A strong quote used by Michael D. Meyer, P.E., Professor , School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology. When asked why he begins his transportation courses at the Institute with such a strong statement, Michael says, “I do so partly to get the students’ attention, but also because I firmly believe that it is true. And no where is the truth of this statement more telling than in the State of Georgia.”
On the Georgia Municpal Association website, Michael Meyer goes on to write…
“Much of the economic success of the state and of Georgia’s economic future depends on a world class transportation system … but the state and the state’s local governments are facing serious challenges in providing and maintaining such a system. Population and employment growth in many parts of the state have far outstretched existing resources to provide the roads and transit services needed to serve this growth. The cost of construction has skyrocketed over the past decade, which along with normal inflation, has resulted in loss of real dollar buying power in the transportation construction industry. And with one of the lowest gas taxes in the country (although a portion of the tax is linked to a percentage of the price of fuel and thus increases with the price of oil) the state is not receiving enough revenue to meet the transportation needs of a growing economy. Increasing automobile fuel efficiency and the introduction of hybrid cars will only exacerbate the revenue shortage.”
What should we do? You can read his ideas for increasing revenue here.
I agree strongest on his point that…”Importantly, for local governments, the ability should be provided for their own means of increasing transportation investment, either through local options sales tax or through increased state aid.” Local communities in Cobb and Cherokee County need the power and money to improve transportation in our local markets.
Does anyone have other ideas for improving our transportation problems in Metro Atlanta? (or anywhere else?)
