How Will 400 Million Americans Get Around In 2043?

With traffic congestion already growing intolerable in many cities, how will Americans be able to get to work when there are 400 million of us, asks Neal Peirce.

1 minute read

December 4, 2006, 5:00 AM PST

By Michael Dudley

"Vision No. 1 is "stay the course." Keep driving as we have. In 1980, 64.4 percent of us drove to work alone; in 2000 it was 75.7 percent, according to the Transportation Research Board's recent "Commuting in America" survey by Alan Pisarski.

A car-wheeled world is what Americans choose. Argument over, say some.

Vision No. 2. We privatize. We invite the private sector to take over roads -- and then charge us.

This is the hottest new trend, discussed intensely by governors, state transportation officials and state legislators. Multibillion-dollar roadway investments by private financing firms are increasing fast. We've reached what transportation expert C. Kenneth Orski calls a critical "tipping point."

Vision No. 3? [Public Transit]. the vote of many Americans earlier this month to support new and expanded public transit. Transit proposals with cumulative value of $40 billion were approved from Rhode Island to Minnesota, Missouri to Utah to California."

FULL STORY: The transportation tipping point

Thursday, November 30, 2006 in The Seattle Times

Transportation United States

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