Documentaries As a Tool to Inform the Public about Major Infrastructure Projects in California

Abstract

This paper will discuss four award-winning documentaries developed by Professional Engineers in California Government (PECG). These films are entertaining case histories of four major Caltrans construction projects that featured ABC = Accelerated Bridge Construction elements and show how entertaining and informative communication can inform the general public about major construction projects in their community and win the communities support. The organization PECG = Professional Engineers in California Government is union which represents 13, 000 + engineers and related classes of workers employed by the State of California, for more information see the orgainizations web site at www.PECG.org. The organization was formed in 1962 as a professional association in response to member's wishes to promote a positive image for public employees engaged in transportation engineering. The organization produced or provided technical support for each of the documentaries discussed in this paper as a part of that same mission.