The transport policy of the United States is very crucial in the transport sector and its operations within and outside the country. The policy governs the operations undertaken by various stakeholders in the transport sector such as passengers, drivers, pilots, sailors, and owners of various vehicles as well as air and water vessels. Although major transport policies emerged in the 1990s, some of the policies have rich histories, which date back to the 19th century when the focus was on wagons and steamboats. Essentially, some of the major policies in the transport sector of the United States include the Ohio Statehood Act, Federal Act, the Motor Carrier Act of 1935, Davis Bacon’s Act, and the Urban Mass Transport Act of 1964. Furthermore, other policies comprise the Highway Beautification Act of 1965, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Airline Deregulation Act, the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991, and Amtrak Reform and Accountability Act of 1997. Therefore, the essay reviews the policies in the American transport policy and provides an in-depth review of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991.
The policies in the American transportation policy play an integral role in upgrading the transport sector of the United States. While the role of some policies materialized in the 19th century, others became useful in the 20th century. Policies such as the Ohio Statehood Act, which involved the exchange of land for the construction of roads was practical in the 19th century. Consequently, others like the Federal Act, the Motor Carrier Act, Davis Bacon’s Act, and the Urban Mass Transport Act materialized in the 20th century. Dilger (2015) states that the Motor Carrier Act of 1935 governed transport operations that concerned trucks and commercial transport of goods in the country. Conversely, Davis Bacon’s Act and the Urban Mass Transport Act addressed transport challenges that affected urban areas. The Federal Act has been instrumental in instituting various developments in the transport sector. One of the most pronounced impacts associated with the Federal Act comprises commissioning highway departments to oversee the road operations. Remarkably, the role played by the Federal Act is continuous because it has experienced continued modifications and improvements from the state.
While the beautification Act focused on improving the general outlook of roads in the country, Rehabilitation and Americans with Disabilities Act emphasized the equal treatment of all individuals regardless of their physical challenges or impairments. According to Dilger (2015), Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act advocated for the provision of transport services to all Americans and care for those, who had disabilities. On the other hand, Airline Deregulation Act tried to minimize expenditure incurred by airlines and trucks through changes in their regulations and transport schedules. The Amtrak Reform and Accountability Act of 1997 aimed at refurbishing and boosting the railway sector after years of decline associated with increased demand for road and air transport. As such, it is imminent that the transport policies have played an important role in advancing the transport sector of the United States.
The Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA), is a monumental act that instigated various improvements in the country’s transport sector. The focus of the act, which stressed on development and upgrade of highways through increased funding, made it very imperative in the transport sector. Essentially, my vision about the act concerns its continued implementation and increased funding in the transport industry. Dilger (2015) explains that the act became very instrumental in improving the transport sector in the country. With continued implementation, the act would improve the quality of transport for several individuals in the United States. The implication of increased funding was an overall improvement of transport in the country, a factor that compounds my vision. One of the major factors that compelled my selection of the act is its advocacy for increased funding for the transport industry. By promoting increased funding towards the transport sector, the act could eventually initiate minimization of the various challenges and logistics that several individuals faced frequently, while on transit. Therefore, the act played a very significant role in the transport sector of the United States.
Reference
Dilger, R. (2015). American Transportation Policy. New York: Ebsco publishing.