U. S. Transit, Transportation and Infrastructure Considerations and Developments. Volume 5

Policymakers at all levels of government are debating a wide range of options for addressing the nation's faltering economic conditions. One option that is once again receiving attention is accelerated investments in the nation's public infrastructure - that is, highways, mass transit, airports, water supply and wastewater, and other facilities - in order to create jobs while also promoting long-term economic growth. This book examines policy issues associated with using infrastructure as a mechanism to benefit economic recovery. Discussed are federal traffic safety programs; the reasons why fuel-efficient vehicles are not sold domestically; infrastructure banks and debt finance; highway bridge conditions; emergency relief for disaster damaged roads and transit systems; harbor maintenance finance and funding; characteristics of Puerto Rico's Maritime trade and potential side effects of modifying the Jones Act.