Anglo/US research co-operation
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• Mr. John A. Volpe, American Secretary for Transportation gave a press conference at the US Embassy last week, following talks with Mr. Fred IVIulley, the new Minister of Transport, and other Ministers and officials.
Research collaboration between the two countries was the theme of his discussions with Ministers, said Mr. Volpe. There had already been a fruitful exchange of staff at official level, with an executive of the Bureau of Public Roads working in London and a top air traffic control specialist from England working in Washington. The joint utilization of technical and research forces in the field of urban transport would be mutually profitable. His department and the Ministry of Technology intended to exchange memoranda outlining possible areas of research collaboration, for example in the field of aircraft noise in the supersonic aircraft era.
Questions put to Mr. Volpe covered the whole gamut of modern transport developments and it was evident that there were many common problems, particularly in the field of urban commuter traffic. Road pricing as a means of restricting traffic to what the streets could carry was being considered in both countries: he shared Mr. Mulley's hope that other solutions, such as extended underground railway or vacuum tube systems would prove practicable.
Large suburban car parks with mini-bus services to connect with public transport services were envisaged and research was continuing on guided bus systems linking with subway lines.
Mr. Volpe stressed that all modes of transport should be developed to maximum efficiency because he was advised that in the next 20 years America would require to double its present transport resources. There would be more than enough traffic for everyone.
President Nixon, said Mr. Volpe, had asked for a national transportation plan to be prepared and this was well advanced. There was a "trend towards regional organization of transport modes; one proposal envisaged 10 main centres in the US in which principal cities would service transport, health, welfare and commerce facilities.