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

Our highway system is critical

400 YEARS OF TRAVEL

(A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE HIGHWAY

SYSTEM)

18th Century Highways – the Braddock Road

The 18th Century - trails

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

The 19th Century – turnpikes and plank roads

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

20th Century - highways

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

Continued progress◦ Use of advanced technology◦ Safer roads◦ More reliable trips

or Slow deterioration

◦ Increased congestion◦ Funding gridlock◦ Less responsive public agencies

What’s next?

A focus on the future

A potentially ugly future

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

The system is in trouble

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?

Examining solutions

FIRST – LET’S TAKE A

TEST

THE U.S. HAS THE MOST ADVANCED TRANSPORTATION

SYSTEM IN THE WORLD(TRUE OR FALSE?)

Answer: The US is just beginning to implement advanced technology that is routinely used by the rest of throughout much of the world.

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

Let’s improve mobility

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.

We’ve got a full toolkitdetails 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?

Traffic Signals

Ramp Metering on Freeways Controls traffic entering the

freeway Keeps freeway flowing

smoothly Benefits measured in

Minnesota:◦ Travel time reduced 22%◦ Accidents reduced 25%

So why aren’t we making full use of

these tools?

Let’s Improve Safety

THE US IS A WORLD LEADER IN HIGHWAY

SAFETY (TRUE OR FALSE?)

Answer: The US ranks 13th in a list of 15 European nation’s. Only Turkey and Greece have more dangerous roads.

UK 3.4 deaths/100,000US 12.3 deaths/100,000Greece14.4 deaths/100,000

40 Years of US Fatalities

60,000

40,000

20,000

2,000,000

1,000,000

Viet Nam

Persian Gulf

Afghanistan

Iraq

Automobile

58,200

269 1,600 4,5000

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

The Australian’s figured it out

key point

Let’s Change the Culture

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?

Agencies must be more responsive

Resources ($) needed for long-term solutions

HOW MUCH HAS THE FUEL TAX INCREASED

SINCE 1993?

Answer: The Federal gas tax has been fixed at 18.4¢ gallon since 1993.

The tax is NOT indexed for inflation. A 33% loss in purchasing power has occurred during that time.

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

What are the alternatives?

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

A creative alternative

The problem can’t be ignored

Let’s improve mobility

Let’s improve safety

Let’s improve accountability

Let’s change the funding paradigm

Everyone suffers from inaction

•Increased travel time•Higher shipping costs•Poor air quality•Degraded transit service

We have a system worth saving

Read all about it in…