USTDA Sector Brief - Transportation

Recognizing that trade is an essential catalyst for development, the establishment of modern, efficient and secure transportation infrastructure is essential for economic growth. Many USTDA activities in the transportation sector support the development of closer commercial relations under U.S. trade agreements and the adoption of international security standards. In carrying out its mission, USTDA funds various forms of technical assistance, early investment analysis, training, orientation visits and business workshops that support the development of a modern infrastructure and a fair and open trading environment.

In fiscal year 2007, USTDA funded 50 transportation-related activities, accounting for 21.2% of total agency obligations. Below is an illustrative list of USTDA activities:

East Asia

U.S.-China Aviation Cooperation Program (ACP) – A public-private partnership linking USTDA, the Federal Aviation Administration, China's Civil Aviation Administration (CAAC), and U.S. aviation companies, the ACP is a multi-faceted program to promote technical, policy and commercial cooperation between the U.S. and Chinese aviation sectors. The ACP is successfully facilitating technical cooperation and is increasing awareness of U.S. technology, product standards, and services to assist China in the development of aviation sector, and has also promoted high-level dialogue between the U.S. and Chinese governments in aviation policy.

Shanghai Model Port Customs IT – USTDA provided $186,800 to the Shanghai Customs Authority for training related to the information technology upgrades at the Port of Shanghai. The training is assisting the authority in enhancing the overall efficiency of the port, with an emphasis on the growing market for express shipping services into China.

Guangzhou Metro Line 4 – USTDA provided a $500,420 grant for a study on technical standards and system requirements for Line 4 of the Guangzhou metro system. This high-speed light rail project, the first in China, will expand the municipality's existing metro system and provide the city's growing population greater access to environmentally friendly transportation.

Railway Intermodal Container Transport Development – USTDA provided a $679,550 grant to review China's approach to the intermodal container business, recommend options to improve the service, and develop a plan to increase intermodal rail transport business.

Europe and Eurasia

Bila Tserkva Cargo Hub Airport – USTDA is providing $238,843 to the Bila Tserkva City Council to partially fund a feasibility study on the proposed rehabilitation of the Bila Tserkva airport in Ukraine and construction of cargo facilities to transform the airport into an air cargo hub. The proposed rehabilitation project includes a runway extension; air traffic control upgrades; the construction of an air cargo terminal, fire station and industrial park; and the installation of airport security systems. Solid Team, LLC is conducting the study.

Estonia Tallinn Port Security – USTDA is providing $160,130 to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications for technical assistance to the Port of Tallinn in devising a strategy and implementation plan to become a “secure link” in international trade. SAIC is conducting the technical assistance.

Latvia Integrated Master Port Security Plan – USTDA is providing $390,740 to the Ministry of Transport for technical assistance in developing an integrated master port security plan for the ports of Riga, Ventspils, and Liepaja. The assistance will re-engineer the security processes at each port to provide a layered comprehensive security system. Sullivan Cove Consultants is conducting the study.

Russia Krasnoyarsk Airport Hub Technical Assistance – USTDA is providing $513,800 to partially fund a study on the modernization and expansion of Krasnoyarsk Airport into a multimodal transportation hub. The study will prioritize the project’s various components and develop the project to international standards. Simat, Helliesen and Eichner, Inc. is conducting the study.

Latin America and the Caribbean

Brazil Belo Horizonte Intelligent Transportation System – USTDA provided a $294,000 grant to assist the Belo Horizonte Traffic and Transportation Company (BHTRANS) in the development of an intelligent transportation system (ITS) action plan. The action plan will recommend specific ITS standards to assist BHTRANS with the adoption of new standards that could be used for future ITS applications in Belo Horizonte.

Chile Central Zone Airspace and Airport Infrastructure – USTDA provided a $359,350 grant to the National Airport Directorate to develop a systems plan to identify infrastructure improvements needed to meet long-term aviation demands and the technologies that will optimize airspace use. The improvements will facilitate all-weather access to airports and improve air traffic control in mountainous areas.

Mexico SCT Multimodal National Plan – USTDA provided a $1,323,900 grant to assist Mexico's Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes (SCT) in the development and deployment of a comprehensive national plan for modernizing Mexico's multimodal trade transportation infrastructure. This project supports the infrastructure development objectives of the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP). Wilbur Smith Associates (Atlanta, GA) is providing the technical assistance.

Panama Port and Maritime Sector Monitoring and Control Center – USTDA provided a $331,341 grant to assist the Panama Maritime Authority (Autoridad Maritima de Panama, AMP) in developing a Maritime Sector Monitoring and Control Center. The Center will help the AMP monitor and control Panama's maritime sector, including the administration of the Panamanian-registered fleet, national and international fishing fleets, ports, safety, security, and environmental management.

Middle East and North Africa

Morocco Air Transport System Improvement Plan – A $605,584 grant to the Office National des Aéroports of Morocco is supporting the expansion and modernization of four major Moroccan airports. The project will further efforts to develop Morocco’s tourist sector, which is vital to promoting economic growth. Squire, Sanders and Dempsey is providing the technical assistance.

Jordan National Freight Information and Transportation Hub (NAFITH) – USTDA is funding a $600,000 NAFITH pilot and study for the Jordanian Ministry of Transport. NAFITH is a country-wide freight information transportation system that supports Jordan’s efforts to promote trade efficiency, security and global competitiveness through market reforms. FreightDesk Technologies, Inc. is performing the study.

Egypt Railway Traffic Management System – USTDA is providing a $600,000 grant to the Egyptian Ministry of Transport to assist in developing a Railway Traffic Management System for the Egyptian National Railways (ENR). It will also assist with the creation of an independent railway safety oversight and enforcement authority to monitor ENR’s compliance with safe operating practices.

MENA Regional Port Security Workshop – USTDA funded a port security compliance workshop focusing on Middle East and North African countries in Tunis, Tunisia. The objective was to assist countries in preparing location-specific plans to comply with the requirements of the International Shipping and Port Security code of the International Maritime Organization. USTDA collaborated with the U.S. Coast Guard in carrying out the workshops.

South and Southeast Asia

Regional Asia Global Positioning System (GPS) Demonstration – USTDA approved $675,000 to support a GPS demonstration test bed project in Southeast Asia. The project will facilitate the research, development, acquisition, and implementation efforts of an operational air navigation system based on GPS and Wide Area Augmentation System technologies. ITT Advanced Engineering & Sciences International is providing the assistance.

U.S.-India Aviation Cooperation Program (ACP) – The ACP—a public-private partnership between USTDA, the U.S. FAA, and U.S. aviation companies—provides a forum for unified communication between the Government of India and U.S. public and private sector entities in India. The ACP is designed to work directly with the Indian Government to identify and support India’s civil aviation sector modernization priorities. Under the ACP, USTDA is funding a $382,789 Air Traffic Management Training Program.

Vietnam Aviation Safety Program Phase I – USTDA provided $351,372 to partially fund Phase I technical assistance on upgrading Vietnam’s air safety regulatory system. The assistance supports the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam’s efforts to comply with the FAA’s International Aviation Safety Assessment program and is the result of a previous USTDA-sponsored review by the FAA.

Sub-Saharan Africa

African Trade Lanes Partnership – USTDA launched a two-year, $4 million initiative in April 2008 to promote the development of sub-Saharan Africa’s trade lanes and transportation networks to facilitate local, regional and global trade. The initiative is designed to promote regional cooperation and connectivity in all modes of transportation, including aviation, maritime, land, and rail. As an initial activity under the initiative, USTDA awarded a $725,050 grant to the Zambian Ministry of Communications and Transport. The grant will fund the development of a master plan for Zambia’s four international airports, Lusaka, Livingstone, Ndola and Mfuwe.

Malawi Modernization of the Malawi Department of Civil Aviation – A $460,000 grant to the Malawi Ministry of Transport and Public Works will assist in establishing an autonomous civil aviation authority with a supportive legal and regulatory framework and adequate institutional capabilities. Selection of the contractor to complete the project is underway.

Ghana Ports of Tema and Takoradi Master Plans – This $698,150 USTDA-sponsored study will provide the Government of Ghana with updated and expanded Master Plans for the Ports of Tema and Takoradi. The port developments will serve multiple purposes, such as streamlining operations, managing increased container traffic, and facilitating the export and import of bulk goods. The contractor is being chosen competitively.

Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Air Traffic Management (ATM) – This regional technical assistance program, segmented into two phases, will develop a regional approach to CNS/ATM for COMESA member countries. USTDA has provided a $294,900 grant for Phase I. This study complements USTDA’s efforts to strengthen aviation safety and efficiency in the region. DORS, Inc. is providing the technical assistance.