Passenger and Freight
The word “transportation” brings to mind images of trains, planes, automobiles, and ships as well as grand airports, seaports, terminals, and Interstate highways. Automobiles and airplanes are but 100 years old or less, so it is no surprise that we marvel at the latest innovations. Ongoing technological innovations imply that commercial space travel might be realized within the decade, albeit at a steep price for a select few. Technological improvements to vehicles and additional infrastructure construction are far from over, but with a vast system already in place that is used by more than a hundred million people daily, the challenges to improving system performance are as much about reform of institutions, regulations, practices and raising revenues to pay for the systems as they are about making faster and safer vehicles and more modern facilities.
An introduction to the work of Transportation Research Board (TRB) committees in addressing complex transportation policy problems begins with passenger travel, considering first travel problems in the metropolitan areas where most citizens live and then turning to intercity travel. Freight transportation, in comparison with passenger travel, receives far less public notice, but the economy and lifestyles we enjoy would not be possible without it. TRB committees have been called upon to address many freight policy issues, particularly in truck transportation, which accounts for the largest share of goods moved.