Page 49 - 2021 Atlanta Auto Show Guide

relationship with the GDOT leadership, including Commis-
sioner Russell McMurry, and we have a great dialogue with
them when traffic problems arise,” explained Doug. “They are
very responsive when we notice problems.”

As many are aware, there are certainly a variety of real-time,
crowd-sourced apps available out there which can lend some
help to navigating daily traffic issues. But there’s an enhanced
comfort level that comes with having a dedicated traffic team
on the job. WSB’s team knows the area. They know the roads
like the backs of their hands and can anticipate alternates to
help motorists avoid the jams. They have a real passion for
guiding Atlanta’s drivers during their daily commute.

When asked if he had a magic wand he could wave to fix At-
lanta’s traffic woes, Doug Turnbull replied, “I would just want
to make drivers more courteous and aware of themselves and
each other. That would eliminate a lot of issues we see out
Doug Turnbull, there.”
WSB Triple Team Traffic

nity service, in memory of Captain Herb Emory,”
Smilin’ says. “It’s one thing to report sports scores,
results, and stories, but it’s another to help people
get to where they need to go.”

Smilin’ Mark recalls meeting a listener at an event,
keeping in mind that he’s generally heard and not
seen, explaining that she lit up when he introduced
himself. “You’re my traffic guy,” she proclaimed.
McKay said, “It made me feel great!”

Another member of WSB’s traffic team, Doug Turn-
bull, began his career as an intern with the orga-
nization, after graduating high school in 2004. He,
too, was brought on board by Captain Herb, after
his mother had emailed him about Doug’s interest
in broadcasting. “He invited me for a tour, took me
up in the SkyCopter, and made me an intern in the
same day. I never left!”

Anyone who has spent any length of time living in
the Atlanta area knows that the traffic problems we
all face are due to complex issues. It isn’t simply the
volume of vehicles on the roadways that cause the
congestion. Issues such as the general layout of the
roads, expansion, and the accompanying construc-
tion all complicate the commute each and every
day. WSB works closely with the Georgia De-
partment of Transportation on traffic reporting,
as well as offering insight into problem areas
which can help GDOT’s leadership when Smilin' Mark McKay,
it comes to developing plans for traffic im- WSB Triple Team Traffic
provement projects. “We have a really good
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