TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT: FEDERAL POLICIES TO ENCOURAGE LOW-COST APPROACHES NEED TO BE STRENGTHENED

The General Accounting Office (GAO) evaluated federal efforts to encourage better management of the nation's highways through the use of low-cost transportation systems management (TSM) techniques. Specifically, GAO examined the effectiveness of key U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) policies aimed at supporting TSM. GAO also reviewed similar efforts being made by the private sector and local governments, and examined how federal policies, including air quality planning, encourage or discourage such efforts. Results of GAO's investigation, in brief, are as follows: The federal government plays an important role in facilitating the local implementation of TSM techniques to reduce congestion and improve air quality. This role encompasses funding assistance, planning requirements, and technical support. However, these current efforts have not been fully successful in achieving widespread TSM--and particularly transportation demand management--usage.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Briefing Report to Congressional Requesters.
• Corporate Authors:

  U.S. General Accounting Office

  441 G Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20548
• Publication Date: 1991-8

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 40 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Federal government; Finance; Financing; Highway traffic control; Local government; Private enterprise; Technical assistance; Traffic congestion; Traffic mitigation; Transportation departments; Transportation planning; Transportation policy; Transportation system management; Travel demand management
• Identifier Terms: U.S. Department of Transportation
• Uncontrolled Terms: Mitigation
• Subject Areas: Finance; Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Planning and Forecasting; Policy; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning; I73: Traffic Control;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00615705
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: GAO/PEMD-91-26BR
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 30 1991 12:00AM