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Transportation

As every sector of the global economy and nearly every facet of modern society undergo digital transformation, ITIF advocates for policies that spur not just the development of IT innovations, but more importantly their adoption and use throughout the economy. ITIF's work in this area examines how IT can transform not just our vehicles but our entire transportation infrastructure.

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How Applying ‘Buy America’ Provisions to IT Undermines Infrastructure Goals

How Applying ‘Buy America’ Provisions to IT Undermines Infrastructure Goals

Because the cost of producing IT products is lower overseas, applying Buy America provisions to IT components of projects underwritten by the infrastructure bill will raise costs, reduce infrastructure build, and delay project completion—all without creating any net new jobs.

A Policymaker’s Guide to Road User Charges

A Policymaker’s Guide to Road User Charges

A national “road user charge” system would ensure that everyone who drives on America’s roads contributes their fair share of the infrastructure costs.

A Policymaker’s Guide to Connected Cars

A Policymaker’s Guide to Connected Cars

While there is much excitement about autonomous vehicles, connected vehicles hold much more promise over the next decade or so. However, absent proactive public policies, especially to enable infrastructure to “talk” to vehicles, the development and adoption of connected vehicles will be suboptimal.

More Publications and Events

July 19, 2023|Presentations

Innovation Highway: Unlocking the Social and Economic Benefits of Autonomous Vehicles

Daniel Castro speaks about autonomous vehicle adoption at an event hosted by U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

April 24, 2023|Op-Eds & Contributed Articles

Technology Investments Should Be a Priority in Rail Safety Act

Congress should include support for autonomous track geometry measurement system in the Railways Safety Act to prevent future accidents. By investing in the development and testing of innovative technologies, Congress can help ensure that the nation’s rail system is safe and reliable.

September 23, 2022|Testimonies & Filings

Comments to the Federal Railroad Administration Regarding Train Crew Size Safety Requirements

The proposed rule, while written to suggest that it will enable rail innovation and the operation of less-than-two-person crews, will in fact likely stifle continued rail innovation and limit any expansion of one-person crews and the economic productivity that generates.

June 13, 2022|Blogs

If Congress Wants to Help American Workers, It Should Not Require Two-Person Train Crews

As technology such as Positive Train Control systems has improved, and further advances in autonomous systems look promising, freight rail companies would like the flexibility of operating trains with less than two operators, not so they can raise profits, but so they can reduce prices to better compete with the trucking sector.

April 18, 2022|Podcasts

Podcast: The Future of Buying Cars, With Daniel Crane

One of the benefits of electric vehicles is they cost less to maintain. But that also means there’s less profit to be had in servicing their warranties, which gives car dealers less incentive to sell them. That’s why EV makers like Tesla and Rivian depend on direct-to-consumer sales and distribution. Unfortunately, there are decades-old dealer-distribution laws standing in the way.

April 4, 2022|Blogs

U.S. Should Stop Delaying Deployment of Autonomous Track Inspection

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) recently denied a U.S. freight railroad permission to use autonomous track inspection technology, a loss for those promoting greater use of automation to enhance rail safety and lower costs in the supply chain.

September 9, 2021|Events

Packaging Postal Reform for the E-Commerce Era

ITIF hosted an expert panel discussion on postal reform legislation, and how to ensure the continued viability of USPS as a deliverer of both mail and packages.

May 10, 2021|Reports & Briefings

“Building Back Better” Requires Building In Digital

Any national infrastructure package should include 21st century digital infrastructure—not only investments in core digital infrastructure, such as broadband and government IT systems, but also hybrid-digital upgrades to existing physical infrastructure to improve its performance.

May 10, 2021|Presentations

Expert Q&A: VMT Fee Transition and Implementation

Rob Atkinson particpated in a an expert Q&A panel on VMT fee transition and implementation hosted by the Bipartisan Policy Center.

April 26, 2021|Reports & Briefings

Heading Off Track: The Impact of China’s Mercantilist Policies on Global High-Speed Rail Innovation

Chinese high-speed rail firm CRRC is less innovative than European and Japanese firms, but mercantilist policies help it dominate in China and expand globally. This starves superior firms of revenue, reduces their R&D, and slows the pace of global innovation.

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