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Recent Research and Commentary
Reducing BAC from .08 to .05 Will Not Significantly Reduce Drunk Driving
May 24, 2013, 8:21amThe NTSB recently recommended reducing the legal Blood Alcohol Content for drunk driving from .08 to .05. Unfortunately, there is little that indicates this will reduce drunk driving. A better solution would be charging these drivers with reckless driving.
I-5 Bridge Collapses; Washington State Ranked 34th In Making Progress on Deficient and Functionally Obsolete Bridges
May 23, 2013, 11:45pmThe Seattle Times reports:
An Interstate 5 bridge collapsed into the Skagit River on Thursday evening, according to the Washington State Patrol. Trooper Mark Francis wrote on Twitter that people and cars are in the water. Both the north bound and south bound lanes were in the water, Francis wrote.
Reason Foundation's study, "Examining 20 Years of U.S. Highway and Bridge Performance Trends," found Washington ranked 34th out of 50 states in terms of making progress reducing its percentage of deficient and functionally obsolete bridges from 1989 to 2008. Overall the findings on functionally obsolete and deficient bridges were:
Slow Start to L.A.'s Toll Lanes Certain to Gain Speed
Given time optional lanes reduce congestion and provide travel options
May 20, 2013The new toll lanes on I-10 and I-110 opened with complaints and slower traffic in the general purpose lanes. While frustrating this is not unusual for these type of lane conversions. It takes up to a year for travelers to experience the maximum benefits. Given time the HOT lanes will provide drivers a reliable travel time and a new option.
Give Managed Lane Conversions Time
May 16, 2013, 9:34amLos Angeles recently converted portions of its I-10 and I-110 HOV lanes to HOT lanes. In the months after the conversions, travel times have decreased for transit vehicles and cars in the HOT lanes but increased for traffic in the general-purpose lanes. In an Op-Ed article for the Los Angeles Daily News I explained that these are part of the growing pains for the Managed Lanes. Users need to give the lanes up to a year to realize the maximum benefits of the conversion.
President Obama's Recycled Transportation Proposals
Here's how the president could ensure funding for infrastructure
May 14, 2013President Barack Obama’s transportation budget proposal for fiscal 2014 is basically the same old thing yet again. Replacing the Highway Trust Fund with a much larger Transportation Trust Fund, launching a National Infrastructure Bank, and jump-starting transportation spending with a one-time $50 billion stimulus have all been proposed several times before.
Surface Transportation Newsletter #115
Access to jobs via auto, Inside the transit "black box," and More
May 10, 2013In this issue:
- Access to jobs via auto
- Inside the transit "black box"
- Separating managed lanes from GP lanes
- Will Congress address WRDA's problems?
- Major toll projects proliferate
- News Notes
- Quotable Quotes
Innovators in Action 2013
How governments and agencies are using market-based policies to improve services, become more efficient and reduce costs
May 7, 2013Edited by Reason Foundation's Leonard Gilroy and Harris Kenny, the Innovators in Action 2013 series profiles a range of innovators who have demonstrated leadership through action on privatization, competition, government re-invention and other market-based policy reforms designed to reduce the costs of government and deliver more value to taxpayers. Innovator interviews or self-penned articles will be added on a monthly basis throughout the year, so be sure to check back frequently for new content.
FedEx Founder Makes the Case for Air Traffic and Highway Improvements
April 26, 2013, 1:27pmFedEx Founder Fred Smith, a former Reason trustee, testified before the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on Wednesday.
View Resources by Type
StudiesBlog PostsOp-EdsReason.comReason.tv
- Developments In Surface Transportation
Annual Privatization Report examines highway and road trends at the state and federal levels
Robert Poole
April 8, 2013 - Examining 20 Years of U.S. Highway and Bridge Performance Trends
Twenty years of data shows highways and bridges making progress, not crumbling
David T. Hartgen, M. Gregory Fields and Elizabeth San José
February 21, 2013 - Enterprising Roads: Improving the Governance of America's Highways
Roads should be managed by independent enterprises, with a clear mission of providing service to customers.
David Levinson
January 22, 2013 - Funding Important Transportation Infrastructure In a Fiscally Constrained Environment
Rethinking how America pays for and manages its critically important transportation infrastructure
Robert Poole
January 9, 2013 - Dispelling the Myths: Toll and Fuel Tax Collection Costs in the 21st Century
The time to embrace electronic tolls as a primary source of highway funding is now
Daryl Fleming and Robert Poole
November 27, 2012 - Ten Myths and Facts on Transportation Public-Private Partnerships
Addressing fears, misperceptions surrounding transportation PPPs in Ohio
Leonard Gilroy and Robert Poole
July 26, 2012 - Reducing Traffic Congestion and Increasing Mobility in Chicago
The transportation projects that will reduce congestion in Chicago and how to pay for them
Samuel Staley and Adrian Moore
July 19, 2012 - The Senate's Transportation Bill Attacks Public-Private Partnerships
How and why the surface transportation reauthorization bill would deprive states of a much-needed tool for expanding investment in highways and transit
Baruch Feigenbaum
May 11, 2012 - The Year 2011 in Toll Roads, HOT Lanes, Infrastructure Finance
Surface Transportation Chapter of Annual Privatization Report 2011
Robert Poole
May 1, 2012 - Evaluating and Improving the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) Grants
Narrowing the focus to nationally important transportation projects with proven economic benefits
Baruch Feigenbaum
April 5, 2012 - Why the House Should Give States Greater Tolling Flexibility
Tolls and road pricing are needed to rebuild, modernize and expand the Interstate system
Robert Poole
April 5, 2012 - Increasing Mobility in Southeast Florida
A new approach based on road pricing and bus rapid transit
Robert Poole, Thomas A. Rubin and Chris Swenson
March 27, 2012 - Frequently Asked Questions About Increasing Mobility in Southeast Florida
Why managed lanes, managed arterials and bus rapid transit can dramatically help the region
Robert Poole
March 27, 2012 - Florida Toll Agencies Should Not Be Consolidated
OOCEA and THEA need to become fully independent, self-supporting local toll authorities, like MDX
Daryl Fleming and Robert Poole
January 30, 2012 - Reason-Rupe Transportation Poll
December 20, 2011 - Risks and Rewards of Public-Private Partnerships for Highways
The reasons public-private partnerships are being used to fund infrastructure
Baruch Feigenbaum
December 8, 2011 - Rebuilding and Modernizing Wisconsin Interstates With Toll Financing
Using tolls to ensure the timely reconstruction of the Interstates and Wisconsin's freeway system
Robert Poole
October 3, 2011 - Taxpayer-Friendly Solutions to America's Transportation Challenges
Seven cost-effective transportation strategies
Samuel Staley, Shirley Ybarra, Erich W. Zimmerman and Nick Donohue
May 16, 2011 - TIFIA Is a Powerful Tool In Financing Large-Scale Infrastructure Projects
Program helps user-funded public-private partnerships get built
Robert Poole
April 26, 2011 - Automating HOT Lanes Enforcement
As high-occupancy toll lanes become larger and more complex, effective enforcement becomes even more difficult
Robert Poole
February 16, 2011 - The Year 2010 in Toll Roads, HOT Lanes, Infrastructure Finance
Surface Transportation Chapter of Annual Privatization Report 2010
Robert Poole and Leonard Gilroy
February 11, 2011 - Transportation Mega-Projects and Risk
What we can learn from Boston's Big Dig to improve future major infrastructure projects
Robert Poole and Peter Samuel
February 9, 2011 - Restoring Trust In the Highway Trust Fund
Refocusing the federal transportation program and restoring the users-pay principle to highway infrastructure
Robert Poole and Adrian Moore
August 3, 2010 - 18th Annual Highway Report
The Performance of State Highway Systems (1984-2007)
David T. Hartgen, Ravi K. Karanam and M. Gregory Fields
December 17, 2009 - The Role for Public-Private Partnerships in Modernizing and Expanding Nebraska's Transportation System
Platte Institute for Economic Research/Reason Foundation Policy Study
Shirley Ybarra and Leonard Gilroy
December 8, 2009 - Gridlock and Growth: The Effect of Traffic Congestion on Regional Economic Performance
How reducing traffic congestion can add billions of dollars in economic growth to local economies
Policy Study 371
David T. Hartgen and M. Gregory Fields
August 27, 2009 - Reducing Congestion in Lee County, Florida
Cutting traffic in one of America's fastest growing urban areas
Robert Poole and Chris Swenson
February 26, 2009 - Leasing the Pennsylvania Turnpike: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Policy Brief
Matthew Brouillette and Leonard Gilroy
May 1, 2008 - Pennsylvania Turnpike Alternatives: A Review and Critique of the Democratic Caucus Study
Policy Brief 70
Robert Poole and Peter Samuel
April 1, 2008 - Missouri's Changing Transportation Paradigm
David Stokes, Leonard Gilroy and Samuel Staley
February 27, 2008 - Miami Toll Truckway: Preliminary Feasibility Study
Policy Study 365
Robert Poole
November 1, 2007 - Leasing the Pennsylvania Turnpike: A Response to Critics of Gov. Rendell's Plan
Peter Samuel and Geoffrey Segal
June 1, 2007 - Tolling and Public-Private Partnerships in Texas: Separating Myth from Fact
Robert Poole
May 1, 2007 - The Role of Tolls in Financing 21st Century Highways
Policy Study 359
Peter Samuel and Robert Poole
May 1, 2007 - Building New Roads Through Public-Private Partnerships: Frequently Asked Questions
Policy Brief 58
Leonard Gilroy, Robert Poole, Peter Samuel and Geoffrey Segal
March 1, 2007 - HOT Lanes: Frequently Asked Questions
Policy Brief 59
Leonard Gilroy and Amy Pelletier
March 1, 2007 - Leasing State Toll Roads: Frequently Asked Questions
Policy Brief 60
Peter Samuel
March 1, 2007 - The Emerging Paradigm: Financing and Managing Pennsylvania's Transportation Infrastructure and Mass Transit
Matthew Brouillette, Geoffrey Segal and Adrian Moore
March 1, 2007 - Reducing Congestion in Atlanta
A Bold New Approach to Increasing Mobility
Robert Poole
November 1, 2006 - Enabling Public-Private Partnerships for Transportation in California
George Passantino
September 1, 2006 - Detailing Foreign Management of US Infrastructure
Leonard Gilroy and Adam Summers
March 1, 2006 - Adding FAST Lanes to Milwaukee's Freeways
Congestion Relief, Improved Transit, and Help with Funding Reconstruction
Robert Poole and Kevin Soucie
February 1, 2006 - Rebuilding After Katrina
Policy Strategies for Recovery
Adrian Moore, Lisa Snell and Geoffrey Segal
October 1, 2005 - Virtual Exclusive Busways
Improving Urban Transit While Relieving Congestion
Robert Poole and Ted Balaker
September 1, 2005 - Should States Sell Their Toll Roads?
Peter Samuel
June 1, 2005 - The Orange County Toll Roads
Largely Successful
Robert Poole
March 1, 2005 - Orange County's 91 Express Lanes
A Transportation and Financial Success, Despite Political Problems
Robert Poole
March 1, 2005 - Easing California's Transportation Crisis with Tolls and Public-Private Partnerships
Robert Poole and Peter Samuel
January 1, 2005 - Corridors for Toll Truckways
Suggested Locations for Pilot Projects
Robert Poole and Peter Samuel
February 1, 2004 - Contracting for Road and Highway Maintenance
Geoffrey Segal, Adrian Moore and Samuel McCarthy
March 1, 2003 - HOT Networks
A New Plan for Congestion Relief and Better Transit
Robert Poole and C. Kenneth Orski
February 1, 2003 - Rebuilding the Marquette Interchange Via a Public-private Partnership
Robert Poole, Kevin Soucie, Daryl Fleming and Tom McDaniel
February 1, 2003 - Putting Customers in the Driver's Seat
The Case for Tolls
Peter Samuel and Robert Poole
September 1, 2000 - Infrastructure Outsourcing
Leveraging Concrete, Steel, and Asphalt with Public-Private Partnerships
Adrian Moore, Geoffrey Segal and John McCormally
September 1, 2000 - Building a Case For HOT Lanes
A New Approach to Reducing Urban Highway Congestion
Robert Poole and C. Kenneth Orski
April 1, 1999 - Privatizing Wisconsin's Interstate Highways
Robert Poole
April 1, 1996 - A Guide for Divesting Government Owned Enterprises
Henry Gibbons
August 1, 1995 - High Occupancy Toll Lanes
Phasing in Congestion Pricing a Lane at a Time
Gordon J. Fielding and Daniel B. Klein
November 1, 1993 - Congestion Relief Toll Tunnels
Robert Poole and Yuzo Sugimoto
July 1, 1993 - How to Enable Private Toll Road Development
Robert Poole
May 1, 1993 - Port Privatization
An International Perspective
David Haarmeyer and Peter Yorke
April 1, 1993 - Privatizing Los Angeles International Airport
Analyzing the Alternatives
Robert Poole
April 1, 1993 - Standardizing Electronic Toll Collection
James V. Halloran III
September 1, 1992 - Introducing Congestion Pricing on a New Toll Road
Robert Poole
September 1, 1992 - Using Revenues From Congestion Pricing
A Southern California Case Study
Kenneth A. Small
September 1, 1992 - Fostering Commercial Transit
Alternatives in Greater Los Angeles
Robert Cervero
September 1, 1992 - The Market for Private Toll Projects in the United States
Robert Poole and John R. Guardiano
May 1, 1992 - Mining the Government Balance Sheet
What Cities and States Have to Sell
Robert Poole, David Haarmeyer and Lynn Scarlett
April 1, 1992 - Private Tollways
How States Can Leverage Federal Highway Funds
Robert Poole
February 1, 1992 - Private Tollways
Resolving Gridlock in Southern California
Robert Poole
May 1, 1988
Featured Research
- Restoring Trust In the Highway Trust Fund
Refocusing the federal transportation program and restoring the users-pay principle to highway infrastructure - 19th Annual Highway Report
The Performance of State Highway Systems (1984-2008)
Highways, Toll Roads and Public-Private Partnerships Blog
- Reducing BAC from .08 to .05 Will Not Significantly Reduce Drunk Driving (5/24)
- I-5 Bridge Collapses; Washington State Ranked 34th In Making Progress on Deficient and Functionally Obsolete Bridges (5/23)
- Slow Start to L.A.'s Toll Lanes Certain to Gain Speed (5/20)
- Give Managed Lane Conversions Time (5/16)
- President Obama's Recycled Transportation Proposals (5/14)
Related Topics
Poole's Newsletter
- Surface Transportation Newsletter #115
Access to jobs via auto, Inside the transit "black box," and More
May 10, 2013
Robert Poole - More
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