Are Transportation Planning Views Shared by Engineering Students and the Public?

This article examines the consensus and divergence in transportation policy preferences among U.S. transportation planning students, engineering students, and the general public. It finds strong agreement within planning students on policies such as expanding transit, reducing driving, and strengthening environmental regulations, while engineering students and the public show more support for road widening and less agreement on reducing driving or raising gas taxes. These differences persist even after controlling for demographics and political ideology, suggesting that distinct disciplinary pedagogies shape these views. Key divergences relate to foundational beliefs about induced demand, transportation history, and the potential for systemic change. The study highlights implications for transportation education, recommending that planning and engineering curricula address these gaps to better prepare students for interdisciplinary collaboration and public engagement.