AASHTO Campaign Links Greater Transportation Investment to Nationwide Benefits

Website Identifies State DOT Projects Making Travel Faster and Safer and the Environment and Economy Stronger and Better

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) is beginning a new public outreach campaign entitled “The Benefits of Transportation: The Solutions State DOTs Bring to People & Their Communities.”

Designed to increase public awareness about the multitude of benefits transportation investment provides, this new national campaign uses an interactive map to link website visitors to transportation projects across the country that are reducing travel times, improving safety, protecting the environment, and boosting the economy. In addition to the website and printed report, the campaign utilizes social media posts, social media advertising and direct outreach by state DOT official to their congressional leaders and other stakeholder groups.   

“The professionals working at state departments of transportation know these benefits first-hand, because they’re responsible for planning, designing, and building the transportation projects that keep America moving by car, truck, rail, bus, and bicycle,” said Jim Tymon AASHTO executive director. “This year will be pivotal for transportation because Congress must pass a new surface transportation bill before the current law expires at the end of September. The purpose of this campaign, website, and report are to help citizens understand the important connection between transportation investment and the benefits we experience today and into the future.”

Return on Investment     

The Federal Highway Administration estimates that each dollar spent on road, highway, and bridge improvements results in an average benefit of $5.20 in the form of reduced vehicle maintenance costs, reduced delays, reduced fuel consumption, improved safety, reduced road and bridge maintenance costs, and reduced emissions as a result of improved traffic flow.

Similarly, the American Public Transportation Association estimates that the total long-term economic effect of “enhanced investment” in transit systems sustained over 20 years is in the range of 3.7 times the amount being spent annually.

“In addition to the general public, we encourage members of Congress and their staffs to use the website to inform constituents about the importance of transportation investment,” said Patrick McKenna, director of the Missouri DOT and AASHTO’s 2019-2020 president. “A wide range of transportation infrastructure projects are included within the report and on the website to demonstrate how these projects are providing real benefits to real people from coast to coast.” 

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