Outgoing AASHTO Director Frank Francois Gives Top 10 Predictions for the 21st Century

delivered at his farewell speech, January 12, 1999, Washington, DC

from On the Move, Spring (March) Quarter 1999, Volume 12, Number 1

  1. Transportation will remain vital to improving citizen's lifestyles and the economy;
  2. Many of the current problems facing the transportation community will demand solutions, and they will be found. Such remedies are essential, or the country's progress will cease;
  3. Highways and roads will continue to be the core of the transportation system, and must be properly maintained;
  4. Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) technology and revitalized transit systems will also help to address the country's transportation problems;
  5. The current renaissance of the railroads will continue, and will help in improving freight movement;
  6. Intermodalism will continue to be a key issues, and will demand a new way of thinking about transportation;
  7. Environmental impacts will be mitigated through improved technologies;
  8. The electronic movement of information will help to move people and goods more efficiently in the future, in ways that cannot be imagined at this time;
  9. State departments of transportation will be at the vital center of transportation, with the ability to make and implement transportation decisions at the state level; and
  10. Research will continue to play a vital role in order to continue to find improvements in transportation.