Featured Research Transportationand Infrastructure » RAND

RAND: Transportation and Infrastructure: Featured Research 2010-03-18T11:29:47Z Copyright (c) 2007-2008, The RAND Corporation Bricolage RAND Corporation urn:uuid:DD692316-4FF8-11DB-9EEF-35351D4D57CE Alternate Ways to Fund U.S. Transportation System urn:uuid:0AF465BE-AC2D-11DE-B428-3FC038788F35 2010-02-10T00:00:00Z 2010-02-10T00:00:00Z Congress should take the opportunity provided by the pending reauthorization of the federal transportation bill to consider new ways to fund the U.S. transportation system, shifting from indirect fees such as fuel taxes to ones that charge drivers directly for the miles they travel. Security, At What Cost? Quantifying People's Trade-Offs urn:uuid:25BC5484-FC8B-11DE-8339-54C038788F35 2010-01-12T00:00:00Z 2010-01-12T00:00:00Z To help policymakers understand the real privacy, liberty, and security trade-offs individuals are willing to make, RAND Europe examined three real-life case studies where these factors come into play: applying for a passport, traveling on the national rail network, and attending a major public event. Natural Gas and Israel's Energy Future urn:uuid:8612EF28-E9BC-11DE-B735-24C138788F35 2009-12-20T00:00:00Z 2009-12-20T00:00:00Z Israel can make natural gas usage a bigger part of its energy portfolio without jeopardizing its security, but even more importantly, the nation needs to make conservation measures a priority in its future energy plans. Living Conditions in Anbar Province in June 2008 urn:uuid:1740BDB4-93DB-11DE-9629-33C038788F35 2009-09-30T00:00:00Z 2009-09-30T00:00:00Z Effective counterinsurgency is dependent on understanding the local population. A survey of those living in Iraq's Anbar Province (once one of the country's most violent areas), reveals both the many improvements that have occurred, as well as the extent to which these Iraqis have suffered from the effects of war. U.S. Freight System Modernization Necessary to Reduce Bottlenecks, Improve Security urn:uuid:5BA0E5D8-538A-11DE-9F24-54C038788F35 2009-06-09T00:00:00Z 2009-06-09T00:00:00Z The long-term efficiency and effectiveness of the U.S. freight transportation system is threatened by bottlenecks, inefficient use of some parts of the infrastructure components, vulnerability to disruptions, and crucial environmental and energy concerns. Charging Drivers More at Peak Travel Times Can Be Sound Transportation Policy, But Equity Issues Must Be Addressed urn:uuid:D47D818C-46C9-11DE-B5A3-51C038788F35 2009-06-01T00:00:00Z 2009-06-01T00:00:00Z Policymakers need to address equity concerns early when implementing congestion pricing to improve traffic flow, as each situation is unique. Because these policies impose a cost on something that previously was not priced, it can harm lower-income drivers who will be forced to pay additional costs or be "priced off" the roads. Economic Costs of Major Oil Supply Disruption Pose Risk to U.S. National Security urn:uuid:AC951154-2DE6-11DE-BF22-52C038788F35 2009-05-11T00:00:00Z 2009-05-11T00:00:00Z While on a net basis the United States imports nearly 60 percent of the oil it consumes, this reliance on imported oil is not by itself a major national security threat. The study finds that the economic costs of a major disruption in global oil supplies—including higher prices for American consumers—pose the greatest risk to the United States. Transportation Challenges for the New Administration: Perspectives of Past Transportation Secretaries urn:uuid:0FFFF5A0-25C3-11DE-9C2A-51C038788F35 2009-05-01T00:00:00Z 2009-05-01T00:00:00Z Shortly after the inauguration of President Barack Obama, RAND hosted a panel discussion with three former U.S. secretaries of transportation. These conference proceedings summarize their comments on which issues should be among the Department of Transportation's (DOT's) top priorities, DOT funding and appropriation, earmarking and transparency in the transportation funding process, and the federal role in transportation policy. How the Air Force Can Understand and Mitigate Titanium Price Trends urn:uuid:CCE5FEA4-0EFC-11DE-934F-45F938788F35 2009-04-15T00:00:00Z 2009-04-15T00:00:00Z Titanium is a significant element in the construction of aircraft. However, in recent years a major spike in titanium prices is expected to significantly influence the acquisition costs of future aircraft. This monograph examines the titanium industrial base, production technology, and the factors underlying its market price fluctuations, with a focus on the role of supply-side drivers. Evaluating Options for U.S. Greenhouse-Gas Mitigation Using Multiple Criteria urn:uuid:B4D3CA28-222D-11DE-9852-52C038788F35 2009-04-14T00:00:00Z 2009-04-14T00:00:00Z Devising policies to mitigate greenhouse gases responsible for climate change is one of the great challenges facing the U.S. Options that are effective and politically feasible must not just be cost-effective but also consider the realities of passing major federal legislation with widespread impacts on U.S. producers and consumers. Challenges and Opportunities Related to the Interconnection of Climate, Energy, and Transportation Policies urn:uuid:DD5B1ED0-01BA-11DE-BDFB-4DC038788F35 2009-03-09T00:00:00Z 2009-03-09T00:00:00Z In June 2008, RAND convened three workshops for private and public sector representatives to discuss their competing views on climate change mitigation. The conference allowed them to find commonality on such issues as technological innovation; potential legislative and regulatory solutions; international cooperation; and public engagement. How China Can Strengthen Its Economy by Investing in High-Technology Applications urn:uuid:526F7E52-EED6-11DD-8D8D-50C038788F35 2009-02-13T00:00:00Z 2009-02-13T00:00:00Z China's Tianjin Binhai New Area (TBNA) and Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area (TEDA) can best spur regional development and economic growth by focusing on emerging high-technology applications, including molecular-scale drug development and green manufacturing. Coal-to-Liquid Fuel Production Could Offer Major National Benefits urn:uuid:9C608FE4-B7CF-11DD-B95A-51C038788F35 2008-12-10T03:00:00Z 2008-12-10T03:00:00Z The federal government can spark the creation of a commercially competitive coal-to-liquids industry by fostering early development of plants that would produce transportation fuels from coal, as well as by expanding its investment in carbon sequestration technology to help limit, and possibly reduce, greenhouse gas emissions levels. Pennsylvania's Rail System Will Require Collaborative Approach to Improve Safety and Security urn:uuid:487F1A1C-B248-11DD-8FC7-4DC038788F35 2008-11-24T03:00:00Z 2008-11-24T03:00:00Z Pennsylvania leaders have an active role to play in coordinating public and private efforts to improve the safety and security of Pennsylvania's extensive and complex railroad system. Western Riverside County Habitat Conservation Plan Progressing, but Needs Fine-Tuning urn:uuid:F678ADD2-9F64-11DD-A779-51C038788F35 2008-11-03T03:00:00Z 2008-11-03T03:00:00Z Western Riverside County's Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan -- a sweeping effort to protect endangered and threatened species while accelerating the approval of transportation improvements -- has made significant progress, but needs modifying to reach its goals in Southern California's changing economy. Easing Restrictions on Deliveries to Postal Mailboxes Could Hurt Efforts to Keep Mail Safe urn:uuid:6C1A40EE-96F7-11DD-88BD-58C038788F35 2008-10-23T03:00:00Z 2008-10-23T03:00:00Z Allowing private courier services to deliver items into mailboxes could hamper efforts by the U.S. Postal Service to safeguard the nation's mail. Although the impact of such a change is likely to be moderate, it could diminish public safety and security by diluting the effectiveness of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Thirteen Short-Term Strategies Address Traffic Congestion in Urban Los Angeles urn:uuid:39F010A4-75C2-11DD-B087-58C038788F35 2008-10-02T03:00:00Z 2008-10-02T03:00:00Z A comprehensive look at Los Angeles traffic debunks common myths about the metropolitan region's traffic patterns and details the reasons why congestion is so bad — and why it will get worse in the coming years without significant policy changes. Public Investment in Rail Capacity Expansion May Be Justified but Strategy Needed urn:uuid:F5A606C2-63AD-11DD-8633-DAEA38788F35 2008-08-19T03:00:00Z 2008-08-19T03:00:00Z The volume of freight transported in the United States is expected to double over the next 30 years. Greater use of rail freight could allow the supply chain to accommodate this increase while minimizing highway congestion and reducing fuel consumption. While Piracy and Terrorism at Sea Grow, Scant Evidence That They're Merging urn:uuid:BAAF177A-16AA-11DD-813C-E1BD38788F35 2008-06-05T03:00:00Z 2008-06-05T03:00:00Z Acts of piracy and terrorism at sea are on the rise, but there is little evidence to support concerns from some governments and international organizations that pirates and terrorists are beginning to collude with one another. Long, Unpredictable Delays Found in Louisiana `The Road Home' Grants to Homeowners urn:uuid:7284A288-1D37-11DD-A068-E1BD38788F35 2008-05-27T03:00:00Z 2008-05-27T03:00:00Z Louisiana homeowners who sought federally-funded grants through “The Road Home” program for homes damaged by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita have had to wait more than eight months on average to receive grants.