Moving Ahead: 1991 Surface Transportation Legislation

NHTSA · 1991 · ROSA P / United States. Congress. Office of Technology Assessment

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Summary

**Moving Ahead: 1991 Surface Transportation Legislation** addresses the urgent need to reauthorize and reshape Federal surface transportation policies in response to deteriorating infrastructure, worsening urban congestion, and shifting demographic and economic trends. Commissioned by the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) analyzed the inadequacies of existing Federal aid programs, which were largely designed in the 1950s for new construction rather than maintenance. The report highlights that current policies fail to address the specific needs of the 1990s, including the rehabilitation of aging highways and bridges, relief for metropolitan traffic congestion, and the preservation of rural access in sparsely populated states. The study employs a comprehensive review of transportation system needs, fiscal data, and policy structures. It identifies six major system problems: rehabilitation and maintenance, metropolitan mobility, rural accessibility, system efficiency, environmental compatibility, and technological preparedness. To guide legislative reform, the OTA developed four illustrative, generic program models that offer flexible structures for Federal assistance, moving away from rigid categorical grants and complex apportionment formulas. The report also incorporates a detailed analysis of motor carrier issues, specifically evaluating the safety, infrastructure impacts, and economic consequences of Longer Combination Vehicles (LCVs), such as triple-trailer trucks, based on workshop findings and regulatory reviews. Key findings reveal that approximately 75 percent of Federal highway spending historically went toward new construction, leaving a significant backlog in maintenance. About one-third of non-interstate arterials are deteriorated, and nearly half of all bridges are structurally deficient or functionally obsolete. Urban congestion costs the public at least $30 billion annually in lost productivity and contributes to air pollution. Rural states face disproportionate burdens, lacking the fiscal capacity to maintain extensive road networks essential for economic survival. Regarding LCVs, the report examines their handling characteristics, safety records, and infrastructure wear, noting that while some states allow limited operations, broader adoption requires careful consideration of safety and pavement damage. The significance of this report lies in its recommendation to fundamentally restructure Federal transportation assistance to prioritize system preservation and efficiency over new construction. It argues for greater program flexibility, performance-based incentives, and improved regional planning that integrates land use and transit options. By providing generic program models and highlighting the fiscal disparities between urban and rural jurisdictions, the OTA aims to help Congress establish a more equitable and effective framework for surface transportation funding. The report underscores that without these changes, the nation’s transportation infrastructure will continue to degrade, hindering economic competitiveness and environmental goals.

Key finding

Federal surface transportation policies established decades ago are misaligned with current needs, requiring a shift from new construction toward rehabilitation, maintenance, and congestion relief.

Methodology

review

Provenance

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