This paper identifies the links among transportation goals, policy, programs, policy instruments, supply and demand, and system performance to evaluate the potential role of transportation in economic development. Effective leverage by government policy on development goals require .powerful leverage at each of these links, but experience has shown that such powerful leverage rarely exists. Furthermore, expansion of the transport sector today often conflicts with economic development goals, contrary to historical experience of developed countries. Although the total effect of an advanced transportation sector is supportive of economic development, incremental changes in transportation system performance are not a powerful influence on development goals. The "Industrial Revitalization" issue is addressed in this context and some proposed solutions to our economic malaise are considered. For the most part, these are found wanting or unresponsive to the real problems. The paper closes with "dos and don'ts" for u.s. transportation policy. The principal theme is that eliminating many of the negative effects of present policy on economic development ·should take precedence over attempts to initiate a positive program to advance economic development through transportation policy. (Author/publisher)
Abstract