Institutional Barriers to Intermodal Transportation Policies and Planning in Metropolitan Areas

Book excerpt: This report documents and presents the results of a study of institutional barriers to intermodal transportation policies and planning. Stakeholder interviews, a literature review and a national survey of 421 transit agencies, MPOs, and state DOTs were utilized to identify 13 organizational, interjurisdictional, and resource barriers to intermodal planning. Findings of the study suggest that building community support, adequate funding, education, and leadership commitment are the primary driving forces that can improve intermodal planning practices. Structure, procedure, and leadership provide the decision-making context for intermodal planning, that is, they enable (or restrict) the regional or local decision-making process. Ten context-shaping recommendations are offered. Action planning sessions held in Albuquerque, New Mexico; Austin, Texas; and Queens, New York indicated that a number of attributes can enhance the local intermodal planning process.