Deficiencies Of Urban Transportation Studies

Experience and viewpoints of civil engineers associated with urban transportation studies indicate some unsolved technical problems in current (1965) studies including multiplicity of systems, inability to forecast land use accurately, and data collection and retrieval systems. These problems are caused largely by the rapid development of urban transportation planning technology. Promising research is being conducted on data systems. Comparative evaluation of current (1965) study methods can help to solve other technical problems. Shortages of professional personnel relate to rapid expansion of the number of studies. Less concern for specialized professional experience and better provisions for professional development may help. Organizational problems are the most serious. These include: Poor cooperation between government agencies; inadequate provisions for truly continuous study; failure to plan on a regional basis; and failure to obtain public acceptance and make provision for implementation of plans. Some current (1965) studies represent notable exceptions with respect to some of these deficiencies. Mcre orientation toward practicality of plans and financial provision, and better dissemination of data on current (1965) problems may help provide solutions.