Research
ARTBA encourages and supports federal involvement and funding of education and research programs to improve public transportation technology and safety, including enhancing public awareness and understanding of transit operations and safety matters.
The National Transit Cooperative Research Program should be continued and expanded. The program is funded through the Mass Transit Account, which will ensure stable and certain funding for the program going forward. Research should concentrate on improving the convenience, security, safety and comfort of public transportation, in addition to increasing the financial viability of public transportation services. Research efforts should also consider management and marketing techniques, innovative improvements to existing systems and methods of reducing operating costs. Continuation of the university transportation centers program is supported.
The federal government should continue to provide support for the development and testing of next generation high-speed rail technology and for development of low and no emission transit technologies.
To provide maximum benefits to the overall surface transportation system, federal public transportation investments should be increased to meet the systems needs as quantified by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). The federal role in funding public transportation should be maintained as a “needs–based system,” providing investment in transit facilities, equipment, and service where justified.
To provide maximum benefits to the overall surface transportation system, federal public transportation investments should be increased to meet the systems needs as quantified by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). The federal role in funding public transportation should be maintained as a “needs–based system,” providing investment in transit facilities, equipment, and service where justified.
The nation’s public transportation systems are owned and operated by state and local governments or governmental agencies, in partnership with the federal government. The private sector also plays a significant role in this system, designing and constructing capital facilities, furnishing rolling stock and equipment, as well as managing and operating services for governmental partners.
Public transportation systems range in capital construction and maintenance requirements, given the varied type of systems. However, ARTBA encourages all transit systems to be developed with certain considerations.
Public transportation offers safety benefits for its riders, who are statistically less likely to be in an accident than car collisions. ARTBA supports the National Public Transportation Safety Plan, which establishes voluntary minimum safety standards for public transportation systems, including roadway worker protections.