STATEMENT SUBMITTED BY HOUSING AND HOME FINANCE AGENCY Demonstration grants approved under the 1964 Urban Mass Transportation Act-June 22, 1965 Period of $85, 778 $128, 667 Dec. 2, 1964 1 year. 708, 207 1, 062, 311 Jan. 26, 1965 66,224 99, 336 Purpose To determine the effect of the establishment of express bus service 20 months... To determine the operating and economic feasibility and public 1 year. To test and compare the results of improvements and innovations in To develop, build, and test equipment making possible the use of Demonstration grants approved under the 1964 Urban Mass Transportation Act-June 22, 1965-Continued To reduce the operating costs of transit systems by a more efficient To test whether the use of transit vehicles, smaller and more maneu- Senator LAUSCHE. Now you support this bill, but it is your position that it ought not to be confined to only railroads? Mr. GREENSLIT. That is correct. Senator LAUSCHE. What do you foresee might be done with respect to the motor bus system? Mr. GREENSLIT. The possibility of controlled lane traffic. Mr. GREENSLIT. No, not necessarily. I don't know that they could be described with any priority. I am thinking of the possibility of multiple-motor transport units; I am thinking of course of the development of a much higher speed motor vehicle than is now available. These are just some of the things that occur to me without any study whatever having been made of this important subject. Senator LAUSCHE. Thank you very much for your testimony. Mr. Roger H. Gilman, chairman, American Society of Civil Engi neers. STATEMENT OF ROGER H. GILMAN, CHAIRMAN, AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS, COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION POLICY, NEW YORK, N.Y. Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Chairman, my name is Roger H. Gilman. I am director of the port development of the Port of New York Authority. This morning I am appearing on behalf of the American Society of Civil Engineers, of which I am a member, and specifically in my capacity as chairman of the committee on transportation policy. I appreciate this opportunity to present before the Surface Transportation Subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Commerce to undertake research and development in high-speed ground transportation (S. 1588). The American Society of Civil Engineers is a national professional organization with a current membership of 55,000 civil engineers. The civil engineering profession is intimately associated with all aspects of transportation. Its members are involved directly and personally in the development, planning, design, construction, operation, and administration of every form of transportation. Since its organization in 1852, some 113 years ago, ASCE itself has had an active interest and participation in transportation matters. The creation of its committee on transportation policy is evidence of the society's determination that it will give comprehensive, coordinated, and increased attention to this vital subject, and that, within the framework of its official statements on transportation policy, it will express its views in the public interest promptly and forthrightly. The makeup of the committee on transportation policy reflects the broad range of private and public responsibilities and activities of the society's total membership. Its five-man committee, all of whom are experienced in transportation planning, operation, and administration, include representatives of a large railroad system, two consulting engineering firms, a Federal agency, and a State agency. The American Society of Civil Engineers endorses and respectfully urges favorable action by the U.S. Senate on S. 1588. Our committee on transportation policy has reviewed the proposed legislation and is convinced that it is sound and much needed and that it can benefit the entire Nation and its citizens. We feel certain that such a study, undertaken by the Secretary of Commerce, with the full participation and cooperation of all concerned professions including civil engineering, will assure that competent technical persons will be engaged in this important research and development. The ASCE and its technical organization is most anxious to provide assistance and advice in this pending study as a matter of public service. I believe it is pertinent and of interest that a statement on "Principles of a Sound Transportation Policy" adopted 2 years ago by the ASCE board of direction reflects the objectives of S. 1588, as expressed in the bill itself as well as the supporting statements submitted to Congress by administration officials. Thus, the opening remarks of the 1963 ASCE statement, in my judgment, conform with the basic purposes of the legislation: The most important basic principle of a sound transportation policy is that it serve adequately, within the means of economic practicability, the needs of the people for transporting both passengers and goods. The economy and welfare of a nation are measured in large part by the degree to which the many modes of passenger and freight transportation have been developed. So, too, an individual's freedom of choice in selecting his mode and place of living and working and in the use of his leisure time is largely determined by his freedom of choice and ability to travel, for both pleasure and business purposes, short or long distances in his own country or to and from overseas points. Finally, history has proven that the security of a nation is dependent to a large extent upon the continuing availability and adequacy of transportation facilities and services to meet both its normal and emergency needs. The encouragement and development of transportation in all its modes and roles is significant and vital to the entire Nation. There can be little doubt that the constant upward trend in the demand for more flexibility and maneuverability in transporting persons and goods, will make this increasingly true in the years ahead. With the economy and security of the United States dependent on the transportation industry, its sound development demands the attention and concern of everyone. In listing the basic principles which the society believes are essential for the establishment of a sound transportation policy, the ASCE statement contains the following which we believe reflect the objectives and authorization contained in S. 1588: Balanced systems required The importance of, and the requirements for, all forms of transportation should be recognized and accepted, so that balanced systems may be provided to serve the public needs and foster the Nation's economy. Economic, technological, and other pertinent developments will determine the extent to which various modes will be required and utilized. At the same time, the public interest may in some instances require public support to assure the availability of needed transport modes, if economic returns are not sufficient. Equality for transportation modes Equality in policies of encouragement, assistance and regulation among the various modes of transportation is essential. In the initial stages of development some form of government aid is usually required for every mode of transportation but this should be adjusted so that impartial treatment is ultimately afforded to all modes. Control and regulation should be minimized, but be sufficient to prevent unfair or monopolistic penalization of transportation for a particular area or service. Coordination of transportation planning Coordination of planning of facilities and operations should be encouraged, to eliminate or forestall unnecessary and wasteful duplication of services. Such coordination becomes more urgent as the demand increases and limitations of space, funds, resources, and other controlling factors become more severe. Engineering studies Studies and presentation of results of project planning must provide complete information on all significant facets such as costs, benefits, purposes served, and economic justification, so that decisions can be made on the basis of proper analysis and evaluation of all pertinent data. Thorough engineering studies, to determine the relative economic feasibility of alternative plans and modes, are vital to the determination of sound transportation development. Government activity and assistance Public need at times requires government activity or assistance. The determination of the proper role and responsibility of government is difficult and complex. However, the following basic principles are pertinent: (a) There is a need in today's economy for industry and government to collaborate in determining the general principles and guidelines for meeting transportation requirements. This will include such considerations as regulation and control, financial needs and assistance, compensation and reimbursement for services and benefits, planning for future needs, utilization and development of resources. (b) Government should afford equal and fair treatment and consideration to all forms of transportation and to all regions. (c) The Federal Government can and should play an important role in encouraging, stimulating, and supporting research, studies, demonstration projects, and other activities, which will develop new techniques, technology, methodology, and other transportation services which have nationwide applicability. By such a strong and coordinated approach, the Federal Government can contribute vital financial and other assistance, to achieve the above objectives, which no single or even group of localities and industries can or will be able to accomplish. I would like to make a few observations in relating the ASCE statement of principles to the legislation which is now before your committee. Our society has urged the vital need for full attention and consideration of all forms of transportation and for participation by the Government in providing proper assistance to transportation in its initial stages of development. The authorization contained in this legislation would permit the research and development of new facilities, equipment, techniques, and methods of high-speed ground transportation facilities, which could then be benefited by practical and prompt testing and demonstration. Under this authorization, the research studies would also explore and experiment with new forms and concepts of high-speed ground transportation. We would assume that these various studies would examine the physical, economic, and functional feasibility of such technological developments, keeping in mind the practical considerations involved in the application and implementation of such concepts and their applicability to the transportation requirements of all parts of the Nation. Our ASCE statement of principles points to the need for collaboration and joint participation between industry and government in meeting transportation requirements. We are pleased that this project is considering demonstration projects involving existing railroads, which encourages us to believe that the program will be progressed along sound and realistic lines. Finally, the ASCE statement of principles calls for complete information and thorough studies on all significant facets of transportation planning and development. We therefore endorse the proposed authority in S. 1588 for the Secretary of Commerce "to collect transportation data, statistics, and other information which he determines will contribute to the improvement of the national transportation system." Again may I express the appreciation of the American Society of Civil Engineers and its committee on transportation policy for the opportunity to present its view in support of S. 1588. With your permission, Mr. Chairman, I would like to submit for the record also |