You can't take the commuter train, because it only goes to and from the city, not between suburbs. Solutions to ease the growing demands on our transportation systems are multifaceted. But just building more roads and bridges won't be enough. Besides updating and expanding mass transit systems and airports, America must change its behavior, increase transportation funding at all levels of government and apply the latest technology. Cities and communities can be planned to reduce dependence on personal vehicles for errands and work commutes.
Businesses can encourage flexible schedules and telecommuting.
And, new technologies can make pavement last longer, speed our way through toll booths and reduce accidents. While highway travel continues to increase dramatically, our nation seriously underinvests in repairing existing roads and building new ones. Aging and outdated highways compromise safety and drain the economy. Road use is expected to increase by two-thirds in the next 20 years due to changes in the labor force, income, makeup of metropolitan areas and other factors. More than 70 percent of traffic is congested during peak hours.