Highway Transportation Law

Prof. Alan PalmiterOctober 28, 2010

Suburban Sprawl(street density map)

New highways …

How do cases get to US Supreme Court?

Citizens to Preserve Overton Park v. Volpe (US 1971)

• Facts– Controversy– Procedural history

• Issue (federal transportation statutes)– Argument of plaintiffs-petitioners – Argument of defendants-

respondents• Rule / holding• Analysis

– Statutory analysis– Discretion of regulatory agency

• Conclusion (affirm, reverse, remand)

New ideas …

1. SAFETEA: • Exclusion by states from NEPA

review• Waiver for park-impact studies

2. Paying for highways• Use fees (rather than gas taxes)• Toll roads: transponders• Exemptions for electric cars