Transportation Infrastructure: Better Tools Needed for Making Decisions on Using ISTEA Funds Flexibly
RCED-94-25
Published: Oct 13, 1993. Publicly Released: Oct 13, 1993.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed issues related to the flexible use of Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) funds, focusing on the: (1) extent that states and localities use ISTEA funds to finance highway, mass transit, and nontraditional projects; (2) factors that influence the flexible use of ISTEA funds; and (3) adequacy of analytical tools for making transportation-investment decisions.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Transportation | The Secretary of Transportation should, in consultation with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): (1) establish measurable program goals and objectives; (2) develop a plan for testing and evaluating new procedures; (3) develop a plan for disseminating program results; (4) coordinate program research efforts, both within and outside of DOT; and (5) develop travel demand models that provide information-such as travel by time of day and the impacts of changes in land use on travel behavior-essential for analyzing the impact of transportation projects on air quality. In addition, the impacts of urban freight movement and the urban aspects of intercity passenger travel on travel demand and behavior should be incorporated into Travel Model Improvement Program (TMIP) research. To make the most effective use of program funds, consideration should be given to the costs and benefits of program decisions. |
FHwA, working with EPA, has completed a number of the key elements in the recommendation, including the development of improved travel demand models and a freight forecasting manual. Furthermore, FHwA under TEA-21 is also researching a new travel model that it hopes to deploy in two to three years.
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| Department of Transportation | The Secretary of Transportation should, to the maximum extent possible, use the capabilities of the Office of Intermodalism and the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, once these capabilities are developed, in implementing TMIP. |
DOT is using both the Office of Intermodalism and the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) in developing the TMIP. In particular, BTS participates in a management group reviewing TMIP funding and priorities. BTS is also providing a portion of program funding.
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| Department of Transportation | The Secretary of Transportation should, in cooperation with the Administrator, EPA, solicit input from states, metropolitan planning organizations, localities, and others that have an interest or expertise in evaluating the impact of transportation projects on air quality in order to ensure that appropriate approaches are developed. |
DOT is using a review panel of outside experts to provide input to TMIP. This panel meets periodically to assess the program's progress and provide advice and guidance on the program's direction. While this panel provides the outside input suggested in GAO's recommendation, it does not provide the breadth of input intended in the recommendation. The intent was to solicit input from as many states, metropolitan planning organizations, localities, etc., as possible. It does not appear that the structure of the review panel will change or that additional input will be solicited at this time.
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