TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT OF FUTURE INTERCITY PASSENGER TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS. VOLUME 6: IMPACT ASSESSMENT

The consequences are described that might occur if certain technological developments take place in intercity transportation. The consequences considered are broad ranging, and include economic, environmental, social, institutional, energy-related, and transportation service implications. Among the future technologies considered here are the following: the fuel-efficient and conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) subsonic aircraft; short and vertical takeoff and landing (STOL/VTOL) aircraft; American commercial supersonic transport aircraft I (SST); improved intercity buses; improved variations of combustion engine automobiles; electric automobiles with optional power pickup from electrified highways; dual mode (able to operate without driver control on automated highways) automobiles, trucks and busess; improved passenger trains; and very high-speed ground transportation systems. The assessment of possible impacts was undertaken through a systematic analysis approached from several directions: the impact on economic, natural and human resources; the point in the life cycle at which the impact is felt; the change of impact with time; the relationship between the extent of impact and the operant political, socioeconomic and physical conditions; and society's response to the impact and its effect on the impact.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Prepared by a technology assessment team (Peat, Marwick, Mitchell and Company; California University, Berkeley; Stanford University; Gellman Research Associates, Incorporated; and Science Applications, Incorporated) for DOT and NASA. See also Volume 1, N76-24075, RRIS 23 138130; Bulletin 7802.
• Corporate Authors:

  Department of Transportation

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Publication Date: 1976-3

Media Info

• Pagination: 31 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air transportation; Aircraft; Assessments; Automobiles; Bus transportation; Buses; Competition; Energy; Energy consumption; Environmental impacts; Fuel consumption; High speed ground transportation; High speed rail; Intercity bus lines; Intercity transportation; Intercity travel; Passenger transportation; Policy; Politics; Socioeconomic factors; Technological forecasting; Technology; Transportation modes; Trucks
• Old TRIS Terms: Future policies
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Economics; Energy; Environment; Finance; Highways; Motor Carriers; Operations and Traffic Management; Passenger Transportation; Policy; Public Transportation; Railroads; Research; Society; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00142236
• Record Type: Publication
• Contract Numbers: NAS2-8730
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Nov 23 1978 12:00AM