In the United States, most long-distance trips begin in one metropolitan region and end in another less than 500 miles away.  Recent developments, such as the emergence of express bus lines like Megabus and BoltBus and California’s plan to invest in a new high-speed rail line spanning the state, emphasize the importance of interregional travel. 

A new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine reviews the demand for interregional travel in the U.S. by automobile, airplane, bus, and train and examines the uncertainties that arise in supplying transportation services and infrastructure to accommodate it.

The report finds that appropriate analytical tools and up-to-date data on long-distance travel are lacking, which complicates decisions about how to invest in the country’s interregional corridors in ways that will serve future travelers effectively and protect the environment, enhance safety, and curb energy use.  In addition, there are significant gaps in the decision-making capacity itself,largely because transportation funding sources and institutions do not align well with the country’s interregional corridors, which can span multiple states.

The committee that conducted the study and wrote the report also considered relevant cases in other countries and found that interregional transportation experiences in Europe and Japan can inform U.S. transportation infrastructure decisions, particularly with regard to when and where to invest in intercity passenger rail.

The report includes recommendations for actions by the U.S. Department of Transportation regarding data collection and state incentives, in order to create a more rational and coordinated process for developing the nation’s interregional transportation systems.

The report, Interregional Travel: A New Perspective for Policy Making, is available for immediate release.  To obtain a copy or attend the session, reporters should contact the Office of News and Public Information; tel. 202-334-2138 or email news@nas.edu.