Transportation and the Texas Economy

Book excerpt: In setting the state's future spending priorities, Texans will be analyzing and evaluating the importance and dimensions of the state's transportation system and network and their role in the Texas economy. Current, accurate, and objective economic measures that delineate the importance of transportation in Texas are crucial to the public debate and policy-making process in deciding what Texans want for their transportation system. In reporting the results, the proposed project will compile, using existing U.S.- and Texas- based data sources, an economic profile of the importance of the transportation system and its services to the State of Texas, which may include: 1. All transportation outlays and the Gross Texas Product; 2. Outlays for freight transportation, total and by mode; 3. Outlays for passenger transportation, total and by mode; 4. Employment in transportation and related industries; and 5. Outlays for transportation equipment and investment in capacity.