Transportation and Infrastructure Issues

Commentary

So Many Questions, So Little Time for Pacific Logistics

The United States has been struggling to “pivot to the Pacific” for over a decade, and one of the major missing pieces is logistics. It is critical that the logistics underpinning a credible military deterrent be figured out now and not wait any longer.

Commentary

Will L.A. Have an Office Apocalypse or Housing Boom? Tax Breaks Might Make the Difference

Facing a persistent housing crisis, Los Angeles is doubling down on converting unused commercial buildings into residential properties. But high interest rates make conversions more costly to finance. To mitigate this risk, L.A. might consider fiscal policy that would tip the scale more convincingly toward adaptive reuse.

Research Brief

Now Is the Time for Space Traffic Management

The growing number of objects in orbit has increased the potential for overcrowding, debris creation, and, ultimately, collisions. If space powers don't establish an international space traffic management organization soon, the world could lose key portions of its orbital resources.

Testimony

Addressing the Recruiting Crisis in the Armed Services

The U.S. military services struggled to meet their recruiting goals in fiscal year 2022, and the Army, Air Force, and Navy are on track for another tough year. If this problem persists, it could hurt operational effectiveness. What might be done to address this recruiting crisis?

Blog

RAND Turns 75: A Look Through the Decades At World-Changing Research

From anticipating the Space Age in the 1940s to studying gun policy and COVID-19 responses in the 2020s, RAND is celebrating 75 years of research that has made a difference.

Built to Last: Planning and Funding Resilient Infrastructure

What can Congress do to encourage investments in resilient infrastructure? Debra Knopman and Sarah Weilant will discuss current and historical congressional spending on infrastructure, approaches to building resilience into transportation projects, and recommendations for policymakers. [Washington, D.C.]

Fixing What's Broken with Infrastructure Policy: Options for Congress

An infrastructure bill is on the agenda for Congress, but what problems would it fix? In a RAND Congressional Briefing, Debra Knopman will discuss policies that promote and deter investment and maintenance of water and transportation infrastructure.

A New Way to Pay for Transportation: Exploring a Shift from Fuel Taxes to Mileage-Based User Fees

Increasing fuel efficiency and the rise of alternative fuel vehicles that do not use gasoline have led to growing shortfalls in federal and state funding for surface transportation programs — shortfalls that are likely to become even more acute in coming years. In this Congressional Briefing, Liisa Ecola will discuss innovations in the use of mileage-based fees.

"Self Driving" Vehicles: Great Benefits, but Barriers to Widespread Adoption

After examining the advantages and disadvantages of autonomous vehicles, RAND researchers determined that the overall societal benefits of this new technology likely outweigh the disadvantages. Senior behavioral scientist James Anderson will present the study results.

The Future of Mobility: Transportation 2030

What will transportation look like in the United States in the year 2030? Multiple mobility scenarios are possible. Come hear how policymakers and planners can shape the future of mobility in the United States and what factors will influence the creation of the future transportation system.

RAND Research on Autonomous Vehicles

As lawmakers consider the future of infrastructure, autonomous vehicles have the potential to drastically change our transportation system.

Considering Transportation and Infrastructure in the 117th Congress

What are the biggest transportation and infrastructure issues facing the 117th Congress? RAND experts offer up insight on a variety of topics, including airport funding, infrastructure priorities, impacts of emerging technologies, and more.

Planning and Funding Resilient Infrastructure

RAND's Debra Knopman and Sarah Weilant discuss the importance of incorporating resilience in infrastructure planning. They outline three areas where the federal government could be making a difference.

When Autonomous Vehicles are Hacked, Who is Liable?

Autonomous vehicles (AVs) are hitting roads around the nation for pilot testing, and autonomous taxi fleets are expected within a few years. While there may be benefits to widespread use, policymakers will need to consider potential drawbacks as well.

Considering Transportation and Infrastructure in the 116th Congress

What are the biggest transportation and infrastructure issues facing the 116th Congress? RAND experts offer up insight on a variety of topics, including autonomous vehicles, infrastructure and roadway safety, the Coast Guard, and more.

Zero Traffic Deaths by 2050

More than 100 Americans die in motor vehicle crashes every day. The traffic safety community is working together toward the goal of bringing that number down to zero by 2050. Scenario planning has uncovered several ways federal policymakers can help make the vision of zero traffic deaths a reality.

In Case You Missed It: Fixing What's Broken with Infrastructure Policy

Across the United States, transportation and water infrastructure needs vary greatly. Debra Knopman discusses what Congress should consider when addressing infrastructure funding.

Ten Options for Congress to Improve Infrastructure

What can Congress do to better align policy and spending to public priorities for U.S. infrastructure? Increased federal spending may do some good, but it will not fix what is broken in our approach to funding and financing public works—and not everything is broken.

Autonomous Vehicles: How Safe is Safe Enough?

When considering regulations for autonomous vehicles, safety is a critical question. RAND researchers found that introducing autonomous vehicles when they are just better than human drivers—as opposed to nearly perfect—could save hundreds of thousands of lives over 30 years.

In Case You Missed It: Approaches and Challenges to Realizing Autonomous Vehicle Safety

Before autonomous vehicles can usher in a new era of safer transportation, there are several challenges to address. Policymakers can help improve autonomous vehicle safety by facilitating pilot studies and data-sharing.

Getting the Most from Traffic Safety Funding

What if the United States invested just 10 percent more—$57.9 million—in traffic safety? A new RAND tool examines how this increase may impact safety outcomes such as lives saved and injury prevention.

24/7 Sobriety Project: A Promising New Way to Curb Problem Drinking and Reduce Costs

Recently, the Senate took steps to expand funding for 24/7 Sobriety Programs, like one in South Dakota. These programs are a promising and innovative way to help curb problem drinking and improve public health.

The Mileage Fee Alternative: Benefits and Challenges

With the ongoing challenges of transportation funding, some lawmakers have begun to explore a shift from taxing fuel to taxing a vehicle's miles of travel. An objective look at this solution outlines advantages, core challenges, and recent innovations that states are exploring through pilot programs.

Mileage Fees: An Alternative to the Gas Tax?

Some state and federal policymakers have begun to explore a shift from taxing fuel to taxing a vehicle's miles of travel instead. A short, easy-to-understand guide by RAND researchers outlines the potential advantages and core challenges of such mileage fees.

RAND.org's Redesign: New Homepage and Navigation Optimization for All Devices

RAND.org has been reimagined to make high quality research and insights more accessible to Hill staff like you. The new homepage and updated navigation optimize content delivery for your preferred device and place our most timely content at your fingertips.

RAND Can Help Policymakers Strengthen Coastal Resilience

Tools developed by RAND for use in Louisiana can help policymakers in other coastal states weigh complex decisions on the many possible strategies to prevent coastal land loss, reduce flood risks, rebuild or restore coastal environments, and otherwise increase the resilience of developed coastlines.

Online Training: Building Resilient Communities

Today, city planners, nongovernmental organizations, philanthropists, and government leaders are grappling with the challenge of creating disaster-resilient cities. RAND's new easy-to-use, self-guided online training shows organizations and communities how to strengthen their resilience.

Does America's Gasoline Tax Still Make Sense?

The cost of gasoline experienced an unusually large increase this February, with prices climbing more than 40 cents per gallon. Yet not a single penny of that increase went toward improving America's roads.

Hill Briefing on RAND's Contributions to Louisiana Coastal Planning

In a January 2013 Congressional Briefing, Jordan Fischbach describes RAND's work on the 2012 Coastal Master Plan and key lessons that can make other communities more resilient in the face of natural disasters.

Mileage Fees: Options for Policymakers

A new primer outlines for state and local decisionmakers the potential advantages of mileage fees, functional requirements and technical options for implementing them, core challenges in replacing fuel taxes with mileage fees, and recent innovations that states are exploring in pilot tests.

In Sandy's Wake, Policy Lessons for the Northeast

New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut policymakers reeling from Hurricane Sandy can draw on the Gulf region's experience with response and recovery from catastrophic hurricanes.

Louisiana Offers Lessons in Wake of Hurricane Sandy

Northeastern policymakers reeling from Hurricane Sandy can draw on the Gulf region's experience with response and recovery. As they go forward, they can also look at the measures Louisiana has developed to reduce the risk of storm damage.

11 Years After 9/11, a Call for Sweeping Review of Aviation Security

TSA is performing well under extraordinary difficulties, but there is still need for vast improvement. As attack tactics have continued to evolve, the need for security has resulted in an increasing number of layers—and frustrations—for passengers.

Better Preparedness for Natural Disasters

Hurricane Isaac made landfall just before September, which is National Disaster Preparedness month. Although Isaac was a weaker Category 1 Hurricane, many areas of the Gulf Coast evacuated the population, and federal, state, and local governments are responding to the flood damage. But are there areas for improvement?

A More Effective TSA

As airport security lines get longer, travelers continue to ask: are all the baggage screenings, shoe removals, and pat-downs worth the extra time and hassle? RAND researchers assess the costs and benefits of aviation security interventions in order to help policymakers decide on potential changes to the system.