David J. Forkenbrock
2004
In March 2002, the Iowa Transportation Commission requested that the Public Policy Center develop a strategic plan to help guide it in making major road investments. We took the approach that any potential transportation improvement should be evaluated on the basis of its capability to aid the state in pursuing particular policy goals. The three major policy goals we explored were:
- promoting economic development,
- encouraging sensible urban development patterns, and
- contributing to an improved quality of life.
Following publication of Policy Strategies for Iowa in Making Major Road Investments, the Commission asked us to do two things. First, we were asked to continue our research and consider transportation modes other than roads; second, the Commission asked us to take our ideas to representative groups across Iowa. The second element was included to see how Iowans would respond to the general policy directions advanced in the Policy Strategies monograph and to search for further ways to make transportation a positive feature of the state.
Working with the Commission, we identified nine communities in which to conduct focus group meetings. They included five metropolitan areas-Cedar Rapids, Council Bluffs, Davenport, Des Moines, and Sioux City-and four smaller communities-Charles City, Creston, Mount Pleasant, and Spencer. Each focus group meeting lasted three hours and explored the three general policy areas listed above. Several commissioners and Iowa Department of Transportation staff observed each meeting.
Participants in the focus group meetings included people with expertise in different aspects of the economy from both the public and private sectors, people interested in the role of transportation in bringing about sensible urban land use patterns, and people with varied perspectives on how transportation investments can best contribute to an enhanced quality of life for different groups of Iowans. The discussions brought to light a series of issues and options that are examined in this monograph.
The monograph is structured around overarching policy issues in the following manner. First, building on the Policy Strategies monograph, we define each policy issue and discuss how transportation can play a role in addressing it. Perspectives of focus group participants are discussed, in light of the circumstances facing the state. We also examine available data pertaining to the issue. Finally, we tie together all of this information and make several specific recommendations regarding each policy issue. The recommendations combine the analysis of available data with insights derived from the focus group meetings.
In summary, our main objective was to provide the Iowa Transportation Commission with the best possible insights to help guide it when making investment decisions that will be important factors in Iowa's quality of life in future years.
$17.95, 97 pp., 12 figures, 7 tables, perfect binding
ISBN 0-87414-147-8