TRANSpolicy

TRANSpolicy ends and MTS Matters begins. This blog is taking on...

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 10:02:20 -0400

TRANSpolicy ends and MTS Matters begins. This blog is taking on a new look and a bit clearer focus. The title better reflects my interest area—the marine transportation system—and what, for the most part, I have been bringing to the reader’s attention. The new host (WordPress) offers more features and better serves an issue oriented blog and its readers. Thanks for checking in on TRANSpolicy. Come visit http://mtsmatters.com. Pbea

The Sound of a Falling Container Trade (2008)

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 21:00:48 -0400

The Sound of a Falling Container Trade (2008): USDOT’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics...

Spending Billions...And More To Come

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 09:20:47 -0400

Spending Billions...And More To Come: In February House Transportation Chair Jim Oberstar (D-MN)...

What does the Maritime Administration know about highway and...

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 10:16:00 -0400

What does the Maritime Administration know about highway and mobility issues? Should MARAD or some of the non-modal administrations at USDOT be given a vote on “intermodal” projects as the new Surface Transportation Amendments Act (STAA) directs? Both fair questions. And the answers are (drum roll please): 1) More than you think they know, and 2) maybe it’s about time. ~ That part of the bill sets up a high ranking intermodal post and a program mechanism for judging projects for funding. The purpose is to give the Secretary the input of the other parts of the department when making a decision on an intermodal project even when an agency might have less expertise in, say, an airport connector to an urban transit system. However, in doing so it may start to dismantle…or at least lower…the modal silos and their sense that “what’s mine is mine and I don’t much care about yours.” And when those walls are lowered—or start to include windows and doors—it can foster an “ours” sense of fitting pieces together as well as an enhanced professional capacity in all areas of the department. ~ As it happens, it’s the port maritime sector that may have the stronger sense of intermodalism and belief in the notion of seamless connections between all modes. Take a look at a modern marine terminal today (the NY Container Terminal is our visual aid) and see how they are all about bringing ships to the rails and roads and the closer the better. They are about moving cargo with increasing efficiency and reliability and getting it to and from the distribution centers. The ports are about intermodalism. So while the Maritime Administration does not have a history of managing large grant programs like their larger sister silos it has spent time giving attention to ports where the connections are made…and where they may be lacking. Knowing that and then doing something about it is good for the system. - Pbea

Chair Oberstar’s surface transportation...

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 10:16:44 -0400

Chair Oberstar’s surface transportation bill….otherwise known as “Skipping the LU”

Caution: Slow Down MOVEMENT

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 10:16:24 -0400

Caution: Slow Down MOVEMENT: Rep. Laura Richardson (D-CA) apparently returned to Congress in...

Freight Stakeholders Settled on Their Platform

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:02:00 -0400

Freight Stakeholders Settled on Their Platform: The Freight Stakeholders Coalition “believes...

Adam Smith on the Cost of Freight Mobility

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 22:41:00 -0400

Adam Smith on the Cost of Freight Mobility: Adam Smith—no, different guy—reintroduced...

Proposed: Short Sea Transportation Grants

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 17:38:00 -0400

Proposed: Short Sea Transportation Grants: Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) introduced S. 1308, which...

"…Oberstar told BNA that the White House’s plan is “terribly detrimental” and..."

Sun, 21 Jun 2009 00:01:52 -0400

“…Oberstar told BNA that the White House’s plan is “terribly...

First out of the gate: A detailed description of the planned...

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:32:34 -0400

First out of the gate: A detailed description of the planned House surface transportation bill to “transform Federal surface transportation from an amalgamation of prescriptive programs to a performance-based framework”. The bill text and committee action will come in the next week(s).

To Reform, Perchance to Tax (Aye, There's the Rub)

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 10:03:00 -0400

To Reform, Perchance to Tax (Aye, There's the Rub): The unveiling of T&I Chairman Jim...

Are We Intermodal Enough Yet?

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 14:16:00 -0400

Are We Intermodal Enough Yet?: “The preamble to ISTEA [1991] said that our goal should be...

Desirable: DOT Coordination Without...And Within

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 13:52:00 -0400

Desirable: DOT Coordination Without...And Within: “These principles mean that we will all be...

It Makes No Sense

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 07:48:17 -0500

It Makes No Sense: “Recession or no recession, our nation desperately needs to update...

TELL THEM ABOUT TRANSPORTATION…”them” being...

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:52:29 -0500

TELL THEM ABOUT TRANSPORTATION…”them” being President-elect Obama and the next Congress who will make major policy and funding decisions. The ItoldthePresident.org campaign invites text and video comments from transportation users to tell Washington decision makers “what they need to know to take action to improve transportation next year”. Sounds right. Tell them. Pbea

Stimulating the Economy with a Vision

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 08:54:00 -0500

Stimulating the Economy with a Vision: “But alas, there’s no evidence so far that the Obama...

18 Agencies with 1 National Strategy for the MTS

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 08:49:09 -0400

18 Agencies with 1 National Strategy for the MTS : “Through the National Strategy, the CMTS...

Friedman on Nation Building at Home

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:02:53 -0400

Friedman on Nation Building at Home: “As I sat in my seat at the Bird’s Nest, watching...

USDOT Secretary Mary Peters released her proposed...

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 11:18:20 -0400

USDOT Secretary Mary Peters released her proposed “Transportation Infrastructure Reform Act,” a surface transportation reform proposal. Given the status quo, which is to say a transportation system of diminishing quality and capacity, this suggested change of direction deserves at least one read by decisionmakers in Congress. But Peters’ views this past year have found few congressional heads nodding in agreement and thus a small audience for recommendations from a lame duck administration.