National Transportation Policy Options: A Time for Choice

• Published in: ITE journal Vol. 78; no. 8; p. 30
• Main Author: Lockwood, Stephen C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington Institute of Transportation Engineers 01.08.2008
• Subjects: Accountability; Asset management; Authorizations; Changes; Climate change; Environmental impact; Environmental stewardship; Expenditures; Federal aid; Federal legislation; Funding; GDP; Gross Domestic Product; Infrastructure; Interest groups; Local government; Performance management; Private sector; Public private partnerships; Roads & highways; Roles; State government; Transportation planning; United States > US
• ISSN: 0162-8178

This paper was prepared for the seventh James L. Oberstar Forum on Transportation Policy and Technology, sponsored by the Center for Transportation Studies at the University of Minnesota and held on April 7, 2008. The forum addressed potential directions of the next authorization of the Federal Transportation Act, which will succeed SAFETEA-LU. The range of options the transportation policy community is considering offers significant choices as reauthorization of the federal-aid transportation program approaches. In each case, the basic choices reflect differing levels of change from the current program structure and scope. Over the next several months, there will be an accelerating dialogue among interests and a refinement of positions. There is a broad consensus that the 21st century requires a surface transportation system more closely tailored to the new mix of needs and challenges. There is less consensus on how and when to proceed. It will be an exciting time for transportation policy -- and potentially a transformation moment.