Over the past two decades, changes in transportation demand of agriculture and rural industry have interacted with the deregulation of the transportation sector. This has resulted in the abandonment both of the regulation of truck rates and competition, and of many rural rail links that were deemed inefficient. Agricultural industrialization and the move towards applying market principles to guide production decisions have had a profound impact on rural transportation infrastructure. Together with strategic rail decisions to terminate inefficient services, these changes have resulted in larger and heavier truck hauling agricultural products over longer distances on pavements and bridges that were not constructed to withstand these loads. Clearly there is a need to better understand the strategic challenges and issues as well as the critical role that transportation plays in promoting competitive agriculture and a vibrant rural economy. The objectives of this project were to (a) explore the rural agriculture/industry-transportation relationship, (b) provide information on major rural stakeholder, industry, and trucking views, (c) highlight the factors that result in greater demands on rural roads from the perspective of the Texas Department of Transportation, (d) present a methodology to prioritize rural transportation needs in transportation planning decisions, and (e) list a number of policy options to address rural transportation concerns.

An efficient multimodal transportation system is critical to the economic vitality of large metropolitan areas, smaller communities, and rural areas. While transportation issues in urban areas receive a good deal of attention, the needs of rural areas are also important. This report summarizes the results of a research project examining the rural transportation system in Texas. The demographic and economic characteristics of the state's rural population are highlighted. The report also presents a multimodal approach to enhance mobility and economic development in rural parts of Texas. Researchers examine the status of highways, roadways, public transit services, intercity buses, airports, and railroads serving rural portions of the state and discuss future needs.

Vehicular traffic moving through rural sections of Interstate 35 in Texas is growing at a dramatic rate. The primary objective of this report is to demonstrate the future loss of personal mobility by the highway user on rural sections of the Interstate. A second primary objective is to lay the groundwork for a comprehensive economic analysis of the problems associated with large traffic flows by using rural IH-35 as an example of a high-traffic corridor. Additionally, this report will provide a foundation for suggesting alternative solutions to the problem of traffic congestion on high-traffic corridors. By demonstrating the problems of growing traffic demand on rural high-traffic corridors in Texas, and by building on the findings of an earlier study, we suggest that a supercorridor--also known as a managed transportation system (MTS)--continues to be a feasible option for mitigating the growing traffic congestion problems on rural corridors.

The future of disability in America will depend on how well the U.S. prepares for and manages the demographic, fiscal, and technological developments that will unfold during the next two to three decades. Building upon two prior studies from the Institute of Medicine (the 1991 Institute of Medicine's report Disability in America and the 1997 report Enabling America), The Future of Disability in America examines both progress and concerns about continuing barriers that limit the independence, productivity, and participation in community life of people with disabilities. This book offers a comprehensive look at a wide range of issues, including the prevalence of disability across the lifespan; disability trends the role of assistive technology; barriers posed by health care and other facilities with inaccessible buildings, equipment, and information formats; the needs of young people moving from pediatric to adult health care and of adults experiencing premature aging and secondary health problems; selected issues in health care financing (e.g., risk adjusting payments to health plans, coverage of assistive technology); and the organizing and financing of disability-related research. The Future of Disability in America is an assessment of both principles and scientific evidence for disability policies and services. This book's recommendations propose steps to eliminate barriers and strengthen the evidence base for future public and private actions to reduce the impact of disability on individuals, families, and society.