Gridlock: Why We're Stuck in Traffic and what to Do about itAmericans are the most mobile society in history, yet our transportation system is on the verge of collapse. Traffic congestion today is five times worse than it was 25 years ago. Many of our bridges are in desperate need of replacement. Worst of all, many transportation planners believe their job is to make congestion worse in order to discourage mobility. Gridlock reveals how we got into this mess and how we can fix it. The United States has two paths before it. Some say we should build an expensive network of high-speed trains and urban rail transit lines that will mainly serve a narrow elite. Gridlock argues instead that we should focus on improving methods of transportation that will increase everyone's mobility and pay for themselves, whether it's cars, buses, planes, or trains. |
Contents
| 1 | |
REFORMING FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION POLICY | 203 |
STATE AND LOCAL TRANSPORTATION POLICY | 215 |
CONCLUSIONS | 229 |
NOTES | 237 |
INDEX | 265 |
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Gridlock: Why We're Stuck in Traffic and What To Do About It Randal O'Toole Limited preview - 2010 |
Common terms and phrases
air pollution airlines alternative American Amtrak auto automobiles average Bel Geddes benefits billion bridge BTUs built Bureau buses California High-Speed California High-Speed Rail capita driving Cato Institute cents cities companies congestion Congress corridor cost cost-efficient decline densities Denver dollars downtown driverless cars driverless vehicles environmental fares Federal Highway Federal Transit Administration freeway freight fuel funds gas taxes goals greenhouse gas growth highway users Ibid improvements increase infrastructure interstate highway land land-use lanes less light-rail light-rail line Metro Metropolitan Transportation miles per hour mobility National Transit Database nearly operating Oregon passenger mile percent planners Policy Portland programs proposed rail lines rail transit railroads Randal O'Toole reduce Regional Transportation Plan riders ridership Sellwood Bridge smart-growth spend streetcars subsidies technologies tinyurl tion toll roads traffic trains transit agencies transit systems transit-oriented developments Transportation Plan urban areas user fees York