Founder's Statement

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 of effective dialogue platforms cripples our public policy debates—and our industrial systems. Industrial sectors operate as fragmented silos, each pursuing narrow, often conflicting goals. As a result, industrial development unfolds as a series of isolated projects rather than integrated systems. Climate disruption and supply chain inefficiencies demand we redesign our industrial systems for profitability and sustainability.

Addressing these challenges demands unprecedented collaboration, deliberation, and decision-making among all stakeholders. That is why OTNA brings together representatives from industry, government, academia, and communities to facilitate whole systems planning for profitable and sustainable outcomes. We achieve this through Industrial Systems Initiatives, supported by IntelliConferences®, driven by IntelliSynthesis®.

The missing ingredient isn't intelligence—it's infrastructure for collaboration. As a society, we aren’t lacking intelligence for solving problems. What we have lacked is a communication framework and platform for building solutions without being derailed by excessive competition and mistrust among vested interests. OTNA created IntelliSynthesis for precisely this purpose. Over thirty years as trusted advisors working with thousands of actors in industry, government, academia, and communities, OnTrackNorthAmerica developed the IntelliSynthesis methodology for gathering stakeholder intelligence into smart policies, programs, and investments.

Most assume that limiting stakeholders and focusing on single issues speeds solutions. We've found the opposite: 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. The more aspects of a system we identify, measure, and consider, the more we turn its interactions into positive synergies.

Transportation illustrates 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. Supply chain shortcomings that became public during COVID-19 were met with a massive public investment in infrastructure. Unfortunately, this precious capital continues to be allotted for individual competing projects while serious system inefficiencies remain. Despite rail'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 time is of the essence. We live in a critical moment of potential environmental collapse alongside the need to expand economic vitality to more people. Thankfully, we have the tools to produce action plans for success. Redesigning industrial systems will deliver both environmental and economic sustainability. Join us in OTNA to build industrial systems worthy of our intelligence!” ... Michael Sussman