Stronger Federal Direction Needed To Promote Better Use of Present Urban Transportation Systems

To encourage better use of existing highway and public transit systems, the Federal Highway Administration (FHwA) and the Urban Mass Transportation Administration (UMTA) in 1975 issued joint planning regulations requiring urban areas to develop transportation systems management plans. In developing these plans, urban areas are to consider a wide range of projects, such as preferential treatment for transit and other high-occupancy vehicles, progressive timing of traffic signals, and establishment of pricing mechanisms to reduce vehicle use in congested areas.