Despite the DOT's accomplishments, many problems still plague America's transportation systems. For example, the nation still depends on foreign oil to fuel its motor vehicles. In the 1970's, the department set a uniform maximum speed limit of 55 iles perhours and advocated the se of commuter carpools to conserve fuel and thereby to reduce America's dependence on foreign oil. When the world's oil prices and supplies stabilized in the late 1980's, the public demanded higher speed limits, and Congress passed legislation permitting traffic to travel at 65 miles per hour on some of the country's highways. Nevertheless, the DOT continues to explore alternative ways to fuel motor vehicles in case the nation faces another oil shortage in the future.
Economic problem will continue to concern the DOT. Developing and improving transportation systems requires billions of dollars in funding. But as Congress tries to trim the huge federal deficit, the DOT will complete with other government agencies for available funds. Anticipating such problem, the DOT has tried to cut internal cost; its 1987 budget request was nearly $8 billon less than its appropriation.
Advances in transportation will also challenge the department. New forms of transportation are sure to replace odder methods, just as railroads replaced canal boat in the 19th century. These new transportation system with create new problem. Space travel, for example, could become relatively common in the 21st century. The department may be expected to regulate such travel and to coordinate its efforts with other nations.
In addition, technological advances will affect the DOT's future. Some analysts perdict that improvements in telecommunications such as videoetext (communication technology that allows people to see an image as well as hear a voice over the telephone lines)-will reduce the need for travel, particularly business travel.
Finally, American attitudes and public opinion will certainly play a role in deciding the course of the department's future.the public determines the popularity of different forms of transportation. It also makes clear what types of regulation are necessary and when they should be implemented. In 1986, a DOT survey revealed that most Americans dislike excessive regulation and prefer innovative programs, such as fuel-efficient automobiles, to mandatory solution, such as gas rationing. The department's future programs will need to respond to these attitudes.
The DOT has assumed hundreds of different jobs while regulating the quality and growth of national transportation. It researches the viability of future transportation methods, while examining the continued efficiency of existing systems. The department also attends to specific goals of the president and congress, while heeding public opinion. It sets safety and environmental standards, while debating the merits of greater speed and convenience in transportation systems. These factors will help shape the DOT's future efforts and programs. Technological innovations, economic demands, and public preferences will determine how the nation uses its transportation systems. These systems will continue to develop as they always have-in response to the nation's changing needs
