Foreseeing the Impact of Transformational Technologies on Land Use and Transportation

In the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) report 924, titled Foreseeing the Impact of Transformational Technologies on Land Use and Transportation, new transportation-related technologies are reviewed and their applications in the transportation sector are explored. The potential impacts on areas such as travel, land use, and planning projects are discussed and recommendations are made to help agencies plan for these technologies. This report provides advice on how state and local agencies can address transformational technologies in their policies, planning, processes, and products.

“It has become apparent that:

  1. Public agencies have less control than they used to over the transportation system 
  2. Agencies cannot wait five years between updates to their plans and procedures.”

Two Chapters of Special Note

The chapter titled A New Mindset for Planning outlines a suggested approach for agencies to stay apace with the impact that new technologies will have on transportation.

Circle Diagram Displaying MS2's Be Nimble approach

MS2’s Perspective on NCHRP’s New Mindset for Planning

The chapter titled Characteristics of New Technologies is of special interest, as it includes a discussion of the following transformational technologies:

  • Personal Communication Devices
  • Active Transportation Technologies
  • Vehicle-Related Technologies
  • Alternative Fuel Vehicles
  • Self-Driving Vehicles
  • Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
  • Infrastructure Technologies for Highways, Roadways, and Parking systems

Report Contents

The following content is included in this 155-page report:

  • PART I - Research Overview
    • Summary
    • Chapter 1 - Introduction
    • Chapter 2 - Land Use, Transportation, Technology
    • Chapter 3 - Characteristics of New Technologies
    • Chapter 4 - A New Mindset for Planning
    • Chapter 5 - Self-Assessment
    • Chapter 6 - Improve Planning Tools and Processes
    • Chapter 7 - Monitor to Stay Informed
    • Chapter 8 - Get Smart, Get the Expertise
    • Chapter 9 - Be Nimble
    • Chapter 10  -Example Agency Responses
    • Chapter 11 - Conclusion
  • PART II - Desk Reference on Transformational Technologies
    • Chapter 1 - Overview
    • Chapter 2 - Characteristics of New Technologies
    • Chapter 3 - Applications of New Technologies
  • PART III - Reference Materials

Click here to download the complete NCHRP Report 924.

Click here to read our latest blog post about MS2’s perspective on NCHRP’s new mindset for planning.