The traffic jams that arose when Hurricane Rita struck the Gulf Coast in 2005 revealed not only the importance of transportation modes, but the problems that arise when the system is disrupted, according to a report from the Transportation Research Board (TRB).
The report, Critical Issues in Transportation, is issued periodically by the TRB Executive Committee to identify critical transportation issues.
To address the transportation issues will require investment in both private and public sectors. However, although transportation deregulation has been successful for shippers, private carriers may not be able to reinvest adequate capital to help address freight capacity constraints, while also meeting federal and state environmental, energy, and security goals, the report states.
Issues addressed in the report include congestion, emergencies, energy and environment, equity, finance, human and intellectual capital, infrastructure, institutions, and safety.
The report can be seen by clicking here for the TRB Web site.