The Transportation Prescription

"The Transportation Prescription: Bold New Ideas for Healthy, Equitable Transportation Reform in America" is a new report commissioned by the Convergence Partnership that describes specific policies and programs that can improve public health, the quality of life, and economic opportunities, particularly in vulnerable communities.

This report summarizes research and recommendations from the forthcoming book, Healthy, Equitable Transportation Policy: Recommendations and Research to be published in August 2009. Leading academics and advocates working at the intersection of health, equity and transportation author chapters in the book related to transportation modes, and key issues such as public transportation, non-motorized transportation, roadways, food access, economic development and injury prevention.

This report includes a forward by Representative Jim Oberstar, Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, who states, “For too long now, our transportation decision-making has failed to address the impacts that our infrastructure network has on public health and equity. The asphalt poured and lane miles constructed enhanced our mobility and strengthened our economic growth; but too often, this auto-centric mindset took hold and crowded out opportunities to invest in a truly sustainable inter-modal transportation system, in particular a system that meets the needs of underserved communities.”