Viewpoint

Aliceann Wolhbruck, Executive Director, NADO Research Foundation

"Transportation planning can be the means for resolving rural transportation and economic planning and development related issues and improving our nation's position in the global economy. It is the "gateway" to shaping investment decisions…"
- Serving Rural America, U.S. Department of Transportation

Safe, efficient, reliable transportation is critical to economic development in small metropolitan, and rural communities and regional development organizations play a critical role in improving the movement of goods and people.

This issue of the Digest focuses on the challenges and opportunities of freight transportation in rural areas. Trucks, trains, planes and ships all play their role in the intermodal transportation system, but adequate and safe roads, bridges, airports and rail lines must be provided. Rural roads carry 40 percent of vehicle miles traveled but 58 percent of total fatalities occur in these areas. Half of the rural bridges longer than 20 feet are deficient.

One consequence of the Internet has been the increased truck traffic delivering goods to rural consumers. Delivery companies often face delays and difficulties in reaching rural customers with items ordered. While urban areas face challenges in congestion and traffic tie-ups, rural citizens face isolation and greater distances to markets, medical services and employment. (Nearly 40 percent of rural residents live in areas without any public transportation.)

Since 1984 the members of NADO have been engaged in efforts to improve rural transportation. Today, the NADO Regional Transportation Online Center (www.nado.org/rtoc) provides information on best practices, work programs, funding sources, regulations and legislation. The Regional Transportation Connector is a quarterly supplement to the Digest highlighting Intelligent Transportation Systems. NADO’s Transportation Policy for the 21st Century is available at www.nado.org/policy/index.html.

As the country strives to recover from the downturn in the economy, investment in all modes of transportation infrastructure and employment will play a key role in moving the nation to economic growth and sustainability.

July 2003 Index | Previous Page