coordinate system consistent with that being developed for use by the Census would seem to be the most desirable.

2. Comparability.-As indicated earlier, many agencies collect transportation data at the present time. Data collection activities have generally developed out of the functional activities of the organization. Definitions for classes of information are consistent with the functions and needs of each separate agency. In order to permit the coordinated use of data gathered by many sources, it is necessary to introduce standardized definitions of variables for use by all collectors of data.

3. Reliability. Since many agencies are engaged in the collection of data for different purposes, different standards are in use for determining the reliability of the information that is collected. In order to permit the use of the data for a wide variety of analytic and operating purposes, the level of reliability of the data must be known. Review of current agency data collection methods will lead to recommendations for improvements to increase the standards of reliability in continuing data collection.

Note needs to be taken of the fact that an effective and usable information system that will take advantage of the most recent advances in information handling technology must contain not just many types of transportation data per se, but must also contain other information notably from Census sources. Nontransportation data are needed for analyses of the demand for transportation and for studies of the impact of transportation policy decisions.

It may be well here to quote once more the recommendations of the house committee previously referred to which called attention to the need to "integrate transportation information into the broad socioeconomic framework where it properly belongs." That socioeconomic framework is represented in the information/system by data about population and its composition, employment and industry characteristics, personal income, some land use data, and other similar files. As in the case of transportation data, these more general data must be coded consistently with respect to location, must use standardized definitions and must have a known and acceptable level of reliability.

The main point to be stressed under this heading is that much more is required than a clearing house operation which gathers tabular reports from many sorces and distributes them to those that have an interest in such information. An effective information system implies having available in readily manipulable form, data required for the broadest range of governmental and private studies and decisions.

CONCLUSION

In line with the findings of the House Committee on Post Office and Civil Service, the view expressed here is that there is need to take action to coordinate and systematize transportation information. Moreover, gaps in the existing data have to be filled.

The principal means that have been suggested are the establishment of an information system using the latest information technology, adjustment of continuing statistics programs, and new data collection. The computerized information system will make it possible to provide a wide range of users with data specifically appropriate to their needs.

Adjustments of data collection procedures will require coordination with the collecting agencies to make certain that both their requirements and those of other potential users are satisfied. Where it seems advisable, new data collection will be related to continuing data gathering programs that are already in existence. In other instances, responsibility for new data collection, either special purpose or continuing, will be allotted on the basis of use of the data.

The Federal Government spends billions of dollars annually in the transportation field. At the present time information on which rational expenditure decisions can be based is frequently inadequate. To begin data collection anew each time a study is required is wasteful both of time and money. To make major expenditures without adequate study can lead to errors costing millions of dollars. Improperly located highways or airports without adequate ground access may be considered examples. Relatively small expenditures on systematically organized and current information can help prevent such errors.

No one should think that the development of a useful, operational national transportation statistics program is an easy task or one of short duration. Above all, it must be the objective of such a program to move away from data collection

activities that are narrowly oriented to the needs of individual organizations and that have as their end the production of tabular materials and reports of limite usefulness. An effective program must serve the needs of as many agencies and institutions as possible, with the users' needs being the major determinant of content and of organization.

Source: Outdoor Recreation Resources Review Commision Study Rept. 23, ch.V.

Source: Reports of the Interstate Commerce Commission and the Eastern Railroad Presidents Conference.

Estimated highway vehicle miles for the Nation and the northeast corridor

Source: Bureau of Public Roads, highway statistics, and estimates by NECTP engineers.

Senator MORTON. Thank you, Mr. Secretary.

Senator Lausche, the chairman of the surface transportation subcommittee, who unfortunately is busily engaged in the Foreign Relations Committee this morning, discussed this bill with me. He has some apprehension as to the broad power conferred therein. On page 1 of the bill, the sentence begins on line 6,

In exercising this authority, the Secretary may lease, purchase, develop, test, and demonstrate new facilities, equipment, techniques and methods, and conduct such other activities as may be necessary to accomplish the purposes of this act.

He feels and expresses some apprehension that under that broad language you could-not that you would, but you could-go pretty far into the whole question of rail transportation, or any form of transportation, especially rail, and I must say that in some ways I share his apprehension. I think that perhaps your staff, that of the Commission, our own committee staff here and the legislative counsel, could put their heads together and see if they could be a little more definitive in this bill, because frankly we may encounter certain difficulties down the road unless we tighten it up. This is not to restrict you in accomplishing the purposes of the act, but I agree with Senator Lausche the bill can be made more definitive without in any way lessening your accomplishment of its purposes. Would you agree with that?

Secretary CONNOR. Yes, Senator Morton. We read the sentence you quoted as being qualified by the first sentence which talks about the research and development in high-speed ground transportation. Nevertheless I think some improvement can be made in drafting the legislation and we will be very glad to cooperate with your staff in doing that.

Senator MORTON. I commend you on being so definitive in your statement. I thought it was an excellent statement.

I would like to be sure that I understand you in this matter of collection of data. You point out that there are seven agencies of Government now receiving reports from the various elements of the transportation industry. As I understand your proposal, you would assemble in the Commerce Department the data available and get from the industry additional data that may be required but not duplicated.

În other words, if the information is already there, you would have the statisticians assemble it, rather than go to the railroads, let's say, and the airlines and others, and have them do that work over again, all that paperwork, and send it in. Am I right in that?

Secretary CONNOR. Yes, Mr. Chairman. The situation today is that these seven Government agencies have various specified responsibilities for various forms of transportation. It is the Department of Commerce now, and with the add tional legislation in its bill, that would have the overall planning and research and development responsibility in this field.

As we look at the data that is available from the seven Government agencies, we see gaps because no other agency has had the responsibility of looking at the entire spectrum.

Our intent would be to utilize fully the data that is now collected by the other Government agencies from the transportation organizations and not put them to any added burden. We would ask them to supply us with data that is not now collected in order to carry out