As we at the Sierra Club like to point out, the answers you get depend on the questions you ask. In Oklahoma, transportation planners, politicians, survey-takers and news reporters like to ask: "Do you think traffic congestion is a serious problem?" Naturally, most people say yes, and the natural conclusion we draw is "we need more roads."

Now consider a more specific follow-up question: "Would you rather improve roads, have a better mass transit system, or implement transportation demand management (TDM) programs?" Since many Oklahomans haven't experienced the benefits of having a good mass transit system, they're unlikely to choose it. Further, although TDM is an important option, most people have never heard of it and will therefore choose "improving roads" (See Concerns and recommendations, for more information on TDM). This is how transportation choices are generally framed for Oklahomans.

But what if the choices are presented more realistically? Consider: "Would you rather spend government transportation money widening roads to achieve moderate and temporary reductions in traffic congestion, while bearing numerous sizable but hidden economic, social and environmental costs, or would you rather invest in a more balanced transportation system?" In this case the public's preference for road building may disappear.

Why don't Oklahoma "experts" and media solicit public opinion on transportation issues in a broader, more informative way? Several explanations are possible: 1) they're unaware of or don't understand the alternatives, 2) they want to continue what's been done in the past, 3) they believe alternatives aren't realistic for Oklahoma, and therefore don't care what the public thinks, 4) they're slyly "prompting" for the answers they want.
Or is it something else? Judge that for yourself, but this much is certain: investing transportation money only in more roads causes excessive car-dependence, making the general public worse off than we'd be with a more balanced transportation system.

Let's broaden our horizons. Let's learn more about alternatives to road-building, and demand that our public officials give them serious consideration.

Return to the Oklahoma Sierra Club Chapter home page.