Congress

Rising gas prices and traffic congestion will place more demand on Amtrak, warranting a stronger federal role, witnesses told a House subcommittee considering reauthorization of the national passenger rail carrier this week.

Sen. Charles Hagel (R-NE) and infrastructure stakeholders called for increased investment in the nation's assets through various financial devices or face losing the country's economic standing to China, the European Union and India who are adding roads and rails, while developing port capacity.

Congress passed legislation Wednesday directing the Bush Administration to temporarily suspend shipments to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) as a short-term action to lower gas prices for consumers.

With action on a reauthorization of federal aviation programs still on hold in the Senate, the AASHTO Board of Directors has urged Congress to act swiftly to pass a multi-year bill, before federal funding expires on June 30.

The American Trucking Associations (ATA) is proposing for the first time national truck fuel economy standards to meet the industry's concerns over escalating costs of diesel and gasoline, Transport Topics reports.

Information

AASHTO President Pete Rahn last week outlined for state transportation officials the systematic, low-cost steps taken in Missouri to dramatically reduce their highway fatalities. The safety improvements and others are highlighted in a new report Driving Down Lane-Departure Crashes, now available on the AASHTO website.

AASHTO has been selected by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to create the Center for Excellence in Project Finance, authorized under the last highway and transit legislation, the Safe, Accountable, Flexible and Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users—SAFETEA-LU.

The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WDOT) is exploring the possibility of using trucker tolls to pay for improvements to Interstate 80, the Jackson Hole Star-Tribune reports.

Despite significant expected growth in population and the economy, California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is committed to reducing current levels of congestion by 15 percent over the next 10 years, as a part of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's Strategic Growth Plan.

Facing a challenge of 1,093 bridges rated in poor or serious condition, the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) has launched a unique design-build-finance-maintain project that will deliver 800 bridges in good condition in six years, with maintenance guarantees for 25 years.

With the emergence of global climate change as a national concern with potential impacts on transportation, AASHTO is launching a new AASHTO Climate Change Action Program (ACCAP) to provide timely information, technical assistance and tools to its member organizations.

AASHTO seeks a Program Manager for Environment to assist the AASHTO Program Director for Environment. The Program Manager will serve as the Assistant Director for the Center for Environment Excellence by AASHTO and the Program Manager of the AASHTO Climate Change Action Program (ACCAP).

Amtrak Reauthorization Examined in House

Rising gas prices and traffic congestion will place more demand on Amtrak, warranting a stronger federal role, witnesses told a House subcommittee considering reauthorization of the national passenger rail carrier this week.

Two bills were recently introduced to reauthorize and bolster Amtrak. Rep. James Oberstar (D-MN)—Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee—introduced the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 (H.R. 6003), which authorizes Amtrak at an annual average of $1.34 billion a year. It is co-sponsored by committee Ranking Member John Mica (R-FL), Rail Subcommittee chair Corrine Brown (D-FL) and Ranking Member Bill Shuster (R-PA).

Amtrak was last authorized in 2002.

A second bill, H.R. 6004, the Rail Infrastructure Development and Expansion Act of the 21st Century (RIDE-21), would allow states to enter into compacts so they can access $24 billion in bonds over 10 years to support high-speed rail development, Transportation Weekly reported. RIDE-21 will need to get approval of the House Ways and Means Committee headed by New York Democratic Rep. Charles Rangel.

"Today we are on the cusp of a renaissance for intercity passenger rail in this nation," Oberstar said at a hearing by the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials. "For example, Amtrak's FY [fiscal year] 2007 ridership was at record levels for the fifth year in a row—exceeding 25.8 million passengers."

Amtrak President and Chief Executive Officer Alex Kummant said the U.S. needs to maximize its existing transportation infrastructure and rail is a vital part of the network. "In the last 10 years, state governments have redefined rail service as a congestion mitigator, an engine of development and an environmentally friendly way of providing for travel needs on existing networks, and this is an example of a creative and successful use of existing resources and infrastructure."

The legislation could be marked up in the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee as early as next week. There was discussion on getting the bill moved out of committee by the Memorial Day recess. With a shortened legislative cycle due to the party conventions this summer and the pending presidential election, getting a presidential signature during the second session of the 110th Congress is unlikely. However having the bill introduced and moved through committee and onto the House floor for a vote is an important step toward re-introducing the measure in the 111th Congress, rail advocates say.

Wisconsin Department of Transportation Secretary Frank Busalacchi said both pieces of legislation are important, recalling comments by Democratic Presidential Candidate Sen. Barack Obama suggesting that passenger rail should be expanded because of high gasoline prices.

"Amtrak has been subsisting on annual federal appropriations subject to congressional and federal agency oversight with no stability in funding," he said. "The Amtrak reauthorization bill will end the year-to-year cobbling together of the finances of a major corporation."

Busalacchi served on the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission, which recommended expanded passenger rail use to relieve traffic congestion and reduce reliance of fossil fuels.

Highlights of H.R. 6003 include:

• Authorization of $6.7 billion to Amtrak for capital grants and $3 billion in operating grants for an average of $606 million a year;
• Provision of $2.5 billion over five years for grants to states to pay for the capital costs of facilities and equipment necessary to provide new or improved intercity passenger rail. The federal share is up to 80 percent;
• $1.75 billion, or $350 million a year for states and/or Amtrak to finance the construction and equipment for 11 authorized high-speed rail corridors;
• Congestion grants to Amtrak and states for high-priority rail corridors in order to reduce congestion and facilitate ridership growth;
• Authorization of $354 million in debt service through Fiscal Year 2013 allowing Amtrak to focus resources on improving existing services and making capital and operating improvements;
• Establishment of a forum at the Surface Transportation Board to mediate disputes between commuter rail providers and freight railroads over use of freight rail tracks or rights-of-way; and
• Authorization of $12 billion of tax-credit bonds and $12 billion of tax-exempt bonds for high-speed rail corridors over the next 10 years.

Labor representatives expressed concerns about the public-private partnerships highlighted in the bill and specifically the proposal in Section No. 502 for a request for proposals to be issued for operating high-speed rail service in the Northeast Corridor. Both Oberstar and Brown said that this provision did not require an outside entity to operate the service but only asked for proposals to be considered—especially in the area of funding the needed capital investments.

Sen. Hagel, Industry Leaders Call for Infrastructure Investment

Sen. Charles Hagel (R-NE) and infrastructure stakeholders called for increased investment in the nation's assets through various financial devices or face losing the country's economic standing to China, the European Union and India, who are adding roads and rails, while developing port capacity.

Hagel, who was the keynote speaker for Wednesday's CQ Forum on America's Infrastructure, is a member of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee. He and committee Chairman Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-CT) are co-sponsors of the National Infrastructure Bank Act of 2007.

Hagel said the U.S. has been deficient in infrastructure investment. He said aging infrastructure goes unnoticed except when there is a malfunction or a crisis. "Infrastructure is not a particularly engaging or interesting topic," Hagel said. "It's like buying tires."

Hagel said adequate infrastructure is necessary for progress and ensuring a sound future to maintain quality of life. He criticized members of his own party for allowing the U.S. deficit to mushroom under the GOP watch. Congress and the Administration face tough decisions regarding infrastructure, but Hagel said he believes these issues will take a back seat to election year campaigning and sound bites.

Earlier this year the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission recommended all levels of government spend $225 billion a year to bring the nation's transportation infrastructure into a state of good repair. Hagel said the legislation he and Dodd introduced will help reach that recommended spending level, adding to the fuel tax receipts in the Highway Trust Fund set to go into a negative balance in Fiscal Year 2009.

The National Infrastructure Bank Act of 2007 would allow the federal government to finance projects of national and regional significance with public and private funds. An explanation of the legislation says states, local governments, tribes and transit agencies can go to the infrastructure bank for projects costing at least $75 million. Project type and funding amounts would be determined by a five-member board. Financing could come in the form of direct subsidies, direct loan guarantees, long-term tax-credit general purpose bonds and long-term tax-credit infrastructure project specific bonds. The initial ceiling to issue bonds is $60 billion.

Hagel encouraged infrastructure stakeholders to make efforts demonstrating the importance of infrastructure to the media and the public.

Earlier this month LIUNA launched the "Build America So America Works" campaign and the Chamber has its "Let's Rebuild America" effort.

American Road and Transportation Builders Association President Peter Ruane called the nation's infrastructure situation and the challenge to raise enough money to fix it "daunting." Adding, "But I believe the challenge can be met." He said the dynamics surrounding federal surface transportation reauthorization in 2009 are different than in 2005, which soured the media, public and some legislators on the program.

National Taxpayers Union Vice President for Policy and Communications Peter Sepp referenced the 2005 legislation, saying transportation and infrastructure spending was "politicized." He said the federal government needs to prioritize its spending and welcome funding from other sources than the fuel tax.

Other panelists at the forum included: Patrick Natale, executive director of the America Society of Civil Engineers; Robert Puentes, fellow, Metropolitan Policy Program, Brookings Institution; Steven Stockton, director, Civil Works, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; and David Pankhurst, staff director and legislative counsel, National Governors Association.

Congress Moves to Suspend Filling Strategic Petroleum Reserve in Effort to Curb Prices

Congress passed legislation Wednesday directing the Bush Administration to temporarily suspend shipments to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) as a short-term action to lower gas prices for consumers.

The Strategic Petroleum Reserve Fill Suspension and Consumer Protection Act of 2008, H.R. 6022, sponsored by Peter Welch (D-VT), Nick Lampson (D-TX) and Edward Markey (D-MA), passed the House Tuesday by a vote of 385-25. It directs President Bush to suspend shipments to the SPR through the end of the year or until prices drop below $75 per barrel. This action could reduce gas prices by 5 to 24 cents per gallon, according to experts.

The legislation cleared the U.S. House as gas prices reached a record high of $3.73 per gallon and the Senate passed the measure by a 97-1 Wednesday.

In a February 8 letter, Welch and Reps. Rahm Emanuel (D-IL) and Ron Kind (D-WI) urged President Bush to suspend oil shipments to the SPR. Welch then introduced legislation on February 14 directing the president to suspend purchases.

In recent weeks, as gas prices continued to skyrocket, the House SPR initiative received support from nearly 100 co-sponsors, as well as support from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Democratic leadership. Wednesday Welch introduced H.R. 6022, a revised version of his bill (H.R. 5473) to address technical concerns.

Filling the SPR takes 70,000 barrels of oil off the market each day and taxpayers are currently paying record prices for this oil. The reserve is 97 percent full.

The SPR has been tapped or temporarily suspended before by President Bush, President Clinton, and President George H.W. Bush. In 2000, after such action, the price of oil dropped by one-third, from $30 to $20 per barrel.

FAA Authorization Uncertain – AASHTO Urges Action

With action on a reauthorization of federal aviation programs still on hold in the Senate, the AASHTO Board of Directors has urged Congress to act swiftly to pass a multi-year bill, before federal funding expires on June 30.

After a week of little progress on the Senate floor, the bill, H.R. 2881 was pulled from the floor, after a cloture vote failed by a 10-vote margin. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) could choose to bring the bill back up at any time, but until some resolution is found to the underlying non-aviation conflicts in the bill, it would probably serve little purpose.

Not only does the delay imperil the continuation of the FAA program and taxes, it also jeopardizes the enactment of a proposal by Finance Committee leaders Senators Max Baucus (D-MT) and Charles Grassley (R-IA) to fix a $3.2 billion shortfall slated to hit the Highway Trust Fund at the end of September. Unless Congress acts to provide revenue to the Trust Fund, state highway programs will face a reduction of some $10 billion on October 1, below authorized levels.

The Board of Directors enacted a resolution strongly urging action to repair the shortfall in the Highway Trust Fund (AASHTO Journal, May 8).

The Board also addressed the need for the underlying FAA reauthorization legislation in a resolution that cites state views on the new program. The resolution states that Congress should:

• Pass a multi-year Airport Improvement Program through the existing revenue mechanism at the maximum levels that can be sustained by the Airport and Airway Trust Fund;
• Continue innovative financing methods, such as state infrastructure banks and state revolving loan programs;
• Contribute general fund revenue for FAA administration and operations and maintain AIP funds for airport improvements and transportation connectivity;
• Continue to fund the non-primary airport grant program;
• Maintain and fully fund the Essential Air Service Program and the Small Community Air Service Development Program;
• Increase the cap and allow for more flexibility of the Passenger Facility Charge to include intermodal access projects;
• Continue the State Block Grant Program for voluntary participation by all qualified states; and
• Consider additional steps to expedite the environmental process while preserving all environmental protections.

ATA Proposes Truck Fuel-Economy Standards

The American Trucking Associations (ATA) is proposing for the first time national truck fuel economy standards to meet the industry's concerns over escalating costs of diesel and gasoline, Transport Topics reports.

ATA President Bill Graves said rising fuel prices are now the largest single expense for many carriers. The truck fuel economy standards will be developed by working closely with equipment manufacturers.

ATA said its support is conditioned on technological feasibility and no reduction in tractor performance. In legislation last year, Congress called for a study to begin the process of setting a heavy-truck fuel standard.

Douglas Duncan, chief executive officer of FedEx Freight, said, "FedEx has been a proponent of...fuel economy standards for commercial vehicles. It is up to us as business leaders to work with engine manufacturers and make this a priority."

Based on the recommendations of ATA's Sustainability Task Force, which the federation's directors adopted last year, the program includes, in addition to support for truck fuel standards:

• A nationwide 65 mph speed limit for all vehicles, with governors on new trucks set at 68 mph;
• Reduced idling;
• Road improvements to cut bottlenecks and delays, paid for with dedicated funds from a fuel tax increase.
• Encouraging the Environmental Protection Agency's SmartWay program; and
• Moving more freight per gallon of fuel consumed by targeted truck size and weight increases.

ATA estimated that its program would save 86 billion gallons of fuel and 900 million tons of carbon emissions over a 10-year period.

According to ATA, cutting truck speeds to 65 mph from 75 mph would save about 2.8 billion gallons of fuel and reduce carbon dioxide by 31.5 million tons over 10 years. Idling, which uses 1.1 billion gallons of fuel annually, can be reduced if new steps are taken to keep drivers comfortable while they're resting and if traffic delays are minimized.

ATA advocates a tax credit for auxiliary power units to maintain truck cab comfort with the truck engine off and relaxation of maximum weight allowances to accommodate the units. Freight flows can be improved by congestion reduction efforts that begin by attacking 473 road bottlenecks. That would start a 20-year effort to increase capacity, with steps such as dedicated truck lanes.

Increased participation in SmartWay could boost fuel savings above the 554 million-gallon reduction that has been estimated for 2008 by current carrier and shipper participants, ATA said.

Low-Cost Safety Improvements Saves Lives

AASHTO President Pete Rahn last week outlined for state transportation officials the systematic, low-cost steps taken in Missouri to dramatically reduce their highway fatalities. The safety improvements, and others are highlighted in a new report Driving Down Lane-Departure Crashes, now available on the AASHTO website.

Approximately 42,000 people die on U.S. highways annually and more than 25,000—almost 60 percent—are killed in crashes caused when their vehicles veer from their lanes, Rahn told members of the AASHTO Board of Directors meeting in Branson, Missouri last week.

Rahn said that not only has he made crash reduction an emphasis area for AASHTO, he has also worked within his department to try to reduce the number of fatalities in Missouri.

Through a systematic approach, the Missouri Department of Transportation achieved a 25 percent reduction in lane departure related fatalities from 2005 to 2007 after installing lane departure countermeasures such as rumble stripes, pavement markings and cable median barriers.

Driving Down Lane-Departure Crashes highlights several other examples of states that are experiencing dramatic reductions in lane departure crashes and fatalities through successful leadership and systematic, low-cost improvements. For example: In Washington State, as the miles of divided highway protected by cable median barrier has increased, the number of crossover median collisions have decreased 74 percent; from 42 crashes to just 11 per year in 2007.

The study outlines quick-implementation strategies that will also reduce crashes into trees and utility poles and assist with the identification and removal of roadside safety hazards.

The AASHTO Board of Directors has set a goal of cutting U.S. traffic fatalities in half within two decades with the ultimate goal of zero deaths on our nation's roadways. To accomplish this goal the number of traffic fatalities must be reduced by approximately 1,000 per year.

The report is available by visiting https://bookstore.transportation.org/item_details.aspx?ID=1216.

AASHTO Launches Center for Excellence in Project Finance

AASHTO has been selected by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to create the Center for Excellence in Project Finance, authorized under the last highway and transit legislation, the Safe, Accountable, Flexible and Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users—SAFETEA-LU.

AASHTO President Pete Rahn of Missouri and Vice President Allen Biehler of Pennsylvania explained at the AASHTO Board of Directors meeting that the goal of the Center is to provide multifaceted assistance in developing finance plans and leading-edge professional education in project finance to help advance projects and more effectively leverage limited funds.

In addition, the Center is charged with providing technical services to state and local agencies and conducting research in financing topics. AASHTO won a competitive bid for the Center, and the Cooperative Agreement between AASHTO and U.S. DOT was signed on March 17, 2008. U.S DOT will fund $2.7 million over three years of this program, with the option of extending the Center indefinitely based on its performance.

As one of the Center's key programs, AASHTO has entered into a partnership with the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, a world-renowned business school, which will run the Center's flagship executive education program. The first offering will be the Wharton Transportation Executive Program which will be held at the campus of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia this fall from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1. This program, geared for state DOT chief executives, will focus on leadership, negotiations, and risk management specifically as they pertain to the transportation realm. This program will also provide custom-tailored interdisciplinary case studies for its 30 participants.

In addition, the Center will hold two two-day workshops addressing critical finance topics and issues in locations around the country.

Also, one-day project finance seminars will be provided four times a year around the country based on consultation with U.S. DOT. The first such seminar took place recently in Chicago, which was kicked off by the U.S. DOT Acting Undersecretary for Policy Tyler Duvall, with the keynote speech by Rahn.

In addition, the center will offer a variety of short seminars to help state DOT staffs to be better equipped to deal with the increasingly complex financing strategies in use today.

The Center will also offer a technical services component that will provide state DOTs with ready access to the nation's top transportation finance experts. This "quick strike" team will assist state DOTs in resolving short-term but intense financial challenges, such as financial plan development, policy evaluation, implementing innovative finance solutions, and assessing risk and benefit of potential public-private partnership opportunities, among others.

Another component of the Center is a robust research program. About $300,000 is available over the first three year duration of the Center, and the state DOTs will soon be asked to provide ideas and topics for research in transportation finance.

Finally, the Center will serve as the central clearinghouse for all things transportation finance, including the results of professional education programs, findings from Center-funded research, and notable best practices gained from consulting services provided.

For further information, contact the Finance Center's Deputy Director for Operations Joung Lee at jlee AT aashto.org or phone (202) 624-5818.

Wyoming Considers Trucker Tolls on Interstate 80 to Finance Road Repairs

The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WDOT) is exploring the possibility of using trucker tolls to pay for improvements to Interstate 80, the Jackson Hole Star-Tribune reports.

WDOT is studying the topic and exploring private-public partnerships to provide financing for road repairs. Implementing the toll system would mean a reliable revenue stream for the state, as well as enough money to pay for safety improvements on the interstate, proponents say.

Sen. Michael Von Flatern (R-Gillette) said. "What we are really talking about is tolling trucks. That is the initial discussion. The main reason is the feds are cutting back on their support for the states and also saying, 'You better think outside the box on highway funding.'"

Flatern has estimated that it would cost truckers between $40 and $80 to cross the state from end to end.

WDOT estimates that tolling could produce $6 billion to $8 billion per year. This money would be used in part for the I-80 expansion project, and to make repairs to the existing infrastructure.

The WDOT study has received positive feedback from a national trucking group that loses money whenever I-80 in closed due to bad weather or vehicular crashes. The group has suggested that they would support the implementation of tolls if it meant a speedier, safer commute.

California Strategic Growth Plan Tackles Congestion

Despite significant expected growth in population and the economy, California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is committed to reducing current levels of congestion by 15 percent over the next 10 years, as a part of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's Strategic Growth Plan.

Congestion relief was one of a number of goals which voters agreed to fund in the 2006 election, as part of a $222 billion infrastructure package that dedicated $107 billion to transportation needs. Other objectives are improving connectivity, improving safety and reducing air pollution.

CalTrans Director Will Kempton said that the governor campaigned actively for the bond initiative, to persuade voters that it was critical to protect the state's future. Kempton said, "California is embracing the need to rebuild and improve its infrastructure. The voters of California continue to recognize that this work is critical to the economic growth in the state, and have agreed time and time again to dig into their own pockets to finance this work."

Kempton noted that 19 counties in the state have special transportation sales taxes to fund local transportation projects that add nearly $3 billion annually for transportation improvements. "Add to this the statewide transportation bond initiative of nearly $20 billion, as well as over an 11 percent increase in transportation funding in the coming year, and things look fantastic for California," he said.

Delivering the promised improvements to the voters will require "working directly with industry, to ensure that labor, materials, and equipment are available to complete this major infrastructure activity during the next decade and beyond. Barriers to efficient project delivery are being assessed, including a streamlining of the regulatory process, seemingly our biggest hurdle to project completion in many cases," Kempton said.

He also emphasized the need for delivery, accountability, and transparency, noting that in 2007 the department brought in 296 projects on time and on budget, a 100 percent performance record. Kempton's presentation on the program is available on the AASHTO website at http://www.transportation.org/meetings/presentations/springmeeting2008/California%20Strategic%20Growth%20Plan.pdf.

Missouri to Repair 800 Bridges at Once

Facing a challenge of 1,093 bridges rated in poor or serious condition, the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) has launched a unique design-build-finance-maintain project that will deliver 800 bridges in good condition in six years, with maintenance guarantees for 25 years.

Missouri DOT Director Pete Rahn, AASHTO President, outlined the Safe and Sound bridge program announced by Gov. Matt Blount in November, 2006. He noted that of the 10,240 bridges on MoDOT's system, some 1,093 are rated in serious or poor condition. The Safe and Sound bridge program focuses on improving 802 of those bridges within five years. The contractor will then maintain them for the next 25 years.

While the total construction cost of the program will be between $600 and $800 million, the contractor will provide the financing through private activity bonds. Rahn explained, "We're looking for an innovative financing proposal—including a scenario where there are no outlays of cash by the Commission until all work is completed and then an annual payment schedule for a minimum of 25 years." While there will be finance changes over the payment schedule, the state believes the cost will be worth it. Some 800 bridges will be improved over five years, whereas the current bridge replacement schedule is only 40 per year. The state will also save program management costs, and 25 years of maintenance cost, Rahn noted.

Rahn's full presentation on the Safe and Sound bridge program is available on the AASHTO website at http://www.transportation.org/meetings/presentations/springmeeting2008/Safe%20&%20Sound%20Bridge%20Improvement%20Program.pdf.

AASHTO to Launch Global Climate Change State Assistance Program

With the emergence of global climate change as a national concern with potential impacts on transportation, AASHTO is launching a new AASHTO Climate Change Action Program (ACCAP) to provide timely information, technical assistance and tools to its member organizations.

The AASHTO Executive Committee approved the initiation of a pooled-fund program through which states will subscribe to a variety of services.

AASHTO Director of Policy and Government Relations Janet Oakley noted that transportation represents 30 percent of domestic carbon dioxide emissions. "Thirty-six governors, over 700 mayors, and county officials in every region of the country have signed on to aggressive plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from electric energy generation, industry and transportation. State governors and legislatures are turning to state transportation agencies to present plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transportation to meet these aggressive goals."

Among the program services planned is the creation of a web-based Climate Change Clearinghouse to serve as a one-stop shop of climate change information. It will include up-to-date information, regulatory and legislative actions, research, meetings and events, and best practices in reducing carbon emissions. An advisory group of state transportation department officials will be named to guide the implementation of the program.

For further information, contact Oakley at joakley AT aashto.org.

Primer on Transportation and Climate Change Issued by AASHTO

AASHTO has published an information report titled Primer on Transportation and Climate Change, which serves as an introduction to the issue of climate change and its implications for transportation policy in the U.S. The report:

• Summarizes the current state of scientific knowledge concerning the causes and impacts of climate change;
• Provides an introduction to climate change policy issues;
• Discusses trends in greenhouse gas emissions from road transportation;
• Reviews potential measures to reduce such emissions; and
• Identified issues for further research.

In an introduction to the report, titled Climate Change, VMT and the Economy: The AASHTO Perspective, AASHTO Executive Director John Horsley states:

"In its July 2007 publication, A New Vision for the 21st Century, AASHTO noted that 'global climate change has become a political, environmental, and economic fact of life.' That report identified bold but achievable goals for reducing Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from road transportation:

• Support the President's goal to reduce oil consumption 20 percent in 10 years. Double the fuel efficiency of passenger cars and light trucks;
• Double transit ridership by 2030, and significantly expand the market share of passengers and freight moved by rail;
• Reduce the growth in vehicle miles traveled (VMT)—from 3 trillion in 2006 to 5 trillion, rather than the projected 7 trillion, by 2055.
• Increase the percentage of those who car pool, walk, bike, or work at home.

Horsley said, "Achieving these goals will require major efforts to develop next-generation technologies in vehicles and fuels. Current government forecasts assume only incremental advances in vehicles and fuels between now and 2020, with few additional gains beyond that year. Much greater improvements will be needed in order to achieve major reductions in GHG emissions."

He notes, "In addition to improving vehicles and fuels, it also will be important to reduce the growth in VMT as compared to recent trends. Between 1982 and 2007, VMT grew at approximately 2.5 percent annually—closely tracking growth in the economy and personal income, and exceeding the growth in population. Going forward, some growth in VMT will be needed to accommodate a growing population and a growing economy, including truck freight shipments. Therefore, rather than seeking to cut VMT in real terms, AASHTO has proposed a goal of reducing the rate of growth in VMT to approximately the rate of population growth—about 1 percent per year."

Finally, he concludes, "It was interesting to note how the United Kingdom addressed this issue in its October, 2007 report Toward a Sustainable Transport System. The report found that for transport, supporting economic growth and tackling carbon emissions, 'does not have to be an either/or choice.' Likewise, AASHTO believes U.S. policies must be balanced in ways which help reduce transportation's impact on global climate change, but which also sustain VMT growth at the level needed to support a healthy national economy."

Copies of the full report are available by visiting http://downloads.transportation.org/PCRT-1.pdf. An executive summary document can be downloaded at http://downloads.transportation.org/PCRT-1_ExecSum.pdf.

AASHTO Seeks Program Manager for Environment and Climate Change Programs

AASHTO seeks a Program Manager for Environment to assist the AASHTO Program Director for Environment. The Program Manager will serve as the Assistant Director for the Center for Environment Excellence by AASHTO (Center) and the Program Manager of the AASHTO Climate Change Action Program (ACCAP).

The program manager will: develop a climate change clearinghouse; manage the production of training materials and opportunities for AASHTO members to engage in critical climate change discussions through webcasts, workshops, and other training venues; oversee the development of in-depth focused issue papers and primers on strategic policy and technical climate change issues; monitor federal and state legislative and regulatory activity that could impact state transportation programs; and prepare and present materials on climate change for briefings, presentations, and roundtable discussions at AASHTO meetings, conferences and special events.

The program manager will oversee and direct the Center programs and activities. For additional information regarding the Center and its activities, please visit http://www.environment.transportation.org.

A bachelor's of arts or science degree is required. Evidence of a higher degree of professional development, such as postgraduate education, is desirable.

A minimum of seven to 10 years of progressively responsible, professional experience in the transportation sector with a focus on environmental issues or in the environmental field with a focus on transportation issues, with at least two years at the federal, state or local level. Prior experience in project management is desirable.

Send resumes in confidence to AASHTO, Attn. Human Resources Manager, 444 N. Capitol Street, NW, Suite 249, Washington, DC 20001. Fax resumes to (202) 624-8471; e-mail to cbeauvais AT aashto.org. EOE.