Welcome to the FastLane: The Official Blog of the U.S. Secretary of Transportation

Hurricane Sandy descends on the East Coast

If you're on the East Coast, you're one of more than 50 million people who are likely to encounter wind, rain, and even snow from Hurricane Sandy. According to the National Hurricane Center, that rain and wind are just getting started.

This weather system poses life-threatening conditions and should not be taken lightly. As Federal Emergency Management Administrator Craig Fugate said, "People need to be acting now."

A unique mix of powerful weather systems is likely to trap Sandy over the Northeast for several days, and tropical storm force winds are expected along the coast at least through Tuesday and into Wednesday, with rainfalls totaling more than seven inches. For those communities closest to the coast, a strong storm surge is also expected.

If you live in an area affected by Hurricane Sandy, please consider these simple guidelines from FEMA: Follow the directions of local officials, and make preparations.

Also on www.fema.gov, you can find links to updated weather forecasts, the latest information about the federal response to Sandy, and a listing of Red Cross emergency shelters.

The most interesting piece of advice I saw on FEMA's website this morning was this one: Check on your neighbors. And what a terrific idea that is. It's easy to get so involved in protecting our own families and property that we forget about those living near us who need a little extra help. If you've got the time, and the conditions are safe, why not take a moment to reach out to others?

Regarding transportation, please be aware that many public transit systems are closed. That includes, Washington's Metro and Metrobus, Philadelphia's SEPTA, New Jersey's NJ Transit, and New York's MTA Subways. Other systems are closed as well, so again the best advice is to listen to your local officials for further information.

As always, our Federal Aviation Administration is monitoring conditions at airports and in the skies. Airlines have already canceled more than 8,000 flights, so if you have air travel plans, you'll want to contact your airline before heading to the airport.

Because our nation's aviation system is a tightly connected network, even if you're not traveling to or from a city in the Northeast, your flight could be affected by this storm. For example, the airplane or crew for your flight might be arriving from a city that is adversely impacted by Sandy's unsafe conditions.

Again, the best advice is to contact your airline for the latest updates.

If you were planning to travel by rail, please be advised that Amtrak and many commuter rail carriers have canceled service in the Northeast for today. This could have repercussions in cities far from the storm's path because--just as in air travel--Amtrak service to and from one area can depend on trains arriving from another.  As with an airline reservation, you should contact your passenger rail provider for the latest information.

With school and work closures in effect today and tomorrow, many people will find themselves at home. If so, please listen to your local officials about road conditions in your area. Flooding, fallen trees, and downed power lines are very serious concerns with this storm, and unnecessary driving can put you and your loved ones at increased risk of harm.

It's also very important to stay off your community's roads to allow free passage for emergency responders and utility crews.

At the direction of President Obama, FEMA continues to coordinate the federal government’s assistance and preparations for Hurricane Sandy. FEMA will continue to provide updates on its website and its Twitter feed about the federal family’s response to Hurricane Sandy.

America's bus passengers need you to show your app-titude

Last week I wrote about the young winners of our aviation design challenge, the Secretary's RAISE award. And earlier this week I reminded holiday travelers, particularly college students, to use our SaferBus app to "Look Before You Book"  motorcoach trips. Today, I'm putting those two ideas together and inviting America's college students to design a better way to help consumers make smart decisions when booking their bus travel.

If you are an undergraduate or graduate student with app skills, this challenge could be for you. And if you know a college or university student with an aptitude for apps, please send them to the Safety Data Student Challenge.

Here's how it works. Our Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) uses a lot of data to determine and identify unsafe bus companies. Although much of this information is available to the public, it can be overwhelming to the average traveler. 

This is where you come in.

We need your fresh ideas and innovative solutions to translate our safety data and other resources into a web-based or mobile application that helps bus travelers quickly choose the safest bus available.

 

This is what you need to know about the challenge:

• Who: Creative college students with imaginative ideas.
• What: A mobile app or web-accessible tool that presents our safety information in a simple, intuitive way that would help the average person choose the safest bus available.
• When: January 31st, 2013

Halloween is scary enough – keep it safe by driving sober

From pumpkin carving, to costume parties, to trick-or-treating, Halloween is an exciting holiday for Americans of all ages--not just our kids. In fact, many of the ghosts and goblins you'll see this Halloween season are young adults heading out to bars, restaurants, and private homes to celebrate.

Unfortunately, sometimes the most frightening part of Halloween isn’t the spooky costumes and scary pranks. Halloween is a particularly deadly night due to the number of drunk drivers on our roads. 

If you're heading out to celebrate this year, make sure you plan a safe and sober way of getting home.

According to NHTSA, in 2010, 41 percent of all highway fatalities across the nation on Halloween night involved a driver or a motorcycle rider with a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher, making them legally drunk in most states.

That’s why this Halloween, state and local law enforcement officials across the country will be out in full force cracking down on drunk drivers with an aggressive Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement effort.

And our National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is providing safety materials such as videos, posters, and social media icons to states, communities, and organizations as part of its Halloween Drunk Driving Prevention awareness campaign, which runs from today through November 4.

Drinking and driving is one of America’s most often-committed and deadliest crimes. In 2010, more than 10,000 people died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes; that's one every 51 minutes.

Inter-city passenger rail investments paying dividends, with more benefits just around the bend

Earlier today, I wrote about the great transportation developments the Obama Administration is supporting in America's cities. I'd also like to discuss how this Administration is creating strong, 21st century connections between our nation's cities with smart investments in passenger rail.

As you may have read, last Friday I had the good fortune to be aboard an Amtrak train in Illinois that reached a speed of 111 miles per hour. The Midwest’s vision is to connect the region’s 40 largest cities with passenger rail that delivers significantly faster trip times, more service, and superior on-time performance. That means 110 MPH trains providing direct connections to city centers and seamless transfers to other modes of transportation.

In the bottom left of the monitor in the photo above, with Illinois Gov. Quinn, U.S. Senator Durbin, and
FRA Administrator Szabo, you can see the "111" indicating our speed. Photo courtesy www.harveystock.com

In just three years, the Midwest has gone from having a vision to having the fastest trains outside the Northeast Corridor, but this Administration and its state partners have achieved much more than that one milestone, and--believe me--we have even more in store for inter-city rail travel.

Nationwide 154 different projects are addressing all aspects of rail development from laying and upgrading track to eliminating bottlenecks, developing stations, and planning for future construction.

In California, America’s first 220 MPH high-speed rail system is moving forward. This project alone will create jobs and provide a one-ticket ride between Los Angeles and San Francisco in less than 3 fuel-efficient hours. That is what 21st century inter-city travel looks like.

World-class cities rely on world-class transportation

Transportation leaders from across the country are gathered in New York City this week to talk about what they are doing to make America's cities vibrant, attractive centers of activity. It's all part of the National Association of City Transportation Officials' conference, "Designing Cities: Leading the Way to World-Class Streets." And I was happy to help get things started for them this morning.

Between all that this Administration has done for transportation in our nation's cities--large and small--and all that the new transportation bill that President Obama signed this summer allows us to continue doing, there was plenty to talk about.

What does transportation have to do with making cities vibrant and attractive? Quite a lot.

A few weeks ago, I was in Los Angeles to announce DOT support for a new light rail transit line that will connect downtown L.A., nearby cities in L.A. County, and the free shuttle to LAX. Through this TIFIA loan, we're helping hard-working families gain a safe, affordable alternative to driving.

In Denver, the old Union Station is becoming a regional transportation hub and a focal point for commercial development, including new housing.

And in Dubuque, Iowa, the historic Millwork District has a chance to thrive as part of an initiative that is converting old buildings into housing, offices, and retail connected by sidewalks and streets that work for motorists, bicyclists, pedestrians, and transit riders.

I could go on--about the transit-oriented development that’s helping cities like Phoenix and Mesa create strong economic growth, or the streetcars connecting people, businesses, services, and activities in Fort Lauderdale, Portland, and New Orleans.

I could point to the bike paths and bike-share systems popping up in cities across the country—from Minneapolis to Miami. I could point to New York where the Sustainable Streets plan is making it safer for kids to walk to school, ensuring that seniors can get around, and creating popular public spaces.

There are dozens of other projects that demonstrate the astonishing new vitality that transportation has helped bring to our nation's cities. And every step of the way, the Obama Administration has supported the effort to create the world-class streets Americans deserve.

Every Day Counts delivers projects--and transportation results--sooner

Improving our nation's roads and bridges is one of the most important jobs we do here at the Department of Transportation. But we're always looking to do that job better, and that's been the mission behind the Federal Highway Administration's Every Day Counts initiative since 2009: better, faster, and smarter project delivery.

And that means better, faster, and smarter delivery of the benefits those projects bring to motorists, truck drivers, and everyone else who uses our roadways.

Last week, FHWA Administrator Victor Mendez and Deputy Administrator Greg Nadeau kicked off a series of regional summits on Every Day Counts that continues today in Detroit. The EDC initiative supports the implementation of planning, permitting, design, and construction innovations that have a demonstrated ability to build highway and bridge projects faster. Many of these techniques also offer other big benefits, like enhanced project safety, better infrastructure quality, and less impact on the driving public during construction.

In many cases, EDC also makes infrastructure less costly. For example, the Fast 14 project to replace 14 different bridges on I-93 in Medford, Massachusetts, in a single summer--with just 10 weekend-only road closures--prevented four years of traffic tie-ups and delays. Believe me, that adds up to a lot of hours saved for area commercial drivers.

Reducing construction time also reduces costs. According to an FHWA cost study, the combination of Prefabricated Bridge Elements and Systems--an EDC technique--and EDC contracting strategies saved $30 million in just nine bridge replacement projects across the country.

DOT works with world partners to improve connected vehicles, deliver safety benefits

In the past, I’ve noted the promise of connected vehicles, a network of cars, trucks and buses communicating with each other to warn their drivers when dangerous situations develop. Using wireless technology similar to the WiFi in our homes, connected vehicles provide their drivers with better information earlier so drivers can take action to avoid a crash before it happens.

Our National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that connected vehicles have the potential to address up to 80 percent of all unimpaired crash scenarios. And right now, the people of Ann Arbor, Michigan, are helping us learn more about the promise of this safety technology through a community-wide pilot study.

The technology’s potential benefits to our nation extend beyond saving lives; connected vehicles will also help us relieve congestion and reduce our environmental footprint. These benefits won't be unique to the United States; the promise of connected vehicles is global.

This week the connected vehicle community is meeting at the ITS World Congress to share knowledge and insights that can help us better realize this technology's safety promise.

America is not alone in our support of a system of vehicles and roadside equipment communicating wirelessly. Europe, Canada, Japan, and Korea all recognize the safety benefits of such technology. Because we share many of the same transportation challenges and goals with these regions, we're working with them to foster international collaborative research and widespread deployment of connected vehicles.

“Look Before You Book” this holiday season and every time you travel by bus

As the weather gets cooler and the leaves on the trees change color, many Americans--including millions of college students around the country--start to think about booking their holiday travel.

If you’re planning on taking a motorcoach to visit friends and family this holiday season, or if you know someone who is, be sure to check out the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s SaferBus app for your iPhone or iPad or visit FMCSA's passenger carrier information site.

Th SaferBus app, released just last April, gives bus riders a quick and free way to review a company’s safety record before buying a ticket or while waiting to board a bus.

Motorcoach service remains one of the safest and least expensive ways to travel, and the development of a thriving curbside bus industry has added even more options with greater convenience. But price and convenience are not the only factors to consider when purchasing a bus ticket–as it is for DOT, we think safety should always be your top priority.

A sample of the kind of information FMCSA puts at your fingertips

So, whether you’re planning to wave goodbye to your campus through the window of a motorcoach or booking travel for a group, we encourage you to Look Before You Book!

You can download the app for free by visiting the iTunes Store or by navigating to FMCSA’s “SaferBus” website at www.fmcsa.dot.gov/saferbus.

Using SaferBus, you can board with confidence

Passenger rail goes high speed in Illinois and across the Midwest

Last Friday morning in Joliet, Illinois, I did what a lot more Illinoisans and Missourians have been doing lately--I boarded an Amtrak train. Friday's ride, however, was special because somewhere between Joliet and Normal, after decades of passenger trains on this route topping out at 79 miles per hour, our train hit a speed of 111.

That new high speed is an impressive 39 percent faster than the one passengers have been living with for years. So Friday was an exciting day for us, and as passengers in the coming weeks experience speeds of 110 MPH between Dwight and Pontiac, Illinois, it’s proof that 21st century rail is indeed coming to America.

In the bottom left of the monitor in the photo above, with Illinois Gov. Quinn, U.S. Senator Durbin, and
FRA Administrator Szabo, you can see the "111" indicating our speed. Photo courtesy www.harveystock.com

From day one, President Obama has been committed to investing in a modern rail network that will help our economy grow. And in the next three years, 75 percent of the Chicago-St. Louis route will enjoy the new high-speed service. That means a new normal in Midwest passenger rail travel that trims 90 minutes from the current trip between Chicago and St. Louis thanks to this Administration's historic investments in American rail.

Across the country, we're building and improving thousands of miles of rail and upgrading more than 40 stations. These investments will support a U.S. population that is expected to grow by 100 million people by 2050. In the Midwest alone, the population will likely increase by 30 percent.

Leaders in the Midwest know this. And that’s why they are working to connect the region’s 40 largest cities with higher-performing intercity passenger rail.

 
Watch video from the train at 110 mph, courtesy of NBC5 Chicago

Race-car-driving teens talk about safety

Our National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is recognizing National Teen Driver Safety Week with three very personal stories from teen drivers who happen to share a unique occupation. My thanks to these special young men for stepping up and speaking out for safe driving.

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Why now? Why Texting?
by Parker Nicklin, teen, race-car driver, student, activist

I was taking a road trip to Willow Spring Raceway with my dad for a weekend of testing our race cars. On this simple trip my life changed forever. I got into a bumper-to-bumper accident just by looking down to change the radio station. Of course me being a teen I thought this would never happen to me, and I was an “invincible a race car driver with quick reflexes.” In that few seconds, my life had changed.

About 2 weeks after the accident I went to traffic court to get this resolved and hoped that the ticket would just be lowered to a parking ticket… It didn’t happen like that.

Read Parker's complete story...

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Safe driving matters
by Zach Veach, teen, race-car driver, student, activist for road safety, education, safe online behavior

In a neighboring town to mine, a girl my age was killed when she was texting behind the wheel and pulled out in front of a tractor-trailer.

I don't know about you, but I come from a really small town in rural Ohio. And when something tragic like that happens to someone in our area, it touches us all. I was really bothered by this accident and knew I had to do something to keep it from happening again.  

Read Zach's complete story...

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I knew I could do something
by Tristan Nunez, teen, race-car driver, student, safety advocate

There are a lot of things kids my age can get into --from drugs, alcohol, and sex, to making poor decisions while driving, to ditching homework and classes. There’s been a lot of discussion about these topics, but for me, there hasn’t been enough about distracted driving.

While riding with my mom one day, we nearly ran into the back of someone because my mom was texting and driving. At the time, all I could think of was how just a day earlier, we had the same near-accident experience.

Read Tristan's complete story...

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Many thanks to the Mazda Motorsports Racing Ladder team for supporting our efforts to end distracted driving. To learn more about the dangers of distracted driving and what you can do to help us end this deadly epidemic, visit distraction.gov.

DOT continuing to help veterans find work and success in transportation

Today’s generation of heroes are risking their lives to make the U.S. safer and more respected around the world. President Obama has asked that we serve our veterans as well as they’ve served us, and at DOT, we are proud to answer the President’s call.

This morning, DOT held a Veterans Transportation Career Opportunities Forum with the Department of Labor, which focused on careers in the trucking, transit, and motorcoach sectors. Participants discussed the importance of working with truck and bus companies to recruit qualified and safety-conscious service men and women for the critical jobs that need to be filled.

This forum represents a monumental initiative and partnership to link our veterans with careers in the transportation industry.

At DOT we think that removing barriers that stand in the way of our veterans’ success and connecting them with job opportunities that they deserve is the least we can do to thank them for their service. So this meeting gave motor carriers and other stakeholders a chance to tell us how DOT can assist them in making the transition for veterans easier.

And, believe me, we were listening.

BTS marks 20 years of delivering quality transportation data

Transportation statistics and the people who collect and organize them don’t often make the front page. But the fact is, solid, relevant data is a critical part of building a 21st century transportation system.

After all, you can't make data-driven decisions if you don't have data.

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) is the data arm of DOT, responsible for collecting a wide variety of information about airlines, border crossings, freight movement, maritime trade, household travel, and much more. BTS was founded to help us understand the health of our nation’s transportation systems and infrastructure and how they impact our economy and way of life.

And yesterday we celebrated its 20th anniversary.

From founding Deputy Director Bob Knisely and his original co-worker Rolf Schmitt --yes, when BTS started, the two of them comprised the entire Bureau-- to the current Director Patricia Hu, Deputy Research and Innovative Transportation Administrator Greg Winfree, and a roomful of BTS employees, there was plenty to celebrate.

Since 1992, BTS has truly been an asset to DOT, to the transportation community at large, to our nation’s leaders, to businesses, and most importantly, to the American people. It addressed a huge gap in our nation’s transportation data--giving us the knowledge we needed to back-up our policy decisions.

It's one thing to collect important statistics, but it's quite another to transform that data into useful information. BTS excels at making statistics accessible for policymakers, elected officials, business decisionmakers, travelers choosing carriers, and students working on school projects. And I encourage everyone to visit the BTS website and see the treasure trove of information these folks make available.

Sharing a laugh with original BTS-er Bob Knisely

Secretary's RAISE award winners reach for the stars

Supporting the future of aviation requires us to invest in young Americans—the next generation of pilots, engineers, mechanics, and air traffic controllers. And we need those young Americans to invest their energy in a STEM education—that’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Math—which is critical to their ability to fill many of these jobs.

To encourage students to pursue STEM education, DOT recently hosted a national competition called the Secretary's RAISE Award, Recognizing Aviation and Aerospace Innovation in Science and Engineering. The award was recommended by the Future of Aviation Advisory Committee to develop and expand education programs geared to support the industry’s future needs. And it recognizes extraordinary students who develop innovative solutions to address real world aerospace and aviation issues.

Today, I am very excited to announce the winners of our first Secretary's RAISE Award: Miraj Rahematpura, Christopher Muckle, and Mario Chris of Xavier High School in Middletown, Connecticut. I congratulate these students for their winning idea.

Under the mentorship of Michael Humphreys, a teacher at Xavier, Chris, Miraj, and Mario spent many days during their summer vacation meticulously preparing their project using the resources of a nearby university. They designed a light-weight winglet with variable angles, built a model of it, measured the reduction in drag on the wing, and then calculated the resulting fuel savings.

Charlotte and LYNX on a roll with FTA support

During the last decade, Charlotte, North Carolina, has grown faster than any other urban area with a population of one million or more. Through those years, the city has worked hard to expand transportation options for the increasing number of people traveling area roads and transit routes to the jobs, schools, and services that attracted them to Charlotte in the first place.

Light rail ridership has mirrored the city's growth, far exceeding expectations with more than 19 million riders since the line opened in 2007 and more than 15,000 riders on an average weekday. So in 2011, DOT awarded a TIGER grant of $18 million to expand capacity on the existing LYNX Blue Line through additional power substations and extended platforms at three stations.

Now the Queen City is ready to build on its success with its next big step forward in public transit, and DOT is once again there to help.

Yesterday, Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff was in Charlotte to announce a $580 million grant to extend the popular LYNX Blue Line from downtown Charlotte to the city’s University of North Carolina campus.

The new extension will effectively double the length of the system and allow more residents in the rapidly growing region convenient access to light rail. This is great news for thousands of students, who will have the option of going through school without owning a car or paying for the insurance and gas that comes with it.

And because the Charlotte Area Transit System expects the extension to create 6,000 new jobs, it's also great news for working families in North Carolina.

New enforcement programs in Connecticut and Massachusetts aim to reduce texting while driving

We’ve been tackling the issue of distracted driving for almost three years here at DOT, and I’m proud of how much we’ve accomplished with the help of the many individuals and organizations who share our commitment to safety. But while we have come a long way in this important fight, there is still much work left to be done.

That’s why I’m excited to announce that DOT’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is providing $550,000 to Connecticut and Massachusetts to help them plan and conduct high-visibility anti-texting enforcement programs.

Each state will receive $275,000 to develop and train police officers on better methods for spotting drivers who are texting, to train officers on those methods, and to develop awareness campaigns that alert the public to the dangers of texting and driving.

Today, 39 states have laws on the books that specifically ban texting and 10 states have laws that prohibit the use of handheld cell phones while driving.

But despite the existence of such laws, DOT distracted driving pilot programs conducted in Hartford, Connecticut, and Syracuse, New York, found that it is more challenging for law enforcement officers to detect drivers texting behind the wheel than drivers talking on handheld devices.

In order to more accurately identify and effectively stop the dangerous practice of texting behind the wheel, the demonstration grants announced today call for Connecticut and Massachusetts to develop anti-texting enforcement protocols and techniques such as using stationary patrols, spotters on overpasses on elevated roadways, and roving patrols.

These methods will be tested for effectiveness in four successive waves of high-visibility enforcement activities over a 24-month period, and the results will be shared with other states facing the same challenges so that they can learn from Connecticut and Massachusetts’ experiences.

As NHTSA Administrator David Strickland said, “These two new demonstration programs will help identify real-world protocols and practices to better detect if a person is texting while driving.”

The pilot programs in Hartford and Syracuse have shown that strong laws, strong enforcement, and ongoing public awareness make a noticeable difference in reducing distracted driving.  I look forward to seeing the results of the new enforcement programs announced today as we work to put an end to this deadly behavior.

DOT's TIGER hard at work completing the Anacostia trail, solving transportation problems across America

At DOT, we strongly believe in helping communities add the transportation options their residents want.  In Mesa, Arizona, that means a light rail connection. Near Charlotte, North Carolina, it means a safer interchange between area highways. Here in the metropolitan Washington, DC, region, it means a walkable, bikeable, and safe Anacostia River trail network.

Right now in Washington, the beautiful Riverwalk Trail extends 12 miles from Nationals Park to Benning Road, where it stops just four miles from a vibrant 40-mile trail system that takes trail users in Maryland all the way to the Bladensburg Water Park. For folks on bike and foot, this four-mile gap between DC and Bladensburg is a considerable obstacle that prevents a successful commute, blocks access to an urban waterfront, and impedes recreation.

That is about to change.

US Interior Secretary Ken Salazar with the Anacostia River in the background

Yesterday, our Deputy Secretary John Porcari joined Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley, DC Mayor Vincent Gray, US Senator Paul Sarbanes, and US Representatives Eleanor Holmes Norton and Donna Edwards to unveil the design of the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens segment that will finally connect these two regional trail systems into a more useable single transportation network.

The four-mile connecting segment is funded in part by a grant from our successful TIGER program. And for Deputy Secretary Porcari, it represents the culmination of work begun in the 1980s when he was a planner for the Department of Environmental Resources in Maryland's Prince George's County.

As the Deputy Secretary said, "This is a golden spike moment."

Deputy Secretary Porcari talks about his career-long relationship with the Anacostia River trail network
as DC Mayor Gray and MD Governor O'Malley look on

A big week for road safety as two key efforts coincide

This week two very important safety events coincide, and here at DOT we welcome the opportunity to celebrate them both: "National Teen Driver Safety Week" and the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's "Operation Safe Driver Mobilization Week."

 

Congress established National Teen Driver Safety Week in 2007. Today, it is recognized by DOT's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), AAA's Foundation for Traffic Safety, the Children's Hospital Of Philadelphia, and many other safety advocates across the country.

To mark National Teen Driver Safety Week, NHTSA is focusing its attention on parents and caregivers, urging them to set and enforce safe driving ground rules with teens. Through a parent-teen driving contract, discussions about alcohol, and regular supervised driving sessions, you can help mold your teens into well-prepared drivers.

 

Now, as a parent of four I know teenagers don't always listen to what we say, but studies indicate that they are always watching what we do--and how adults behave behind the wheel is an important factor in how young people learn to drive. So NHTSA is also urging parents and caregivers to practice what they preach. That means always buckling up, putting electronic devices away, and not driving while impaired.

The reality is that drivers aged 16-17 are involved in more crashes per mile than any other age bracket. I'm hoping that--together--we can change that. As NHTSA Administrator David Strickland said, “Immaturity, inexperience, and a penchant for risk-taking are the major reasons for high crash and fatality rates among teen drivers. Parents who reinforce responsible driving habits are vital in creating safe drivers."

Central Mesa Extension will connect Arizonans to economic opportunity

With transit ridership on the rise and the economic benefits of transit reaching into the billions of dollars, communities across America are seeking to add transit options. One region that appreciates the value transit adds is greater Phoenix, Arizona, where transit has proven to be a wildly successful investment and where the regional transit agency, Valley Metro, continues to seek further opportunities to serve area residents.

In Phoenix, the Central Phoenix/East Valley Light Rail project, which opened in 2008, is estimated to have spurred more than $5 billion in economic development along its corridor, and ridership continues to exceed expectations. Over the last six months, ridership throughout the Valley Metro light rail network has risen 6.2 percent on average, compared with the same period in 2011.

Mesa Mayor Scott Smith and Valley Metro planners are banking on light rail's success in the Valley of the Sun with the 3.1-mile Central Mesa Extension to connect residents in the downtown hubs of Phoenix, Mesa, and Tempe. The extension in central Mesa will run on Main Street from Sycamore to Mesa Drive with four station locations and a park-and-ride facility.

Mirroring the success of the existing line, the extension is expected to spur new residential and commercial development in downtown Mesa while providing convenient, reliable access to Arizona State University and Sky Harbor International Airport.

When I visited Mesa last Friday to announce a $75 million grant through the Federal Transit Administration’s Capital Investment (New Starts/Small Starts) program, I saw a community that can't wait to expand its transportation choices.

Investing in the Central Mesa Extension will help thousands of workers, seniors, students and others in Maricopa County connect with jobs, education, medical care, and all that this region has to offer.  As FTA Administrator Peter Rogoff said, "Extending the popular Central Mesa light rail line will open more doors to economic opportunity and spur new development, while reducing congestion in one of the Arizona’s fastest-growing regions."

 

DOT maritime investments create opportunity

America needs a transportation system that allows our economy to grow while also reducing our fuel costs and our impact on the environment. The more effectively we can move goods to and from American businesses, the better our businesses can compete globally.

Most of the goods that American consumers buy and our businesses produce are moved over water at some point on their way to markets. And to make sure we're using our thousands of miles of river and coastline effectively, the Obama Administration has developed an innovative Marine Highways Program and we have used TIGER funding to invest in our ports. But we’re also committed to ensuring that our waterways are as good for the environment as they are for business.

There is perhaps no greater symbol of this Administration’s commitment to a cleaner maritime industry than the clean-up of California's Suisun Bay. For years, obsolete vessels sat idle in the Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet while the government and environmental representatives tried to come to an agreement about the most appropriate way to remove them. 

But beginning in 2009, the Department of Transportation set out to change that. First, we resumed stalled negotiations. Then, we began removing vessels for the first time since 2007. In March 2010, we reached an agreement with the California Regional Water Board and environmental groups to remove 57 obsolete vessels at Suisun Bay by September 2017. We set an ambitious goal of removing 28 of these ships in three years—the ones that presented the greatest risk to the environment. 

Today, I was thrilled to visit Suisun Bay to announce that we’ve surpassed that goal.  We’ve removed 36 vessels so far, with three more slated to go by the end of the year. In fact, we’re actually two years ahead of schedule.

I-40/I-77 interchange modernization in North Carolina promises big dividends

When the economy fell into its gravest challenge since the Great Depression, construction workers were hit hard. That's one of the reasons President Obama pushed so hard for the transportation provisions in the Recovery Act. He knew that putting men and women to work repairing and modernizing America's transportation infrastructure would be a smart investment, and he was right.

Administrator Mendez looks over plans for the new interchange

Our Federal Highway Administrator, Victor Mendez, saw an example of this firsthand today when he visited the construction site of the I-40/I-77 Interchange Rebuilding Project in North Carolina.

In one of the state's largest road improvement projects, workers are building a multi-level interchange in Iredell County, widening I-40 from four to six lanes, reconstructing U.S. 21, building several bridges, and closing a nearby interchange on Old U.S. 64.

The $89 million project received $20.9 million in funding from the Obama Administration. That investment will go a long way toward smoothing the traffic flow of the 70,000 drivers who rely on this interchange every day and the 110,000 daily drivers estimated by 2035. When the current interchange was built 50 years ago, only 5,000 vehicles traveled through the area each day.

NCDOT Secretary Gene Conti

DOT's TIFIA and Los Angeles’ Crenshaw Light Rail Line, working together to create jobs, improve transit options

At DOT, we’re committed to investing in transportation projects that give hard-working Americans safe, reliable, and affordable options for getting to work, school, and everywhere else they need to go. One such project is the Crenshaw Light Rail Line in Los Angeles, California, which I had the opportunity to tour with Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa yesterday.

Earlier this month, DOT was proud to provide the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority with a $545.9 million Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loan to help build this new light rail transit line along the Crenshaw corridor. The MTA expects this DOT TIFIA loan to help generate a total of $1.75 billion in investment in this key project.

The 8.5 mile long Crenshaw/LAX line will connect existing rail service on the Metro Green Line with the Metro Exposition Line. The increased connectivity will make it easier for low-income residents, seniors and other riders to reach downtown Los Angeles, the Westside, the South Bay and the cities of Inglewood, Hawthorne and El Segundo. The project also includes a new transit vehicle maintenance and storage facility.

The Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation estimates that the project will generate more than 18,000 direct jobs.

That makes this investment an all-around win for Los Angeles and the surrounding communities. It will put people to work in the short-term while strengthening the regional economy for the future by making it easier for transit riders to reach downtown Los Angeles, nearby cities, and the shuttle to Los Angeles International Airport.

It will also help reduce congestion and keep carbon emissions out of the Southern California air.

The project is just one example of how DOT’s TIFIA credit assistance program extends the value of America's transportation dollar. By providing direct loans, loan guarantees, and standby lines of credit for major infrastructure projects throughout the nation, a relatively small DOT TIFIA investment helps projects like the Crenshaw Line attract significant investment from other sources.

River Cities Public Transit in South Dakota meeting the future with help from the FTA

When most Americans think about public transit, they think about cities and dense populations. Legacy subways and elevated trains in older systems like New York and Chicago, light rail in fast-growing cities like Charlotte and Phoenix.

But this morning I toured the recently modernized River Cities Public Transit Facility in Pierre, South Dakota. This system has a remarkable service radius of 100 miles, and that means a service area of bus and transit vans covering more than 31,000 square miles.

Local public transit is tremendously important for many residents living and working in Pierre and the surrounding region. Serving 11 different counties--including seniors, people with disabilities, veterans and the Cheyenne River and Lower Brule Sioux tribes--is a real challenge, but the River Cities team is meeting that challenge thanks in part to $5 million in support from our Federal Transit Administration. And this morning I was thrilled to see the difference those grants are making to the people in central South Dakota.

Ridership on River Cities Public Transit has grown more than six-fold over the last five years, making the upgrades to the system more important than ever before. The transit facility used FTA funding to create maintenance space to service nearly 100 buses and other transit vehicles in the River Cities fleet. It also has a new dispatch center with upgraded computer scheduling and GPS technology to better monitor and track vehicles and keep them on schedule.

The FTA has also provided money to help replace aging buses and minivans and to improve transit for the area’s veterans.

If you're waiting for a bus in the cold of a high plains South Dakota winter, a system that keeps its vehicles well-maintained and as close to on-schedule as possible is an absolute lifeline.

Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day 2012

Cross-posted from the Kansas Department of Transportation blog

Each year on October 10, a nationwide network of road safety partners celebrates "Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day" to raise awareness about the causes of highway crashes. This year marks the 11th anniversary of this effort, and I am proud to add my voice to the many safety messages on the Kansas Department of Transportation's Put the Brakes on Fatalities blog page.

At the US DOT, we have thousands of professionals working every day to improve road safety. Whether it’s our five-star crash test ratings or our use of innovative technology to help drivers avoid accidents altogether, safety is the most important thing we do.

But all of our technological advances alone are not enough to move us toward zero highway fatalities. We need America's motorists to help. We need them to hear safety messages like the entries on the Kansas DOT blog page, and we need them to follow up by driving safely.

It’s Fire Prevention Week: Have 2 Ways Out and Know What’s Below Before You Dig

Guest Blogger: Deputy Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Safety Administrator and former fire chief Tim Butters

Fire Prevention Week was established to commemorate the devastating Great Chicago Fire of 1871 that killed more than 250 people. Since its first observance in 1922, the slogan for Fire Prevention Week has taken many shapes – from the straightforward “Help Prevent Fires” (1937); to “YOU Caused 1,700,000 Fires Last Year!” (1947); and this year’s “Have 2 Ways Out!” This week, PHMSA reminds you of another important safety message: “Call 811: Know What’s Below Before You Dig.”

According to the National Fire Protection Association, Fire Prevention Week slogans have evolved over the last 90 years, but the message has always been about education, prevention and safety. Most fires are preventable, and it is up to every one of us to keep our families and homes safe.

As a firefighter and former fire chief, I’ve seen firsthand how devastating fires can be. And in my role at PHMSA, I’ve also seen the devastation caused by excavation damage to pipelines. Sometimes these pipeline accidents result in fires, but they almost always put people and the environment at great risk and can come at a great cost both in terms of property disruption and dollars.

So in honor of Fire Prevention Week, I would like to remind you of another important safety message from PHMSA: “Call 811: Know What’s Below Before You Dig.”  I encourage everyone, including emergency responders, excavators and backyard gardeners to remember this: digging is the number one cause of pipeline damage that results in a fatality or injury or property/environmental damage.

Most people don’t realize that there are more than 2.6 million miles of pipeline in our nation, and the odds are good that some are in or near your yard, not to mention utilities such as cable, water, gas, and electrical lines. While pipelines are the safest way to transport natural gas and hazardous liquids, they aren’t impervious to outside forces.

PHMSA Deputy Administrator Butters speaks to the International Association of Fire Chiefs.

The bottom line is that, like fires, most pipeline incidents can be prevented. By calling 811 48 hours before digging, a utility technician will come out and mark the locations of pipelines and utility lines you should avoid--all at no cost to you.

We have the tools and the know-how to help extinguish fires and fix pipeline leaks, but we would much rather prevent them from occurring in the first place. This week, make sure you have working smoke detectors and develop a fire evacuation plan at home and at the office. But also tell your friends and neighbors to always call 811 before digging and learn more about pipeline safety.

Stay safe and remember: have 2 ways out and always know what’s below by calling 811 before you dig.

PHMSA develops and enforces regulations for the safe, reliable and environmentally sound operation of the nation's 2.6 million mile pipeline transportation system and the nearly 1 million daily shipments of hazardous materials by land, sea, and air.

Gilmerton Bridge innovative replacement project creating jobs, relieving congestion in Virginia

It’s no secret that, since taking office, President Obama and his Administration have been committed to rebuilding and modernizing America’s transportation infrastructure – supporting critical road, bridge, transit, rail, maritime, and aviation projects that create jobs today and economic growth well into the future.

One such project is the Gilmerton Bridge replacement in Chesapeake, Virginia, which Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez toured last week.

   

This project has already created jobs by putting people to work replacing the current bridge--more than 70 years old--with a safer, stronger structure. The new bridge, expected to be completed in early 2014, will have a higher vertical clearance to allow marine traffic on the Elizabeth River to pass below with fewer bridge openings and road traffic stoppages. That will help relieve congestion on the busy US-13 and I-64.

With 35,000 people a day using this bridge, improved safety and reduced congestion are critical upgrades--important steps toward creating what President Obama calls an America built to last.

As Administrator Mendez said, “This bridge will be built to accommodate the future needs of the region.  Virginians are closer to having a new bridge that will make it easier for workers to get to their jobs and for businesses to deliver their goods and products.”

But what’s also exciting about this project is the innovative construction technology that’s being put to work.

Administrator Mendez with the Gilmerton crew, photo courtesy VDOT

On time, on budget: Vermonter work pays dividends Rail corridor positions New England for economic growth

Skirting the Vermont-New Hampshire border from Vernon in the south to St. Albans in the north, Amtrak's Vermonter offers passengers a splendidly scenic journey in winter, spring, summer, and fall.

Now, thanks to a $52.7 million Recovery Act grant, Amtrak has improved speed, reliability, and service on this storied route.

Today, with the sun doing its best to burn through the morning fog along the banks of the Connecticut River, it was my great pleasure to help Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, U.S. Representative Peter Welch, Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph C. Szabo, and RailAmerica Chief Operating Officer Paul Lundberg celebrate completion of this project.

This morning's celebration was made even more festive by the fact that this is one of the first major corridor development projects funded through President Obama’s High-Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail program.

Even better? Workers completed the project on-time and on-budget, upgrading 190 miles of track and installing 130,000 new railroad ties in under two years.

DOT, DHS, Amtrak launch partnership to combat human trafficking

Recently, President Obama reaffirmed America’s commitment to the global movement against human trafficking, calling it one of the great human rights causes of our time. Today, I'm proud to announce that DOT is partnering with the Department of Homeland Security and Amtrak on a new effort to combat these crimes.

Amtrak will use training and awareness materials developed by DHS and DOT to educate its 20,000 employees to better recognize and report human trafficking.  It's all part of the Blue Campaign, which DHS launched in 2010 to more effectively combat human trafficking through enhanced public awareness, training, victim assistance, and law enforcement investigations.

This partnership fits perfectly with DOT efforts to ensure that America's transportation system is not being exploited for human trafficking.

We are currently training the more than 55,000 professionals at DOT to identify and report human trafficking. We're also working with representatives from all modes of transportation to secure their assistance in stopping this crime, and we're grateful to Amtrak for its leadership in stepping forward as our industry partner.

I also want to thank the Department of Homeland Security and Secretary Janet Napolitano for working with us on this important issue.

Boston "a better city" thanks to Hubway bike-sharing

We know that innovative partnerships can deliver tremendous benefits. Regional partnerships have proven successful in many of DOT's TIGER projects. And our collaboration with the EPA and HUD in the Partnership for Sustainable Communities has effectively coordinated housing, transportation, and environmental planning in communities across America.

In Boston, another innovative partnership, A Better City (ABC) has brought together business leaders, planners, and local government to achieve terrific results in transportation, land development, and other infrastructure investments that improve the Boston area's economy and quality of life. On Tuesday, I helped A Better City present its Norman B. Leventhal Awards to area leaders for their excellence in ABC's core areas: transportation, land development, and environment.

DOT has played an active role in transportation improvements in the Boston area, and I was happy to share a long list of projects that we've supported. From bus replacement that will give transit riders more reliable vehicles to runway safety improvements at Logan International Airport, DOT is hard at work in the Hub.

One of the DOT-supported projects that most impressed me in Boston is the Hubway Bike Sharing program started by Mayor Thomas Menino's Boston Bikes initiative. Boston Bikes is part of Mayor Menino's vision for a vibrant and healthy city that benefits all of its citizens, and what I saw of the successful Hubway tells me that the Mayor's vision is becoming a reality.

With Drive Safely Work Week, employers are encouraged to put safe driving first

When it comes to keeping our shared roadways safe, we all play an important role--and that includes our nation's employers. And with yesterday's official kickoff of the 2012 Drive Safely Work Week (DSWW) campaign, the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS) is reminding employers that encouraging safe driving is smart for employees and for business.

According to a 2010 CDC report, the annual cost of medical care and productivity losses associated with injuries from motor vehicle crashes exceeds $99 billion, much of which falls on employers.  That's why NETS has been sponsoring Drive Safely Work Week since 1996.  

Each year, they produce a free, up-to-date toolkit to help employers promote safe driving policies and resources in the workplace.  And they've got a big reach: in 2010 and 2011 combined, the DSWW toolkit was downloaded by over 7,000 employers. That represents about 25 million employees!

The theme of this year's campaign is "Back to Basics--Your Keys to Safe Driving," and it focuses on several key issues:

• Buckling up all the time and encouraging others to do the same, 
• Recognizing and preventing fatigue-impaired driving, 
• Driving distraction-free, 
• Safe parking and backing, and 
• Fine-tuning the fundamentals to avoid some of the most common types of crashes.

As Sandra Lee, NETS Chairperson and Director of Worldwide Fleets for Johnson & Johnson, said, "Having safe-driving policies in place is a crucial component of an organization’s safety culture. Drive Safely Work Week is an ideal time for employers to take a look at their policies, update them if necessary, and redistribute them to employees to renew attention and focus on safe driving behaviors.”

And the focus on safety behind the wheel doesn't end when an employee clocks out. One of the most important messages from Drive Safely Work Week is to take the safe driving commitment home and share it with family and friends.

No matter how long you've been driving, it's always a good idea to brush up on the basics. My thanks go out to our friends at NETS for making this terrific resource available to employers and for putting the spotlight on safe driving this and every October.

Deputy Secretary Porcari helps celebrate International Walk to School Day with simple message:Get up, get out, get moving!

As a father, grandfather, and former schoolteacher, I know how important it is to ensure that students arrive to school safely every day.

That’s why I’m pleased that more than 3,300 schools across the country are participating in this year’s Walk to School Day, an international effort to encourage more families to get out of their cars and on to their feet to enjoy the many benefits of safely walking, bicycling, and even scootering to school.

Deputy Secretary Porcari with PBES Principal Rachel Dubois,
Montgomery County Fire Department's Sparky, and Assistant Principal Orinda Nelson

To celebrate the big day, earlier this morning, Deputy Secretary John Porcari joined a group of Piney Branch Elementary School students and parents in Takoma Park, Maryland.

Through the Safe Routes to School Program, DOT has helped Piney Branch--and schools around the country--fund education programs, school crossing guards, and safer sidewalks near schools.

Deputy Secretary Porcari presents the national award to Takoma Park's Lucy Neher

Today, after everyone arrived energized by the walk and ready for a day of learning, Deputy Secretary Porcari presented Piney Branch with an award for its exemplary Safe Routes to School program, which makes it possible for many of the school's students to walk and bike every day of the school year.

As the Deputy Secretary said, “Every child should have the opportunity to walk to school safely.  Walk to School Day encourages children to experience walk-friendly environments and affirms the importance of walking and biking for a new generation of Americans.”

And others recognize the value of this program, too. The National Center for Safe Routes to School recently received a Bright Ideas in Government award from Harvard University for encouraging communities to collect school travel data and to use the information to help more kids get up, get out, and get moving.

Two girls walking to Piney Branch Elementary School in Takoma Park, MD

With support from DOT, air cargo industry delivers the goods

Our nation's businesses rely on a 21st century transportation network that can get parts, supplies, and finished products where they need to go--safely and efficiently. For many American businesses, that means an air cargo system that can keep up with the speed of global commerce.

That's why President Obama and DOT are committed to investing in a reliable, modern transportation network that creates jobs today and supports businesses in the long-term.

And this morning at the International Air Cargo Forum in Atlanta, I reaffirmed the Administration's commitment to maintaining a strong air cargo industry that expands international trade and contributes to job creation and prosperity at home. What’s good for air cargo is good for the U.S. economy.

In fact, air cargo accounts for 31% of the total value of U.S. exports. It’s a $60 billion industry that has a huge effect on our economy. In Atlanta alone, more than 19,000 direct and indirect jobs in the Atlanta area are related to air cargo operations. I saw the contribution this industry is making in Tennessee when I visited the FedEx aviation hub in Memphis and the UPS hub in Louisville.

The President set the ambitious goal of doubling U.S. exports by 2015, and a thriving air cargo industry is helping move us closer to that goal each year.

Guest blogger FTA Administrator Peter Rogoff: American public transportation, a good story unfolds

In October 2009, I told the annual meeting of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) that FTA was going to “lean forward” to strengthen our nation's transit networks and that I needed the transit industry to “lean forward” with us. Today, at the 2012 APTA annual meeting, I was happy to report that since then--together--we have done just that with great success.

In state after state, city after city, public transportation is on the rise. And the American people want more. The White House knows it. Secretary LaHood knows it. Governors and mayors of all political stripes know it.

Transit has been at the very center of many of President Obama’s domestic priorities, from reducing our dependence on foreign oil and decongesting our highways to improving the daily lives of working families and putting people back to work.

And between the Recovery Act, the White House’s energy initiatives, and Secretary LaHood’s strategic plan for DOT, our Administration has launched very clear and ambitious goals for public transportation:

• Providing FTA with safety oversight nationwide by reversing a 1964 provision that resulted in a web of varying safety standards;
• Reinvesting in the state of good repair of our nation's transit system;
• Streamlining our approval processes so the public can enjoy the benefits of transit projects sooner;
• Securing a seat at the table for transit, whenever local funding decisions are made;
• Promoting transformational projects; and
• Making sure that every Federal transit manufacturing dollar is spent right here at home to employ more Americans.

Introducing the redesigned www.dot.gov, your online gateway to American transportation

The next time you visit www.dot.gov, you're likely to notice some big changes. The terrific web team here at DOT has redesigned our online gateway from the bottom up with you--the people who visit our site--in mind.

DOT is here to serve the American people, and the redesigned page reflects our commitment to service by making it easier for you to find the information you need. Our team used direct public feedback and usability testing to build a site designed around what you want to do when you visit us online.

We want you to be able to rely on www.dot.gov as a useful transportation resource, so the new www.dot.gov has 3 main goals:

• To help you find what you need as easily as possible. That’s why we’ve divided content along audience lines. So, whether you’re an individual seeking consumer information or one of our partners looking for guidance, we’ve got you covered.
• To make the most popular resources more accessible. Along the left side of the new page, you’ll find “Top Requests,” a handy catalog of the website activities most often sought by dot.gov visitors. If you’re a veteran seeking a transportation-related job, this is the place to find information. If you’re shopping for a car and are searching for vehicle safety ratings, look no further. And if you’re working in transportation planning and are curious about how the new transportation law will affect your projects, we’ve got the answers.
• To arrange our resources in line with how you think about transportation. As you probably know, the work of DOT is performed by different Operating Administrations like the Federal Transit Administration, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and others. But most people don’t think about operating administrations —they think about trucks, buses or airplanes. And that’s why we’ve added 10 different buttons corresponding to different modes of transportation. Interested in Waterways? There’s a button for that.

We hope our new design makes it easier for you to find what you seek--and make new discoveries along the way.

We also hope you'll continue to let us know how we can make our site more useful to you, so we've made sure there's a "+Feedback" link available on every page. After all, the site is called "dot.gov," but it belongs to you.

I have said many times that this is not your grandfather’s DOT. I’m happy to say that we now have a www.dot.gov that proves it.

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Air Traffic Control Tower will promote safety, economic competitiveness

At DOT, we’re doing our part to maintain the best – and the safest – aviation system in the world. That means making sure our air traffic control towers feature the best safety technology and the clearest sight lines we can provide. And, for the Federal Aviation Administration and our nation's airports, that means investing in an America built to last.

Today, I was pleased to join FAA Acting Administrator Michael Huerta in Pennsylvania to dedicate the new airport traffic control tower at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport.

A cloudy day can't diminish the new tower

Made possible by $20.5 million in Recovery Act funding, this new tower will help make air travel even safer, modernize our air traffic control system, and support businesses in northeastern Pennsylvania. But it couldn't have been built without the vision and leadership of the Bi-County (Lackawanna and Luzerne) Airport Board that operates Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International.

At 118 feet tall, the new tower reaches twice the height of the 60-year-old tower it replaces, giving air traffic controllers better airfield views and improved lines of sight. In addition, the tower uses the latest radar and communications technology, including state-of-the-art equipment to enable future NextGen technologies.

All of this will really help the men and women who guide planes safely in and out of the airport every day. This morning, as we toured the tower, their enthusiasm for the well-equipped, modern facility was clear.

Cutting the ribbon for the new air traffic control tower

Demand for TIFIA project assistance off to a big start; as MAP-21 takes effect, letters rolling in

From day one, President Obama and the DOT have been committed to creating jobs as we rebuild and repair our nation’s roads, bridges, tunnels and transit systems. For example, since its launch, our Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act credit assistance program, TIFIA, has helped 27 projects turn $9.2 billion in DOT assistance into $36 billion in infrastructure investment across America.

Now, the recently enacted transportation bill, Moving Ahead for progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) transforms TIFIA into the largest transportation infrastructure loan program in history, making available up to $17 billion in credit assistance for critical infrastructure projects.

Under MAP-21, DOT can extend $1.7 billion in capital for TIFIA. But each dollar of federal funds can actually provide approximately $10 in TIFIA credit assistance, meaning $17 billion in loan. Projects can then use this credit to leverage an additional $20 to $30 billion in investment from other sources.

This means that, altogether, the expanded loan program could result in up to $50 billion in public and private investment in critical transportation infrastructure needs from coast to coast.

And we're wasting no time putting this invigorated program to work. Thanks to the new resources and information we've made available to our state and local partners, the response to MAP-21's TIFIA provision has been tremendous. Although MAP-21 was only signed in July, we have already received 11 different Letter of Interest from projects that plan to seek TIFIA credit assistance from DOT.

Curtain rising on MAP-21; DOT helps ease transition into new transportation era

Earlier this year, President Obama signed the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act. We call it "MAP-21," and it consolidated many DOT programs and really changed the transportation status quo.

This Monday, October 1st, those changes go into effect, and we are working hard to make sure our state and local transportation partners are aware of the changes and are ready to join us in hitting the ground running.

A screenshot from DOT's MAP-21 resource page

Over the last few months, we've released a wide range of information to help the nation’s federal, state, local and tribal transportation agencies implement MAP-21 and to highlight opportunities available under the new law.

This week, the Federal  Highway Administration posted a series of documents to assist planners with MAP-21, including major provisions of the National Highway Performance Program, the Surface Transportation Program, the Highway Safety Improvement Program, and the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loan program. You can find these resources at www.fhwa.dot.gov/map21.

These documents clarify MAP-21’s innovative project delivery methods and important changes to funding programs. Additional information addresses the many changes in the new law from MAP-21’s predecessor.

Two projects--one just beginning and one just completed--tell the same story: FHWA investments make a difference

It's been a week of milestones for our Federal Highway Administration, covering a wide range of project delivery stages from permitting to ribbon-cutting.

The Tappan Zee Bridge replacement project in New York State got a big boost yesterday as the FHWA signed a record of decision clearing a key hurdle for construction to begin on the two new spans. The expedited permitting and environmental review for the project was made possible in an October 2011 Presidential Memorandum signed by President Obama.

One possible look for the new crossing

The existing bridge across the Hudson River opened in 1955 and was built to carry a peak load of 100,000 vehicles a day--an ambitious capacity for its day. More than 50 years later, the Tappan Zee carries an estimated 134,000 vehicles each day and as many as 160,000 on weekends.

The heavy traffic along the I-87/I-287 corridor--much greater than anticipated in 1955--makes the Tappan Zee a major bottleneck along one of the East Coast's major economic routes. The bridge has narrow lanes and no shoulders. It's also vulnerable to damage from storms, earthquakes and collisions with ships navigating the river below. The bridge's accident rate is twice that of the New York Thruway system.

Another rendering of the replacement crossing

For travelers on this corridor, it's time for something better, and yesterday's record of decision brings the project one step closer to reality and brings area workers one step closer to the jobs the project will create.

As FHWA Administrator Victor Mendez said, "The construction of this new bridge will create thousands of jobs. When completed, it will make travel safer and more efficient in one of the nation's busiest areas - setting the stage for economic growth for years to come. It's a prime example of what President Obama called 'an America built to last.' "

Guest Blogger: DOT Deputy Secretary John Porcari New Greyhound terminal offers better options for bus passengers

Motorcoach travel is a major part of America's vibrant transportation network. Intercity and chartered buses provide mobility and connectivity for millions of Americans--all while taking cars off our roads and reducing congestion.

And today, with the official opening of the new Greyhound Terminal here in Washington, DC, bus travel is about to get a lot more convenient for passengers up and down the East Coast.

Ribbon cutting at the new Union Station Greyhound Terminal.

Starting tomorrow morning, all Greyhound and Peter Pan bus services will relocate to the historic Union Station, the region's largest transportation center. They'll join curbside providers like MegaBus and Bolt Bus, which moved off DC streets and into Union Station last summer.

A commuter can now seamlessly switch from intercity bus service to Metrorail, local buses, commuter rail, taxi cabs, and even bike sharing. This is the first time Washington has had that kind of convenience--and it's just the latest step forward in Union Station's transformation into a multimodal 21st century transportation hub.

With help from a TIGER, Greater Cleveland RTA breaks ground on new Cedar-University station

When we launched our TIGER program in 2009, we wanted to help build high-priority transportation solutions--projects that create jobs, stimulate economic activity, and make it easier for people to get where they need to go. We also wanted to recognize communities that formed innovative partnerships to meet their transportation challenges.

Cleveland's Cedar-University Rapid Station is one such project, and last week Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff joined Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson and Greater Cleveland Rapid Transit Authority General Manager Joseph Calabrese to break ground on this new station in the city's University Circle neighborhood.

The new center, funded in part by the second round of our TIGER program, will make riding transit safer and more reliable by constructing a new, well-lit train platform, adding better bicycle and pedestrian access, and bringing the station in line with the 22-year-old Americans with Disabilities Act.

University Circle is home to Case Western Reserve University, University Hospitals, Cleveland Clinic, and the Cleveland Foundation. These institutions have anchored a fast-growing jobs and cultural center, and the Cedar-University station will help transit riders access the services and opportunities they offer.

ecoDemonstrator shows that the path to a sustainable aviation future goes through FAA’s CLEEN program

In 2010, the Federal Aviation Administration kicked off its CLEEN program--Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions and Noise, a partnership with industry to develop alternative jet fuels and energy-saving flight technologies and procedures that is already paying dividends.

Last week, Deputy Secretary of Transportation John Porcari and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Acting Administrator Michael Huerta saw that progress firsthand when the Boeing Aircraft Company flew its first “ecoDemonstrator” into Reagan National Airport. This modified American Airlines 737 is a showcase of new aircraft technologies that offer the promise of cleaner and quieter flying.

As Deputy Secretary Porcari said, "This Administration is dedicated to fostering innovation that will help our economy grow and compete worldwide. We are all working to make the right investments so civil aviation, which contributes $1.3 trillion and 10 million jobs to our economy, continues to spur economic growth."

FAA Acting Administrator Huerta (left of the logo) and Deputy Transportation Secretary Porcari (right of logo)

One of the ecoDemonstrator's promising technologies is CLEEN Adaptive Trailing-Edges. These are fitted on the wings of the aircarft to improve fuel-saving, aerodynamic efficiency and decrease aircraft noise. Other innovations include variable area fan nozzles, active engine vibration reduction, a regenerative fuel cell, and flight trajectory optimization to enable more efficient routing for fuel savings.

Tested at Boeing’s Glasgow, Montana, facility, the ecoDemonstrator showed that this new technology is not only viable, but could lead to 2 percent reductions in aircraft fuel burn. Because fuel is the single largest expense for airlines, increasing efficiency improves the environment while helping American companies cut costs and stay competitive.

In fact, based on 2009 total fuel gallons burned, a 2 percent fuel savings would equal 340 million gallons, saving the industry $1.2 billion.

FAA Acting Administrator Michael Huerta

DOT interns stay "On the Go" throughout the summer

Each summer, when schools let out, tens of thousands of students across America turn to internships to supplement what they've learned in their classes. And when some of these young men and women come to DOT, it's a terrific opportunity for them to see how government works and to learn from transportation professionals.

If we want to keep America's transportation system moving forward, we will need young people to pursue jobs in transportation-related fields. So these internships at DOT are also an opportunity for us to get students excited about transportation careers.

At the end of the summer, we held a town hall event with many of our interns; they asked a number of terrific questions, and we've turned them into our September episode of "On the Go." Whether they were asking about policy, safety, or the future of transportation, they highlighted several important topics; and in this latest "On the Go," I have a few answers.

 

Want to have your question answered?  You can:

• Post on my Facebook page,
• Tweet me using the #q4ray hashtag, or
• Leave a comment here on the blog.

Thanks for tuning in, and keep sending in your feedback.  You never know when you might find yourself featured in an upcoming episode of "On the Go."

A pretty big week for American high speed rail

While we continue working on speed and service improvements for rail passengers on Amtrak's Northeast Corridor and the Chicago-St. Louis and Chicago-Detroit lines, we're also moving forward on President Obama's vision of American high speed rail in the Southeast, one of the nation's fastest growing regions.

The growing number of passengers choosing rail to travel between Charlotte, NC, Richmond, VA, and Washington, DC, indicate another thriving corridor in the making. And we're supporting their choice to ride rail with investments that will make passenger rail service on the Charlotte-Richmond-Washington line even more competitive.

Freight and passenger trains working together in North Carolina, photo courtesy Glenn Lane

In Raleigh and Rocky Mount today, Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph Szabo announced a $26.5 million grant to the North Carolina Department of Transportation to improve reliability and reduce delays for passengers and freight traffic in the eastern part of the state. This money will put men and women to work improving service for both the Amtrak Carolinian line, which runs between New York City and Charlotte, and the Amtrak long distance trains that run between New York City and Florida.

This project to eliminate key choke points was developed in partnership with the freight railroad CSX, and that cooperation will ensure that both freight and passenger railroads can thrive while improving service. That's a win for everyone.

FRA Administrator Joseph Szabo

The work will include installation of new track and ties, crossovers, and signals to alleviate rail congestion in this area and allow freight and passenger rail traffic to move more fluidly. The line connects with future Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor stations in Petersburg and Raleigh, where trains will travel at 110 mph in coming years.

As Administrator Szabo said, “This project is a great example of rail carriers, governors, mayors, legislators, advocacy groups, and policy makers coming together to establish a clear vision for this multi-state corridor, and creating a plan to eliminate this bottleneck."

NYC DOT “LOOK” campaign reminds New Yorkers to drive, bike, and walk safely

Safety is DOT’s number one priority, and we are constantly working on new ways to ensure that whatever mode of transportation you choose to use, it is as safe as possible.

Yesterday, I was pleased to join New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan to unveil the New York City DOT’s new “LOOK” safety campaign.  This innovative campaign uses street markings and display ads to remind drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians to be alert and focused at all times, whether they are sitting behind the wheel, riding a bike, or traveling on foot.

“LOOK” pavement markings at crosswalks, with “eyes” drawn within the O’s, will alert pedestrians to oncoming traffic, and ads targeted to drivers and cyclists will feature the “LOOK” graphic on MTA buses’ rear advertising panels.

NYC DOT safety awareness campaigns have already helped reduce traffic fatalities in New York City by 40 percent since 2001. This campaign is another important step towards improved safety, and will help to further reduce injuries and save lives in one of our nation’s busiest cities.

Safety is a two-way street --and that requires motorists as well as all users of our roads to be aware of each other and keep their eyes wide open. Whether you choose to travel by car, bike, or foot, it’s important to share the roads and stay alert.

A new era for transit safety begins today with TRACS

I'll tell you right now that I have been looking forward to this day since the Summer of 2009. That year, we saw transit accidents in Boston and San Francisco, and a tragic crash right here in Washington, DC.

It was also the year when, on behalf of President Obama, I submitted to Congress a transit safety proposal to establish and enforce minimum federal safety standards for transit systems. We weren't sure how long it would take to close the safety gap, but we knew it was the right thing to do. And we've been fighting to secure this authority ever since.

Today, more than three years later, our Transit Advisory Committee for Safety is meeting for the first time since a new transportation law granted the Federal Transit Administration authority to implement and enforce transit safety oversight standards.

TRACS advisory committee at this morning's meeting; photo courtesy FTA

In 2009, we had safety regulations in place for planes, trains, trucks, and automobiles. Yet transit riders enjoyed none of the nationwide standards that protect passengers on airlines and railroads. And DOT was actually prohibited by law from issuing common-sense basic safety standards and regulations for these systems.

This didn't make any sense. The nation's transit passengers–who take more than 10 billion trips each year on America's transit bus, streetcar, and rail systems–deserved to see it fixed, and we wanted to help fix it.

President Obama signs MAP-21 into law on July 6, 2012, photo courtesy White House

This summer, President Obama signed into law Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21). This law grants DOT and FTA new authority to strengthen the safety of American public transportation. Under MAP-21, the FTA will be able to establish and enforce a regulatory framework to oversee the safety of public transportation throughout the United States.

Guest bloggers Deputy Secretary John Porcari and White House Chief Technology Officer Todd Park: White House Safety Datapalooza showcases tools that make a difference

In May, DOT partnered with the Obama Administration's Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to launch the Safety Data Initiative. The result, safety.data.gov, is an effort to release freely available government data to build products, services, and apps that advance public safety in creative and powerful ways.

From transportation to the workplace and from crime to consumer product recalls, we know that access to timely information empowers people to make smarter, safer choices. So we have made a concerted effort to make good data more easily accessible, hoping that others will find new ways to put it to work through innovative apps and other services.

US CTO Todd Park gets Safety Datapalooza started, photo courtesy Department of Labor

At our launch, we issued a call to innovators to build tools that will make a difference in Americans' lives. And now, just four months later, we're happy to say that the Safety Data Initiative is doing exactly that.

On Friday, we proudly hosted the first-ever White House Safety Datapalooza to showcase how the data available on safety.data.gov is helping people make more-informed decisions--for themselves and their families--and to celebrate the innovators who are using this nation's enormous data resources to make powerful tools for consumers.

Deputy Secretary Porcari at Datapalooza. (Photo Credit: Department of Labor)

We're impressed not only by the number of apps and services that have been developed, but also by the diversity of those tools. At Friday's event, for example, we saw:

• PulsePoint, from the San Ramon Fire Protection District, a lifesaving mobile app that allows CPR-trained volunteers to be notified if someone nearby is in need of emergency assistance;
• Commute and crime maps, from Trulia, allow home buyers to choose their new residence based on two important everyday factors; and
• Hurricane App, from the American Red Cross, to monitor storm conditions, prepare your family and home, find help, and let others know you're safe even if the power is out;

That's just for starters. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration plans a January release for its SaferCars app that will put vehicle safety ratings, defect reports, and child safety seat information at your fingertips. They will also release the real-time data that powers this app, enabling developers around the country, via an application programming interface (API), to empower their users with this valuable information.

Paul Levine, COO of Trulia, introduces new maps (Photo Credit: Department of Labor)

Distracted Driving safety effort has many partners

With America's youngest drivers now back in school, now is the time to educate them about the dangers of distracted driving. And to make sure they get the important safety message that one text or call can wreck it all, we've recently had very strong support from many terrific partners, most recently NASCAR, Front Row Motorsports, State Farm, and AT&T.

In 2010, 3,092 people were killed in crashes involv­ing distracted drivers, and an estimated additional 416,000 were injured. New statistics released by NHTSA show that, also in 2010, 375 teens were driving while distracted in crashes that resulted in the loss of 403 lives. Of those killed in teen distraction crashes, 55 percent were teens themselves.Our new NHTSA data show that in 2010 drivers age 15 to 19 were responsible for 13 percent of fatal distracted driving related crashes.

In the driving simulator with State Farm's Tim McFadden.

That's why on Saturday, I was happy to join State Farm for a "Celebrate My Drive" teen safe driving event in Tysons Corner, Virginia, one of 400 similar events held nationwide that day. And I have to say that the State Farm team pulled out all the stops. From prizes to driving challenges to on-the-spot customized flip books, State Farm had quite a range of activities all of which featured the safety slogan, "Own every mile."

As I told the hundreds of young people at the event, "Own every mile" means to be responsible and pay close attention each and every moment you're at the wheel. I talked about the statistics we've collected and the studies we've performed showing how dangerous it is to text or talk on a cell phone while driving. I even had the cheerleading squads of Centreville High School and Bishop McNamara High School on their feet doing a new cheer that I hope will be performed at high schools across America this fall: "Don't text, [clap clap,] and drive, [clap clap.] Don't text, [clap clap,] and drive, [clap clap.]"

Young drivers from Bishop McNamara pledge to "Own Every Mile."

But, what seemed to make the greatest difference to the teens I spoke with were the real-life stories of victims and the loved ones left behind. Whether it was the story I told of a young Peoria woman killed in 2009 while she was texting behind the wheel or the firsthand accounts featured in our Faces of Distracted Driving video series, the particular seems to hit home.

That's why the recent "The Last Text" campaign from AT&T has been so effective. I'm sure you've seen these powerful ads by now where a victim or survivor reads the final text sent or received before a distraction-related crash.

 

New training vessel arrives at Kings Point; work on Mallory Pier set to begin

If you were on the campus of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy last Friday afternoon, you know what a beautiful day it was. With Parents' Weekend, Acceptance Day, and a gridiron contest against in-state rival SUNY Maritime (our Mariners won 19-14), the weekend sunshine couldn't have been better timed.

And adding to the glow were the arrival of the MV Liberty Star--the newest vessel in the Kings Point training fleet--and the announcement of a contract to begin the long-awaited reconstruction of Mallory Pier.

Dozens of midshipmen and their parents turned out to welcome Liberty Star – soon to be renamed the Kings Pointer, in keeping with Academy tradition.  It was easy to see why they were so excited. 

Before being reassigned to the Academy, the vessel performed solid rocket booster recovery missions for NASA's space shuttle program. In addition to its two combined 2,900 horsepower diesel engines, 7,500-pound deck crane, and double towing winch, Liberty Star features controllable pitch propellers and an auxiliary water jet thruster, combined with modern joy-stick dynamic positioning capability.

Dynamic Positioning Capability allows the vessel to hold its position with much greater accuracy--down to less than one meter—as compared to conventional propulsion systems. And because more and more contemporary vessels are equipped with this capability, the MV Liberty Star offers midshipmen a valuable training opportunity, the only Academy in the U.S. to offer its students a ship with this capability.

Child Passenger Safety Week a reminder that safety seats are key to saving lives

At the Department of Transportation, safety is our highest priority, especially when it comes to protecting America’s kids.  And whether you’re dropping kids off at school or going on a family trip, a car seat is essential to keeping your child safe.

Today, I joined National Highway Traffic Safety Administrator David Strickland and Safe Kids President and CEO Kate Carr at Garrison Elementary School in Washington, DC, to kick-off Child Passenger Safety Week, an annual opportunity to remind parents and caregivers to make sure that they are properly  using their child safety seats.

The key to keeping kids safe while they’re riding in the car is to make sure that they are buckled into the right seat for their age and size and to make sure that the seat is correctly installed in your vehicle.

America’s families are busy; there’s never enough time in the day. When you feel like you're running behind, it might seem like it would take too long to double-check that your child's safety seat is securely installed.

But --as any EMT, police officer, or firefighter will tell you-- taking a few moments to make sure that seat is properly installed is worth the time. Those few moments could save you a lifetime of regret.

As Administrator Strickland said, “Child safety seats save hundreds of young lives every year, but proper use is vital. We’re urging everyone to make sure their kids are properly protected on every trip, every time.”

Clean Fuels transit grants mean more sustainable, reliable rides

Since taking office, President Obama and this Administration have been committed to investing in smart, sustainable transportation that helps more Americans get to work, school, and other destinations while also helping communities save money.

That’s why today, DOT is pleased to announce that 27 projects across the country will receive a combined $59.3 million to help transit agencies purchase and support cleaner, greener buses that reduce harmful emissions and improve fuel economy. And because these cleaner-fueled buses will replace aging transit vehicles, they will also deliver a more comfortable, reliable ride for passengers.

 

 

These grants, provided through the Federal Transit Administration’s Clean Fuels Program, will help achieve President Obama’s goal for an independent and secure energy future.

Transit agencies and the communities they serve recognize the benefits of switching to a cleaner fueled fleet, and demand for this program continues to be very strong. This year, we received requests equaling more than half a billion dollars – almost 10 times the amount of money available.

 
 

DOT Freight Policy Council: keeping America's economy competitive starts by listening to freight leaders

America has one of the best freight systems in the world. That’s important, because freight movement is the lifeblood of the American economy. No economy can grow faster than its ability to move the raw materials and parts its businesses use and the goods its businesses produce.

To stay competitive in today's global economy, America must tackle three freight challenges:

• First, we must develop a national strategic vision on freight.
• Second, the public and private sectors must work together to invest in our nation’s freight network.
• Third, we must plan and deliver freight infrastructure projects more quickly and efficiently than ever.

Trucks and trains deliver and await containers at the Port of Seattle

At DOT, we're wasting no time meeting those challenges.

The transportation bill that President Obama signed this summer, MAP-21, calls us on us to work with the States to plan our freight investments more systematically—so that we can achieve our national goals.

And last month, we announced the launch of DOT's Freight Policy Council. This group represents DOT leadership across the modes, from highways and railways to ports and pipelines. We also have economic, policy and legal experts from throughout the Department. Led by our Deputy Secretary, John Porcari, the council will help us coordinate the implementation of MAP-21 freight provisions, develop a national plan for improving freight movement, and meet the President’s goal of doubling U.S. exports by 2015.

Today we're kicking off the new council's work by listening to the people who know freight ---the states, the freight and logistics industry, businesses, consumers, and other stakeholders.

Our economy can't grow if shipper can't goods to manufacturers and markets