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Shipping list no.: 97-0137-P. ; Distributed to some depository libraries in microfiche. ; Includes bibliographical references. ; Mode of access: Internet.

AbstractSingle Urban Fund, urban mass transit assistance, no fare/low fare concepts, direct and indirect aid to transit systems (both public and private) to help meet operating costs—all are part of the problems and the solutions for financing public transportation.

The amount of data being maintained by state departments of transportation (DOTs) and local transportation agencies is increasing steadily. Although data provide opportunities to facilitate decision making at transportation agencies, there are challenges involved in managing large and diverse data. This article provides an assessment of the maturity of three data management practice (stewardship, storage and warehousing, and integration) for 16 transportation data groups based on a survey of 43 DOTs in the United States. The assessment results show that data management practices at the monitoring and operations phases of transportation infrastructure life cycle are likely more mature than those at other phases. Inventory data, in particular, has the most mature data management practices. On the other end, real estate data and travel modeling data have the least mature data management practices. A comparison of the practices indicates that data stewardship is more mature than data integration and storage and warehousing practices.

This book explores the various economic and institutional factors that explain why huge investments are made in unworthy transportation mega-projects in the US and other countries. It is based on research, the general literature, economic analyses, and results from a specifically collected database showing that a significant proportion of implemented mega-projects have been found to be inferior ex-ante or incapable of delivering the returns they promised ex-post. Transportation infrastructure and other public investments of a similar scope ("mega-projects") reflect public sector priorities and objectives, non-pecuniary as well as financial constraints, and a range of decision-making processes. This book describes how decisions made in the public sector with respect to transportation infrastructure investments are affected by the large populations and territories they serve, the estimation of the substantial opportunity costs they entail, the formal procedures instituted for quantitatively appraising projected outcomes and monetary returns, and the political environment in which these decisions are made.

Federal infrastructure investment is receiving a great deal of attention, largely about money: how to finance capital investment, operations, and maintenance. Less discussed but very important is modernizing federal policy to support the mature and urban-centered economy of the United States—rather than the economy it had when most of the terms of federal engagement were set. This article summarizes a RAND Corporation report which addresses recent trends in infrastructure spending and finance and proposes improvements in federal infrastructure policy. We argue for modernizing federal policies related to funding, finance, and project selection. Modernization should recognize the centrality of regional initiatives that transcend local government and state boundaries and should encourage different types of financing—public, private, and public–private partnerships. Poorly targeted investment comes from poorly designed policy. Inadequate maintenance often is a symptom of failure of management and governance. More money will help, but it is not nearly enough.

Increased urbanization has brought in its wake intensive traffic congestion. The role that is and can be played by public transport in major cities to ease the situation is discussed. The author, Director of the Turkish Municipal Association, prepared this paper in connection with IULA's 25th Congress. (DSE)