U.S. needs fuel-efficient cars, not mass transportation

Randal O’Toole of the Cato Institute, Sam Staley of the Reason Foundation, and Greg Cohen of Highway Foundation gave a presentation at the Cato Institute regarding transportation reauthorization. The panelists discussed the difference between technical tools and behavioral tools to reduce transportations costs and pollution.

O’Toole said public transportation was thought to be the main solution to cost and pollution reduction in transportation. The studies conducted by each speaker gave evidence that a light rail system is expensive and not as environmentally friendly as previously thought. Instead, they said the real way to lower costs and pollution is to lessen congestion in populated areas, and try to convince Americans to drive more fuel-efficient cars.

The panelists concluded that the Highway Trust Fund is going to be empty be 2009 so the budget was discussed as well. Staley proposed that in order to fund highways and relieve congestion, toll roads paid for by the users should be implemented. The revenue generated by these tolls could then be funneled back into the highway system, funding a number of highway-related projects. Staley added that even with gas at $4 per gallon, congestion is not going away and is, in fact, getting worse. He said that Americans value the mobility that comes with having their own automobile too much to rely solely on public transportation. Staley claimed that congestion would limit the job economy because it lengthens commutes, and therefore access to jobs that are further away.