Module 6: American Period - Transportation and Communication

What are issues facing Alaskans today related to transportation and communication? 

 Alaska is in a truely unique situation as far as transportation and communication goes.  It is a different way of life, one that can take some adjusting for a new resident.  It is a new way of thinking.  Because there is a very small amount of road systems for how large our state is, residents have to rely on alternative means of travel and communication.  The villages of western and northern Alaska rely heavily on the aviation industry to bring them mail, food, supplies, and any other things not serviced by their communities in the winter months when the water routes are frozen.  However, when planes also do not fly due to the poor weather conditions, families can be left without their needs for survival.  While ferries and barges can service areas in Southeast Alaska all months of the year, the interior areas do not have this "luxury." 

A fuel tanker tries to navigate the ice on its way to Nome:  Google Images

Starband Satellite Internet:  Google Images

For such a remote area, I feel that Alaska has done fairly well in their communication availability in most areas.  Most villages and hubs have some sort of internet access which can connect them to the rest of the world.  However, access can vary greatly and can be expensive.   The installation of satellites have also expanded the communicaiton options for many remote areas.  Villages can now get satellite internet and/or TV which can lead to the opportunity of audio and video conferencing if needed.  

How does aviation affect the lives of Alaskans today?

Aviation is a necessity and way of life for most Alaskans today.   It serves as the main means of travel for people living in the most remote areas of Alaska.  Aviation is not only used for vacation travel or emergency services but also used for sports travel, transportation of goods, mail servicing, and police transportation.  Without aviation, residents would literally be cut off from the rest of the world.  While ferries, boats, and barges can travel through the summer months, it is shut off in the winter months when the ports and rivers are iced over.  In an article put out by the Alaskan Department of Transportation, they claimed that Alaskan residents receive 39 times more freight by air than our counterparts in the lower 48.  

The Tweto Family of Era Alaska:  Courtesy of Google Images

Current Discovery Channel Shows such as Flying Wild Alaska depict the dependence and effects of aviation on the lives of Alaskans today.  

 How dependent is your community on air transportation?  

  
My community of Prince of Wales Island is dependent on air transportation for mail and emergency services.  Because we have a ferry system that operates between our island and Ketchikan (the closest "hub") the dependence on the airplanes isn't quite as much as villages in western Alaska.  However, for any kind of emergency services, the community relies heavily on the planes in order to transport to Ketchikan, Seattle, or Anchorage.  Our supplies and food services are most often barged and so in the case of poor weather conditions, the residents are still able obtain the basic necessitites, but if such items such as medications are mailed, it could take days to receive them if the planes cannot fly.  

 

 

Taquan Air provides mail and passenger services to POW Island

 

 

 

Colleague Comments

Whitney:  I really enjoyed the information you posted on the reindeer herding.  It is something that I am unfamiliar with and it was interesting looking at your resources.  

Kelley:  You always provide great "extra" insight and information that is not found elsewhere in the modules.  Way to expand on the topics! 

Kristin:  I really love the overall layout of your blog.  It is always easy to read and has great pictures to supplement the text.  


Evaluation

I really enjoyed this weeks module.  I think that it is one that everyone living in Alaska can connect with on some level.  Everyone is affected by the aviation and communicaitons systems here in Alaska and it is interesting to know the history behind the developments to make Alaska a little more connected.  The resources were easy to understand and engaging.