Innovative Approaches to Urban Transportation Planning

THREE MAJOR AREAS OF CONCERN IN TRANSPORTATION PLANNING AND POLICIES FOR THE FUTURE, AS PRESENTED IN THIS REPORT, ARE: (1) THE INCREASING OPPOSITION OF AFFECTED COMMUNITIES TO SPECIFIC FACILITIES THAT ARE ESSENTIAL TO REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLANS; (2) THE EMERGENCE OF A FULL-BLOWN DEBATE CONCERNING THE DESIRABILITY OF CONTINUED ECONOMIC GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT; AND (3) THE INCREASING DIFFICULTY IN FINANCING MAJOR TRANSPORTATION PROGRAMS. AFTER DISCUSSING VARIOUS RESPONSES TO THESE CHALLENGES, THE REMAINDER OF THIS ARTICLE IS DEVOTED TO AN EXAMINATION OF THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR INNOVATION. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT UNLESS NEW AND MORE SOPHISTICATED TECHNIQUES, INNOVATIVE APPROACHES, AND MEANINGFUL POLICY RESPONSES WHICH CAN STAND UP UNDER INTENSE ANALYSIS CAN BE DEVELOPED, PLANNERS AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATORS ARE NOT GOING TO GET VERY FAR WITH SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEMS WHICH HAVE ARISEN IN DEVELOPING TRANSPORTATION RESOURCES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE 1970'S AND BEYOND.