Just Say 'No" to Privatization

This editorial presents a case against the privatization of public transportation projects, particularly those that could be bolstered by the cluster of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) currently being developed. The author begins by noting that if the operation of public infrastructure is a good investment for private businesses, it could then be a good investment for the public likewise. First discussed are technologies that focus on inter-vehicular communication such as drive-by-wire, adaptive cruise control, and vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication. The author also proposes implementing a highway speed limit scheme with an upper speed limit tied to a vehicle's real-time passenger miles per fossil fuel gallon (pmpg), which would spur automobile manufacturers to better improve their production's fuel efficiency, among other effects. The final ITS application suggested is that of Global Positioning System (GPS) and geographic information systems (GIS)-based parking management, where drivers can quickly be diverted to the closest available parking spot. Also mentioned is the Defense Advanced Project Research Agency's (DARPA) automated vehicle competition.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/1606878
• Authors:
  • Capron, Mark
• Publication Date: 2007-8

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: pp 23-24
• Serial:
  • Public Works
  • Volume: 138
  • Issue Number: 9
  • Publisher: Hanley Wood
  • ISSN: 0033-3840
  • Serial URL: http://www.pwmag.com

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Incentives; Intelligent transportation systems; Privatization; Technological innovations; Transportation policy
• Subject Areas: Economics; Finance; Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Policy; Society;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01056036
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: UC Berkeley Transportation Library
• Files: BTRIS, TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 24 2007 4:14PM