This book's main purpose is to sketch briefly the development of the transportation systems of the United States and to indicate their importance and mutual relations. It also presents some practical methods used in the operation of highway transport.

The purpose of this study was to provide the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) with specific research recommendations designed to develop a better understanding of a broad range of societal, economic, and institutional factors that affect--and are affected by--the nation's highway transportation system. The report is organized in four chapters and six appendices.

"TRB Special Report 292 ... recommends the creation of an independent scientific advisory committee (SAC). The SAC would be charged with development of a transparent process for identifying and prioritizing research needs and opportunities in highway safety, with emphasis on infrastructure and operations, and using the process developed to recommend a national research agenda focused on highway infrastructure and operations safety. The report also explores opportunities to improve the quality of highway safety research." -- publisher's website.