Select a current transportation problem in your community or state. Briefly describe the situation and the problem. Indicate options available and the major impacts of each option on the community.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Problem Situation: Traffic congestion and safety on Interstate 81 is widely
identified as a problem needing to be addressed. This aging highway, most of
which was built in the 1960s, carries a relatively high percentage of trucks
through mountainous terrain, resulting in less than desirable service provided by
the facility.
Options available: There are three general categories of options available to
mitigate the problem
(a) Add lanes to existing highway
(b) Upgrade parallel rail line to improve its capacity, minimizing or
eliminating the need to add lanes
(c) Do nothing alternative
Impacts:
(a) Increasing the number of travel lanes will decrease the level of
congestion and improve safety. However, this may require additional
right-of-way, result in increased demand and therefore increased air and
noise pollution. It would cause some inconvenience to motorists during
the construction phase.
(b) Upgrading the parallel rail line will minimize and possibly
eliminate in some rural sections, the need to modify the existing highway.
This would result in increased rail traffic and impacts to communities
along the rail line.
(c) If no investment is made, congestion would increase and safety
deteriorate; the roadway will operate at a reduced level of service. This
would result in increased vehicle delay and driver dissatisfaction