Reason Foundation

Recent Research and Commentary

Airport Policy and Security Newsletter #76

Trusted Traveler expansion, Australia's light-handed airport regulation, spotlight on outsourced airport screening, Spain's ghost airports, fixing TSA's broken technology procurements

February 8, 2012

Robert Poole

In this issue:

• Trusted Traveler expansion
• Australia’s light-handed airport regulation
• Outsourced airport screening in the spotlight
• Spain’s ghost airports
• Fixing TSA’s broken technology procurements
• Upcoming Conferences
• News Notes
• Quotable Quotes

Missing Forest Through the Peach Trees on Atlanta Toll Lanes

February 7, 2012, 10:22pm

Samuel Staley

The debate over HOT lanes and tolling new capacity in Atlanta is missing crucial benefits of better management for the road system and the likely reduction in total investment that would come from road pricing.

Reconstructing the Interstates

Why the best way forward for Interstate reconstruction is to remove the caps on the existing Interstate tolling program while maintaining restrictions on the uses of toll revenues.

February 7, 2012

Robert Poole

Many of America's roads need upgrading. But restrictions on toll-financed Interstate reconstruction are keeping that from happening. With those restrictions lifted, many of the nation's roads could be improved from their currently outdated standards.

Red-Light Cameras and the Enigmatic Jerry Brown

February 6, 2012, 4:39pm

Harris Kenny

Kevin Fagan of the San Francisco Chronicle reports, "California has the most expensive red-light camera tickets in the world... The Legislature passed two bills in the past two years that would have reduced the fine or limited the cameras' use, but both were vetoed." The larger storyline that can be teased out of this article is where California Gov. Jerry Brown stands on the issue of state versus local control.

A $1 Billion Prize for a 100mpg Car?

February 6, 2012, 2:30pm

Adam Peshek

NYC Parking Under Bloomberg: Bright Potential, Blighted Past

February 3, 2012, 7:41pm

Harris Kenny

This morning Juan Gonzalez of the New York Daily News writes: "The firm that built and manages the new Yankee Stadium parking garages can’t repay $237 million in tax-exempt bonds the Bloomberg administration arranged for it four years ago, new financial records show." However, there is a kernel of optimism in that the Mayor's office is considering leveraging additional city parking assets that actually would create value for residents and motorists.

Atlanta Streetcar Costs Increase by $22 Million

February 3, 2012, 2:38pm

Baruch Feigenbaum

The U.S. DOT recently disclosed that the Atlanta Streetcar project has risen to almost $100 million dollars. The 1.3 mile project is designed to increase Economic Activity. Currently, it is decreasing the budget of other city departments.

Virginia Needs to be Cautious and Not Ruin Its Public-Private Partnership Track Record

February 2, 2012, 10:50am

Robert Poole, Shirley Ybarra

Virginia is considered one of the leaders in public-private partnerships since the passage of the Public Private Partnership Act of 1995 (PPTA). But two bills being considered in the state's legislature could change that track record.

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