TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE

Transportation Infrastructure

Transportation Infrastructure

Solving these problems is complicated by the breadth of the nation `S network of surface transport, including road, transit and rail systems and ports that are owned, financed and operated in the public and private sectors . (Ghali, Smith, 2002) Moreover, the land transport policy is inextricably linked with aviation, economic, environmental and energy policy. In addition, compounding the problem is that the federal government `S's financial condition and fiscal outlook is worse than many may understand.2 In particular, the federal budget to unsustainable forms of growing concern about the solvency of the trust funds of the road, because the other federal revenue sources may not be available to help solve the nation `S current transportation problems.

Prudent use of U.S. is always important contributor. In the economic and social importance of the nation `S transport system, and the current financial environment, it is even more important that federal, state and local authorities to make informed decisions about how to invest limited resources. In making these decisions, the Government will face a number of challenges, including the repair and maintenance of aging infrastructure, more efficient use of existing infrastructure, which is population growth, as well as new technologies in infrastructure financing. (Ghali, Smith, 2002) In this environment, improving infrastructure at all levels of government, may not reflect what they need and that the country can afford. Accordingly, the decision on the appropriate level and allocation of infrastructure costs is difficult and very important.

Current land transport is not effective in addressing the transport problems facing the nation. In general, after the decision was the interstate highway program, transit and safety are the metropolitan area, which was created in half a century without a clear sense of national interest and federal role.

Through our preliminary analysis of the surface transportation program, we have defined a framework of principles that can help inform the Congress in evaluating the various proposals for restructuring and funding federal surface transportation. (Ghali, Smith, 2002) These principles

- Establishment of clearly defined objectives based on areas of national interest, which includes the study of the relationship and relative priority of programs that exist in the light of the 21st century and to identify problems, emerging areas of national importance;

- Establish and clearly define the role of the federal government in the achievement of each objective in relation to the functions of the state and local governments, regional organizations and the private sector;

- Accounting for results and accountability in decision-making on funding to provide resources for programs aimed at achieving better outcomes and national priorities;

- Use the best tools such as benefit-cost analysis, and approaches to emphasize return on investment with limited resources, federal and

- Ensuring fiscal sustainability through targeted investments of federal, state, local and private. (Jones, 2001)

A number of options that can be used to finance the demand for additional investment in land transport. Although some of the demand for investment in transport can be reduced, for example, by ...