present rates will range well above 5 million units. With a substantial allowance for vehicles taken out of service, the increase of vehicles in use, if it could be formed into a moving column, would stretch over 27,000 miles, or once around the world at the equator and 3,000 miles further on a second lap. The use of motor vehicles is the direct support of three of our major industries, without reference to the ancillary spread into numerous other elements of our economy. It seems unnecessary to argue that the annual addition of increments to overloaded and hence unsafe highways, cannot be continued at current rates without major enlargements and increases in the highway systems.
Because of the concentration of traffic on the interstate highway system the deficiencies are acute, particularly within the urban areas, but these inadequacies extend to the remaining mileage of the Federal-aid system, rural and urban, to many miles of the secondary Federal-aid system, and to other roads not included. If we are to have roads that are safe, and if we are to obtain the utility of the motor vehicle with economy, it is necessary to have a program of reconstruction, rehabilitation, and extension of highways consistent with the number and types of motor vehicles now in service, to which extraordinary additions are being constantly made.
The program substantially based on these requirements is clearly set forth in this report.
The report is the fourth in a series made at the direction of the Congress: Toll Roads and Free Roads, April 1939; Highways for the National Defense, February 1941; Interregional Highways, January 1944; and Highway Needs of the National Defense, the present report.
Together these reports provide a historical review of the growthand changing characteristics of our highways in relation to our whole national economy, during both peace and war, and a projection of future necessities based on solid facts whose authenticity cannot be called into question.
They demonstrate the ability of State governments and the Federal Government to cooperate in a study of national problems which have both local and national significance. The contributions of the State highway departments to this report in scope and content reflect a maturing of scientific precision in dealing with the problems. Their cooperation and aid are gratefully acknowledged.
I recommend that this report be placed before the President for transmission to the Congress for consideration of the factual evidence present as a basis for future highway programs,
Very respectfully,
Thos. H. MacDonald,
Commissioner of Public Roads.
