Founder's Statement: Difference between revisions

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=== Why Have We Created OnTrackNorthAmerica? ===
<blockquote>''“Whenever I hear that we need a national dialogue, as in, we need a national dialogue on gun control, police reform, or voter rights, I wonder, where exactly would we have that dialogue? In the newspapers, on social media, in our courts? These venues are ill-suited for substantive national dialogues.”''  '''- Michael Sussman'''</blockquote>


'''This absence cripples our public policy—and our industrial systems.''' Industrial sectors operate as fragmented silos pursuing conflicting goals. Industrial development becomes isolated projects rather than integrated systems. Climate disruption and supply chain failures demand we redesign these systems for profitability and sustainability.


<blockquote><i>“Whenever I hear that we need a national dialogue, as in, we need a national dialogue on gun control, police reform, or voter rights, I wonder, where exactly would we have that dialogue? In the newspapers, on social media, in our courts? These venues are ill-suited for </i><i>substantive </i><i>national</i> <i>dialogues.”</i><i>  '''...''' </i><i>'''Michael Sussman'''</i></blockquote>
These challenges require collaboration across all stakeholders. OTNA brings together industry, government, academia, and communities for whole systems planning. '''We do this through [[Industrial Systems Initiatives]], using [[IntelliConferences|IntelliConferences®]] and [[IntelliSynthesis|IntelliSynthesis®]].'''


Industrial sectors operate as fragmented silos, each pursuing narrow, sometimes conflicting goals. As a result, industrial development unfolds as a series of isolated projects rather than integrated systems. Given, the challenges posed by climate change, we must redesign our industrial systems and supply chains for efficiency and sustainability.
The missing ingredient isn't intelligence—it's infrastructure for collaboration. We have lacked a framework for building solutions without being derailed by competition and mistrust. Over thirty years working with thousands of stakeholders, we developed IntelliSynthesis to synthesize stakeholder knowledge into smart policies and investments.    


Addressing these challenges demands unprecedented collaboration among all stakeholders within a framework that fosters trust and actionable plans. Therefore, CAPSI brings together diverse representatives from industrial sectors to facilitate whole systems planning for profitable and sustainable outcomes. '''We achieve this through topic-focused IntelliConferences®'''.
Most assume that limiting stakeholder input speeds solutions. We've found the opposite: addressing all system elements builds consensus faster and reveals solutions that narrow approaches miss. The more we examine system interactions, the more we turn them into positive synergies.  


'''As a society, we aren’t lacking intelligence for solving problems.''' What we lack is a communication framework that builds solutions without being derailed by excessive competition and mistrust among vested interests. Over thirty years as trusted advisors working with thousands of partners from industry, government, academia, and communities, OnTrackNorthAmerica has developed IntelliSynthesis®, a powerful tool for mobilizing the knowledge, intelligence, and goodwill all around us. The more aspects of a system we identify, measure, and consider, the more we turn its interactions into positive synergies. Despite prevailing beliefs, addressing all elements of a system makes it easier to build consensus and develop action plans. New solutions appear that would have otherwise remained concealed.  
'''Our transportation networks illustrate exactly why this systems approach matters.''' Consider how transportation has typically been planned, or more accurately, not planned. '''Supply chains have evolved as a chaotic response''' to shippers' and developers' site choices made without regard to transportation impacts. COVID-19 exposed supply chain gaps. The response was massive infrastructure investment. Unfortunately, this capital continues to be allotted for individual competing projects while serious system inefficiencies remain. '''Despite railroad's ability to move freight using one-third the fuel and producing one-third the emissions of trucks,''' we continue to stimulate highway-centric development while leaving railroads' energy, space, and capital efficiencies underutilized.


Consider how transportation has typically been planned, or more accurately, not planned. '''Supply chains have evolved as a chaotic response''' to shippers’ and developers' indiscriminate land transactions, regardless of the transportation inefficiencies those choices impose. Supply chain shortcomings became public during COVID-19. The Biden administration responded with a massive public investment in infrastructure. Unfortunately, this precious capital is allotted for individual competing projects while '''serious system inefficiencies remain.''' Consequently, we continue to stimulate more highway-centric supply chain activity and underutilize railroads’ energy, space, and capital efficiencies for moving heavy weight over land.  
'''The root problem is structural.''' Stakeholders operate in a competitive and, in some cases, monopolistic mode, neither of which allows for the collaboration needed for rail development and supply chain efficiency. To create sustainable, multimodal industrial systems, we must shift toward integrated planning of supply chains, land use, and transportation.


Railroads, ocean carriers, ports, trucking companies, shippers, freight forwarders, and distributors operate in a competitive and, in some cases, monopolistic mode, neither of which allows for the collaboration needed for supply chain efficiency. To create sustainable, multimodal industrial systems, we must shift toward integrated planning of supply chains, land use, and transportation. 
<blockquote>''"Yes, a profound shift is necessary—and urgent. We live in a critical moment of potential environmental collapse alongside the need to expand economic opportunity. Redesigning industrial systems will deliver both environmental and economic sustainability. '''Join us to build industrial systems that match our intelligence!”''' -'''''Michael Sussman'''</blockquote>
 
'''Yes, a profound shift is necessary.''' If we don’t transform our approach, this mistrust will rob us and future generations of a sustainable, prosperous future. Fortunately, when we engage in open and accepting conversations, we foster the needed trust and cooperation.
 
Through the co-creation of CAPSI, stakeholders envision, articulate, and commit to shared principles, protocols, and goals. By moving from a competitive to a collaborative mindset, we will develop '''policies, programs, and commercial opportunities that benefit everyone.''' While individual efforts have limits, together, we can harness our collective intelligence to redesign industrial systems for sustainable life.
 
<i>         “These are powerful ambitions. Thankfully, we have the tools to produce action plans for success. Time is of the essence. We live in a critical moment of </i><i>potential </i><i>environmental </i><i>collapse </i><i>alongside the need to expand economic vitality to more people. </i><i>R</i><i>edesigning industrial systems will deliver both environmental and economic sustainability. Join us in CAPSI for a brighter</i> <i>future!” '''... Michael Sussman'''</i>

Latest revision as of 15:25, 3 January 2026

Why Have We Created OnTrackNorthAmerica?

“Whenever I hear that we need a national dialogue, as in, we need a national dialogue on gun control, police reform, or voter rights, I wonder, where exactly would we have that dialogue? In the newspapers, on social media, in our courts? These venues are ill-suited for substantive national dialogues.” - Michael Sussman

This absence cripples our public policy—and our industrial systems. Industrial sectors operate as fragmented silos pursuing conflicting goals. Industrial development becomes isolated projects rather than integrated systems. Climate disruption and supply chain failures demand we redesign these systems for profitability and sustainability.

These challenges require collaboration across all stakeholders. OTNA brings together industry, government, academia, and communities for whole systems planning. We do this through Industrial Systems Initiatives, using IntelliConferences® and IntelliSynthesis®.

The missing ingredient isn't intelligence—it's infrastructure for collaboration. We have lacked a framework for building solutions without being derailed by competition and mistrust. Over thirty years working with thousands of stakeholders, we developed IntelliSynthesis to synthesize stakeholder knowledge into smart policies and investments.

Most assume that limiting stakeholder input speeds solutions. We've found the opposite: addressing all system elements builds consensus faster and reveals solutions that narrow approaches miss. The more we examine system interactions, the more we turn them into positive synergies.

Our transportation networks illustrate exactly why this systems approach matters. Consider how transportation has typically been planned, or more accurately, not planned. Supply chains have evolved as a chaotic response to shippers' and developers' site choices made without regard to transportation impacts. COVID-19 exposed supply chain gaps. The response was massive infrastructure investment. Unfortunately, this capital continues to be allotted for individual competing projects while serious system inefficiencies remain. Despite railroad's ability to move freight using one-third the fuel and producing one-third the emissions of trucks, we continue to stimulate highway-centric development while leaving railroads' energy, space, and capital efficiencies underutilized.

The root problem is structural. Stakeholders operate in a competitive and, in some cases, monopolistic mode, neither of which allows for the collaboration needed for rail development and supply chain efficiency. To create sustainable, multimodal industrial systems, we must shift toward integrated planning of supply chains, land use, and transportation.

"Yes, a profound shift is necessary—and urgent. We live in a critical moment of potential environmental collapse alongside the need to expand economic opportunity. Redesigning industrial systems will deliver both environmental and economic sustainability. Join us to build industrial systems that match our intelligence!” -Michael Sussman

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