As part of industry efforts to publicize the need for an interstate system for the 21st century, TRIP used the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the interstate to highlight the many benefits the system has afforded America, and to point out the very real threat of these benefits eroding in the future without significant funding increases.
In addition to producing state-specific reports or fact sheets in all the contiguous U.S., TRIP released a national report on the condition, impact and use and future needs of the Interstate Highway System.
TRIP’s report found that the interstate system saves the nation $737 billion annually—$2,510 per person—in safety benefits, saved time, reduced fuel and lower consumer costs, with its safety features alone saving approximately 234,000 lives nationwide since 1956. The report also emphasized the fact that the benefits of the system will erode unless the U.S. makes significant improvements to its most critical highway network to accommodate the tremendous increase in the demand for efficient, safe travel.
While developing, producing and releasing its state-specific interstate future needs reports throughout the first half of the year, TRIP partnered with state departments of transportation, highway construction industry and business leaders and local and state officials to tailor messages that would resonate with the public and lawmakers and set the stage for meaningful dialog regarding the future of the interstate and its effectiveness in the 21st century.
This partnering and information sharing will be an invaluable tool as the highway construction industry looks toward reauthorization of surface transportation legislation in 2009.
Much like the Clay Commission, established by President Eisenhower in 1954 to work with the nation’s governors and propose a plan of action to Congress for developing a nationwide surface transportation system, the passage of SAFETEA-LU in August 2005 created two commissions to study the issues of surface transportation condition, future needs and financing.
There are areas of overlap between the two commissions, and both are tasked with studying their respective issues and making recommendations to the president and lawmakers in a timely manner so that their recommendations can be incorporated into legislation by 2009.
The National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission, as stated in SAFETEA-LU, was created by Congress because “it is in the national interest to preserve and enhance the surface transportation system to meet the needs of the U.S. for the 21st century.” The commission will look at surface transportation condition and performance while also considering how to finance the country’s needs.
The second commission, the National Surface Transportation Infrastructure Financing Commission, was established to study Highway Trust Fund revenues and make recommendations regarding future revenue sources.
