Over the course of its history, there has been a dramatic increase in automobile and truck traffic, from 54 million vehicles in the U.S. in 1956 to 237 million in 2006. Interstate planners did not foresee the rapid growth of freight transportation on the interstate highways. Representing just over 3% of the nation's highway system mileage, the interstate highway system carries about 24% of all roadway traffic. Truck transportation on the interstates comprises almost 20% of this total traffic and further growth is expected in the coming years. Planners predict that growth in freight traffic will occur in both urban and suburban areas, resulting in congestion, higher shipping costs, higher consumer prices, and further stress on the environment. Our nations international competitiveness depends on a variety of factors, one of which is the efficiency of transport and Interstate highway system. The Interstate system has reduced manufacturing and distribution costs in the domestic market, which in turn makes U.S. products more competitive in world markets. Thus, the highway system is vital in maintaining the superiority of U.S. productivity. The Interstate system was predicated on forecasts for 1976 a 20-year design life. Much has changed. Planners never could have seen the way Americans now commute from the suburbs, nor have predicted the impact of building highways through downtown urban areas of large cities. Urban sprawl, coupled with increased freight trucking traffic, has led to congestion and delays on these superhighways which is hurting the productivity of our country. The purpose of this study is to investigate the current state of freight on the Interstate system, determine the attitude of state DOTs towards interstate freight, and suggest options for freight transport and the future of the Interstate system. This study is based on a comprehensive literature review and surveys of state departments of transportation.


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    Titel :

    Analysis of State DOT Options for Transporting Future Freight Flows on the U.S. Interstate Highway System (Freight on the Interstate Highway System: Current State, Forecasts, and Alternatives)


    Beteiligte:
    A. J. Short (Autor:in) / L. A. Hoel (Autor:in)

    Erscheinungsdatum :

    2007


    Format / Umfang :

    112 pages


    Medientyp :

    Report


    Format :

    Keine Angabe


    Sprache :

    Englisch