Conclusion

The development of an extensive and efficient transportation system has allowed our Nation to bridge vast landscapes, connect expanding metropolitan areas, link urban and rural areas and interests, and respond to changing economic opportunities created by new technologies and advances in manufacturing and distribution. As international trade increases and the global economy becomes more integrated, transportation will take on an even more prominent role in the U.S. economy and society.

Throughout the last half of the 20th Century, U.S. transportation policy has been governed primarily by concerns for passenger interests. Efficient freight movement, viewed primarily as the responsibility of the private sector, has often been ignored by transportation agencies, under the assumption that any transportation improvement will benefit all users equally. Many state and local governments, particularly in areas that have traditionally recognized freight movement as the lifeblood of their community, have taken steps to understand and consider freight needs more effectively in their plans and programs. They have done this out of an appreciation of freight as a major stakeholder in its own right and out of a growing sense that freight improvements also enhance economic health and overall quality of life. This recognition of freight's importance needs to be inculcated in all areas of public policy and institutionalized within the framework of national, state, local, and international transportation decisionmaking.

This report, based on extensive review, analysis, and consultation, provides a general overview of the challenges facing freight transportation. Hopefully, it provides a useful starting point for public and private sector discussions on an array of issues associated with freight planning, finance, operations, and security. Embracing freight more directly in the federal surface transportation program, alone, will not resolve all of these issues. However, a concerted effort by those with interests in freight at the federal, state, and local levels, and a strengthened partnership with the private sector, will enable the development of a comprehensive set of strategies to address freight issues more effectively. Through this greater understanding and willingness to balance competing interests, national goals for productivity, safety, security, and quality of life will be realized.

previous | next