Overview of a Timely Publication

Transportations 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

TrailRouteLength Braddock RoadUS40=> I miles El Camino RealUS101=> I-5600 miles Santa Fe TrailI 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

1920s Bureau of Public Roads distributed Federal funds for network of 2-lane roads and to spur employment 1950s 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

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 signal timing 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 Persian Gulf Afghanistan Iraq Automobile 58, ,600 4, ,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

Lets improve mobility Lets improve safety Lets improve accountability Lets change the funding paradigm

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