URBAN PLANNING PROBLEMS

Abstract

DATA COLLECTED BY HIGHWAY PLANNING SURVEYS IN MICHIGAN WERE IMPORTANT IN REACHING VITAL DECISIONS RELATIVE TO RURAL HIGHWAY PLANNING. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT HIGHWAY PLANNING SURVEYS MUST BE USED FOR THE MORE COMPLEX URBAN CONDITIONS INVOLVED IN URBAN HIGHWAY PLANNING. THROUGH THE USE OF HIGHWAY PLANNING SURVEY DATA FOR ADMINISTRATIVE PURPOSES, THE DEPARTMENT RECOGNIZED THE NEED FOR A STUDY OF HIGHWAY NEEDS AND FINANCES. ORIGIN-DESTINATION TRAFFIC SURVEYS ARE ONE OF THE USEFUL TOOLS. EACH URBAN TRANSPORTATION PROBLEM IS PRIMARILY A LOCAL PROBLEM THAT CAN BE SOLVED MOST SATISFACTORILY BY LOCAL ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION WITH COUNSEL AND ASSISTANCE BY THE STATE. HOWEVER, THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT NEEDS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE IN PLANNING, ENABLING LEGISLATION, AND FINANCIAL AID. SOUND ARTERIAL PLANNING IS A BASIC ELEMENT IN ANY PRACTICAL CITY PLAN. AN ARTERIAL PLAN MUST BE BASED ON A THOROUGH STUDY AND COMPREHENSIVE UNDERSTANDING OF THE TRAFFIC REQUIREMENTS OF THE COMMUNITY, ITS PEOPLE, AND ITS BUSINESS.