TRANSPORTATION AT THE CROSSROADS

Present day transportation planners realize that along with implementing new policies, a corresponding shift in public attitudes and travel patterns must be effected as well. Accustomed emphasis on highway and air travel must be redirected toward more mass transit alternatives, including dial-a-rides, monorails, and people movers. The nearly completed interstate highway system brings home the message that funds previously earmarked for highway construction must be channeled into multimodal transportation planning. Society needs to take a hard look at itself and restructure its lifestyle according to the natural resources available. More rapid transit systems like BART do not seem to be the answer since the operating costs can never be balanced by fares. The ordinary, average income commuter cannot afford to use BART on a regular basis. In order to deal with the growing immediacy of these considerations, 27 states have now expanded their highway departments into Departments of Transportation, giving attention to all modes of transport. More state aid for the promotion of air transportation in particular is being called for. As a results of this expansion in state transportation departments, the problem has arisen of placing competent personel whose focus hitherto has been on highways. Talented people can be retrained for positions in mass transit, of course, and this can prove to be an economic benefit as well. Transportation organizations and policies have definitely shifted to encompass new technologies and orientations; it now remains to be seen if these developments can keep abreast of the current crises in the country that are rapidly necessitating change.

• Corporate Authors:

  Security World Publishing Company, Incorporated

  2639 South La Clenega Boulevard
  Los Angeles, CA  United States  90034
• Authors:
  • Wood, N
• Publication Date: 1975-7

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos;
• Pagination: p. 14-18
• Serial:
  • State Government Administration
  • Volume: 10
  • Issue Number: 5
  • Publisher: Security World Publishing Company, Incorporated

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air transportation; Attitudes; Budgeting; Multimodal transportation; Public transit; State departments of transportation; State highway departments; Transportation planning; Transportation policy; Travel patterns
• Identifier Terms: San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District
• Old TRIS Terms: State highway budget
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Finance; Highways; Law; Planning and Forecasting; Policy; Public Transportation; Research;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00125386
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 18 1981 12:00AM