Highways, People, and Places: Past, Present, and Future

Abstract

America’s highways have developed dramatically over the last century, evolving into an extensive system of interconnected motorways. Lessons learned during this evolution suggest some future directions and challenges. Federal-aid highway programs played a major role in highway development. Since 1916, cooperative federal-state partnerships and funding arrangements have evolved, continually broadening in scope to address new challenges, including environmental and urban concerns. The 21st century will experience accelerating change and mobility demands. As in the past, more people driving more cars and occupying more land will necessitate better roads and improved public transport. While land use and traffic management policies might reduce demands for highways, they will not substitute for needed investments. While there will be more high-occupancy vehicle toll (HOT) lanes, it will still be necessary to complete missing road links and to alleviate major bottlenecks. Good land management will be needed to maintain environmental quality and control suburban congestion. Limiting strip commercial development, establishing urban growth boundaries, and keying future office development to areas with good transit service will be important. Maintaining future livability and mobility will call for new forms of metropolitan governance, greater public support of transportation, and strong transportation leadership.