U.S. Transportation Secretary Slater Announces Transportation Trends Report, Seeks Comment

Contact BTS 11-00 Dave Smallen 202-366-5568

Tuesday, September 5, 2000 -- U.S. Secretary of Transportation Rodney E. Slater today announced that the Department of Transportation has drafted a report entitled "The Changing Face of Transportation" and is seeking comments on it. The report reviews the major trends in transportation during the past 25 years and examines potential trends of the next quarter century.

"This report will be a foundation for the U.S. Department of Transportation’s continuing work to improve our nation’s vibrant transportation system and its ability to serve the needs of the American people today and for future generations," said Secretary Slater. "As leaders of America’s transportation system, we must remain vigilant in the face of change and must be visionary in leading change for the future."

The Department’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) led an effort throughout the Department to gather information on the trends that have changed the transportation system.

"The world we live in and the transportation system have changed greatly over the past 25 years," said Dr. Ashish Sen, BTS director. "The transportation community can use information about the system, safety, globalization, people, the environment, energy, technology and national security to prepare for the years ahead."

The document is being prepared together with a companion report, entitled "Transportation Decision Making: A Policy Architecture for the 21st Century," which was released for comment on July 20. This policy architecture provides an overview of the forces that will affect transportation in the future to ensure that transportation is prepared to address the challenges of the future.

A final report will be released in autumn 2000. The draft of The Changing Face of Transportation is available for comment through September 10, 2000 at http://www.bts.gov