TRENDS AND ISSUES FACING THE TRANSPORTATION PROFESSION

The Institute of Transportation Engineer's Future Directions Advisory Committee (FDAC) was appointed to identify and consider the trends and issues facing the Institute and the transportation profession. The FDAC gathered and reviewed information on transportation issues and identified trends which are summarized in this article: continuing increase in demand for transportation; traffic congestion; transportation programs to help meet air quality and energy goals; greater mix of revenue sources for transportation; Federal government setting the direction for transportation programs; operations and demand management taking precedence over increasing capacity; and intelligent vehicle highway systems. Many opportunites and challenges were also identified: growth and diversification; transportation as a political issue; transportation in the context of societal issues; spending priorities; determinations of effectiveness of transportation investments; advanced technologies; services in an intermodal context; incorporation of all modes, environment, and land use in transportation planning; and efforts to provide the needed transportation professionals.