Strategic Issues Facing Transportation, Volume 4: Sustainability as an Organizing Principle for Transportation Agencies (2014) / Chapter Skim
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Pages 93-104
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From page 93... ...
93 This chapter discusses how transportation agencies might address key functional gaps under different scenarios. Section 6.1 presents some general principles for managing public-sector change that are relevant to all scenarios based on analysis of the scenarios; review of the literature on sustainability, transportation, and public policy; and interviews with SMEs.
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From page 94... ...
94 Sustainability as an Organizing Principle for Transportation Agencies So for each scenario, a sustainable society can logically follow a different balance of public focus between each of the three bottom lines, as the public seeks to improve or -- at the least -- to preserve a desired overall standard of living quality for future generations. The distinctions in the focus of TBL sustainability under Wonder World versus Green World is a good illustration.
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From page 95... ...
Addressing the Functional Gaps under Scenarios 95 change based on new information is built into the process such that the implementation or design of a program can be adjusted gradually. Monitoring is an important part of this approach: Data must be available so policy makers can identify unintended consequences and act quickly to limit damage or build on successes.
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From page 96... ...
96 Sustainability as an Organizing Principle for Transportation Agencies pursuing strong TBL initiatives have adopted the precautionary principle and the other methods discussed in this section. However, the messy and "joint and uneven" nature of change is also a reason transportation agencies may want to prepare for the future by building relationships with communities and groups that are affected differently, developing connections with individuals with different perspectives, working across jurisdictional borders, and accepting variability.
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From page 97... ...
Addressing the Functional Gaps under Scenarios 97 In the Crisis World scenario, crisis austerity represents a forced march to a somewhat balanced TBL, as ongoing environmental crises, recession conditions, and social needs all compete for attention. However, this TBL will likely be combined with a low standard of living, reduced mobility, and reduced transportation options.
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From page 98... ...
98 Sustainability as an Organizing Principle for Transportation Agencies Scenario Overall Orientation of Transportation Policy Plausible Roles Federal Agencies State Agencies Regional Transportation Organizations Local Governments Crisis World Crisis austerity -- TBL with a low standard of living Strong influence on crisis response and transportation planning -- focus on emergency planning, response, and action; focus on major transportation corridors and TBL tradeoffs Strong influence on crisis response and transportation planning -- focus on emergency planning, response, and action; focus on key transportation corridors and TBL tradeoffs in the state Moderate role in planning response, coordinating rebuilding and rehabilitation programs, and shaping priorities for use of scarce transportation resources Front-line responders and managers of crisis response -- manage local TBL compliance Mega World Regionally managed TBL Possible diminished role in megaregions; more focus on intercity corridors, national network efficiency, and support of rural infrastructure Possible diminished role in megaregions; more focus on intercity corridors and support of rural infrastructure; more regional, interstate interaction and coordination needed, particularly in megaregion areas Regional and megaregional planning entities likely play stronger parts in coordinated TBL-related decisionmaking Key roles in planning and implementation. Influence in TBL policy could be strengthened depending on funding structures in respect to user fees Suburban World Decentralized TBL -- more numerous and more distributed initiatives Probably similar focus and interest as present; TBL initiatives are more distributed; federal and state agencies may have to share new roles if urban influence declines Increased influence and role in state transportation and TBL management; coordination of increased numbers of players in transportation planning and TBL issues Similar to current roles, possibly diminished by increased dispersion of population and transportation patterns Key roles in planning and implementation; influence in TBL policy could be somewhat stronger depending on funding structures in respect to user fees Wonder World Managed sustainability -- high living standards and management of systems to deliver TBL Increased challenges in assisting agencies with rapid technological changes; helping reinvent infrastructure, if needed; otherwise, similar or somewhat diminished influence, depending on how the public pays for transportation Increased challenges in assimilating rapid technological changes and effects of infrastructure changes as well as faster demographic shifts; overall influence may depend on how the team pays for transportation; TBL will be a difficult management challenge, as rules and assumptions will change faster Regional and megaregional planning entities likely play stronger parts in coordinated TBL-related decisionmaking Key decisionmakers on adoption and implementation of new TBL-related technology Green World Managed austerity -- TBL but lower living standards Major role in national TBL policy systems via development of new standards and work with states and localities to integrate and derive maximum synergy from state and local TBL programs Major role in balancing state TBL programs, working with localities to deliver TBL, and managing transportation infrastructure changes Regional and megaregional planning entities likely play stronger parts in coordinated TBL-related decisionmaking Major decisionmakers on the implementation of new TBL-related technology; involved in key decisions to decommission or reuse older infrastructure Table 34.
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From page 99... ...
Addressing the Functional Gaps under Scenarios 99 resources. Similarly, the plurality of approaches to managing transportation would lead to huge opportunities for experimentation and innovation.
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From page 100... ...
100 Sustainability as an Organizing Principle for Transportation Agencies Scenario Response of Transportation Agencies DEVELOPING CONSENSUS ON NEEDS AND GOALS Crisis World Crisis driven -- identify resources needed and work with experts and key stakeholders to identify key resources for sustainability Mega World Need new mechanisms to coordinate needs assessment and develop consensus on goals at a megaregional level Decisionmakers and stakeholders work proactively together, creating goals and plans to support transportation needs sustainably; developing consensus is a major goal; active outreach and consensus building Suburban World Radically decentralized society provides opportunities for public participation and direct democracy in decisionmaking Decisionmakers and stakeholders work proactively together, creating goals and plans to support transportation needs sustainably; developing consensus is a major goal; active outreach and consensus building Wonder World New technologies provide opportunities for public participation and direct democracy in decisionmaking Decisionmakers and stakeholders work proactively together, creating goals and plans to support transportation needs sustainably; developing consensus is a major goal; active outreach and consensus building Green World Decisionmakers and stakeholders work proactively together, creating goals and plans to support transportation needs sustainably; developing consensus is a major goal; active outreach and consensus building PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING Crisis World Focus on prioritizing key assets and developing policies to manage crisis and lead to sustainability Mega World Need to develop megaregional planning and programming mechanism with the authority to work with state and local governments to implement megaregional initiatives Emphasize flexibility, accessibility, connectivity, and quality (closer, better) Emphasize multimodal and connections between modes Manage transportation and mobility demand Emphasize integrated planning combining transportation (all modes)
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From page 101... ...
Addressing the Functional Gaps under Scenarios 101 Table 35. (Continued)
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From page 102... ...
Scenario Response of Transportation Agencies Green World Use integrated and cooperative budget process Incorporate full social, environmental, fiscal, economic, and other costs into planning and provision -- use full cost accounting Flexible -- funds flow to program areas, regions, and modes, where they will make the biggest impact on societal sustainability Independence -- consistent funds provided by dedicated transportation funds with long-term commitment to TBL priorities RULEMAKING AND REGULATION Crisis World Reduced public participation as a result of crisis situation and increased ad hoc regulation Mega World Public–expert partnership in developing regulation and rules -- experts invite and encourage public participation Bias for flexible, voluntary regulation Open to a wide plurality of interests, stakeholders, and activists Involve public substantially during the entire rulemaking process Cooperative and consultative Emphasize voluntary regulation Suburban World Public–expert partnership in developing regulation and rules -- experts invite and encourage public participation Bias for flexible, voluntary regulation Open to a wide plurality of interests, stakeholders, and activists Involve public substantially during the entire rulemaking process Cooperative and consultative Emphasize voluntary regulation Wonder World Public–expert partnership in developing regulation and rules -- experts invite and encourage public participation Bias for flexible, voluntary regulation Open to a wide plurality of interests, stakeholders, and activists Involve public substantially during the entire rulemaking process Cooperative and consultative Emphasize voluntary regulation Green World Public–expert partnership in developing regulation and rules -- experts invite and encourage public participation Strong regulatory system -- clear tradeoffs between TBL Open to a wide plurality of interests, stakeholders, and activists Involve public substantially during the entire rulemaking process SERVICE AND PROJECT DELIVERY Crisis World Focus on limited service delivery, transferring nonkey functions to other entities Mega World Sustainability embedded in all business processes (e.g., procurement, O&M) Sustainability performance measured and reported for continual improvement Suburban World Sustainability embedded in all business processes (e.g., procurement, O&M)
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From page 103... ...
Addressing the Functional Gaps under Scenarios 103 to support the requirements of a TBL end state, regardless of the future scenario. The main effects the various scenarios will have on the high-level functions are that the opportunities and challenges presented to transportation (in performing the functions)
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From page 104... ...
104 Sustainability as an Organizing Principle for Transportation Agencies When TBL is assumed as an end state and the challenges are viewed holistically, several key themes and needs become clear. The following themes will play a large part in achieving and managing TBL: • Sustainability metrics and management systems.
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