Transportation Policy

SUP 651 Subject & Catalog Number

Description

This course provides a broad introduction to surface transportation policy and practice in the United States in the 21st century, covering its development, current status and changes underway in transportation systems and policy at the local, state federal levels. Together we will explore how U.S. transportation policy has evolved and potential levers for changing the policies that shape how people access the places they want to go using motor vehicles, public transportation, passenger rail, micromobility, walking and biking. First we will examine the purposes of transportation and transportation policy and the tradeoffs and tensions among competing values and desired outcomes. Next, with the assistance of guest lecturers with both government and advocacy experience, we will cover the institutional, program delivery, and governance structures that shape policy and the financing methods that fund infrastructure projects. In the last part of the course, we will survey a series of current critical transportation policy debates, with students helping determine which topics to address.