KEEPING AMERICA MOVING

In 1987, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) initiated the Transportation 2020 program, in which more than 100 national organizations are now taking part, all working to develop consensus recommendations on the future direction of programs for America's highway and public transportation systems. The Transportation 2020 effort is also developing recommendations for the aviation, rail, and water modes of transportation. Phase I of the Transportation 2020 effort consisted of information gathering activities. The Advisory Committee on Highway Policy and the member departments of AASHTO conducted 65 public forums nationwide to obtain the viewpoints of transportation users; the Transportation Research Board conducted a conference on the future; and AASHTO carried out a lengthy technical analysis of highway and public transportation requirements. Under Phase II of the Transportation 2020 effort, now well underway, alternative strategies are being developed for addressing the nation's transportation infrastructure. AASHTO's current vision for a Centennial Highway Program includes a National Highway System, which would include the 42,500 mile Interstate highway system and additional mileage selected from a redefined principal arterial system. This National Highway System would be supported by the federal and state governments and would be the backbone of the nation.