DMV
The
2002 Department of Mutant Vehicles team grew from 30 volunteers
to
50 including a year-round team of folks dedicated to making the
DMV a
better experience both for participants and the volunteers. A major
task for
this year was to more clearly identify the Burning Man criteria
for an Art Car
and to "raise the bar", i.e. Art Cars = Art with a Chassis,
not just a method
of transportation.
After the Vehicle
Protocol was
rewritten in April, the DMV staff began meeting every two weeks
in May in
order to revamp the on-line pre-registration
form, create a FAQ
section,
streamline our administrative process with simplified forms and
new
onsite registration process, and update all the information available
to
participants on the Burning Man website. New positions were created
on
the staff for Administrative Whipmistress and Pyro Team Liaison.
This
year brought a brand new training class created in cooperation
with the
Black Rock Ranger Training Department!
The issue of driving and importance of safety was a major priority
for the
2002 event. In order to work towards those ends, the DMV made
a
concerted effort to work more closely with the Ranger Organization
on
mutal concerns in these areas. This meant attendance at many
meetings
and participation in the Ranger Council. Issues identified were
then taken
back to the DMV Staff to plan a campaign of education, clarification
of
definitions and, with the participation of the Ranger Council
members,
information for the Rangers on identifying
Art Cars and improving enforcement.
The 2002 DMV playa registration experience was improved this
year with
longer hours (10am-10pm), online
preregistration form, and a trained
crew of volunteers, many of whom returned from the 2001 team.
New
on-site volunteer positions were created for Hottie of the Day
and
Administrative Whip, as well as having a dedicated member of
the Pyro
team available to license vehicles that incorporated fire into
their art.
2002 also brought a return of wind-powered vehicles to the playa
in the
form of stand-up sailboards with pivoting masts which were required
to
be registered by the DMV.
- Number of DMV Volunteers, aka "Hotties": 50
- Number of vehicles registered: 487
- Number of vehicles rejected: ~50
- Number of photos taken: 600
- Number of shifts staffed: 126
- Number of wind vehicles registered: ~20
- Number of unregistered art vehicles: still too many
2003 will find your dedicated DMV continuing to streamline the
registration
and preregistration process, further clarify our criteria
and continue to"
raise the bar" for art vehicles, post information on the website
for people
wanting to create large-scale vehicles, and educate
the Burning Man
community about vehicle responsibility.
Submitted by,
Jewelz Cody aka Grits
Click here to read the 2001 Rangers Operations report. 