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Jun 6, 2008 8:38 AM

An alliance of regional and state government, finance, academic, and private industry leaders have formed a coalition to promote utilizing a combination of public and private-sector solutions for the US transportation system.

The coalition members include Richard Gephardt, former congressman and consultant for Goldman Sachs; Barry McCaffrey, retired Army general; Ned Holmes, Texas transportation commissioner; Joseph Giglio, Northeastern University professor; and Thomas Riehle, a pollster.

According to the coalition information, the efforts will include educating Americans about the benefits of new transportation delivery options, and garnering support for innovative financing techniques as a part of a diverse strategy that will meet America’s transportation needs today and in the future.

The coalition is urging Congress to consider alternatives to increasing the federal gasoline tax, such as tolling, congestion pricing, HOT lanes, vehicle miles traveled pricing, and a range of other public private partnership mechanisms. The business strategy must also include a focus on customer service that emphasizes reduced door-to-door travel time, greater travel time reliability, and smoother transition between various modes of transportation.

In addition, the group wants the future transportation system to aggressively advance the adoption of new intelligent transportation system technologies, while maintaining the flexibility to adapt to emerging technologies.