And every piece of RTA literature leads with an expression of concern about congestion, implying that the RTA plan can provide the remedy. This story will shed some light on the veracity of that claim. Not to be forgotten, too, are other problems that public transit can potentially help address, and by which we can measure the cost-effectiveness of a major new transit investment.
Inequity also involves any adverse impacts of taxes and fees used to fund transportation services.
Urban sprawl - the inefficient use of land and the consumption of open space and valuable resource lands, principally farms and forests. Although opinions differ, these problems as well as congestion have generated considerable concern and any public investment strategy should be evaluated for the likely effect on each. Available forecast information indicates that carrying out the RTA Plan will yield very little impact on any of these problems. Let's begin with congestion. First, the sources of congestion need to be understood.