Transportation For A Competitive America

An efficient transportation system reduces the cost of distance by moving people and goods from their origins to their destinations as cheaply, quickly, and safely as possible. By enabling individuals and firms to be more productive, transportation provides the foundation for the development and growth of industries and an entire economy. Clifford Winston, Jia Yan, and Associates argue that competition and innovation are the key drivers of an efficient transportation system. The authors provide new evidence that transportation deregulation and privatization that spur additional competition among carriers and infrastructure providers, as well as new innovations that create autonomous transportation services, have the potential to rid the US transportation system of its major inefficiencies and revitalize the nation.

This document sets forth the national policy agenda developed by the Department of Transportation to fulfill both short- and long-term transportation needs as the Nation prepares to meet future challenges and opportunities. This agenda revolves around six key themes: (1) Maintain and expand the Nation's transportation system; (2) Foster a sound financial base for transportation; (3) Keep the transportation industry strong and competitive; (4) Ensure that the transportation system supports public safety and national security; (5) Protect the environment and the quality of life; and (6) Advance U.S. transportation technology and expertise for the 21st century. This document expands upon these objectives and outlines the strategies and actions necessary to accomplish them.

This report is the result of a 12-month effort. It provides recommendations which are appropriate to restore the health and ensure the competitiveness of the nation's transportation system in its service to individual Canadians and Canadian businesses. It discusses the impact of reform; impacts on safety, environment, and labour-management relations; the carriers (highway, air, railway, and marine); the challenge of keeping competition alive; transportation policy and the role of government; and the legislation and the agency.