Transportation
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NARC supports the existence and continued operations of MPOs of all sizes in metropolitan planning and programming and RPOs and other rural organizations for rural planning. Our goal is to advocate for Authority, Funding, and a Positive Future Role for all regional transportation providers and promote regional solutions to transportation needs. NARC also functions as a platform for information exchange, technical assistance and research.
New Vision for Intercity Rail Service
The Passenger Rail Working Group has announced a new vision for intercity rail service throughout
NARC Offers its Support to National Transportation Commissions
NARC sent letters and information about regional councils in an outreach effort to support the work of the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Commission and the National Surface Transportation Infrastructure Financing Commission. NARC encourages members to contact each Commission respectively to offer assistance.
Policy Commission Letter - Financing Commission Letter - NARC Information Packet - Sample Member Letter
National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Commission
For the latest news on the National Surface Transportation Policy Commission, as well as information on industry trends, please click here.
NARC Supports Rail Competition Legislation
NARC sent a letter applauding and supporting Senate Judiciary subcommittee Chairman Herb Kohl’s (D-WI) rail competition bill, S 772, which will improve rail transportation services to communities and businesses, bolstering the economic competitiveness of our regions and the entire nation.
Click here to learn more about S 772.
Click here to read NARC's letter to Chairman Kohl.
House Passes FAA Reauthorization; Senate Committee Continues Work on Financing Package
The House passed HR 2881, which would reauthorize the FAA at $68 billion over four years. The Senate Finance Committee continues to mark up tax portions of S 1300, their FAA reauthorization bill.
The House bill includes a number of amendments:
- tighten oversight of foreign aircraft repair stations
- cut down on airline overscheduling
- establish health and safety standards for flight attendants
- create new protections for people stranded on aircraft left on the tarmac for long periods
- require airlines and airports to develop plans to provide clean drinking water to passengers and to allow them to deplane following excessive delays
- allow the Transportation Department to impose civil penalties on airlines or airports that don’t adhere to these plans
- require the Transportation Department to investigate more consumer complaints, including flight cancellations, overbooking, baggage concerns and other issues
- order the FAA to study the feasibility of developing a data clearinghouse for wind turbine obstruction of aviation sites
- require foreign aircraft repair stations to subject their employees to drug and alcohol testing, as is the case for domestic aircraft mechanics
- raise the general aviation fuel tax from 21.8 cents per gallon to 35.9 cents per gallon, and the commercial aviation fuel tax from 19.3 cents per gallon to 24.1 cents per gallon, with the extra revenue would be dedicated to air traffic control modernization
- provides $15.8 billion for the Air Improvement Program (AIP)
- authorizes increased funding for the Essential Air Service Program (EAS)
- extends the Small Community Air Service Development Program through FY11 at current authorized $35 million per year levels, providing an additional $9 million per year for overflight fees starting in FY09
The Senate financing proposal includes:
- would raise the tax on general aviation fuel to 36 cents per gallon.
- would not change commercial aviation fuel taxes, but would classify aircraft owned by multiple parties as general aviation for the purposes of jet fuel taxation, repeal the ticket tax these types of planes are currently subject to, and impose a $58-per-flight departure tax.
- would change the international departure and arrival tax from $15.10 per flight to $16.50, and index it for inflation.
- will consider a measure that would add about $3.4 billion to the HTF by temporarily prohibiting money from being transferred from it to the general Treasury for non-highway uses, including some transit purposes, and suspending tax credits for certain kinds of fuels, among other initiatives.
NARC sent a letter of congratulations to Chairmen Oberstar (D-MN) and Costello (D-IL) for the successful House passage of HR 2881 and a letter to Senate Finance Committee Chairman Baucus and Ranking Member Grassley supporting their efforts to infuse more funds into both the Airport and Airway Trust Fund and the Highway Trust Fund.
Click here to read NARC's Federal Aviation Administration policy.
Click here to read the Congressional Budget Office's (CBO) cost estimate for HR 2881.
NARC Issues Transportation Safety Planning Brief
Click here to read the Transportation Safety Planning Brief
Department of Transportation Names Six Interstate Routes as "Corridors of the Future"
The U.S. Department of Transportation yesterday announced six interstate routes –I-95, I-70, I-15, I-5, I-10, I-69 – that will be the first to participate in a new federal initiative, “Corridors of the Future,” to develop multi-state corridors to help reduce congestion. The program is aimed at developing innovative national and regional approaches to reduce congestion and improve the efficiency of freight delivery.
The selected corridors carry 22.7 percent of the nation’s daily interstate travel. The routes will receive the following funding amounts to implement their development plans:
- $21.8 million for I-95 from Florida to the Canadian border
- $5 million for I-70 in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio
- $15 million for I-15 in Arizona, Utah, Nevada, and California
- $15 million for I-5 in California, Oregon, and Washington
- $8.6 million for I-10 from California to Florida
- $800,000 for I-69 from Texas to Michigan.
These routes were selected for their potential to use public and private resources to reduce traffic congestion within the corridors and across the country. The concepts include building new roads and adding lanes to existing roads, building truck-only lanes and bypasses, and integrating real-time traffic technology like lane management that can match available capacity on roads to changing traffic demands.
The Department and the states will now work to finalize formal agreements by spring 2008 that will detail the commitments of the federal, state, and local governments involved. These agreements will outline the anticipated role of the private sector as well as how the partners will handle the financing, planning, design, construction, and maintenance of the corridor.
For more information on the selected corridors and the proposals, please visit CORRIDORS OF THE FUTURE FACT SHEET.htm.
To read the letter that NARC issued to the Secretary supporting this initiative, please click here.
The Administration Speaks Out Against Raising the Gas Tax
The Secretary of Transportation, Mary Peters recently expressed the Administration’s views on increasing the federal gas tax to fund infrastructure in an op-ed published in the Washington Post. Click here to view,
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/24/AR2007082401697.html.
FHWA and FTA Publish New SAFETEA-LU Implementation Resource
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Office of Planning and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Office of Planning and Environment have released a report detailing illustrative examples of SAFETEA-LU planning. In the report, you will find examples of current practice from COGs/MPOs and state departments of transportation highlighting a range of approaches for addressing selected planning provisions. The report can be found here, http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/metro/sftluexamp.htm.
NARC Issues Goods Movement Brief
Click here to read the Goods Movement Brief.
NARC Issues Data and Technology Brief
Click here to read the Data and Technology Brief.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters Announced Today More Than $128 Million In Emergency Funds To Repair Damaged Roads in
More than $128 million in additional emergency relief funds is now available to pay for repairs to roads and bridges damaged by a variety of natural and other emergencies, announced U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters today.
“Natural disasters hit communities in the home, heart and pocketbook,” Secretary Peters said. “By rebuilding crucial roads and highways, these funds will help people to get back on the road and back to the relief of normal, day to day life.”
The funds will go to 7 states and other federal facilities, like parkways, to pay for damages caused by storms, floodings and earthquakes. In the case of
The Federal Highway Administration, a part of the U.S. DOT, will reimburse the states for expenses associated with these emergency situations. The funds will be used to reimburse states for fixing or replacing damaged highways and bridges, establishing detours, removing debris and replacing signs, lighting and guardrails.
"Transportation links are key to getting economies and people’s lives back on track,” said FHWA Administrator J. Richard Capka.
The emergency relief funds are part of an emergency appropriations package in the amount of $871 million, signed into law by President Bush in September 2005, to supplement FHWA's emergency relief program. The current release of funds, in addition to $675 million provided earlier this year, brings the total provided to more than $803 million with the balance still available to states upon request.
The program is used to reimburse states for certain costs resulting from natural disasters or other emergencies. A table detailing the funds can be seen at .
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Emergency Relief Program Funds - Summary By State |
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August 30, 2007 |
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State |
Event |
Allocation |
Subtotal |
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April 29, 2007 I-580 Interchange Collapse |
24,200,000 |
24,200,000 |
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July 7, 2007 I-74 Truck Fire |
2,943,100 |
2,943,100 |
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May/June 2007 Storms and Flooding |
4,122,774 |
4,122,774 |
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October 7, 2005 Flooding |
609,200 |
9,609,200 |
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May 2006 Rainfall and Flooding |
9,000,000 |
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August 29, 2005 Hurricane Katrina |
20,000,000 |
20,000,000 |
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July 1, 2006 Storms |
1,605,981 |
4,025,752 |
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July 26, 2006 Storms |
2,419,771 |
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February 28, 2001 Nisqually Earthquake |
3,892,500 |
3,892,500 |
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Federal Lands agencies |
various events |
59,594,050 |
59,594,050 |
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Total |
128,387,376 |
128,387,376 |
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NARC Issues Transportation Finance Brief
Click here to obtain a copy of the NARC Transportation Finance Brief.
Senate Holds Subcommittee Hearing on Essential Air Service (EAS)
NARC recently attended a Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Subcommittee hearing on improving air service to small and rural communities. To read a full summary of the hearing, please click here.
Travel Demand Forecasting Report Released by the Transportation Research Board (TRB)
This week TRB released “Metropolitan Travel Forecasting: Current Practice and Future Direction,” a report outlining metropolitan travel forecasting models. More information and a copy of the report can be found at http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=782.
Chairman Oberstar and Representative DeFazio Issue Position Paper on Public Private Partnerships
House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman James Oberstar and Highways and Transit Subcommittee Chairman Representative Peter DeFazio released a position paper outlining their concerns over public-private partnerships in transportation. This document follows-up and expands on points raised in a letter on public private partnerships dated May 10 and sent to governors, key legislators and top transportation officials in all 50 states.
To view a copy of the position paper, click here.
Chairman Oberstar Writes Letter Warning States Against Public-Private Partnerships
Chairman Oberstar of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and Representative Peter DeFazio, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit sent a letter last week to governors, state legislators and state transportation officials warning them against the pitfalls of rushing into public-private partnerships. The letter stresses many public-private partnership agreements are not structured with the long-term, public interest in mind. Financing and funding mechanisms for transportation should promote a safe and well integrated transportation system that can address mobility, highway safety and other transpiration-related issues as they arise. Click hear to read a copy of the letter.
NARC Issues Statement Supporting Rail Initiatives
On May 7, 2007 NARC issued a statement of support for HR 2125, legislation ensuring competition in the rail industry through preservation of existing rail-to-rail competition and enabling customers to obtain reliable service and for HR 2095, legislation reauthorizing the Federal Railroad Administration and improving rail safety.
Letters were set to Chairman Oberstar (D-MN) and Reps. Baker (R-LA) and Brown (D-FL) for both HR 2125 and HR 2095 respectively. For copies of the letters, visit the government affairs section of the website at http://narc.org/legislation/policy-statements-and-testimony.html and see letters listed for May 7.
NARC Joins AAR and Others in Support of Freight Rail Infrastructure Capacity Expansion Act (S 1125)
Today, the National Association of Regional Councils (NARC) issued a statement of support for the Freight Rail Infrastructure Capacity Expansion Act (S 1125), which intends to provide incentives to expand rail infrastructure and help ease highway congestion to assist in meeting the 67 percent spike in freight traffic predicted by the Department of Transportation by the year 2020. NARC joins the Association of American Railroads (AAR) and many other organizations as a supporter of this legislation.
Freight and goods movement is at the heart of the American economy. The nation’s $1.75 trillion transportation infrastructure makes it possible to move $6 trillion worth of freight each year. Transportation services make up a substantial portion of the economy—about 11 percent of the gross domestic product. Over 13 million people work directly or indirectly in transportation services.
Despite the importance of freight and goods movement to the economy, investment in the system has lagged behind amounts needed to accommodate growth. To simply maintain the nation’s already crowded interstates and highways at their current level of service, about $34 billion more is needed per year. Even more money is needed to actually improve road conditions for motorists and truckers. Railroads will need to invest up to $175 billion over the next 20 years, principally through private financing sources. The Freight Rail Infrastructure Capacity Expansion Act is a step towards a larger solution.
Promoting heavy rail as a way to move both goods and passengers continues to be a priority for NARC’s multi-modal transportation program. NARC also continues to support and work with Class I, II, and III railroads as a means to ease cross country and intercity container congestion. Utilizing our massive rail infrastructure and infusing new capital into maintenance and new track is a needed component of a national freight policy.
To learn more about the freight rail tax credit, please visit the Association of American Railroads website.
To view the list of supporters, please click here.
GAO Testimony Heard on SAFE Port Act by House Homeland Security Subcommittee
On Thursday, April 26th, the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Border, Maritime, and Global Counterterrorism held a hearing examining the “SAFE Port Act: A Six Month Review.” Testifying at the hearing was Stephen Caldwell, Director of Homeland Security and Justice, U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). Mr. Caldwell presented observations on selected aspects of the SAFE Port Act, in particular the port security and revenue functions, as well as overall implementation of the law.
Caldwell reported that many port facility security requirements are being implemented, but not always on schedule. He indicated that the Coast Guard will be challenged by the number of trained inspectors it needs to complete required inspections. Additionally, container security programs are experiencing challenges in implementation at ports of entry, including the inability to directly test the security measures used by different companies in their supply chains, particularly overseas. Caldwell also detailed the Department of Homeland Security’s dilemmas in maintaining its customs revenue functions, citing that DHS failed to maintain the legislatively mandated staffing levels, lacks a strategic workforce plan, and does not publicly report on its performance of customs revenue functions, which would help ensure accountability.
To read the GAO’s findings and Caldwell’s entire report, please visit http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d07754t.pdf.
House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Aviation Holds Hearing on the Essential Air Service Program (EAS) and the Small Community Air Service Development Program.
NARC attended a hearing yesterday, Wednesday, April 25 on the Essential Air Service (EAS) Program and the Small Community Air Service Development Program. The EAS Program was developed in response to airline deregulation in 1978 to guarantee small communities would be served by certified air carriers and maintain a minimal level of service. This program is the main link between rural communities and the national air transportation system. The small community program began in 2002 to provide grant-in-aid financial assistance to small communities to improve their air service.
There were three panels of witnesses and testimony was received by the following individuals:
- Representative Terry Everett (R-AK)
- Representative Mike Thompson (D-CA)
- Gerald Dillingham – Director, Physical Infrastructure Issues, Government Accountability Office
- Michael Reynolds – Deputy Assistant Secretary of Transportation for Aviation and International Affairs
- Faye Malarkey – Vice President, Legislative Affairs, Regional Airline Association
- Bill Hansell - Commissioner,
- David N. Edwards – Director, Asheville Regional Airport, Asheville, NC, and Chairman, Small Airport Committee, Airports Council international North America
- Mark Courtney – Director,
- Robert Grierson – Manager,
More information on the hearing, including full testimony from each of the witnesses is available at http://transportation.house.gov/hearings/hearingdetail.aspx?NewsID=160.
These programs are being considered as part of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization, which expires in September 2007.
Currently, the EAS program is being funded through the 2007 continuing resolution at approximately $110 million, the same as funding enacted in 2006. The Administration’s FAA Reauthorization proposal is calling for a reduction in overall funding for the program, capping it at a maximum of $50 million per year. This is $60 million less than current funding levels. With a reduction in funding, half of the participating communities would be dropped, cutting off vital air service for many rural areas. Other program changes proposed by the administration include capping EAS communities to those receiving subsidized air service and ranking all subsidized communities by driving miles to the nearest large or medium hub airport with the most isolated receiving services first.
Yesterday’s comments made to and questions asked of witnesses by the House Aviation Subcommittee indicate that they consider these programs the lifeblood of many rural communities by connecting them to the larger transportation network. With the Subcommittees endorsement for these programs, policy changes and funding levels established during the FAA reauthorization process are likely to include continued support for airline services in our country’s rural communities.
NARC supports additional funding for the EAS Program, as well as policy changes that will enhance and expand air service in rural areas. With FAA Reauthorization slated as one of NARC’s 2007 legislative priorities, we will continue to closely monitor and advocate on federal aviation issues that are of interest to regional councils. More information on FAA reauthorization will be provided to you once it is available. If you have questions, please contact
The Federal Highway Administration has issued a memo concerning the oversight of Federal-aid Projects administered by local public agencies to FHWA Directors of Field Services and Division Administrators. Included with the memo is the final report on the National Review of locally administered projects that was recently conducted by the agency.
For your review we have posted the memo, final report as well as some background documentation on the issue.
Memo issued to FHWA Directors of Field Services and Division Administrators
Final Report on Federal-aid Projects administered by local public agencies
Transportation Legislative Update: House Passes Technical Corrections Bill Making Changes to SAFETEA-LU
Last week, the House passed legislation (HR 1195) tweaking some funding levels and minor issues created by the six-year, $286.5 billion dollar transportation law.
One change of particular interest is the six-month deadline extension for the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission and an additional $2 million for the commission to complete their work. Established through SAFETEA-LU, the 12-member commission is charged with reporting on transportation and infrastructure funding and beginning the debate on alternative financing options to replace funding generated by the federal gas tax which will be insolvent by 2009. Currently, the commission is scheduled to report back to Congress on July 1, 2007.
The commission got off to a slow start because of the Administration’s delay in appointing commissioners and the resignation in July 2006 of Transportation Secretary Mineta. Secretary Mary Peters, who chairs the commission, has asked Congress for additional time to ensure that all options for future transportation policy are properly considered.
The legislation also changed certain earmarked projects because of cost overruns that are not consistent with pay-as-you go budget requirements adopted by Congress earlier this year.
Two similar technical corrections bills were passed by the House last year, but no action was taken by the Senate. Currently there is no companion bill that has been introduced in the Senate.
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is ordering states to rescind highway program funds by April 18, 2007.
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is ordering states to rescind highway program funds by April 18, 2007.
As part of the Revised Continuing Appropriations Resolution for FY 2007, FHWA is directing states to rescind $3.471 billion in highway program funds by relinquishing funds from state “unobligated program balances.” Program funds must be rescinded by April 18, 2007.
If you have concerns about this round of rescissions, you should contact your Governor’s office, state DOT and state legislators immediately to ensure a “balanced” reduction among all of the program categories. Currently, neither Congress nor FHWA has provided guidance or instructions regarding the rescissions. With this, it is especially important hat you begin talking to people within your state prior to the deadline.
Our friends at the Surface Transportation Policy Partnership (STPP) have put together information to help COGs and MPOs navigate this process to ensure that local and regional programs are not being undercut by the rescission.
The FHWA order, which includes a table showing the amount of funds your state must rescind, can be found at STPP’s site at -- http://www.transact.org/km/FHWAFY07RescissionMemo$3.471B.pdf.
STPP estimates about $35 billion in unobligated program balances are currently available to the states in responding to this new rescission order.
STPP has also prepared a chart showing how the three FY’06 rescission orders affected the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement program (CMAQ) and Transportation Enhancements program -- http://www.transact.org/km/FinalFY06CMAQandTERescissionsTable.doc
This chart clearly shows that these two relatively small programs – representing less that 10 percent of annual spending authority to the states – absorbed a disproportionate share of state rescissions during FY’06. The chart also makes it possible to compare CMAQ and TE rescissions to each state’s total rescission amount for FY’06.
One additional note, safety programs have been exempted from rescission orders. It is a good thing because states are beginning to accumulate program balances in these categories.
U.S. DOT Releases Final Statewide and Metropolitan Planning Rule. Visit our Planning Rule page for more information: http://narc.org/activities/transportation/planning-rule.html
Apply for ITS Congestion Management Grants
The USDOT Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) is seeking Applications for Funding under Intelligent Transportation Systems Operational Testing to Mitigate Congestion Program. This program will award $100 million over three years for innovative projects and local pilot programs that seek to reduce congestion using any of the following methods: Tolling, Transit, Telecommuting or Technology & Operations. The awarded money is very flexible, and can be used to expand existing programs, create new ones, or test new technologies. View more information
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Calls on Nation’s Most Congested Cities to Join the Fight Against Congestion
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters urged state and city transportation officials to respond to a request for proposals to partner with the Department of Transportation to fight traffic congestion in the Nation’s major metropolitan areas.
“Our quality of life and continued economic prosperity demand that we find creative solutions to the growing burden of congestion,” said Secretary Peters. “We want to work with forward thinking state and local leaders to find new ways to get people and goods moving again.”
Through the “Urban Partnership Agreement,” the Department would provide qualified states and metropolitan areas, known as “Urban Partners,” with a combination of grants, loans, credit support, regulatory relief and technical assistance to operationally test advanced technologies, such as ramp metering and real-time travel information systems, designed to reduce traffic congestion. In return, the Department’s Urban Partners would be expected to research, develop and showcase strategies believed to be effective on a combined basis in actually reducing traffic congestion in the near term. Those strategies include implementation of variable rush hour pricing, otherwise known as “congestion pricing”; expanded transit services for commuters; employer commitments to expand telecommuting and/or flexible scheduling options for employees; and an expanded focus on reducing the impact of incidents, like crashing, on causing traffic tie ups.
In addition, Urban Partners would be encouraged to explore opportunities to partner with the private sector to implement these solutions quickly and cost effectively.
Secretary Peters urged transportation officials to apply to enter into a new “Urban Partnership Agreement” with the Department. The program, outlined in a Federal Register notice issued today, is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Strategy to Reduce Congestion on America’s Transportation Network. It requests that all applications be received by April 30, 2007. Secretary Peters expects the results to be announced by August 8, 2007.
Actions:
Click here for the attached Federal Register Notice issued on behalf of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and various modal administrations as a notice of solicitation for applications to enter into urban partnerships with DOT.
Applications for Urban Partnership Agreements as a Part of Congestion Initiative – the purpose of the Notice is to solicit proposals by metropolitan areas in order to demonstrate strategies with a combined track record of effectiveness in reducing traffic congestion. DOT expects to use discretionary funding available under its Intelligent Transportation System Operational Testing to Mitigate Congestion Program and other discretionary grant, lending and credit support programs administered by the Department.
For additional information concerning this Notice, please contact Mr. David Horner, Esq., Chief Counsel, FTA at David.horner@dot.gov. Please address technical questions to either Thomas McNamara at 202-366-4462 or Thomas.mcnamara@dot.gov or Patrick DeCorla-Souza at 202-366-4076 or Patrick.decorla-souza@dot.gov.
FTA will be posting this Notice on its public website within its Legislation, Regulations & Circulars/Guidance navigation section under Federal Register Notices.
Comments on the Proposed Rules for Metropolitan and Statewide Planning Submitted
To help our members review and comment on the proposed rules for on Metropolitan and Statewide Transportation Planning, NARC released its Comment Posting System. This system broke down the rules into easily-managed sections, and provided a dedicated message board for members to comment on and discuss.
Click Here for more Transportation Policy information
SAFETEA-LU Expires In:
NARC’s transportation staff is available to answer any questions you may have.
Email Fred Abousleman, Executive Director or call 202.986.1032 ext. 216
Email Erika Young, Transportation Director or call ext. 212
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