Commity reactions to anticipated highways; fears and actual effects. Paper presented at the 52nd Annual Meeting of the Highway Research Board HRB, Washington, D.C., January 1973.

Community fears and actual effects of highways based on interviews in 5 neighbourhoods are compared. Fears were generally overestimated and benefits underestimated. Major concerns were pollution, noise, dislocation, and loss in property value. Blacks were especially concerned about dislocation, higher taxes, street changes, and child safety. Whites worried most about pollution and the character of the neighbourhood. A more active public information program about actual effects of highways can significantly reduce concern about these effects.