URBAN CONGESTION - A LOCAL PROBLEM REQUIRING A NATIONAL RESPONSE

It is noted that congestion is expected to increase at a significant rate in urban areas of all sizes and for all types of highway, unless a major relief initiative is undertaken. The magnitude of the problem is placing significant social and economic costs on society. Obstacles to be overcome in responding to this situation are noted: staff resources; the old-time response to address the problem by building more highways; and lack of coordination in dealing with congestion. It is pointed out that existing, proven, technologies must be implemented to relieve congestion. Thus, freeway surveillance and control systems could be applied to freeway traffic incident management. Traffic signal control systems can be improved to reduce travel times. The Federal Highway Administration is promoting the use of proven leading edge technology for traffic control on both surface street signal systems and freeways. Integrated systems for areawide traffic control, the high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) facility are other proven practices.