The Privatization of Roads and Highways - Ludwig von Mises Institute

382 The Privatization of Roads and Highways
transportation. Let us consider some specific difficulties with the
Reason analysis of roadways, along the lines mentioned above.
BIG RIGS
CRITIQUE
In June 2002, two Reason colleagues and I 10 accomplished the
seemingly impossible. We persuaded both the American Trucking
Associations and the National Safety Council—traditionally
on opposite sides of the fence over big-rigs known as Longer
Combination Vehicles—to endorse a concept we called Toll
Truckways. Our June 2002 report 11 proposed that these highly
productive trucks (long doubles and triples) be allowed to
operate into states where they are currently banned by federal
law, provided that they operate on new, barrier-separated
truck-only lanes designed for heavy-duty service. 12
One problem here is that Poole is functioning, not as a libertarian
critic of road socialism, but rather as and aid and abettor to
the planning authorities, a non-paid consultant as it were. It is
easy to imagine an analogous group functioning in the Soviet
Union, circa 1965, giving advice to the U.S.S.R. collectivized farm
bureaucrats, or to those in charge of that country’s steel mills.
Another difficulty is with Poole’s characterization of these
vehicles as “highly productive trucks.” They may well be just
that, as a means for transporting cargo, at least when compared
to carrying sacks on one’s back, or using bicycles, motorcycles,
cars or even smaller trucks. But, how about when contrasted to
railroad trains? Then it would appear, even to the meanest eye,
10This was written by Robert Poole, Director, Transportation Program,
Reason Public Policy Institute and Founder, Reason Foundation
(www.rppi.org/robert.html).
11www.rppi.org/ps294.pdf 12Robert Poole. See www.rppi.org/surfacetransportation14.html.