THE THIRD TRANSPORTATION REVOLUTION

As the U.S. recoils from the terrorist acts of September 11 and its first exposure to bio-terrorism, it is tempting for those who develop public policy to concentrate upon the immediate and demanding counter-terrorism tasks. Likewise, the stagnating economy, with growing unemployment exacerbated by the same terrorist acts, rivets the attention of policymakers. Americans can hardly believe the radical changes in the positive view of life held only a little more than a year ago as the nation passed through the fabulous decade of entrepreneurial vigor, technology leaps, and heady productivity and economic growth, not to mention the historic switch from budget deficit to surplus. It is tempting to focus political energy, as in the counter-terrorism efforts, on the immediate actions necessary to restoring economic performance. Tempting, necessary, but dangerously myopic if all attention is focused on these immediate tasks. Public policy must also concern itself with tomorrow's economic health. Some thought and planning must go into setting the conditions that will allow economic growth to continue with as few obstacles as possible over the long run. That is the theme of this article. It will propose a set of public policies targeted on enabling sustained growth over the new several decades by putting into place a 21st century transportation infrastructure. This proposal is called the "Third Transportation Revolution."

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Features: References;
  • Pagination: p. 47-58
  • Serial:

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00936744
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Files: TRIS, ATRI
  • Created Date: Jan 24 2003 12:00AM