CONFERENCE ON INSTITUTIONAL ASPECTS OF METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION PLANNING, WILLIAMSBURG, VIRGINIA, MAY 21-24, 1995. CLOSING SESSION: FEDERAL RESPONSE

The author briefly comments on the federal response to the conference presentations. She calls attention to the following: that the presentations have provided a number of excellent ideas on additional research needs, the development of training programs and best practice case studies, and the ongoing communication of success stories; that the need to simplify many aspects of the planning process was noted in a number of the presentations; that concerning the Congressional budget process, utilizing the open planning process required by the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) will be even more important in the future when dealing with limited funding; that the federal role involves striking the correct balance between assuming more of a leadership role and providing needed assistance, while at the same time being less prescriptive; and that progress has been made by many groups in many areas in implementing the provisions of the ISTEA.