Page:America's Highways 1776–1976.djvu/307

 the full advantage of modern traffic engineering techniques, due primarily to lack of funds. To alleviate these conditions, $200 million was authorized for each of fiscal years 1970 and 1971, with the normal matching rates. And the Act required that projects to be included in the program be based on the results of the “3C” process.

The TOPICS program was slow in getting started, and complaints were heard that the requirement for relation to the nature and cost of the projects. Be- studies prescribed by the Act was too exacting in yond that, the "3C" process applied to urbanized areas (those with populations of 50,000 or more), and the TOPICS program was applicable to all urban areas, so many new studies had to be undertaken. Subsequently, the authorizing legislation was amended to require the application of the “3C” process only to projects within the urbanized areas.

This is South Street in Pittsfleld, Mass., which has been improved under the TOPICS program. Items eligible for such funding include construction of the islands and smoother alinement, installation of signals and lights, pavement markings for left and right turns and crosswalks, and channelization for turning traffic, all of which improve traffic flow and safety.

By 1970 urban pressures had become still heavier, and calls for Federal aid for public transportation in the larger cities were becoming louder and stronger. Many voices urged diverting funds from the Highway Trust Fund to aid mass transportation, particularly rail rapid transit where capital costs were so high. Congress responded in small measure through the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1970 in two specific