Reference no: EM131536846

Opinion based question 50 word answer is suffice (see question below the reading)

Over the last 10 years the federal government has dramatically increased the number of regulations pertaining to transportation security and the effects of transportation on theenvironment. After the terrorist attack on the United States on September 11, 2001, theDepartment of Homeland Security (DHS) was established. Within the DHS is the Trans-portation Security Administration, which is responsible for implementing regulations toprotect the safety of passengers using the U.S. airline industry. These regulations requirepassengers to be screened for illegal items before they enplane, limit the size and natureof items in carry-on luggage, and provide guidelines for more intense scrutiny of ran-domly selected passengers. Critics of these policies complain that these policies delay passengers, increase time through airports, cause delays, and increase costs for the air-lines. Proponents of these policies argue that the safety of air passengers is more impor-tant that these delays and increased costs.The federal government passed legislation requiring all motor carrier tractors pur-chased after 2007 to meet more stringent EPA guidelines for engine emissions of partic-ulate matter. These new guidelines require new engine technology that has increased thecost of these engines by over $10,000. Motor carriers are critical of these guidelines,arguing that the increased engine cost and resulting increase in maintenance costs areprohibitive and are difficult to pass on to customers in the form of higher prices. Propo-nents of these guidelines argue that cleaner engine exhaust is better for the environmentand, therefore, a benefit to the general public.Legislation is being considered to dramatically increase the number of inspectionson containers entering U.S. ports from foreign origins. The purpose of the inspection isto reduce the likelihood of terrorist activity that could occur by using a container to holdweapons or explosives that are meant to harm U.S. citizens. The inspection wouldrequire physically unloading the container at the port and inspecting its contents. Therationale behind increasing the number of containers inspected is the resulting reductionin the probability of a terrorist attack on U.S. soil. Critics of this legislation argue thatwith the thousands of containers entering U.S. ports every, increased inspection activity would increase congestion at the ports, slow down the movement of goods into the United States, and add costs to carriers and shippers.

QUESTION

1. Should the government intervene in setting regulations to increase security and help the environment? Or should private industry take on this role? Discuss.