Traffic Management: Federal Policies to Encourage Low-Cost Approaches Need to Be Strengthened
PEMD-91-26BR
Published: Aug 28, 1991. Publicly Released: Oct 07, 1991.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO evaluated federal efforts to encourage better management of the nation's highways through the use of low-cost transportation systems management (TSM) techniques, focusing on: (1) federal-aid funding incentives; (2) transportation planning requirements; and (3) technical assistance for innovative TSM practices.
Recommendations
Matter for Congressional Consideration
| Matter | Status | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| When reauthorizing the Surface Transportation Act and other related legislation, Congress should consider enhancing the federal role in encouraging traffic management techniques, including: (1) creating an incentive system that targets federal-aid highway funds specifically for transportation system management activities; (2) developing a planning process that highlights and gives funding priorities to low-cost approaches to congestion mitigation; and (3) establishing and funding a technical assistance program on innovative transportation demand management strategies. | The recently passed highway reauthorization legislation includes the three recommended actions. |
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Topics
Air qualityAppropriated fundsFederal aid for highwaysstate relationsGround transportationHighway planningMotor vehicle pollutionPublic roads or highwaysTechnical assistanceTraffic regulationTransportation legislationTransportation planningTransportation policies