Why We Should Improve Roads? (Annotated Bibliography Sample)

Why We Should Improve Roads?

Stevens, Monae. “New Study Shows Arkansas Roads Are in Poor Condition.” Https://Www.kait8.Com, 17 Sept. 2020, www.kait8.com/2020/09/16/new-study-shows-arkansas-roads-are-poor-condition/.
Monae’s article presents a report on the transportation conditions in the state of Arkansas. According to the article, TRIP, a national non-profit transportation research organization’s study on the road conditions in Arkansas shows that the roads require significant improvement due to their poor conditions. TRIP’s report indicates that more than half of the roads in Arkansas have inadequate safety features which contribute to the increased rates of traffic fatalities. For instance, 24% of the roads in Jonesboro City are either in poor or tolerable condition while around 5% of the bridges are structurally deficient. As a result, there is a need for infrastructural improvement in Arkansas to cater to the needs of the growing city, including making room for economic expansion and growth. Finally, Monae is a professional KAIT TV journalist who holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication and Information Science from the University of Alabama and relies on TRIP’s primary data, making the article a credible source.
Writer, Keith InmanSun Staff. “Bad Roads Costly to Drivers, Group Reports.” Jonesboro Sun, 18 Sept. 2020, https://www.jonesborosun.com/news/bad-roads-costly-to-drivers-group-reports/article_ce27d0f8-80d0-550d-908e-0558aeeecc04.html.
Inman’s article discusses the financial costs incurred by motorists due to the poor state of roads in the State of Arkansas. Based on the TRIP organization report, the deteriorated roads and bridges combined with congestion and inadequate desirable safety measures cost motorists approximately $3.3 billion annually across the state due to the increased vehicle operating costs, delays resulting from congestion, and traffic crashes. Notably, the report shows that over half the major roads in the state are either in deplorable or mediocre condition while 5% of the state and locally maintained bridges measuring 20 feet are either poor or structurally deficient. Consequently, due to the poor state of the roads, 2551 people died between 2014 and 2018. As a result, the report calls for a more equitable and rational approach to road transportation maintenance and stress the need for increased investment in transportation improvement to relieve traffic congestions, improve road/bridge/transit condition, enhance safety and boost long-term economic growth in Arkansas and nationally. Lastly, Inman being one of the main Staff Writers for Sun Magazine, makes him an authoritative source of information.
Jonesboro Metropolitan Planning Organization. Jonesboro Metropolitan Planning Organization 2030 Long Range Transportation Plan. Jonesboro Metropolitan Planning Organization, 2005.
The Metropolitan Planning Organization MPO report presents a Long Range Transportation Plan to meet the challenges of the anticipated economic changes and growth in Jonesboro. The plan identifies short and long-range needs in transportation investments for the maintenance and improvement of roads and public transit in the region and develops plans to improve bicycle and pedestrian facilities along with the needed funding to implement the plans. According to the report, Jonesboro and its neighboring towns and counties are in a period of change due to the significant gradual population growth and anticipated economic growth and diversification, which necessitates the improvement of the transportation system to meet the community and regional needs. Importantly, the 2030 Long Range Transportation Plan assesses the implications of the major planned transportation investments in the region, including the widening of major arterial streets, construction of railway overpasses and interchanges, creation of sidewalk construction programs for the City, and implementation of the proposed transit service. Generally, the Long Range Transportation Plan is an important initiative to meet the demands of the significant population increase and the projected economic changes in Jonesboro.