Citation

Gurin DB. Transp. Res. Rec. 1976; 583: 15-28.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1976, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Goal achievement in transportation programs appears more likely if policy-makers, program analysts, and educators learn from the experiences of people in nontransportation programs. Expensive mistakes, dead-end approaches, and negative impacts that can be avoided in transportation policies are illustrated with analogies to the implementation problems and program impacts of public housing and urban renewal. Evaluations of public housing programs suggest that the mere provision of new mass transit facilities and services is unlikely to change the basic values and behavior preferences of many population segments despite the hopes of planners, environmentalists, and mayors. The transformation of large-scale, impersonal public housing programs to smaller scale, personalized, and home-owner rehabilitation programs has transportation analogies in pedestrian and private vehicle access improvement programs. Subregional transit services run by managers sensitive to community and traveler needs appear likely to improve population mobility more than investments in costly downtown-oriented linehaul systems. Evaluations of urban renewal programs suggest that urban transportation system management policies must consider the nature, extent, and incidence of negative social, psychological, and economic impacts associated with various strategies to reduce automobile ownership and use. As with relocation housing, comparable public transportation services must be available to affected car users, or adequate financial compensation should be made available. The paper concludes by specifying the institutional implications to reflect lessons from nontransportation fields. New services are suggested to help transportation suppliers and the traveling public. Professional transportation education improvements are recommended.