Technology assessment of changes in the future use and characteristics of the automobile transportation system. Volume 3 : public participation

https://doi.org/10.21949/14033051979PDFResearch PaperTechnology assessmentAutomobilesFuturePublic participationAutomotive engineeringmobilityprivate passenger vehiclesUnited States. Government Printing OfficeUnited States. Congress. Office of Technology AssessmentNTL-PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION-Transit Planning and PolicyNTL-PLANNING AND POLICY-Public Participation and OutreachUS Transportation CollectionAn assessment of the future use and characteristics of the automobile transportation system was undertaken (1976-78) by OTA at the request of Senator Warren G. Magnuson, then Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. The study addressed issues and policy options pertaining to mobility, energy, environment, safety, and cost and capital. The time frame was both near-term (through 1985) and long-term (into the next century). The specific objectives of the study were: to describe the factors that influenced the characteristics of the automobile system, its use, and services supporting its use; to identify and characterize potential changes in automobile use and characteristics; to assess the potential near-term and far-term effects of various alternative Federal Government policies relating to automobile use and characteristics; and to present the findings in a form useful to Congress and the public. The results of the technical analysis, carried out by the OTA Transportation Program with the help of an advisory panel, consultants, and contractors, were published in February 1979 in a two-volume report. The first volume is a summary of the findings. The second contains a detailed discussion of issues, policy options, and estimated effects. Volume II also contains a description of expected technological developments through 1985 and by the end of the century. This report\u2014volume III\u2014presents the findings of a nationwide public participation effort conducted in 1978 in conjunction with the assessment