Those with traffic gripes in Southwest Ohio have a new tool — the Internet.

        The regional Ohio Department of Transportation office is teaming with PlanetFeedback.com, a Cincinnati-based company, to allow people with traffic or construction concerns to send their comments directly to those responsible.

        “Our goal is simple: to make it easier and more convenient for our customers to contact us and let us know how we're doing,” said Mike Flynn, deputy director of ODOT's District 8 office.

        “Since so many of our customers have access to the Internet, we want to encourage them to use their computers to review and evaluate us.”

        The new arrangement is for Lebanon-based District 8, which covers Hamilton, Butler, Warren, Clermont, Clinton, Greene and Preble counties. The Web site, www.PlanetFeedback.com/odot, went online Monday.

        Mr. Flynn said the new program will allow users to rate ODOT on 11 different categories, including construction and engineering, snow removal, lighting, signs and litter pickup. The site allows for comments, suggestions, compliments and complaints.

        ODOT is responsible for the maintenance and construction of Ohio's interstate highways, plus state routes and U.S. highways not within city limits.

        ODOT officials said they are paying PlanetFeedback.com $20,000 for setting up the site and forwarding the comments. The contract expires in June, with subsequent contracts contingent upon the success of the program. If renewed, the contracts are expected to cost less because most of the work creating the site is already done.

        PlanetFeedback.com, which provides Web users the opportunity to sound off on a variety of products and services and forwards the comments to the appropriate companies, went online in February 2000.

        Chief executive officer Pete Blackshaw said the partnership with ODOT fits perfectly with the company's definition of a “feedback moment,” or a time when a consumer is fed up enough to speak his mind.

        “When the orange barrels bloom in the spring or winter storms arrive, consumers experience lots of "feedback moments' on the road,” Mr. Blackshaw said.

Accused cop cheered at pay hearing
Olympics backers switch pitch
Still time to get shot against flu
Monroe store sets pace, Hustler operators say
RADEL: Our fountain will be freed in spring
Grand jury gets gang-rape case
Lebanon OKs deal to buy Bell bandwidth
Village may end policing
City public works chief to lead TID
City sets sights on future
Driver in crash has DUI history
Chesley leading charge to end punch-card voting
Citizens show support for cop, clerk fired by mayor
Ex-coach accused of cash misuse
Exercise class to be offered
Fernald sees help in subcontracting
Fired schools secretary sues district
Home invasion suspect leaves hospital for jail
Housing project lacks support
Irate drivers can vent online
Kidnap case delayed for mental tests
Ky. district awaits picks for judges
Libraries make room for infants
Marks mixed for Covington schools
Neighborhood residents battle plans for state office building
Patton seeks investment for eastern Ky.
Police: Man targeted boys via mothers
Rhodes says auditor's office could help with Reds' ballpark
Six Flags to fight fine for accident
State-financed charter school closed
Suspect shot after pointing gun, police say
Tristate killer tells high court he was insane
Wife charged in plan to kill man
Kentucky News Briefs
Tristate A.M. Report