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A TIME FOR ACTION

This new systems study has provided two valuable insights af- fecting possible approaches to selving ban transportation problemis.

First, action is possible. Although the chan mass transporta- tion industry has had difficulty in supporting extensive research and development, technology in related fields is available for direct transfer and application to the needs of urban transit. Other new technological advances have been devised in labora tories around the country. American industry and business are ready to respond to the great domestic challenge of the cities, The scientific and technical community, both as individuals and as companies, has expressed a readiness to attack the challenge of metropolitan transportation given leadership, direction, and adequate funding.

Second, action at this time is likely to be fruitful. After dec- ades of trying to solve their transport problems by building only highways, cities across the Nation are beginning to realize that public transportation is an absolutely essential balancing com- ponent of sensible urban planning. The Model Cities pros gram, the production of 6 million units of low and moderate cost housing called for in the President's state of the union message, the building of new communities and an adequate in- frastructure for rebuilding the second America and preserving the quality of urban life all depend on adequate urban to ins portation systems. The cities, in short, now want to act.