Michigan Transportation in the Seventies

The State of Michigan and the U.S. Department of Transportation have both introduced programs that alter transportation policy. In Michigan, the Governor has proposed a program to divert a portion of the motor fuel tax to a discretionary account. These funds would then be used to meet urban transportation problems without restriction to modes. His proposal also includes a $1.7 billion highway program, and a move toward a system of regional airports. President Nixon's transportation revenue sharing proposal is analyzed as it might affect these Michigan programs. Multimodal state planning efforts are questioned, based on the measurable impacts found in Michigan. The ability of the civil engineer to maintain a prominent role in establishing transportation policy is questioned. Revised thinking and training are recommended to prepare the profession for the new challenges.