National Association of Regional Councils

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Visioning Transportation's Furture: SAFETEA-LU Reauthorization and Beyond

The “Visioning Transportation’s Future” briefing on SAFETEA-LU Reauthorization and Beyond at the National Conference of Regions brought together the industry’s leading transportation policy experts to address the vision and future policy trends in the run-up for the next highway authorization.  While further analysis can be found at the link below, one main theme emerged; a new vision for the nation’s transportation system is sorely needed.

Long Summary:

NARC brought together the leading minds in transportation policy in the wake of the SAFETEA-LU mandated reauthorization commission reports, and in the run-up to the highway reauthorization. The Honorable Steven Cassano, Selectman from the Town of Manchester, Connecticut moderated the session, and provided several points of discussion to close the session.

Mortimer Downey, Chairman of the Board at PB Consult, as well as former Deputy Secretary of the US Department of Transportation, emphasized (as did the others who followed him) the need for a new vision to meet the U.S.’s transportation needs.  He stressed throughout his presentation that the next highway authorization should be viewed as an authorization, or a new beginning, and not a continuation of the same priorities set forth under SAFETEA-LU, which he views as wholly unsatisfactory.  Secretary Downey points to several factors; including increasing public attention and dissatisfaction with the status quo, the call for dramatic institutional change by the SAFETEA-LU mandated commissions, as well as the change politically anticipated in the next elections.

Robert Puentes, a fellow with the Metropolitan Policy Program at the Brookings Institution, also focused on the need for a new vision to meet the future transportation needs of the U.S.  Mr. Puentes illustrated through his presentation the changing demographics, both economically and geographically, over the next generation and linked it to the concerns being expressed across the country with the current state of infrastructure quality.  He stressed the need to link federal money spent with outcomes in line with pre-set priorities, and Mr. Puentes contended that no Federal vision was present, and scant data was available, to make this link.  Additionally, he contends that the Federal approach is outdated and the “siloed” nature of highway funding makes it disconnected from other purposes that cut across the federal jurisdictional spectrum.  Mr. Puentes’ solution for a national transportation that supports metropolitan areas would involve federal involvement to accomplish three goals; define and embrace a new vision, support metropolitan innovation, and develop meaningful outcome goals.

Jack Schenendorf, Vice-Chairman of the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission, reviewed the findings of the Commissions report.  The final report can be found at www.transportationfortomorrow.com.  NARC also produced a summary of the recommendations for our members.

Jim Kolb, Staff Director for the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, presented to the members Chairman Oberstar’s timeline and concerns with continuing the same priorities as were laid out in SAFETEA-LU.  Mr. Kolb reiterated the need for a new federal vision, and indicated the Chairman’s hope for the next highway reauthorization as the culmination of that vision.  Mr. Kolb indicated that the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure would “mark-up” (meaning vote to pass a written proposal out of only the Committee) by April, 2009.

A few themes emerged from the speaker’s panel.  Primarily, a unifying Federal vision is noticeably absent.  It was insinuated that the lack of Federal vision in the last highway reauthorization was the main factor in what some considered to be a devolution to a financial “grab bag”.  The panelists agree that the next highway reauthorization should be viewed as an “authorization” of whatever new federal vision emerges.

Click Here to View Mortimer Downey's Presentation

Click Here to View Robert Puentes' Presentation

Click Here for a Transportation for Tomorrow Summary