Transportation Objectives for the Lone Star Chapter
1. A 21st Century Transportation System.
In the 20th century, Texas built highways. As traffic got
worse, more highways were added: extra lanes, more loops,
larger flyovers. Texas can no longer build its way out of
congestion. The state needs a complete network of transportation
options to address the diversity of need, from local trips
to freight destined for all parts of the country. These alternative
means of meeting transportation needs should
protect rural
values,
avoid habitat fragmentation,
and promote smart
energy solutions.
The Lone Star Chapter supports continued and expanded funding for Rail: fixing existing rail infrastructure and developing High Speed Intercity Passenger Rail corridors. Passenger and freight rail reduce air pollution. Shipping by rail produces just one tenth of the carbon monoxide as shipping via truck. The Heartland Flyer passenger rail line between Dallas-Fort Worth and Oklahoma City diverted 39,000 vehicle-trips in 2009 and resulted in an estimated reduction of 7.9 million vehicle-miles of travel on corridor roadways.
Public transportation that serves the
public need: bus, commuter rail and streetcar options to
give people a way to leave their cars at home. Safe streets
for bicycles and pedestrians: Cars arent the only vehicles
on the road. Complete streets with accessible sidewalks,
ramps, crosswalks and pedestrian signals make travel safer
for everyone.
The maintenance and repair of existing
road and bridge infrastructure: The state of Texas controls 80,000 miles of state routes, highways and interstate as well as 35,852 bridges. The state need to preserve its investment and maintain the existing transportation system.
2. The ongoing modernization and reform
of the Texas Department of Transportation: In the wake of the continuation bill adopted in the 82nd legislative session: improved accountability, new requirements for planning processes and will make it easier to achieve a comprehensive and environmentally sound state transportation policy.
3. Clean and efficient vehicles: a national fleet-wide new vehicle fuel economy average of at least 60 mpg by 2025. Texas can do its part by setting its own to work with federal standards to reach this goal. Electric vehicles are a key part of this and deserve continued support.
