The role of transportation management associations (TMAs) within the broader context of privatization is examined and their potential for the delivery of innovative, less expensive, and responsive service is evaluated. Findings support their further development and suggest that federal, state, and local governments consider strategies to encourage their formation. The results reported here are based on information collected in a survey of TMAs and previous research findings. A survey of Executive Directors and Boards of Directors of 110 TMAs was conducted in 1991 with a 55 percent response rate. The benefits of privatization are examined from both a historical and a contemporary perspective, focusing on recent government initiatives to enhance the role of the private sector. Although TMAs were initially formed almost a decade ago, there has been little evaluation; in fact, more than 50 percent of existing TMAs have not conducted an assessment. (A)
Abstract