10/30/03 3:25:00 PM
To: National Desk, Transportation and Environment reporters
Contact: Alan Martin, 312-502-2201, or Jack Saporito, 847-506-0670
CHICAGO, Oct. 30 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The U.S. government has
established a "pre-emptive strike" policy on airport
expansions that threatens the very well being of its citizens without
sufficient scientific and economic proof, according to a new report,
"How Can the Government Justify Expanding Airport Capacity to Solve
an Overcapacity Problem?" by Peter Martin and Alan Martin.
The report examines this question in detail, considering both the
airline industry and the interactions of the airport industry, along
with the "enablers": big business, politicians, and government
agencies.
According to the authors, the supposed government protectors of the
citizens, including the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration), the EPA
(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency), and Congress, are ineffective
due to well-funded airline industry lobbies and political contributions.
As a result, airline and airport growth is the priority, not citizens'
health, safety, quality of life, nor adequate transportation needs.
There are solutions, such as high-speed rail, teleconferencing using
high speed Internet service, fast ships, and "Wayports."
Unfortunately, the authors say, the government has put constraints on
them and has provided limited funding for high-speed rail to ensure it
will not be competitive against the airline industry. Why is this, when
it is well-known that in Europe, Japan and other countries, high-speed
rail works? Why is it that European inter-modal transportation systems
are perhaps decades ahead of the U.S.?
The numbers show existing airports are not major economic engines in
driving future growth; why then is Washington pushing massive system
expansion? According to the report, it's all about money.
The report's goal is to provide the reader with a solid basis of
understanding of the many issues, challenge the reader to become better
educated on significant airline/airport pollution & health problems,
and to ask questions of their government representatives.
The entire report can be obtained by calling 630-415-3370 or free
online at http://www.areco.org/.
http://www.usnewswire.com/
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/© 2003 U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770/
