In the past few decades, freight transport on roads has grown considerably because of the quick and flexible movement of goods. With an expanding market due to product specialization, there will be an increase in the demand for freight transport. There are however, several negative implications for the environment (air and noise pollution), human health and other more far-reaching phenomena such as acidification, photochemical air pollution and the greenhouse effect. Solutions to this problem are probed in this book including the stimulation of technological breakthroughs, new transport policies and better traffic management. The book provides a survey of present and potential approaches to reconcile the strong need for increasing transport and the necessity to stop the current destruction of natural resources and harm to human health.

TRB Special Report 268 - Surface Transportation Environmental Research: A Long-Term Strategy defines a broad and ambitious research program to address and inform major public policy debates about the effects of surface transportation facilities and operations on the human and natural environments. The committee that conducted the study identified major gaps in knowledge that could be filled through a cooperative program of research involving federal agencies, states, and environmental organizations. The committee recommended creation of a new cooperative research program to carry out its recommended research agenda. Special Report 268 Summary

TRB Special Report 268 - Surface Transportation Environmental Research: A Long-Term Strategy defines a broad and ambitious research program to address and inform major public policy debates about the effects of surface transportation facilities and operations on the human and natural environments. The committee that conducted the study identified major gaps in knowledge that could be filled through a cooperative program of research involving federal agencies, states, and environmental organizations. The committee recommended creation of a new cooperative research program to carry out its recommended research agenda. Special Report 268 Summary