Looking Back and Moving Forward

Abstract

Over the past 20 years, federal transportation policy and funding initiatives—such as the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991; the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century; Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users; Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery Grants; and the Partnership for Sustainable Communities—have opened doors to establishing sustainable transportation policy in the United States. However, these initiatives have not always resulted in transformative change. A clear path to actionable, sustainable transportation policy requires a change within the local and regional agencies tasked with establishing and implementing the policy. This paper documents the incremental changes in departments of transportation and planning in seven American cities (Charlotte, North Carolina; Chicago, Illinois; Houston, Texas; Los Angeles, California; New York; Portland, Oregon; and Washington, D.C.) that have enabled a shift toward sustainable transportation policy. Interviews with key transportation leaders in each city revealed the methods used to implement more sustainable transport. These methods serve as a blueprint for other leaders who wish to create similar changes in their own cities.