University Of Kentucky, Kentucky Transportation Center
Professor Garrett Hardin views man as incapable of managing any natural resource for the benefit of society. He refers to this as "The Tragedy of the Commons" since natural resources are typically held in common amongst the people of the world (or nations). The air we breathe and the water we drink are good examples of things held in "common". If anyone of us harms these resources we harm those of our neighbors also.
In many respects, this same philosophy might be applied to our transportation infrastructure which is widespread and considered as common property amongst all its users. Transportation is essential to our lifestyle, our economy, and our society in general. Without transportation we would be lost. Our economy would deteriorate, our standard of living would be reduced and many things that we take for granted, because of transportation, would disappear or become very costly.
Each of use assumes that the transportation system will always be at our service regardless of the care (or lack thereof) that we provide to it. We expect it to survive the onslaught of more cars and trucks without a responsible action to keep it in service. Like the air we breathe and the water we drink, our transportation system is being destroyed from over use and neglect. Who must assume the responsibility for restoring this critical elements of our society which is held in "common trust"?
The tragedy is that we know the remedy for this problem. We need to invest in and manage this critical resource -- today, tomorrow and into the future. If we don't then the real "Tragedy of the Commons" will be upon us all.
