TRANSPORTATION: NEW SYSTEMS FOR THE NEW CENTURY

Today's transportation problems require a triple solution: a North American high-speed rail system - both steel rail and magnetic levitation; regional airports linked with the new rail system; and a highway safety program, also linked with the rail system, designed to separate large-truck traffic from small vehicles with truck-only freeways. This article describes how such a coordinated system could be implemented. Because of near-airline speeds, more efficient passenger loading and unloading, better access to city centers, and lower per-passenger operating costs, maglev trains will be more efficent than automobiles and planes for trips below 900 miles. The case for truck-only highways is also put forth. Funding for maglev is discussed, and it is suggested a Maglev Trust Fund could be established with most of its income in the 1990s transferred to the Highway Trust Fund to accelerate truck-highway construction. When maglev is ready for deployment, these funds would on return accelerate maglev construction.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/10480594
• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Civil Engineers

  345 East 47th Street
  New York, NY  United States  10017-2398
• Authors:
  • Ball, J T
• Publication Date: 1990-10

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 55-56
• Serial:
  • Civil Engineering
  • Volume: 60
  • Issue Number: 10
  • Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers
  • ISSN: 0885-7024
  • Serial URL: http://www.pubs.asce.org/ceonline/newce/html

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Freeways; High speed rail; Magnetic levitation; Policy; Transportation planning; Truck lanes; Trucks
• Old TRIS Terms: Future policies
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Highways; Motor Carriers; Operations and Traffic Management; Planning and Forecasting; Policy; Public Transportation; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00601579
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, ATRI
• Created Date: Nov 30 1990 12:00AM