Overview of a Timely Publication
Transportation’s importance has been recognized since colonial times◦ National defense◦ Economic vitality◦ Quality of life
Transportation affects every aspect of our lives◦ Product (shipping) costs◦ Travel costs◦ Productive time◦ Available discretionary time◦ Stress
Trail Route Length
Braddock Road US40=> I-68 100+ miles
El Camino Real US101=> I-5 600 miles
Santa Fe Trail I-25 2000 miles
Plank roads constructed by private companies at no cost to communities
Private roads disappeared due to•Low return on investment•Over-regulation•Availability of other modes
1920’s Bureau of Public Roads distributed Federal funds for network of 2-lane roads and to spur employment
1950’s Federal highway Administration began construction of the 46,000 mile interstate system
80%
100%
120%
140%
160%
180%
200%
220%
1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005
1980
= 1
00%
VMT Index Lane Mile Index
Vehicle Miles of Travel
Roadway Capacity
Lack of public understanding
No money
Increasing demand
Driving our modern cars on broken roads
Near term solutions◦Mobility◦Safety
Longer term solutions◦Funding alternatives◦Changing the culture
What if we do nothing?
Mobility is the ability to reliably get from Point A to point B within a reasonable time and at a reasonable cost.
Mobility can be improved with effective management of the roadway system
Traffic signals Ramp metering Incident management Electronic payment (tolls, HOT lanes, etc.) Lane management (shoulders, HOV, HOT) Route diversion Variable speed limits Traveler information systems Etc.
details to
follow
Benefits of improved signaltiming include:◦ Travel time reduced as much as 25%◦ Emissions reduced up to 22%◦ Fuel consumption reduce up to 10%
Better signal timing could save each motorist as much as50 gallons/year
Why does the public accept poor operation?
Controls traffic entering the freeway
Keeps freeway flowing smoothly
Benefits measured in Minnesota:◦ Travel time reduced 22%◦ Accidents reduced 25%
60,000
40,000
20,000
2,000,000
1,000,000
Viet Nam
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Autom
obile
58,200
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1,600,000
The State of Victoria, Australia◦ Greatly increased penalties for drunk driving◦ Increased probationary license period to three years◦ Increased speed enforcement◦ Increased traffic stops◦ Increased public education
Fatality rate decreased by 60% (one-half the US fatality rate)
Success due to ◦ Political support◦ Sound and realistic plan
key point
Improved customer service – Do you know who to call?
Increased performance measurement – Do you know how your agency is doing?
Get the politicians out of the picture – Who should make the transportation decisions?
Higher gas taxes Tolls, HOT lanes, congestion pricing Increased fees (registration, licenses, etc.)
Privately constructed and operated roads
Vehicle miles of travel (VMT) pricing Transportation utility fees
Privatize the transportation system◦ Create and investor owned transportation utility◦ Financed by transportation utility fee◦ Oversight by public utility commission
Advantages◦ Minimizes legislative micro-management◦ Freed from dependence on annual appropriations◦ Avoids categorical funding◦ Staff incentives possible
Let’s improve mobility
Let’s improve safety
Let’s improve accountability
Let’s change the funding paradigm
•Increased travel time
•Higher shipping costs
•Poor air quality
•Degraded transit service
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