U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood Meets with State DOT Leadership to Discuss Economic Recovery

The House has passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

 

I met with state department of transportation leadership from around the country on Tuesday this week to talk about the opportunities and responsibilities facing us in implementing the new law. 

 

   It was a great meeting with lots of feedback from the state transportation leadership.  I talked with every state represented at the meeting and learned about challenges and projects in their states.

A key component of the plan is enacting the largest investment in America’s roads, bridges, transit lines and rail systems since the creation of the interstate highway system

The one-time addition of over $48 billion directed towards transportation currently under consideration by the Congress would be a welcome supplement, and we estimate the economic recovery funding will support the improvement of more than 2,000 bridges and the rehabilitation of more than 25,000 miles of highway nationwide.

 

Last Friday, the Department of Labor announced that as of this January, 11.6 million people are out of work in the United States and in the past 4 months alone, the economy has lost 2.2 million jobs. That’s like losing every job in Silicon Valley and the entire San Franciscoarea or all of Louisiana.

This money gives us an opportunity to create jobs in every state and repair the nation’s infrastructure at the same time.

 

And we, at the Department are ready.  At my direction, we have already set a multi-modal economic recovery team to make sure that the economic recovery moneys for transportation are spent rapidly and wisely.  We’re calling it our TIGER Team.

 

We work for the American people – and we have a chance to make a difference in their lives.  They deserve to know that we will be responsible with their money.

 

So, we will have transparency – we will have accountability – and we’re going to do things by the book.

 

We have a big job ahead of us, and I know both federal and state governments are all up to the challenge.

Comments

[DL Gehmlich]

I am writing to you to encourage you to thoroughly investigate and reveal to the US taxpayers the total environmental impact of the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS, also know as cash for clunkers). I personally find it hard to believe that this program has done the environment any good. The minimally increased fuel economy required by the program can hardly begin to offset the total energy costs of building a new vehicle, let alone the energy costs and environmental impact of destroying the old vehicle (preventing the reuse of many of the most valuable components of the vehicle.

I understand that the DOT owes a report due to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation no later than 60 days after November 1, 2009 stating the efficacy of the CARS program. Please ensure that ALL environmental impacts and costs are included in this report, and are clearly articulated. I look forward to reviewing it myself.

[Paul R White]

Dear Sirs,

There is no law that will STOP people from texting or talking on a cell phone! A law will never work, just visit Chicago to see how their law work. The cell phone use is as rampant as ever, law or no law.
The ONLY way you will ever stop texting or talking on a cell phone, is to force the cell phone provider to use the build in GPS of a cell phone so that if it is moving, it will not work. The same should be done to laptops. Insist thak they put GPS in laptop to accomplish the same thing. This must apply to everyone, drivers, truckers, police, etc.
Thank you for your time.
Paul R White

[George]

Dear Sir, I read about the distracted driving summit. Are you aware that there is now cell phone software that will stop texting while driving? It is designed mostly for parents to protect their teens but it will work for anyone. I can arrange for a demo if you are interested. Call me at 972-596-4542 or email at george6412@verizon.net. In any case please let me know your thoughts.

[Patricia M Hamilton]

Texters and cellphone users are killing people on roads.

Modify vehicle technology to turn on vehicle flashers when satellite/cell signals are used in vehicle.

Better yet, require all new vehicles to have a rooftop flasher to do this.

This would tell the rest of us to avoid this driver - and tell the cops to give him a ticket.

[Phyllis Perry]

Mr. LaHood, I just finished reading your article in the AARPBullentin. Alternative transportation and/or green transportation is wonderful. But what about those of us in states without passenger rail service. Your high-speed rail is a great idea, however the rails once again bypass southern Wyoming. Believe it or not there is more to Wyoming than Jackson Hole and Yellowstone. We are citizens of the US not a second-class colony. You talk about rail service, daily bus service, intercity buses, etc. In the southern part of Wyoming WE HAVE NONE OF THESE. We apparantly are not good enough to rate a thought in your EASTERN committees. We are only good enough to send coal, soda ash lamb and beef to support the eastern states. Oh yes, we are also good enough to help pay for the east or west coast to have the services we cannot have. I know our population is small, that does not mean that we do not exist. Yellowstone and Jackson Hole are only small parts of the state of Wyoming. Jackson is no more than a playground for the rich. If I sound upset it is because I am. I am trying to raise two grandchildren on my wages at a grocery store. I don't need any more taxes to support the east or to support California!

[Pat Davis]

I just read an article entitled "Living in a Post-Car World" about your goals in "AARP Bulletin."

The author, Christie Findlay, asks you if you have a favorite example of a livable community and your response gives Hoboken, NJ high marks.

She had asked you to describe a livable community and that is exactly what Chicago was circa 1950's. Even though it was a large city, people lived in neighborhoods and within your neighborhood you could walk, ride a bike, or take a bus (or streetcar) to work, school, the movies, your doctor, pharmacy, or grocery store easily. It wasn't all that difficult to go elsewhere in the city via public transportation. You didn't need a car for everyday needs. When the car became king, there was a greater need for parking and malls became the norm and regrettably local places disappeared.

It is very regrettable that more dollars are not spent on making public transportation as viable as it was back then in Chicago and throughout the country. The reduction in pollution, traffic congestion, and fuel consumption would be a plus for even those that must use a car.

We now live in a suburb adjacent to Chicago and many of the things you list are possible for some residents or they are a very short drive away. We also have access to downtown Chicago and other parts of the city with the "El."

[Jim Nagel]

"Runaway Toyota cases ignored" from the New York Times 11/08/09 suggest that questions should be asked of the NHTSA. Why is Toyota getting special treatment from DOT/NHTSA?

[Dennis Gurgul]

Dear Secretary LaHood,

This morning on the news I heard about your efforts to ban using cell phones while driving. (The report included a description of the auto industry's absurd attempt to turn the driver's seat into a den of self absorbed distraction.) I would like to thank you very much for your efforts to stop drivers from using cell phones and support such efforts in the voting booth. Thanks for taking on this challenge.

[Mary Dior]

Mr. LaHood,
My 2008 Toyota Camry purchased in Oct. 2007 had 32 miles on it and after driving for 2 months with 1700 miles on it the accelerator became stuck on the hwy speeding in excess of 90 mph.

I have the trouble service records describing the problem and the dealership's response that nothing was wrong with the gas pedal and they could not duplicate the problem.

A couple of days later I traded the unsafe car in at another dealership for a $7400 loss.

Toyota's claim that it is the accelerator and a little clamp the size of a postage stamp will fix it is a complete fallacy.

It has more to do with a sensor issue...my car had no excessive wear.

Please look into this, kindly before Toyota takes the cheap way out and more lives are killed.

Thank you.

[Scott Norris]

You have a better chance of winning the lottery than being injured driving a recalled Toyota. Shame on you for fueling the hysteria!

[Jack McCarty]

Shouldn't Toyota tow all the cars involved in the safety issue to the Toyota workshops? The cars are not safe to drive! It's safer for the Toyota to be towed, but not driven, to Toyota workshops and really fix the problem. If these cars are to be driven, only Toyota technicians/ people with good knowledge of Toyota vehicles should drive these cars to Toyota workshops. But not anyone else - in case accidents happen again!

Or, is Toyota gonna push this responsibility away, asking millions of car owners to drive them to Toyota workshop AND RISKING TENS OF MILLIONS OF LIVES (AGAIN)? And what if the same accidents happen again and get somebody killed? What if the victims are your family members this time? Say... your wife/ husband/ or your kids? It could happen to anyone.

Did Toyota top management or CEO attend the funerals of the victims? Or said sorry to the victims' families? It's too sad some people drive these cars got into accident. It's more sad that people who don't drive these cars were killed.

I don't know what you'll do if you loved ones are victimized by this. Me I won't let them go. I'll definitely make them RESPONSIBLE and ACCOUNTABLE for their mistakes!! I'll make them pay for it!

[Jennifer York]

If Toyota had information about a potential problem with engine surges since 2007 and did not agressively get after it, they deserve all the negative publicity they are getting now. As the owner of a Ford vehicle that was recalled due to the possibility of the cruise control burning up, I support Secretary LaHood calling out Toyota (or any other company) that does not swiftly move to investigate then inform their customers about a problem they have information about. The American public is much more forgiving of problems with consumer products that are immediately revealed by companies than cover-ups and B.S. from the public relations departments to protect company profits.

[bonnie]

I was shocked by Secretary LaHood's comments about Toyota.
I think with all our enemies around the world, this is not the time to make Japan our enemy. I own a Toyota and it was built in the US ,unfortunatuly because the ones that are made in Japan are not included in the recall (defective Toyotas). So you see the US is to blame. You should be so embarrassed! You should apologize and be more careful before you speak.

[Brad Reside]

$1,000,000. Every vehicle on the road should be required to carry that amount in liability and uninsured motorist insurance. This one regulation would make a significant impact on our problem with treating the uninsured. Universal coverage requirements would bring the cost of this level of coverage to a competitive price level, while protecting citizens on our roads.
In addition, eliminate or cap punitive damage settlements. Instead, require insurance companies to pay all legal expenses outside of coverage limits. Insurance companies would be more inclined to settle quickly. They would be able to price more effectivly. Lawyers would receive fair compensation and be able to provide more consistent service to the public. Consistent profits due to reduced overhead should mean lower costs for the consumer.

[Rudy]

I parked my Toyota in the garage, as you suggested. IT FOLLOWED ME INTO THE HOUSE AND TRIED TO RUN ME OVER! What should I do Ray? Thank you.

[Stephen Shaw]

If NHTSA will be formulating regulations for car makers regarding uncontrolled acceleration, here's a suggested guideline. The major problem is that the ECU, the car's "central computer" is controlling too many systems in the cars these days. Certain functions should be driver controlled: brakes, steering, gas pedal, ignition key, gear shift. In other words, in case of any emergency, the driver's input to any of these functions should override the ECU. If the car accelerates on its own, the driver's applying of the brakes or shifting into neutral or turning off the ignition should not be prevented by the computer. These are mechanical functions and should be driver controlled. The car makers are computerizing way too many of the car's functions. Legislation should limit them to rather peripheral things rather than basic driving functions.

[create a free blog]

I would like to reinforce your comments about cell phone usage while driving. In the course of my day I encounter drivers using cell phones which are very distracting to them as the drive. I cannot tell you the number of times I have avoided people as the make bad decisions while driving and using a cell phone. Not texting but talking on the phone. We need to stop this from happening.

[William Day]

Mr.la hood is just another follower, "no mind of his own."Driven by monetary benefits and the back washing of other corrupt people.The laws and rules la hood endorses are the ideas of a few wealthy people with more dollars then sense.

[William Day]

I find it very dis-hearting that in a country based on individual freedom, that so many people lash out against the freedom one has in their own automobile.Its down rite sickening the way so many people have jumped on the distracted driving bandwagon!

[Dan Paul]

Secretary Lahood,

Consider me just one of thousands of average people who think you have better things to spend your time on other that "Distracted While Driving" legislation.

Please, we have enough laws and regulations as it is now and we don't need any more.

Next you'll be trying to legislate personal responsibility.

We don't need this regulation!

[cwrich]

Dear Secretary LaHood,
Thank you for your service to our country. My concern is the DOT's decision to change street signs to lowercase. I believe this is something that should be delayed. Our country needs to get back to a strong economy before we should consider states spending that kind of money replacing street signs.

Thank you,
CW

[Chris Johnson]

YOU ARE A WASTE RAY LAHOOD! YOU ARE WASTING TAX PAYERS DOLLARS CREATING WORTHLESS/TEMPORARY JOBS. FIX THE ROADS RIGHT THE FIRST TIME SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO BE REPAIRED EVERY 5 YEARS. 27,500,000 FOR NEW STREET SIGNS ACROSS THE COUNTRY....RAILROADS...SERIOUSLY RAY LAHOOD, YOU ARE A JOKE AND A UNION KISS A$$.

[Robert]

Have any of the fundamentals actually changed or are we just digging a deeper financial hole, with the Fed bailing out Europe and on and on?