Transportation Reform: What the UK can Teach America

Amidst a series of local infrastructure failures and shortcomings in federal transportation budgeting, policymakers are beginning to view the upcoming expiration of the federal transportation bill (SAFETEA-LU) as an opportunity to consider significant national transportation reform. A vital element of such reform is to consider policy best practices, from the local to the international level, that will facilitate such future reform.

One such success story is from the UK and its groundbreaking Eddington Transport Study. Eddington investigated the long-term links between transport and the UK’s economic productivity, growth, and stability in the context of sustainable development – and utilized its findings to made wholesale reform recommendations. A key member of the Eddington team, Oliver Jones, was on-hand to review Eddington’s findings and recommendations. Mr. Jones also participated in a panel that responded to Eddington’s findings and assessed the lessons applicable to America’s current policy environment.

Introductory remarks were provided by Sharon Alpert, Surdna Foundation’s Program Officer for the Environment. In addition to welcoming remarks, Metropolitan Policy Program Director Bruce Katz moderated the panel. One such success story is from the UK and its groundbreaking Eddington Transport Study. Eddington investigated the long-term links between transport and the UK’s economic productivity, growth, and stability in the context of sustainable development – and utilized its findings to made wholesale reform recommendations. A key member of the Eddington team, Oliver Jones, was on-hand to review Eddington’s findings and recommendations. Mr. Jones also participated in a panel that responded to Eddington’s findings and assessed the lessons applicable to America’s current policy environment. Introductory remarks were provided by Sharon Alpert, Surdna Foundation’s Program Officer for the Environment. In addition to welcoming remarks, Metropolitan Policy Program Director Baruce Katz moderated the panel.