Truck Counting
I'm lucky enough to have a job that lets me participate in different projects in the Bay Area. I am provided with the opportunity to get out of the office and get some field experience and hands on knowledge of some pretty cool stuff. There are just some things that you can't learn from books or experience in an office. I'm glad that I get the chance to be in an office and also have an option to do more in the field (if I so choose). My latest project was a truck count survey in West Oakland.
Sparing details, I took on the role as a truck counter. I was posted at an intersection in West Oakland compiling data on the types of trucks (drayage vs. non-drayage trucks, axel information, license plate data, etc.) that pass through my intersection, what direction the trucks were coming from, and what direction they were headed. Before the project began, I was excited about having the opportunity to get out of the office and learn/try something new. Well, I'm happy to report that I enjoyed the experience much more than I imagined I would.
Truck counting was actually quite an interesting experience. And trust me, truck counting is a skill that works the back muscle in your brain...the one I forgot I had until it started to hurt. Truck counting sounds (and looks) super easy to do, but once I started, I realized that it actually takes a lot of work and concentration. Not only are you looking for specific truck information, but you are looking at what direction the truck is coming from and where it is headed...couple that with a four lane intersection, and you have your work cut out for you. At times, it was overwhelming since there was always moving traffic and there isn't too much time for a break...just when I thought I could take a short break, I realized those turn-on-red trucks weren't waiting for anything and if I blinked, I missed...like three of them (those truckers sure can take a curve super fast). Try this exercise out for a few hours and I bet nothing will make you happier than returning to an office. But like I said, it was definitely something that was new and exciting to learn and try.
After completing my shift, I realized that I didn't feel so well. It appeared that standing/sitting near a busy intersection full of diesel trucks and exhaust fumes may not have been the most healthy place. After a number of hours counting trucks, my eyes were watery, my throat was sore, and I was light headed. I immediately wanted to change my particulate matter covered clothes, wash my diesel covered face and scrub my exhaust fume filled hair. Truck counting was definitely a cool experience, but most definitely not something I would quit my day job for.
Sparing details, I took on the role as a truck counter. I was posted at an intersection in West Oakland compiling data on the types of trucks (drayage vs. non-drayage trucks, axel information, license plate data, etc.) that pass through my intersection, what direction the trucks were coming from, and what direction they were headed. Before the project began, I was excited about having the opportunity to get out of the office and learn/try something new. Well, I'm happy to report that I enjoyed the experience much more than I imagined I would.
Truck counting was actually quite an interesting experience. And trust me, truck counting is a skill that works the back muscle in your brain...the one I forgot I had until it started to hurt. Truck counting sounds (and looks) super easy to do, but once I started, I realized that it actually takes a lot of work and concentration. Not only are you looking for specific truck information, but you are looking at what direction the truck is coming from and where it is headed...couple that with a four lane intersection, and you have your work cut out for you. At times, it was overwhelming since there was always moving traffic and there isn't too much time for a break...just when I thought I could take a short break, I realized those turn-on-red trucks weren't waiting for anything and if I blinked, I missed...like three of them (those truckers sure can take a curve super fast). Try this exercise out for a few hours and I bet nothing will make you happier than returning to an office. But like I said, it was definitely something that was new and exciting to learn and try.
After completing my shift, I realized that I didn't feel so well. It appeared that standing/sitting near a busy intersection full of diesel trucks and exhaust fumes may not have been the most healthy place. After a number of hours counting trucks, my eyes were watery, my throat was sore, and I was light headed. I immediately wanted to change my particulate matter covered clothes, wash my diesel covered face and scrub my exhaust fume filled hair. Truck counting was definitely a cool experience, but most definitely not something I would quit my day job for.
Posted by kristina
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