A New Transportation Vision for Texas Not Focused on Cars?

Governor Greg Abbott of Texas gave a speech recently that suggested a state transportation future very different from the road-centric policies and planning that have dominated in the past, reports Peter Simek:

"The bottom line is this: The way people get around, the way people live is going to change," Abbott said, according to the Rivard Report. "As a result, this generation of roads that [Texas Transportation Commission Chairman] Bruce Bugg is in charge of building is probably the last major buildout of roads we’ll have in the state of Texas, even considering the fact that Texas is the fastest-growing state in America."

Abbott mentioned that growing urban populations will mean denser cities and, as a result, less dependence on driving. Simek points out, however, that Abbott suggested flying cars and ridesharing as solutions for filling in gaps in the transportation network, but these are not realistic long-term mobility solutions.

"Still, the governor’s comments are encouraging, and it suggests the conversation about highways, infrastructure, growth, safety, and mobility are beginning to crack long-held assumptions about transportation, even in Texas," adds Simek.