THE TRANSPORTATION MANAGER: AN EVOLVING CONCEPT

Solutions to the new transportation needs of the United States require the development of problem-solving skills, which augment the historical role of the highway engineer and highway planner. This new role, the transportation manager, is the direct result of several factors in our environment and, more particularly, in our transportation systems. For example, although vehicle kilometers of travel are projected to increase by 39 percent by 1985, resistance to new highway construction is increasing, and mass transit is severely limited in its ability to serve peak-hour commuter needs by using expensive vehicles and full-time labor. As a result, the focus of transportation activities is shifting to improved management techniques. The new transportation needs will require individuals who have a different perspective and approach than that of the traditional engineer or planner. The new management emphasis will address more day-to-day decision making and have the opportunity to initiate low-cost, incremental changes to systems that are reversible on short notice. Cost/benefit analyses of detailed planning efforts associated with such incremental efforts reveal that the transportation manager will consume less resources in examining the data and undertaking corrective action. The paper will trace the development of public involvement in transportation to demonstrate the evolving needs of transportation and the orientation toward the professional urban transportation manager. (Author)

• Record URL:
  http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1979/735/735-002.pdf
• Summary URL:
  https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=THE+TRANSPORTATION+MANAGER%3A+AN+EVOLVING+CONCEPT&author=F.+Davis&author=L.+Cunningham&publication_year=1979
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0309029902
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Publication of this paper sponsored by Committee on Public Transportation Planning and Development. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
• Authors:
  • Davis Jr, Frank W
  • Cunningham, Lawrence F
• Publication Date: 1979

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: pp 7-12
• Monograph Title: Public Transportation Planning and Development
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 735
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Benefit cost analysis; Decision making; Needs assessment; Professional personnel; Public transit; Road construction; Transportation; Transportation planning; Transportation system management; Travel demand
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Planning and Forecasting; Transportation (General);

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00316659
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309029902
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Oct 27 1981 12:00AM