The need for new roads exceeds the funding capacity and the ability to gain environmental and public approval. In many of the nation s most congested corridors there doesn t seem to be the space, money and public approval to add enough road space to create an acceptable condition. The chosen options will vary from area to area, but the growth in congestion over the past 18 years suggests that more needs to be done. More roads and more transit are part of the equation. Some of the growth will need to be accommodated with new systems, and some older system elements expanded.
More efficient operations can derive benefits from existing systems.
Some of these can be accelerated by information technology and intelligent transportation systems, some are the result of educating travelers about their options, and providing a more diverse set of options than are currently available. The way that travelers use the transportation network can be modified to accommodate more demand. There are a variety of techniques that are being tested in urban areas to change the way that developments occur - these also appear to be part, but not all, of the solution. The typical suburban development pattern will be part of most cities for many years, but there are a number of other patterns and modifications to existing developments that make transit, walking and bicycling more acceptable for some trips. Improving the reliability of the transportation system is an important aspect of the programs in most large cities.