Transportation and the Environment

Perhaps no other human activity has a greater impact on the environment than how we move around. Especially in the United States, our reliance on single occupant, fossil fuel powered vehicles takes its toll on our air, water and land. Automobiles are the largest single source of air pollution in the U.S, accounting for roughly two-thirds of carbon monoxide emissions, one-third of nitrogen oxides and one-quarter of hydrocarbons. Moreover, to power all of these cars, and to create routes for travel, we destroy or degrade vast amounts of natural landscapes through oil extraction and highway construction.

Current transportation spending and programming in Missouri overwhelmingly favor automobiles and highways over low-impact alternatives. The Department of Transportation has traditionally focused on building new highways in lieu of highway maintenance or implementing a balanced, multi-modal transportation system. For example, MoDOT spent more than $1 billion on highway construction in 2001, while it only spent $240 million on highway maintenance. Public transportation received a mere $11 million in state funding.

As indicated by the resounding defeat of Proposition B in August 2002, the public wants greater accountability and service out of its transportation agency. Missourians want easy and efficient transportation, and only an equitable multi-modal policy will meet these desires. The unwillingness of voters to pour more money into an inefficient and short-sighted transportation department presents an opportunity for Missourians to rethink the future of transportation in our state.

A key component of any state transportation policy must be increased emphasis on mass transit. The benefits of mass transit are numerous and wide-ranging. These benefits come in the form of reduced congestion delays, lowered automobile expenses, enhanced property values and increased mobility for low-income and disabled individuals. In addition, decreases in air, water and noise pollution all accompany increases in mass transit use.

We are truly at a crossroads for transportation policy in Missouri. Now is the time for citizens to voice their wishes and concerns to elected officials. Refer also to the activities of the Smart Growth Action Team and its focus on state transportation issues