As the talks of tariffs continue to make the world news, it should come as no surprise that transportation infrastructure costs are also areas of concerns. As companies of all sizes reevaluate the prices that they may soon be paying for goods that come into the country, the purpose of transportation planning and its costs is even more important. Every extra tax and every extra cost of shipping effects the price of the goods that people buy, and if prices increase many retailers feel that sales will slow.
A growing number of businesses are looking toward transportation planning firms to help them decide on the most cost effective way to get the goods that they need. From the toys that will be on the shelves at Christmas this year to the furniture that people will buy next summer, everything is affected by the costs of transportation infrastructure. Ships, planes, trucks, and trains all play a role in getting the goods that Americans have in their homes and in their offices.
One layer below all of these costs that are figured into the prices that we pay, of course, are the roadway designs, the bridges, and every other kind of street and track that is needed to complete any and all of these deliveries. As the nation continues to debate the costs of any tariff increases, both local and state governments are faced with an aging transportation infrastructure. Without the scheduled repairs and improvements, in fact, many of the necessary deliveries become even more costly.
Repairing and Replacing America’s Roads Is No Small Task
The cost of urban development is often predictable, but the costs of road repairs can be a number that is difficult to determine. Given the weather from one year to the next, for example, a road repair that should have lasted five years may need to be addressed again within 24 months.
In addition to the financial costs of transportation, there are also other important factors that depend on the upkeep of the nation’s roads. One of the more frightening statistics is that nearly 33% of all highway fatalities are related to substandard road conditions, obsolete road designs, or roadside hazards. When a city or state is found at fault, the legal implications can be even more damaging than what the original costs would have been.
Although the majority of travel takes place on roads, another continuing problem in America are bridges. in fact, the latest research indicates that as many as 25% of bridges in the U.S. need significant repairs or are handling more traffic than they were designed to carry.
As noted, a complicated combination of tariffs and transportation infrastructure plays a role in the price that consumers pay for the things that they want. Finding solutions to fair trade agreements and road construction needs alike play an important part in the economy of this and every nation.