Strategic funding of transportation improvements for local governments

This research investigated the problems, needs, and funding of street and highway infrastructure improvements at the local government level. To assist in this analysis a National survey was conducted to gain further insight into current local government practices on the following issues: 1. What are the typical elements of transportation infrastructure improvements provided by local government? 2. What level of private sector participation is normally required in the funding and construction of these improvements? 3. What role do traffic impact studies play in the identification of improvement needs and amount of private sector participation for individual developments? 4. What policies, regulations, and ordinances are used to guide private sector participation in transportation improvements and have they created any major legal or procedural problems? 5. Beyond private sector participation, what other new or innovative funding methods are utilized by local jurisdictions to fund transportation infrastructure improvements? 6. Do local jurisdictions deny or restrict new development based on the ability to provide adequate transportation system facilities? In addition to the survey, an in-depth literature review was conducted to better understand how the National transportation system's problems and needs affect transportation services in local jurisdictions. A considerable amount of literature research on government financing options and issues was also performed and summarized in the report to identify a wide range of alternatives for meeting local government transportation funding needs. The major findings of this research were: 1. Traffic problems in many local jurisdictions, and especially those in the major urban areas, are becoming more widespread and growing in intensity. 2. Although several options exist to improve local jurisdiction traffic congestion, increased funding for transportation system improvements appears to be the most promising alternative. 3. Funding is inadequate to properly operate, maintain, and improve or expand the local, state, and Federal-Aid street and highway transportation systems, and will remain so into the foreseeable future. 4. Transportation funding needs are growing at the local government level while funding assistance from the Federal and state governments is generally declining. 5. Traditional public revenue sources for local jurisdiction transportation improvements are static or declining, and many jurisdictions are responding to this shortfall by increasing private sector participation. 6. Many local jurisdictions lack the incentive and data necessary to properly identify and plan for transportation system needs and funding to meet those needs. A proposed procedure has been developed to assist local governments in identifying their long-range transportation system improvement needs and establishing a strategic financing plan to address those needs. The results of this procedural analysis can be used by local governments to justify the new and improved ordinances or regulations necessary to provide adequate transportation facilities for safe and efficient travel today and in the future.