ROAD TRANSPORTATION REQUIREMENTS TO THE YEAR 2000

This paper presents an overview of the present and future role of the road mode in Canada with emphasis on the provincial highway system. It briefly describes the trends in road transportation demand and supply; looks at future demand and in general terms identifies the infrastructure and provincial financial requirements to the year 2000. The private car will keep its dominant role in passenger travel which is expected to grow at 2% per year. The infrastructure will require capacity expansion on primary highways, upgrading of surfacing standards on secondary highways and timely rehabilitation and maintenance. These improvements will require estimated provincial expenditure of $6.3 billion per year (in 1982 dollars) compared to the current expenditure of $5.2 billion per year. To make best use of available funds, highway managers will have to use measures such as attempting to reduce demand, "staging" capacity and strength improvements, making more efficient use of existing infrastructure and improving public awareness of infrastructure costs. (Author/TRRL)