Transportation and Infrastructure

RAND Europe, a division of RAND, specializes in transportation issues, including planning, policy, safety, and environmental considerations of air, water, and surface systems. Many other RAND divisions participate in research on critical infrastructure, such as power grids or waterways, particularly RAND Infrastructure, Safety, and Environment. View all Transportation and Infrastructure Documents Available Online or find general information at Reports and Bookstore.

More »Featured Research

U.S. Freight System Modernization Necessary to Reduce Bottlenecks, Improve Security — Jun. 9, 2009

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.

Full Document News Release Research Brief

Charging Drivers More at Peak Travel Times Can Be Sound Transportation Policy, But Equity Issues Must Be Addressed — Jun. 1, 2009

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.

Full Document News Release

More »Featured Project

Research Highlights Critical Infrastructure Protection — Aug. 20, 2007

Protecting U.S. air, rail, and other critical infrastructure is among the many topics addressed by the RAND Homeland Security Program. This research helps federal, state and local agencies to prevent and mitigate the effects of terrorist activities within America's borders.

June 9, 2009: U.S. Freight System Modernization Necessary to Reduce Bottlenecks, Improve Security

June 2, 2009: Equity Concerns Raised by Transportation Congestion Pricing Can Be Addressed To Make Approach Viable

June 1, 2009: RAND Announces New Pricing Strategy and Partnerships for E-Books

May 11, 2009: Economic Costs of Major Oil Supply Disruption Pose Risk to U.S. National Security

April 9, 2009: Seeking New Approaches to Old Problems, By Melissa Flournoy (Sun Herald - Biloxi-Gulfport, Mississippi)

View All »Featured Reports

The Arc: A Formal Structure for a Palestinian State

An examination of options for strengthening the housing and transportation infrastructure of a potential future independent Palestinian state in the context of a large and rapidly growing Palestinian population. The book includes initial cost estimates for improving and expanding infrastructure to facilitate successful development.

Full Document

Building a Multinational Global Navigation Satellite System

The U.S. Global Positioning System (GPS), now the world's preeminent pointing, navigation, and tracking (PNT) system, will in the not too distant future be joined by the European Union's Galileo, a PNT system planned to be similar to GPS in function and performance. Will the two systems cooperate, providing users with the benefits of both, or will they compete? The authors assess the economic impact of competition and how the United States can address that competition, especially as it affects U.S. economic interests.