The United States is truly at a transportation crossroads. We have operated from a perspective that largely dates to the 1950s to build, maintain, and operate the nation’s transportation infrastructure. With major energy, environmental, social, and economic challenges occurring as the current federal transportation law is scheduled for authorization, now is the time for substantive change in our approach to delivering transportation projects and services that will position America for prosperity for the next 50 to 100 years.

There are seven foundational pillars to APA’s position on transportation policy as we approach authorization of a new federal transportation bill. These pillars emanate from APA’s core values and our role in the planning profession to think comprehensively and to understand and integrate various perspectives to create communities of lasting value. While this document speaks to the federal transportation authorization, it is also intended to provide guidance in the state and local arena for planners and their communities seeking to address transportation issues at the statewide, regional, and corridor levels.