State of Good Repair: Can We Really Achieve It In Today's Environment?
Abstract
Dr. Meyer briefly overviewed the transportation investments throughout the United States to keep the existing transportation system in a state of good repair. In his presentation, he mentioned that the United States has invested trillions of dollars in what is arguably one of the finest transportation systems in the world. As the country continues to grow, there will be continued pressure to expand this system to handle the increase in personal and freight mobility that characterizes economic prosperity. However, perhaps the most significant need and challenge facing the Nation’s transportation system is keeping the existing highways, bridges, transit facilities/equipment, ports and airports in a good state of repair. Dr. Meyer discussed this challenge from the perspective of the level of funding that will be necessary, the ability of transportation agencies in an environment of shrinking resources to meet this need and the important role that strategic asset management systems can play in implementing the most cost effective investment strategies. He reviewed national studies and selected state studies on how large the funding gap is to preserve our system in a state of good repair. Dr. Meyer also argued that strategic asset management systems are the critical foundation for future investment decision-making for a variety of concerns, from selecting the most important strategies for preserving our investment in infrastructure to even serving as a platform for considering climate change in agency priorities. He presented several case studies of state transportation agencies and transit agencies that are at the forefront of asset management application and how these can act as role models for other organizations.
Sponsored by: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology (OST-R), University Transportation Centers Program (UTC)
DISCLAIMER: The views, opinions, findings and conclusions reflected in this presentation are the responsibility of the authors only and do not represent the official policy or position of the USDOT/OST-R, or any State or other entity.
For more information, contact Denise E. Dunn at denise.e.dunn@dot.gov