Economic and social effects of short term item measures to reduce motor fuel consumption, 1985

Consumption of imported petroleum increased considerably since 1955, leaving the nation vulnerable to external events. The United States has steadily imported increased amounts of petroleum in 1955. Only 1.2 percent of all petroleum used in the United States was imported in contrast to forty-five percent (8.4 million barrels) imported in 1979. In 1982, of the total U. S. petroleum consumed, all transportation modes used sixty- one percent, and eighty-four percent of the petroleum used by transpor�tation was attributed to the highway mode. In order to conserve energy, particularly energy consumed by transportation, the Federal Highway Administration encouraged the conservation of motor fuel through measures in six program areas. These major program areas include six immediately implementable items: ridesharing; high-occupancy vehicle incentives; fifty-five-MPH speed limit compliance; construction and maintenance; and traffic flow improvements. This thesis is to examine the effects of these programs on the economy, individuals, communities, and industries.To do this, the writer relys on the lessons learned from the energy crisis of the 1970's. The energy crises of the 1970's will be examined to gain insight into the likely social and economic effects of the 1980 energy conservation measures. The methodology will include a review of published reports and a subjective evaluation of available information. This study will suggest which programs have the most potential to conserve energy, and which programs will benefit the individual or larger elements, such as community and economy. Also, this study will observe any limitations of these programs and any diverse effects on numerous components of society, and how the adverse changes in communities and the economy can be minimized