into another area of the controller, programmed to run undetected until it can replace the function of the original control logic. Attackers are always coming up with new methods, but each attack leaves evidence behind. The SAFE lab examines possible attack scenarios through simulations. Scale models of physical systems, including an elevator and a belt conveyor system, are housed at the SAFE lab to help facilitate this. The elevator is a four-floor model with inside and outside buttons feeding into a programmable logic controller. The conveyor belt is more advanced, equipped with inductive, capacitive and photoelectric sensors and able to sort objects. The tools and methods applied in cybercrime can be useful in tracking down other malefactors. That’s where Ahmed’s second DHS-funded project comes in. It’s called “Data Science-integrated Experiential Digital Forensics Training based-on Real-world Case Studies of Cybercrime Artifacts.” Ahmed is the principal investigator, working with co-PI Kostadin Damevski, Ph.D., associate professor of computer science. The goal is to keep law enforcement personnel abreast of the latest trends in the field of cybercrime investigation and to equip them with the latest tools and techniques, including those developed in the SAFE lab. “For example, investigators often have to go through thousands of images, or emails or chats, looking for something very specific,” Ahmed said. “We believe the right data science tools can help them to narrow down that search.” The FBI and other law enforcement agencies already have dedicated cybersleuthing units; the Virginia State Police have a computer evidence recovery section in Richmond. Ahmed and Damevski are arranging sessions showing investigators how techniques from data science and machine learning can make investigations more efficient by sorting through the mounds of digital evidence that increasingly is a feature of modern crime.
ChristianaCare Will Open Neighborhood Hospital at Its West Grove Campus
Plans for emergency and inpatient care follow extensive planning and community listening sessions ChristianaCare today provided new details about its plans to restore needed health care services to the southern Chester County, Pennsylvania, community at its West Grove campus, formerly Jennersville Hospital. ChristianaCare will open a neighborhood hospital that includes 10 emergency department beds and 10 inpatient beds. The neighborhood hospital will offer emergency care and behavioral health emergency care and provide diagnostic capabilities including ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), X-ray and laboratory services. The emergency department will treat common emergency care needs such as falls, injuries, heart attacks and strokes. Additionally, the hospital will benefit from access to ChristianaCare’s large network of specialists and support services — such as neurology and cardiology — through virtual consults. “We are excited to share our plans to restore important local health care resources to the southern Chester County community,” said Janice Nevin, M.D., MPH, ChristianaCare president and CEO. “We are committed to our neighbors in southern Chester County for the long-term, serving them as expert, caring partners in their health.” ChristianaCare’s plans for a neighborhood hospital meet the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s requirements for a micro-hospital, which must have a minimum of 10 inpatient beds and 10 emergency department treatment rooms and offer imaging services on-site. “After listening to the needs of the community and an extensive review of historical and projected demographic data, we believe this neighborhood hospital model will provide the right mix of health care services for the West Grove campus in a way that is sustainable and meets the community’s most immediate needs today,” said Heather Farley, M.D., chief wellness officer for ChristianaCare and the clinical leader for the West Grove planning. “It also sets us up to grow in meeting more of the community’s needs in the future.” ChristianaCare anticipates an opening date in late 2024, although the date is subject to change due to the significant work that will be required to renovate the facility to bring it up to current standards, including the build-out of an entirely new information technology infrastructure. Last year, ChristianaCare received funding from Chester County and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania totaling $5 million to assist in facility upgrades. ChristianaCare already serves residents of southern Chester County. Since 2020, ChristianaCare has provided primary care in three practices that are located in Jennersville, West Grove and Kennett Square. The West Grove practice has recently brought on additional providers and will soon begin offering virtual visits with ChristianaCare specialists. Combined, these three practices are now the “medical home” for 22,000 residents in these communities. ChristianaCare finalized the purchase of its West Grove campus from Tower Health in June 2022. The hospital has been closed since Dec. 31, 2021.
MEDIA RELEASE: CAA Worst Roads Campaign marks 20 Years of Driving Change in Ontario
The annual CAA Worst Roads advocacy campaign is marking its 20th year of influencing change. For the past two decades, the campaign has given decision-makers a snapshot of the roads that the public perceives as not meeting their expectations. “Our research tells us that 85 per cent of Ontarians are concerned about the state of our roads,” says Teresa Di Felice, assistant vice president of government and community relations, CAA SCO. “Due to inflation, consumers are being more mindful of their purchases, and people are opting to hold on to their cars for longer instead of buying a new one. Funding for roadway improvements and proper infrastructure needs to be consistent to ensure that quality and safety are maintained.” CAA’s research also indicates that over half of CAA members (59 per cent) say Ontario’s roads have worsened. Drivers often alter their driving behaviour to accommodate road issues. Many of them – two-thirds (66 per cent) of Ontarians – are slowing down for bad spots on the road or swerving to avoid potholes. We also know that many people are frustrated with Ontario's roads (78 per cent) and often express their dissatisfaction to their loved ones or colleagues instead of government officials. The CAA Worst Roads campaign allows all road users in Ontario to vote for roads that they think need urgent repair. Since 2003, 114 roads in Ontario have appeared on the provincial Top 10 list, of which governments have prioritized some of the roads for repair. In 2022, Barton Street East in Hamilton, Ontario, secured the top spot on the provincial Worst Roads list. Shortly after the 2022 Worst Road reveal, the City of Hamilton announced a multi-year, multi-phase reconstruction of the beleaguered Hamilton route scheduled to begin late last year. Other roads, such as Plank Road in Sarnia, Victoria Road in Prince Edward County, Lauzon Parkway in Windsor, and Bell Farm Road in Barrie, have also undergone significant repairs after appearing on the provincial Top 10 Worst Roads list. “The campaign has demonstrated that decision-makers are paying attention to the results, which has prompted municipal officials to move up infrastructure projects in their communities,” says Di Felice. The CAA Worst Roads campaign calls on all Ontarians to vote for their Worst Road today and join the community of drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians committed to improving Ontario’s roads. Ontarians can vote for their worst road at caaworstroads.com. Watch Teresa Di Felice, Assistant Vice President, Government and Community Relations for CAA SCO answers questions regarding the annual CAA Worst Roads Campaign: https://vimeo.com/user140657252/caawrl2023
Voting is now open to all Manitobans – including pedestrians, transit users and cyclists - to have their say on the province’s “worst road.” As CAA’s annual Worst Roads campaign begins, the safety-oriented organization encourages Manitobans to vote on more than just potholes. “Potholes make a road bad; however, our Worst Roads campaign is about so much more,” says Tim Scott, president CAA Manitoba. Voters who head to the website can vote for a road based on a lack of sidewalks and bike paths, congestion, poor traffic signal timing and more. “Fixing potholes and regular road maintenance is important,” says Scott. “No matter how Manitobans use their roads, they should be able to do it safely, meaning we need to consider all road infrastructure and traffic issues.” With that in mind, CAA Manitoba is launching its largest awareness campaign around the issue of poor infrastructure. Voting for the province’s “Worst Road” opens to all Manitobans today. “Provincial Road 307 in Whiteshell Provincial Park was voted the worst road in 2022. It earned the top spot due to constant winter heaving, poor patching and its tendency to flood nearly every spring. The road was underwater for weeks last year, including when it was announced the ‘winner.’” While potholes are still top of mind for most CAA Manitoba Members, a new survey shows that 82 per cent of Members believe not enough is being done to maintain roads in their area in general, and 64 per cent believe the roads in their area have become worse over time. The survey also showed that 53 per cent of Member respondents believe there is a lack of pedestrian access on roads, and 57 per cent cited that a lack of cycling infrastructure is also a significant concern. However, there have been some notable success stories: Taylor Avenue and Empress Street Both streets were constants on CAA Manitoba’s Worst Roads list but have since fallen off. In the past few years, extensive rehabilitation, as well as repairs and replacements for the roads, have been completed. Empress Street is now home to some of the best-in-city bicycle and active transportation paths that are separated from the road and protect cyclists and drivers alike from harm. Saskatchewan Avenue, Winnipeg Taking the second-place spot in the Worst Roads list in 2022, a large part of Saskatchewan Avenue, from Route 90 to Midland Avenue, was recently replaced. The improvements included new sidewalks and accessibility features. However, the westernmost part of Saskatchewan Avenue is still in considerable disrepair. For more than a decade, CAA’s Worst Roads campaign has given decision-makers a snapshot of the public’s perception of the roads in their communities. Last year’s “winners” included: 1. Provincial Road 307 2. Saskatchewan Avenue, Wpg 3. Waller Avenue, Wpg 4. Provincial Trunk Hwy 34, Pilot Mound 5. 18th Street, Brandon 6. Provincial Trunk Hwy 44, Lockport to Whiteshell 7. Leila Avenue, Wpg 8. Kenaston Boulevard, Wpg 9. Dawson Road North, Wpg 10. Goulet Street, Wpg If you want to see your worst road make the list, visit www.caaworstroads.com to cast your vote. Voting is open to all residents of Manitoba, and you can vote daily.