The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) conducted an assessment of broad issues and trends that will shape the future of highway transportation in the United States. This report draws on the findings of 19 working papers prepared during 1987 and 1988, and presents options for meeting the most critical of the Nation's future needs. The report contains an Executive Summary, giving an overview of the report, and seven chapters. Chapter I examines the importance of highway transportation in meeting the Nation's economic and societal needs, discusses national objectives for the highway program and the Federal role in achieving those objectives, and describes past and present governmental roles and responsibilities in the construction and administration of highways. Chapters II and III examine demographic, economic, energy, and technological trends that will affect the future demand for highway transportation. Chapter IV analyzes factors influencing future passenger and freight travel demand, and Chapter V relates the travel demand factors described in earlier chapters to future capital investment requirements for highways. Chapter VI describes program alternatives for meeting future highway requirements and looks at regulatory and other nonconstruction requirements that relate to the operation of highways and the administration of the Federal-aid highway program. Chapter VII examines trends in highway finance and discusses future highway revenue requirements.

The purpose of this study was to provide the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) with specific research recommendations designed to develop a better understanding of a broad range of societal, economic, and institutional factors that affect--and are affected by--the nation's highway transportation system. The report is organized in four chapters and six appendices.