ANN ARBOR—As fuel prices continue to escalate to new record-highs almost daily, the effects on America’s economy, transportation and environment reverberate throughout society. Several University of Michigan experts are available to discuss these and other related issues.

They include:

Thomas Finholt, a researcher in the School of Information and director of the Collaboratory for Research on Electronic Work (CREW), can talk about technology and alternatives to travel when gas prices soar. Finholt also directs the Connection Project (www.connectionproject.org), a U-M funded effort that supports long distance communication via high resolution video connections over the Internet. He can be reached at (734) 764-6131. For additional information, visit http://www.si.umich.edu/people/faculty-detail.htm?sid=37

Tom Gladwin, professor of corporate strategy and director of the Erb Institute for Global Sustainable Enterprise, is one of the leaders of the U-M Ross School of Business’ new Initiative on Mobility in a Sustainable World, an interdisciplinary effort dedicated to creating transportation and accessibility systems consistent with a sustainable human future. Gladwin’s proof points, numerous and discouraging, include air and noise pollution, polluted runoff and stratospheric ozone depletion. Gladwin can be reached at (734) 647-4491 or tgladwin@umich.edu. For additional information, visit http://www.bus.umich.edu/FacultyBios/FacultyBio.asp?id=000154957

Saul Hymans, professor emeritus of economics and director of the U-M Research Seminar in Quantitative Economics, can discuss the U.S. economy and oil prices. In his recent forecast, he predicted that oil prices will fall to less than $50 a barrel in the next two years. Hymans can be reached at (734) 764-2567 or 764-3299 or shymans@umich.edu. For additional information, visit http://www.ns.umich.edu/htdocs/public/experts/ExpDisplay.php?ExpID=375

Lutz Kilian, associate professor of economics, has conducted research showing that only a small fraction of oil price increases during crisis periods, such as wars in the Middle East, is caused by oil production disruptions. This suggests other explanations for higher prices, such as shifts in the demand for oil or shifts in the uncertainty about future oil supplies not driven by actual production shortfalls, he said. Kilian can be reached at (734) 647-5612 or lkilian@umich.edu.

Walter McManus, director, Office for the Study of Automotive Transportation, U-M Transportation Research Institute, can discuss the automotive market and how higher gas prices affect driving habits. In a recent study, McManus examined what would happen to the auto market if oil reached $80 or $100 a barrel—equal to $2.86 and $3.37 per gallon, respectively. Based on his findings, he predicts that auto sales would drop as much as three million vehicles a year, with the Big Three taking two-thirds of the loss because of disproportionate dependence on fuel-thirsty product lines. He can be reached at (734) 615-6743 or watsmcm@umich.edu.

Barry Rabe, professor at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy and School of Natural Resources & Environment, c an discuss current initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector. As it relates to gas prices, this issue is important because it could have a significant impact on vehicle fuel economy in the United States and Canada . He can be reached at (734) 647-4333 or brabe@umich.edu. He?ll be out of the office until Aug. 24. For additional information, visit http://www.ns.umich.edu/htdocs/public/experts/ExpDisplay.php?ExpID=902

John Tropman, professor in the School of Social Work and adjunct professor in the U-M Ross School of Business, can comment on companies helping employees save on travel expenses, such as encouraging telecommuting and car pooling. He can be reached at (734) 763-6275 (office) or (734) 645-7191 (cell phone). For additional information, visit http://www.ssw.umich.edu/faculty/profile-tropman.html

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