Surface Transportation

  • Research Brief

    Research Brief

    Life around Cambridge: Results from the Cambridge Ahead Quality of Life survey

    Through an employee survey, we found that making the Cambridge area a better place to live requires a rounded approach. Housing and traffic were the greatest concerns, while leisure, education and health were associated with local area satisfaction.

    Aug 10, 2015

  • A car dashboard computer

    Commentary

    Learning to Stop Worrying and Love the Internet of Things

    Late last month, Fiat Chrysler recalled 1.4 million cars to fix a defect that allowed hackers to imperil drivers from afar. In essence, what was considered a huge threat was converted into a solved or at least solvable problem.

    Aug 4, 2015

  • Los Angeles freeway

    Commentary

    Pay as You Go

    Using vehicle miles traveled as a means of distributing the cost of maintaining America's roads and bridges may not be the only answer. But it represents the kind of innovative thinking that is necessary when this sector of the American transportation infrastructure is desperately in need of a fix.

    Jul 22, 2015

  • Vehicles driving toward Mt. Hood in Oregon

    Commentary

    How to Improve Oregon's Mileage-Fee Experiment

    Oregon is rolling out the nation's first large-scale pilot to examine switching to a mileage fee instead of the gas tax. The trial is a welcome next step toward understanding how mileage fees can be deployed.

    Jul 7, 2015

  • News Release

    News Release

    Economic Growth Will Be the Main Driver of Mobility in China in 2030

    Continued economic growth will be the main driver of future mobility and automobile use in China, but constraints on vehicle use and environmental regulations will be important issues as well.

    Jun 30, 2015

  • Shanghai Nanpu Bridge at dusk

    Report

    Economic Growth Will Be the Main Driver of Mobility in China in 2030

    Continued economic growth will be the main driver of future mobility and automobile use in China, but constraints on vehicle use and environmental regulations will be important issues as well.

    Jun 30, 2015

  • Report

    Report

    The Impact of Adopting Time-of-Day Tolling: Case Study of 183A in Austin, Texas

    This study evaluates the traffic and revenue impacts of moving from a fixed toll rate on the 183A Turnpike in Texas to a toll structure that varies by time of day.

    Jun 18, 2015

  • Report

    Report

    Satisfaction with life and local area among people who work in the Cambridge area: Results from the Cambridge Ahead Quality of Life Survey

    Through an employee survey, we found that making the Cambridge area a better place to live requires a rounded approach. Housing and traffic were the greatest concerns, while leisure, education and health were associated with local area satisfaction.

    May 19, 2015

  • The Mercedes-Benz F015 Luxury in Motion autonomous concept car is shown on stage during the 2015 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada, January 5, 2015

    Commentary

    To Hit the Road, Driverless Cars Must Be Safe, Not Perfect

    Once driverless cars are safer than the average human driver, they should be allowed to hit the road. Indeed, waiting for autonomous vehicles to be perfect would be its own safety concern because it would mean the needless perpetuation of the risks posed by human drivers.

    Jan 29, 2015

  • Brochure

    Brochure

    Spotlight on 2014

    Spotlight 2014 is RAND Europe’s annual review. We present our research to support policymaking in four areas of transformation: harnessing the power of ICT, safeguarding society, building healthier communities and innovating for efficiency.

    Jan 27, 2015

  • The M3 Motorway cutting at Twyford Down

    Report

    Road traffic demand elasticities: A rapid evidence assessment

    This study presents findings of a rapid evidence assessment of literature to better understand the factors driving road transport demand for both passengers and freight.

    Jan 15, 2015

  • London traffic

    Report

    Evidence review of car traffic levels in Britain: A rapid evidence assessment

    This study presents findings of a rapid evidence assessment of literature to better understand the factors and trends influencing the recent levelling off in total miles driven in Britain.

    Jan 15, 2015

  • Self-driving vehicle on a cloud

    Essay

    The Dream Drive: Twists and Turns on the Road to Self-Driving Vehicles

    Autonomous vehicle technology is already here: Cars park themselves, alert drivers to impending dangers, and even apply the brakes in emergencies. But what will it take to unlock its potential for major societal benefits?

    Jan 14, 2015

  • Events @ RAND Audio Podcast

    Multimedia

    Self-Driving Vehicles

    At this October 2014 event at RAND, information scientist Nidhi Kalra discusses the social, environmental, and policy implications of driverless cars.

    Oct 28, 2014

  • A tanker truck on the road with two cars

    Journal Article

    Estimating Use Costs of Heavy Truck Traffic in Pennsylvania's Shale Natural Gas Boom

    Development of natural gas resources has progressed rapidly in Pennsylvania. These activities require many heavy truck trips for equipment and materials, which can damage state and local roads not designed for high volumes of heavy truck traffic.

    Sep 1, 2014

  • Man using cell phone while driving

    Journal Article

    Has California's Ban on Hand-held Cell Phone Use Decreased Traffic Accidents?

    In an effort to deter distracted driving and traffic accidents, California enacted a ban on hand-held cell phone use while driving. A study examines the issue, the success of the initiative — and what it means for the future.

    Jul 23, 2014

  • News Release

    News Release

    Economic Development Not the Only Influence on Personal Car Use

    Although countries with high levels of economic development generally have more personal automobile travel than less-affluent nations, income is not the only factor that determines a nation's demand for cars.

    Jul 18, 2014

  • Stop sign in Russia

    Research Brief

    Driving in the Future in Developing Countries

    Automobility -- travel in personal vehicles -- varies between countries. This brief summarizes a study of the factors besides economic development that affect automobility and how automobility might evolve in developing countries.

    Jul 15, 2014

  • Mototransport (bicycle cars) in New Delhi, India

    Report

    Exploring the Future of Driving in Developing Countries

    The level of automobility, or travel in personal vehicles, varies among countries. By determining the factors besides economic development that have affected automobility in developed countries, researchers can predict how automobility might evolve in developing countries.

    Jul 15, 2014

  • Young woman texting in car

    Commentary

    What if Distracted Driving Was Safe?

    According to consumer research, the ability to consume media, write an email, or even sleep during transport is a key selling point for self-driving cars, which could be available in the near future. Autonomous vehicle technology could also produce a wide range of public benefits.

    Jul 1, 2014

Research conducted by