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Generating Alternative Financing Models for Urban Transportation: An Application of the Idea Machine

by John W. Dickey, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA,
David R. Golay, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Managing Urban Transportation as a Business

Abstract:

The purpose of this research was to examine how localities in Virginia could obtain funds for urban highway construction and maintenance, and indirectly, for mass transit from the so-called 'excess revenues' generated by Senate Bill 79. Later discussions will detail this legislation; however, the basic thrust is to increase revenue collections by raising certain taxes and fees. The 'excess revenues' generated by these increases would be placed in a special fund, the Critical Highway Construction Projects Fund, to be distributed to the various highway districts to fund 'critical' highway needs. A second aspect of this research was the application of techniques for computer-assisted creativity. The Idea Machine (TIM) is a forerunner of systems which can be utilized to aid the user in generating unique and innovative ideas to a given problem, goal, or objective. In general, TIM allows the user to define a given aim, choose a set of words to describe the aim, and then search a series of databases for related concepts. Once matches have been identified between the words and the concepts, the user is aided in developing ideas based on these concepts, by means of analogy.

Subject Headings: Infrastructure construction | Financing | Construction equipment | Urban areas | Urban and regional development | Revenues | Public transportation | Virginia | United States

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