Why is local planning good? What’s wrong with letting the state experts do their jobs?
A. States can be too far removed from local communities to sufficiently address transportation problems. Eight out of ten Americans live in 300 federally designated metropolitan areas.(1) Studies have shown that local governments are most aware of their infrastructure problems and construction needs. At the same time local municipalities are more likely to spend funds on improving or expanding multi-modal forms of transportation including mass transit, and bike and carpool lanes. Decisions about the future form of local transportation systems are best left to those most affected and who are aware of day-to-day problems. Increasing the availability of funds directed toward metropolitan areas addresses local problems more efficiently.
