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Combatting Congestion through Leadership, Innovation, and Resources: A Summary Report on the 2007 National Congestion Summits

The ability of the nation’s transportation system to support future growth and provide a good quality of life to future generations is being threatened by growing levels of congestion. With an expected population of 440 million 40 years from now, this is indeed a serious challenge. Congestion is now occurring in what can no longer be called “non-peak hours.” Suburbs, which for many years served as havens for those escaping the congested conditions of center cities, now are often more congested than the center cities themselves. Although congestion was once considered a phenomenon associated with work trips, today all types of trip purposes often experience congestion somewhere during the trip. In recognition of the serious impact that congestion has to the nation’s economic future, and the key role state transportation departments must play in resolving it, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) conducted congestion summits in cooperation with the 2007 meetings of its four regional affiliates: Northeast Association of State Transportation Officials, Southeastern Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, Mississippi Valley Conference of State Highway and Transportation Departments, and Western Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. The purpose of these summits was to identify innovative strategies and initiatives states have adopted to deal with congestion. Often constrained by limited resources, many states are nonetheless implementing innovative strategies for solving congestion problems in their states and metropolitan areas. The intent of these summits was for the states to learn from one another about what was possible and how states’ department of transportation (DOT) leadership could make a difference in improving transportation system performance. State DOTs are implementing a variety of strategies aimed at reducing congestion and enhancing mobility. Many of these strategies have been used with great success for several years while others, such as pricing, only recently have been considered as part of the congestion-reduction toolbox. Perhaps most importantly, many summit participants note that efforts to reduce congestion must consist of many different strategies; there is no single action that will meet the challenge facing the nation. As such, the different strategies discussed at the congestion summits provide a worthwhile national picture of the many different types of strategies that can be part of a comprehensive and coordinated program to provide congestion relief on our nation’s highways.

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Media Type: Web
  • Features: Photos;
  • Pagination: 41p

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01079317
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Files: TRIS
  • Created Date: Oct 22 2007 10:13AM