overview
Transportation is essential for rural economic development. Transportation in rural areas today is in transition. Deregulation, devolution (The transfer of program responsibility from the Federal Government to State, regional, or local governments), and growth in traffic over the last 25 years are affecting the ability of rural communities to link to jobs, markets, and other opportunities found outside the local community. Beginning in 1978 with the Airline Deregulation Act, all transportation modes have been deregulated under Federal statutes. Rail, intercity bus, and motor carriers followed the airlines, with most Federal regulations sharply reduced or eliminated by the mid-1990's. Federal control over national roadways also has changed dramatically with passage of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) in 1991. More overview...

contents

• Infrastructure—highways, rail, waterways, airports
• Services and deregulation—passenger mobility, trucking, airline service, rail freight service

features
Public Transportation on the Move in Rural America—This report explores the usage of public transportation services in nonmetro America. The discussion highlights that some rapid-growth nonmetro communities have been relatively heavy users of public transportation services, which tends to promote economic efficiency and growth, while mitigating the ill-effects of sprawl. Poorer nonmetro communities, and/or those with large concentrations of other transit-dependent individuals (the disabled, the elderly, carless individuals) and areas suffering from high levels of unemployment can also benefit from transit because it promotes economic well-being and reduces economic and social inequalities. However, most rural places do not have significant access to transit.

Moving Rural Residents to Work: Lessons Learned from Eight Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) Projects—The JARC program was established in 1998 to assist States and localities to develop transportation services to connect welfare recipients and other low-income residents to jobs and support programs. This study documents case studies of eight rural areas receiving JARC funding in 1999. It highlights specific program elements, including the implementation process, transportation services provided, and the solutions developed to deal with the challenges of distance and low population densities that rural transit systems frequently face.

Rural Governments Face Public Transportation Challenges and Opportunities—This article, in the February 2004 issue of Amber Waves, describes some of the challenges and opportunities rural communities face in providing public transportation services to low-income individuals. Specific mention is made of the Department of Transportation Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) program, designed to transport recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and low-income residents to jobs, training, and other social services. JARC also encourages development of transit services in new areas or expansion of existing services by complementing the transportation assistance from service agencies, such as those providing health care, education, and child support to rural residents.

Transportation Toolbox for Small Areas and Rural Communities—This web-based toolbox provides quick access to transportation information for community leaders interested in improving their transportation system. The toolbox includes information on funding, technical assistance, and links to databases, transportation networks, and other resources available to rural communities.

Transportation in Rural America: Issues for the 21st Century—Transportation in rural America over the past 25 years has been transformed by deregulation, devolution of Federal responsibilities to State and local governments, and high traffic growth during the 1990's. All modes of transportation, including highways, passenger service, trucking, inland waterways, and rail freight service have been affected. Transportation is key to rural economic development as it links rural residents with jobs and services and connects rural industries to markets. Yet, rural transportation continues to face higher commuting and shipping costs caused by dispersed population and industry.

recommended readings
The Impact of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) on Rural Areas: Changes in Road and Bridge Conditions—This report examines the impact of ISTEA, legislation enacting major changes in transportation programs and policy, on rural areas.

"When Rural Communities Lose Passenger Rail Service"—This article explores options available to communities that have lost rail service.

Will Increased Highway Funding Help Rural Areas?—This report discusses the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) and how it might affect rural development.

See all recommended readings…

recommended data products
Enhanced quality of life for rural Americans: recommended data products—Includes a range of national, State, county and tract-level data products that may be of use to those interested and involved in rural transportation.

recent research developments
The Nation's inland waterway system provides a low-cost means of transporting bulky goods over long distances. Inland waterways are critical in moving farm commodities, inputs, and other raw materials. For more information, see the article The Nation's Inland Waterway System and Rural America and a larger version of the map below.

related briefing rooms

• Land use
• Measuring rurality
• Rural industry
• Rural population and migration
• Infrastructure and rural development policy
• Federal funds

related links
Bureau of Transportation Statistics—Provides data, graphs, charts and other related material on nationwide transportation statistics.

Transportation Research Board—A National Academy of Sciences affiliate that conducts research concerning the nature and performance of transportation systems and provides an international forum for transportation professionals.

Transportation Research Information Services (TRIS)—Provides a bibliographic database with more than 400,000 records of published transportation research jointly sponsored by the Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academies and the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, and the U.S. Deptartment of Transportation.

See all related links…

maps and images gallery

• Funding for Federal development grant programs
• Rural highway bridges by State, 2001
• Percent of rural bridges that are deficient by State, 2001
• Communities with Amtrak service
• Average commute times in nonmetro counties, 2000
• Index of rural public transit service
• Railroad miles in the U.S., selected years, 1916-2000
• Rural road mileage by ownership, 2000

for more information, contact: Dennis Brown or Eileen Stommes
web administration: webadmin@ers.usda.gov
page updated: June 3, 2004