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About the Transportation, Space, and Technology Program

Technological innovation is central to counterterrorism, critical infrastructures like transportation and energy systems, space enterprise, and nearly every other aspect of society. The Transportation, Space, and Technology Program will manage research on new technologies and their implications for the nation and the world. Projects in this program will focus on transportation systems and regulation, ports, space exploration, information and telecommunications technologies and regulation, federal research and development allocation, and social implications of emerging technologies.

Recent News and Publications

U.S. Freight System Modernization Necessary to Reduce Bottlenecks, Improve Security

Cargo transport

The long-term efficiency and effectiveness of the U.S. freight transportation system is threatened by bottlenecks, inefficient use of some parts of the infrastructure components, vulnerability to disruptions, and crucial environmental and energy concerns.

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Charging Drivers More at Peak Travel Times Can Be Sound Transportation Policy, But Equity Issues Must Be Addressed

Traffic on highway

Policymakers need to address equity concerns early when implementing congestion pricing to improve traffic flow, as each situation is unique. Because these policies impose a cost on something that previously was not priced, it can harm lower-income drivers who will be forced to pay additional costs or be "priced off" the roads.

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Economic Costs of Major Oil Supply Disruption Pose Risk to U.S. National Security

oil tanker at port

While on a net basis the United States imports nearly 60 percent of the oil it consumes, this reliance on imported oil is not by itself a major national security threat. The study finds that the economic costs of a major disruption in global oil supplies—including higher prices for American consumers—pose the greatest risk to the United States.

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Transportation Challenges for the New Administration: Perspectives of Past Transportation Secretaries

aerial view of highways in Colorado, photo courtesy of NREL.gov

Shortly after the inauguration of President Barack Obama, RAND hosted a panel discussion with three former U.S. secretaries of transportation. These conference proceedings summarize their comments on which issues should be among the Department of Transportation's (DOT's) top priorities, DOT funding and appropriation, earmarking and transparency in the transportation funding process, and the federal role in transportation policy.

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Evaluating Options for U.S. Greenhouse-Gas Mitigation Using Multiple Criteria

electrovoltaic car, photo courtesy of nrel.gov

Devising policies to mitigate greenhouse gases responsible for climate change is one of the great challenges facing the U.S. Options that are effective and politically feasible must not just be cost-effective but also consider the realities of passing major federal legislation with widespread impacts on U.S. producers and consumers.

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Challenges and Opportunities Related to the Interconnection of Climate, Energy, and Transportation Policies

power production facility

In June 2008, RAND convened three workshops for private and public sector representatives to discuss their competing views on climate change mitigation. The conference allowed them to find commonality on such issues as technological innovation; potential legislative and regulatory solutions; international cooperation; and public engagement.

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