Welcome to the FastLane: The Official Blog of the U.S. Secretary of Transportation

High-speed rail is essential for economic growth and opportunity

As I’ve said many times before, high-speed rail will transform American transportation for generations to come. And I'm excited to see this program take shape.  Right now, we've got eight projects underway and Amtrak's Chicago-Kalamazoo route recently added the first 110-miles-per-hour service outside the Northeast Corridor.

This morning, I had the opportunity to thank an organization whose members have been great advocates for this essential passenger rail network, the U.S. High Speed Rail Association.  Thanks in no small part to the USHSR Association, high-speed rail is coming to America. 

And high speed rail remains a major priority for President Obama and Vice President Biden.  In fact, the President’s vision for an America built to last--the budget he proposed last month--would provide 2.5 billion in 2013 as part of a $47 billion, six-year investment to continue construction of a 21st century high-speed passenger rail network.

We envision an America in which 80 percent of people have access to high-speed rail.  We envision a network that whisks passengers from downtown to downtown while they work comfortably on their laptops and portable devices.  We envision a network that takes cars off the road so trucks can travel between cities on highways that aren't choked with traffic. 

And we know that as this system emerges, economic growth and opportunity will follow. 

Leap into safety with a visit to your state’s pipeline profile

When we learn about dirt and what's underground, we're often taught about layers like peat, humus, and subsoil. But in many cases, there’s a pipeline buried under your feet.  This year, thanks to Leap Day, if you're planning a garden or just trying to figure out what you're standing on, you have an extra day to find out for sure by visiting your state’s pipeline profile.

There you can view maps of your state's pipeline network, read incident reports, and learn who regulates pipelines in your state.  You'll also learn where to go or who to contact if you need more information.

Our Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) makes public education about pipelines a priority because at DOT we know that the more you know, the safer you are.  That's why PHMSA has included a drop-down list of state pipeline profiles on its Community Pipeline Toolbox, a pipeline safety website.

That’s also why President Obama's proposed budget includes funding to hire more inspectors, strengthen coordination with states, and increase transparency about pipeline matters.

Serious pipeline incidents are preventable, and we all play an important role in making sure they don’t happen in your community.  So, in addition to the state pipeline profiles, the Community Pipeline Toolbox has safety information that everyone can put to use.  Whether you're an excavator planning a big dig (learn about your state's Damage Prevention Program), a first responder broadening your preparation (find pipeline emergency training), or a homeowner with spring gardening on your mind (call 8-1-1 before digging so you "know what's below"), the toolbox features useful guidelines and information.

Building an America that lasts...with recycled pavement

When you hear DOT talk about approaches to transportation that are environmentally friendly, you might think about fuel-efficient cars, public transit, or even the new solar panels at Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport.  But, you probably don't think about road work.  Well, last week, I met a group of people who would like to change your mind, the Asphalt Recycling and Reclaiming Association.

At DOT we support many different ways of moving goods and people--even commercial space transportation.  But, no matter what, America needs its roadways.  And our roads must be maintained, preserved, and rehabilitated.  Keeping our roads and bridges in a state of good repair is critical to our ability to provide the safest, most efficient roadway system possible.

So, to help protect our environment as we build and maintain our roadways, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) encourages contractors to use recycled highway materials in pavement construction. 

Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport Solar Farm: saving energy, cutting emissions, creating jobs

At DOT, we know that everything we can do to save energy and help our transportation system become greener will help America move forward.  We need to develop clean energy sources that create jobs right here in the United States, and that use American know-how to improve our economy.

That push for cleaner, fuel-saving transportation doesn't just mean high-tech engines in our cars, trains, planes, and ships.  It also means supporting improved transportation facilities, like bus maintenance garages, transit stations, and airports.

And last week, Acting Federal Aviation Administrator Michael Huerta recognized the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport's leadership in energy-saving innovation when he helped dedicate their new solar farm. This exciting development is on the cutting edge of making our airports more environmentally friendly.  The solar energy the new "farm" provides will also help the airport cut costs.

The FAA is proud to have supported the 4.5 acre solar farm with a $4 million Voluntary Airport Low Emissions (VALE) grant.  Chattanooga is only one of 52 green initiatives that the FAA has supported in the last several years to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at airports across the country, and it's a terrific example of how federal investments can foster 21st century transportation that is truly built to last.

Dallas light rail, the tip of the transit iceberg

Whether it's reducing highway traffic by taking cars off the road, slowing the effect of carbon emissions, or spurring economic development along bus, subway, streetcar, and light rail routes, public transit helps move America.  In Dallas, for example, the Dallas Area Rapid Transit Green Line corridor is expected to spur some 48,000 long-term jobs in health care, restaurants, and other job creating industries along its route.

And last week, Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff toured the completed 28-mile Green Line light rail expansion to see firsthand the billions of dollars of transformational economic development resulting from the federal government’s investments in the region.

FTA Administrator Rogoff tours Green Line and the economic development it has generated.

The good news from North Texas doesn't end with the Green Line.  DART is also experiencing significant economic development along its 14-mile Orange Line corridor that will connect Dallas, Irving, and ultimately DFW International Airport.

And at a time when gas prices are soaring, these transit lines are more like life lines connecting thousands of people with jobs, school, and world-class medical facilities.  This all adds up to a better quality of life for Dallas residents, who can keep more of their paychecks in their pockets, and spend less at the gas pump.

The road to an America built to last

I can't say it enough: If we want an economy that's built to last, it must run on the wheels of a transportation system that's built to last. We need to fix our roads and bridges; where it makes sense, we need to expand roads, rails, and runways; and where we can't expand existing systems, we need more effective ways to get people and products from place to place.

We have a lot of work to do, and--from engineers to heavy equipment operators to flagmen--we have Americans ready to do it.  But, ultimately, short-term extensions of highway funding will not get it done.

America needs a long-term transportation bill that maps out a solid course for moving forward.

President Obama knows it; the professionals at DOT know it; and the members of the Association of American State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) know it.  This week, AASHTO members representing aviation, highways, public transit, rail, and waterways are in Washington, DC, to discuss with their Members of Congress the critical role that transportation plays in securing a good quality of life and sound economy for our nation.  And they will impress upon their legislators the need to pass a long-term transportation bill.

AASHTO members work hard in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico to keep America moving.  They are on the front lines of transportation, and I can't thank them enough for coming to Washington to share with Congress our nation's urgent need for a long-term vision.

My message to them was simple: Think about the America that is within our reach if we keep working, if we keep pushing, if we keep fighting.

The budget President Obama proposed earlier this month will help us get to that America.  It offers a detailed vision for a six-year transportation plan that will put our friends and neighbors to work right away building the integrated national transportation system this country needs. 

Transportation enhancements mean greater safety for all users of America's roads

The 70-degree weather here in Washington, DC, has many residents of our nation's capital thinking about spring.  A quick look at area streets reveals many bicyclists and pedestrians reveling in this temporary reprieve from winter, but across America, millions of bicyclists and pedestrians use our country's streets year-round.   And DOT wants to ensure that our transportation system continues to serve these users--as well as motorists, transit riders, air travelers, rail passengers, and shippers.

Fortunately, President Obama's proposed 2013 budget will allow the Federal Highway Administration to foster policies and investments that increase transportation choices including on-road and off-road facilities for bicycles, pedestrians, and people in wheelchairs; projects to promote safe routes for non-drivers; and programs that encourage walking and biking to schools and community centers.

These are part of DOT's Strategic Plan, which seeks increased access to convenient and affordable transportation choices for all Americans, regardless of their ability or desire to drive.

These streets work for everyone, photo courtesy of Complete Streets

First and foremost, these projects are about increasing safety. 

In the 51 largest US cities in 2009, for example, 12.7 percent of all trips were on foot, but 26.9 percent of all traffic deaths were pedestrians.  That means that pedestrians were significantly over-represented among traffic fatalities. It's no wonder that many more Americans have indicated they would walk or bike more, particularly for short trips, if the streets near them were safer.  In fact, 73 percent of Americans feel they have no choice but to drive the amount they do.

Health Clinic keeps DOT Employees in working condition

The workers at DOT dedicate themselves to keeping America’s highways, byways, railways and runways moving smoothly every single day. But just like any car, bus, train, or  plane, our employees need to be in top shape to do their job.  They need to be physically, mentally and emotionally healthy  And when they aren’t feeling fit, the DOT Health Clinic comes to the rescue.

The Health Clinic started as a suggestion from an employee. We were making plans to establish the clinic when a similar suggestion was submitted on IdeaHub, an internal online community where DOT staff can post, discuss, and vote on ideas to improve our department.  The submission garnered lots of positive attention, so we knew the Clinic would be well-received.

Originally open only 2 days a week, I am proud to announce that the clinic is now open a full 5 days per week offering services ranging from glucose, cholesterol, and blood pressure screening to flu and allergy shots to health risk assessments.

Last Thursday, I was able to visit the Health Clinic for an Open House. Since February is Heart Health Month, one of the nurses at the clinic offered to check my blood pressure.  They also explained that they are hosting Open Houses March 6-8, with free screenings each day and noted that flu shots are still available.  I had a terrific tour and chatted with some of the hard-working nurses. 

One particularly ambitious staffer I had the pleasure of meeting was Dorothy Taylor.  Dorothy is enrolled as a student at Montgomery College, studying for a nursing degree.  She works part time at the clinic while attending classes.  Dorothy hopes to become an RN, and I hope to see her join the clinic crew full time when she graduates.

Hard-working people like Dorothy are the reason I am so proud to lead this department. Thankfully, on those occasions when one of us at DOT is not physically up to speed, the Health Clinic is there for on-site treatment.

DOT professionals keep America running, and we are fortunate to have a Health Clinic available to keep them running.

Welcome to the family: NHTSA adds 10-year-old crash test dummy

At DOT, we are very proud of our special family.  But this time, I don't mean the terrific public servants who work hard day in and day out to keep our nation moving safely and efficiently.  No, I'm talking about the one family that literally puts their bodies on the line to make sure the vehicles on our roadways are safe--the crash test dummies of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 

And, as with other families, the kids in NHTSA's safety family have been growing.  So this week, NHTSA introduced the newest addition to the family of crash-test dummies, a 10-year-old.

The Hybrid III 10 year old can be used to test backless, high back, and internal harness booster seats.

The Hybrid III 10-year-old size child test dummy -- known to the rest of the family as HIII-10C -- weighs 77.6 pounds and has a sitting height of 28 inches.  HIII-10C is the best tool currently available for measuring the risk of injury to a child using a higher-weight child restraint system in the event of a vehicle crash. 

It's good news that manufacturers are making more car seats and boosters than ever before designed to keep older and heavier children safer on our roadways.  But, that also means evaluating restraint systems for children in the 8- to 12-year-old age range has become increasingly important.  HIII-10C gives us a great way to do that.

Love the Bus: this month and throughout the year, school buses deliver precious cargo safely

I have to confess to some regret today that I could not attend yesterday's "Love The Bus" month celebration at Sunderland Elementary School in Maryland.  As a former teacher, I hate to miss a chance to recognize the valuable service our nation’s school buses provide.  Fortunately, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrator Anne Ferro and Ron Medford, Deputy Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, were able to join the festivities.

"Love the Bus" celebrations are a terrific opportunity for teachers, school administrators, parents, and students to say a heartfelt "Thank you" to the people who get 26 million kids safely to and from schools in America each day.  In fact, of the many ways students get to class across the country--walking, biking, riding in a parent's car, etc.--the familiar yellow school bus is the safest.

That's why it's so important to take a moment to express our respect for the terrific job our school bus companies and mechanics and drivers do.

You can see more photos from Sunderland Elementary School at facebook.com/lovethebus

Highway projects let the good times roll in Louisiana

A thriving America that is built to last--with a vibrant economy and the freedom of mobility that allows people access to opportunity--must ride on the wheels of a safe and effective transportation system.

In Metairie, Louisiana, just outside New Orleans, that means minimizing an infamous bottleneck, the Causeway Boulevard interchange on I-10, the state's most heavily traveled roadway.  These past few weeks, that chokepoint has been front and center as millions of visitors headed into New Orleans for Mardi Gras. New Orleans bakeries also relied on this busy roadway to ship more than 750,000 Mardi Gras king cakes.

Fortunately, construction crews are hard at work improving three interchanges and adding a through travel lane in each direction from I-10 and I-610 in Orleans Parish to Causeway Boulevard in Jefferson Parish.  The project will relieve congestion for the highway's 178,000 daily travelers.  

Last week, Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez visited the site to review progress on this important work. "I know how important the I-10 Corridor is to the people and the businesses of this area and how badly congestion impacts everyone’s life," Administrator Mendez said.  "And I know how important the construction jobs are to the talented men and women of Louisiana who have work thanks to this project."

High Speed Rail: America’s rail legacy continues

In addition to having represented Illinois in Congress, President Obama and I have in common a fondness for one our state's greatest heroes, Abraham Lincoln.  In particular, the President likes to quote notes from Lincoln in 1854 when he wrote, “The legitimate object of government is to do for the people what needs to be done, but which they cannot, by individual effort, do at all, or do so well, by themselves.”

Lincoln went on to list some of these items, including “Making and maintaining roads, bridges, and the like..." 

Yes, our 16th President knew that transportation must be a high priority for a growing nation.  In fact, Lincoln even patented an invention--the only President thus far to do so--that would help maritime vessels free themselves upon running aground.

Lincoln's leadership in preserving the Union often overshadows the important fact that he chartered the transcontinental railroad that proved so vital to our nation's economic growth.  He had a vision for American rail that would connect our nation from the sunshine and surf of California to what is now the Northeast Corridor.

That vision was not shared by everyone.  From the first mention, in 1832, of a possible line from New York to Oregon, the critics dismissed the transcontinental railroad as the fantasies of overheated imaginations. At that time, America had a grand total of 229 miles of track, and the prospect of laying 3,000 miles of track seemed impossible.  Getting Congress to agree to finance such an immense undertaking was an uphill fight; the technology to build the line didn't even exist; and much of the territory the railroad would traverse was considered of no economic potential.

But In 1862, Lincoln signed into existence the product of that initial vision, which eventually brought America thousands of new towns along the corridor, agricultural domination that we have sustained for more than 150 years, and a strong sense of national unity. 

Cincinnati Streetcar an engine for opportunity

As readers of this blog know, I have visited nearly every state in America during the past three years to discuss and celebrate transportation projects.  From planning meetings to grant signings to groundbreakings to ribbon cuttings, I've thoroughly enjoyed witnessing firsthand the enthusiasm of people who understand that transportation--from roads to rails to runways--can transform communities.

Last Friday, I was fortunate enough to help break ground on Cincinnati's Streetcar.  And, when Mayor Mark Mallory and I plunged our shovels into the ground and overturned those first bricks, those gathered might have heard a collective sigh of relief--if it weren't for the raucous cheers and clapping that burst from the hundreds of people gathered around us.

Photo courtesy Sopabox Cincinnati

Who can blame them?  From day one, the Cincinnati Streetcar has been the little engine that could, and I am so proud of the community and its leaders for standing up on behalf of this important project and shepherding it through to this critical milestone.  The story in Cincinnati is about a community coming together, setting its priorities, and not being dissuaded by the naysayers or by those who don't want progress.

And that story is really just beginning. Yes, construction is putting Americans back to work today, but the three and half miles of streetcar line will also strengthen the city's economy tomorrow.  The streetcar is an investment in the future of Cincinnati, accelerating development along the new route from the Great American Ball Park and the Paul Brown Stadium to the Over-the-Rhine district and revitalizing Cincinnati’s urban core.

High-speed passenger rail: The future is now for Chicago to Kalamazoo

All across the country, I meet Americans who understand the importance of investing in essential transportation projects like high-speed passenger rail and are excited by the possibilities and opportunities it offers.  Now, Michigan and Indiana residents are the first to see the progress we've made on America's 21st century rail system.

On Wednesday, Federal Railroad Administrator Joe Szabo joined Michigan DOT and Amtrak officials to ride the train between Chicago and Kalamazoo.  And this was no ordinary ride. 

It marked the beginning of 110 miles-per-hour service between these two cities and the first expansion of regional high-speed rail outside the Northeast Corridor.

This increase in speed will cut 10 to 20 minutes from travel times along this segment of the line alone.  And that's just the beginning.  Within the next three years, Amtrak will expand 110 miles-per-hour service from Kalamazoo to the central and eastern regions of Michigan.

Once complete, the modernized service will cut nearly two hours from the Detroit-Chicago run.

Amtrak train passes through Galien, MI, at 110-mph; photo courtesy MDOT

And we can do the same throughout the Midwest Corridor, from Minnesota's Twin Cities to Chicago and on to Detroit and St. Louis.  In fact, this one corridor will connect 20 percent of Americans to high-speed rail.

Less time spent traveling means more time that folks can spend with their friends and families.  And when you add the convenience of downtown-to-downtown service and the ability to work and use electronic devices throughout your journey, passenger rail promises a truly attractive transportation option.

But high-speed rail isn’t just making trips faster and easier than ever before, it’s also creating jobs and spurring economic development.

DOT releases distraction guidelines for automakers

At DOT, we have been working hard for three years to get America's drivers to put away their electronic devices when they get behind the wheel.  During that time, in-vehicle communication systems--another source of driver distraction--have emerged and grown ever more popular.

As an organization focused on safety, including safety on our roadways, we want to make sure these new systems don't take eyes or hands away from the only task that matters when you're in the driver's seat: driving safely.

So today we proposed the first-ever federal guidelines to encourage automobile manufacturers to limit the distraction risk for these in-vehicle electronic devices.  The proposed guidelines are voluntary and would apply to communications, entertainment, information gathering, and navigation devices or functions that are built into the vehicle and are not required to safely operate the vehicle.

The guidelines we've proposed in this first phase are based on common sense, and we're asking automakers to exercise their own common sense as they design these systems.

Champions for Change are rebuilding America

The work we do in government cannot be done without our partners. Whether we're investing in safety, road repair, or regional transit solutions, the team using those funds must be responsible and innovative to ensure we get the most bang for our buck.  And when those funds are designed to help stimulate a flagging economy--as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act intended--getting the most from our investments is even more critical.

Throughout our ARRA grantmaking activity, DOT has been very fortunate to have the kind of capable partners these important investments demanded.  And I'm pleased that, yesterday, the White House honored several of them as Champions of Change. 

These leaders are creating jobs in their communities and using innovative techniques to develop valuable projects to improve America’s infrastructure, build roads and bridges, expand high-speed broadband, provide clean water and energy, and much more.

With the assistance of grants and loans from the Obama Administration's American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the transportation leaders I met yesterday have delivered tremendous benefits to their communities:

• Justin Augustine is Chief Executive Officer of the Regional Transit Authority in New Orleans, which is currently engaged in the Loyola Avenue streetcar expansion.
• Dr. Jana Davis is Associate Executive Director and Chief Scientist of the Chesapeake Bay Trust.  The Trust has advocated effectively for a Green Streets approach to managing stormwater runoff.
• Paulson Chaco is Director of the Navajo Division of Transportation occupying a cabinet level position to the President of the Navajo Nation.  He is responsible for 18,000 miles of roadway, 15,000 of which are unpaved and very susceptible to weather conditions.
• Henry Perahia is Chief Bridge Officer of the New York City Department of Transportation. He manages 787 city-owned bridges and tunnels.
• Sam E. Swan is Project Manager for the DFW Connector Project; this project has used an innovative design-build approach to unsnarl a complex tangle of traffic coming and going from the nation's eighth busiest airport.

With Paulson Chaco, Henry Perahia, and Sam Swan

With Commercial Space Transportation Conference, FAA shoots for the stars

Each year policymakers and technical experts in commercial space transportation share their insights and discuss the direction of this emerging industry.  Today and tomorrow, the annual FAA Commercial Space Transportation Conference holds its 15th such gathering, and we at DOT welcome these pioneers.

Those attending the conference will hear from several representatives of DOT, including Deputy Secretary John Porcari, Acting FAA Administrator Michael Huerta, and George Nield, the FAA's Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation. But, mostly, attendees will be sharing their expertise with each other, working together to advance this critical transportation sector.

And, make no mistake, this is an emerging critical transportation sector.

With the retirement of the Space Shuttle, the commercial space industry must pick up what have been traditionally government missions.  The curiosity and excitement of the public that foresees an era of civilian access to space is fueling a space tourism industry.  And who knows what other roles the commercial space transportation industry will play in the near future.

This conference brings together the right people from the right disciplines not just to imagine the future of space transportation, but also to engineer it.

Teach for America Helps Students Soar

Children love to fly.  Ask a roomful of 5 and 6 year olds what their favorite mode of transportation is, as I did on Monday, and most will answer airplanes--or rocket ships.   Some of the kindergarteners at Smothers Elementary School here in Washington, DC, said they loved trains, one adored cab rides, and another particularly adventurous student said motorcycles were his favorite.  But for the most part, the book I brought about the Wright brothers was a good choice.

Reading about the history of aviation to the children in Kathy Choi’s kindergarten classroom on Monday brought me back to the days when I taught Social Studies at Holy Family School in Peoria.  I taught kids who were a little older, but some things stay the same at every age: the look of awe when students witness something new, the look of surprise when something they thought they understood is challenged, and the look of earnest attention when they are engaged in their lessons. 

The look on a child's face when he or she connects with something you've done in the classroom--that's the reason I jumped at the opportunity to visit Ms. Choi’s classroom.  That look is a hard-earned treasure pursued day-in and day-out by talented teachers like those trained by Teach for America.

Obama Administration budget boosts New Starts transit funding

President Obama called on us to rebuild America by putting people back to work on transportation projects that are built to last. And the budget proposal the President presented yesterday will do exactly that by improving our transit systems, highways, railways and airports well into the future. 

Tens of millions of middle class Americans rely on transit every day to get to work, school, and other critical destinations.  Transit helps consumers keep more of their hard-earned dollars; it takes emissions from our air; and it takes traffic from our roads.  In neighborhoods near transit service, it also stimulates economic development.

As our population grows, we must ensure that America's transit systems keep pace.  At this make-or-break moment for the middle class, we can afford to do no less.

And we can build these systems with American manufacturing, American energy, and American skills.

So, I'm excited that the President's budget includes $2.2 billion in funding to begin or advance 29 significant rail and bus rapid transit projects in 15 different states. His proposal for the Federal Transit Administration's New Starts grant program includes:

• $243.7 million for 7 new projects;
• $769.5 million for 10 projects that were recommended for funding but have not yet received it; and
• $1.2 billion in continued funding for 12 projects already under construction.

Oregon Iron Works crew poses with transit car bound for Portland Streetcar service

President's budget emphasizes pipeline safety

As you know, just a few weeks ago, President Obama spoke directly to the American people about his blueprint for an America built to last. He called on us to put people back to work repairing our essential infrastructure – and building the safest, fastest, most efficient ways of moving people, products, and energy in the 21st century.

One of the ways we move critical materials--including fuels--is through America's 2.5 million mile network of pipelines.  At DOT, the Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration develops and enforces regulations for the safe, reliable, and environmentally sound operation of this pipeline transportation system. 

As I’ve said many times, the American people deserve to know that our pipelines are safe, regularly inspected, and well-maintained.  While our families are sleeping, we should never worry that we will be jolted out of bed by an exploding pipeline in the front yard.  When we turn on the heat, the stove, or the computer, we should have absolute confidence that we are not endangering ourselves or others.

Last year, PHMSA was especially active, closing a record 102 enforcement cases.  The increased enforcement is a direct result of improved internal tracking procedures and rigorous investigations and inspections of pipeline facilities by PHMSA professionals.

And yesterday, the President demonstrated his confidence in PHMSA when he proposed a $276 million pipeline safety budget. 

The President's emphasis on pipeline safety has three broad goals:

• Increasing the number of dedicated safety professionals--inspectors and investigators--on the job across the country;
• Improving coordination among national and state policymakers, experts, and officials who share the common mission of keeping our transportation system for energy and hazardous materials as safe as humanly possible; and
• Educating the public about pipeline safety--reminding people to know what’s below and to call 8-1-1 before they put a shovel in the ground.

2013 Budget reflects central role of transportation in the lives of Americans, in the vitality of our nation's economy

It has been more than two years and four months since America's transportation funding expired.  Congress has extended the law with short-term patches eight different times.  But, with bridges crumbling and highways choked with congestion, our nation needs the planning certainty that comes from a long-term transportation bill, a bill that puts people back to work rebuilding our roads, bridges, transit systems, and airports.

So today, President Obama outlined a six-year surface transportation proposal–part of his blueprint for an America built to last.  The transportation budget the President proposed has three broad goals:

• Creating jobs and investing in infrastructure for our future;
• Modernizing transportation through focused research and technology; and
• Pressing forward on our number one priority--safety.

An America built to last needs a strong transportation infrastructure.  Without the ability to move goods and people safely and efficiently, we're stuck standing still.  That’s why the President’s budget will improve America’s highways, rail lines, and transit networks, allowing for growth and continuing to ensure that these systems are safe. 

Pipeline safety grant opportunities in your community

America's pipelines carry important materials that help fuel our economy, and we want to make sure those pipelines remain safe. 

That's why we implemented a Pipeline Safety Action Plan last year.  It's also why President Obama recently signed in a law a new pipeline safety bill. 

But you can get involved, too, helping ensure the pipelines that run through your community are safe. That's why our Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration is so excited about its Technical Assistance Grants (TAG).

TAG grants offer local communities an important role in their own safety.  The TAG program enables communities to obtain funding to get smart on the pipelines in their area and get involved in the official proceedings that impact them. It's all part of the President’s commitment to an open and participatory government. 

Grants can be used to fund programs and technologies that improve safety, expand public awareness, and increase participation in local decision-making about pipelines.  That could include engineering studies, public education, technology solutions, and other safety initiatives.  And your community might be eligible. 

To view previous TAG program recipients, projects, and reports, visit primis.phmsa.dot.gov/tag. You'll find examples like:

• Converting paper maps to electronic format
• Conducting a high pressure gas distribution main engineering and integrity study
• Educating property owners about pipelines
• Developing a GIS pipeline mapping system

In California, momentum building for High-Speed Rail

I often say that there are no Democratic or Republican roads or bridges or rail lines, and that’s just as true now as it was when our parents and grandparents built the state-of-the-art interstate and freight rail systems we benefit from today.  Unfortunately, some in Congress these days would rather score partisan political points than make the critical investments in transportation we need to put Americans back to work and leave our children and grandchildren an economy built to last.

But the American people themselves clearly understand the importance of investing in essential transportation projects like high-speed rail, as I was reminded when I traveled across California this week meeting with folks from many different walks of life.  And despite what you may have heard, momentum is building in California for this essential project that will relieve congestion on roadways and runways and make sure the Golden State can continue to grow and thrive.

In Los Angeles, Mayor Villaraigosa and I met with local business and transit leaders, who are excited about the potential for high-speed rail to connect residents to jobs and spur economic growth throughout the region.  Leaders of organized labor in Sacramento told me they are eager to get to work building the infrastructure California needs to compete in the modern economy.  And when I met with Governor Brown, I thanked him for his visionary leadership on this project, and promised that the Obama Administration would continue to work with him to provide all Californians with the state-of-the-art transportation system they deserve.

To be fair, some of the folks I met with still had concerns about high speed rail.  In Fresno, for instance, Mayor Swearengin and I met with farmers and small businesses owners who wanted to know how the new rail line might affect their property. I answered their questions, and committed to working closely with them to address their concerns moving forward.

As I told them, I’m happy to discuss high-speed rail with anyone for one simple reason:  the facts are on our side.

America's population is growing.  In the next 40 years, we're going to add 100 million people.  That's like adding another California, Texas, New York, and Florida combined.  But without adding a single square inch of extra space.

That means we can only add so many miles of highway and so many feet of runway, not nearly enough to help us get where we need to go.  If we don't act, we will sacrifice the mobility that has always been so important to our nation.  If we don't act, we will sacrifice the competitiveness that is so critical to our economy.

So, we're taking the steps we need to ensure that America stays in motion for generations to come.

 

Memorial Bridge replacement gets a lift from TIGER

Across America, there is work to be done on good transportation projects in communities that just can't wait.  That's one of the reasons the first three rounds of DOT's competitive TIGER grant program have been so successful, and why the current round, TIGER 2012, has America's transportation community so excited.

The President wants to put our friends and neighbors back to work building a stronger foundation for an economy that lasts.  And yesterday, Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez toured a project that will soon become part of that foundation: replacing the deteriorated Memorial Bridge between Kittery, ME, and Portsmouth, NH.

FHWA Administrator Victor Mendez on the old bridge with renderings of the proposed replacement;
photo courtesy Deb Cram,Seacoast Media Group

That project is now underway thanks to a 2010 TIGER award, and the folks who live near the US Route 1 on both sides of the Piscataqua River will be happy to use a safe, modern crossing when the new bridge opens next year.

Forging a strong future for rail in Sacramento

In the “Weld and Bogie shop” at the Siemens manufacturing plant in Sacramento, thousands of pieces of steel are welded together to form a “car shell,” or skeleton of a rail car.  Thousands of individual pieces go in; one cohesive structure comes out.  Elements are then added to this structure until it leaves the factory as a fully formed vehicle ready to ride the rails. 

Yesterday I saw firsthand how these trains are made and met with some of Siemens’ employees in Sacramento. I could not have been more impressed.

Since the 1980s, Siemens has been employing workers in Sacramento to build our nation's light rail vehicles.  In the years since Siemens began this line, American communities have increased the number of light rail systems five-fold thanks to federal, state, and local investments in public transit.  More than three million people now ride light rail each day, and the plant employs 800 men and women.

Recently, Siemens has begun supporting our next rail revolution by constructing electric locomotives and streetcars. In late 2010, through DOT's investment in high-speed and intercity passenger rail, the company won a contract to supply Amtrak with 70 locomotives to run in the busy Northeast and Keystone corridors.  They have added 200 new manufacturing jobs in Sacramento alone and are creating additional jobs around the country.

At Siemens, and across America, we are not only investing in state-of-the-art transportation that will be our legacy for generations to come, but we are investing in American workers right now. 

 

And what I saw at Siemens is rippling out to rail suppliers from coast to coast thanks to the Obama Administration's rail investments.  Businesses are bringing jobs back home to America to build our rail future.  In fact, 30 different rail companies from around the world have pledged that--if selected for high-speed rail contracts--they will hire American workers and expand their bases of operation in the United States. 

Guest Bloggers Aneesh Chopra, John Porcari, Michael Huerta: Partnering to Modernize our Nation’s Air Transportation System

Cross-posted from the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy

On January 31st, the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) launched a new, online dashboard that provides increased transparency into a vital component of NextGen's modernization of our Nation’s air transportation system infrastructure. 

Referred to as Performance Based Navigation (PBN), using highly efficient flight routes takes advantage of GPS satellites and advanced equipment that is already installed on most commercial airliners.  The new dashboard on the NextGen website features PBN data accompanied by video depictions and an interactive map highlighting the benefits of using PBN and new flight paths around the country.

And while we're committed to highlighting the benefits of NextGen through the web, we're also engaging with our aviation industry partners.  In fall 2011, we convened a roundtable discussion with chief executives from Alaska Airlines, American, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, United, and US Airways, where we heard their ideas on accelerating the benefits of a modernized air traffic system.

The leaders were clear: immediate benefits could be gained by implementing fuel-efficient, satellite-based air traffic control procedures and using these procedures to reduce delays, energy consumption, and emissions while expanding air traffic capacity.  We agree – these NextGen procedures will provide broad benefits to our Nation, our economy, the traveling public and local communities.  

As a result, we are continuing to champion a series of actions to raise the priority; increase the transparency and accountability; streamline the deployment; and foster increased use of these new flight paths.

Second round of grants seeks to increase Veterans' access to opportunities

One of my favorite moments in President Obama's State of the Union address did not explicitly talk about transportation.  Rather, it was the President's declaration that, "As our veterans come home, we must serve them as well as they’ve served us.  That includes giving them the care and the benefits they have earned."

I couldn't agree more.  And I am proud that the Federal Transit Administration has been able to play a role in welcoming home America's veterans and ensuring they have access to the opportunities this nation offers.

November 2011, announcing the first VTCLI grants at the Duval Cty. Veterans Memorial Wall in Jacksonville

The Veterans Transportation and Community Living grants we announced in November 2011 provided $34.6 million for 55 projects in 32 states and Guam.  These grants are helping communities launch “one-call, one-click” transportation resource centers across the country.  These centers will offer veterans and others comprehensive information on local transportation options and other community services, with just a single phone call or click of the mouse.

It was a good start, but, as I said last November, DOT's efforts to support the brave men and women who have defended our freedom don't just rev up when Veterans Day approaches.  Bringing more transportation choices and better job access to a very special group of Americans—our military heroes, veterans, wounded warriors, and their families—is a year-round priority. 

And yesterday, FTA made good on that commitment by announcing another round of Veterans Transportation and Community Living grants.

America's commercial vehicles help deliver distracted driving message

It's no secret that I am serious about our fight to end distracted driving.  For three years, DOT has been actively working to make our roads safer by getting drivers to focus on one task and one task only: driving. 

Throughout that time, we've been fortunate to have terrific safety partners to help us deliver the message that one text or call could wreck it all.  And I'm happy to add the Commercial Vehicle Training Association (CVTA) to the roster of organizations and companies supporting our work.

Last month, a semi from Smith & Solomon, a commercial driving school, pulled up in front of DOT headquarters here in Washington, DC.  Driver John Diab, the CVTA Vice Chair and Smith & Solomon's Chief Operating Officer, was greeted by Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrator Anne Ferro, Deputy Administrator Bill Bronrott, and CVTA Executive Director Mike O'Connell. 

An hour later, Diab's truck was festooned with large decals bearing our signature message.

The "One Text or Call Could Wreck it All" decals were designed to be large so they would be easy to see wherever the truck goes.  And, with the support of the CVTA, we hope trucks all over America will soon be carrying this important safety message.

FMCSA Deputy Administrator Bill Bronrott, driver John Diab, and FMCSA Administrator

As Administrator Ferro said, "It is powerful to have the trucking industry behind us, enhancing our campaign against distracted driving, because as traveling billboards, those trucks are so visible to other drivers across the country."

FasTracks West Rail Line builds on Denver's rich rail history

The city of Denver became what it is today because of a railroad.  After the Denver Pacific Railroad connected the city to the Transcontinental Railroad in 1870, thousands of tourists and millions of pounds of freight were hauled into the city in the first month, and the population grew by a reported 100 residents per day.

Railroads were so revered that Colorado Territorial Governor John Evans observed, "Colorado without railroads is comparatively worthless." 

Yesterday, I saw a modern-day extension of Denver’s rich rail history when I toured construction on the city's latest rail artery, the FasTracks West Rail transit line.  And just as the early Denverites cheered the arrival of the Denver Pacific Railroad, the enthusiasm in yesterday's crowd was electric.

 

It’s not hard to see why.  The West Rail Line is 85% complete, and the mock-ups and progress to date indicate a beautiful, state-of-the-art transit system.  The new line will allow tourists and commuters to spend less time in traffic and less money on gas. That's something everyone can appreciate.

State of Good Repair needed to keep transit systems moving

Imagine if the tens of millions of Americans who ride public transit every day suddenly decided to drive.  Roads in communities served by transit would choke on the extra traffic, and trucks could no longer deliver parts to factories or goods to market.  Our economy would screech to a halt.

Providing more than 10 billion passenger trips per year, America's public transit systems play a critical role in keeping our economy moving, even for those who don't use transit.  As more and more people turn to transit to get where they need to go, it becomes more and more important to keep our transit systems in good, safe condition.

As long as we make transit work reliably, passengers will continue to ride. But, where buses, trains, and other transit equipment have fallen into disrepair, we simply can't afford to ignore needed repairs. 

So, today the Federal Transit Administration is announcing $826.5 million in discretionary funds available to modernize and repair transit vehicles and facilities in communities all across the country.  Of that money, approximately $650 million will be used to replace or rehabilitate transit equipment. And, new to this round of funding, the FTA will also consider requests to expand or build new maintenance facilities if doing so will help to keep transit vehicles in good operating order.

Deputy Secretary John Porcari visits thriving Great Lakes manufacturing plants

Readers of this blog know that I've been busy the past few weeks helping celebrate a variety of construction projects underway thanks to federal support.  And these projects--which will soon make life easier for people in Tampa, Grand Rapids, Atlanta, Richmond, and Philadelphia--have been terrific examples of the kind of American infrastructure we can build if Congress passes the long-term transportation bill President Obama called for in his State of the Union address last month.

But I'm not the only one from DOT who's been on the road lately.  Deputy Secretary John Porcari recently visited Erie, PA, and Toledo, OH, where DOT investments across the country have stimulated manufacturing and led to new jobs.

In Pennsylvania, Deputy Secretary Porcari visited GE Transportation's Erie Manufacturing Plant, where he toured the Final Locomotive Assembly facility.  The resurgent freight rail industry prompted GE to hire 1,100 new workers in 2011, bringing the Erie plant's total to 5,500 employees. And the plant is not only building locomotives for the American market; they are also exporting.  In fact, the locomotive Erie workers were finishing up during Deputy Secretary Porcari's visit is headed for Australia. 

GE Transportation anticipates even more growth down the road, with CEO Lorenzo Simonelli announcing plans for an additional $140 million investment to modernize the Erie facility.

As Deputy Secretary Porcari said, "When the president talked about an America built to last, this is what he was talking about."

St. Lawrence Seaway maintenance program renews the locks and the local economy

The St. Lawrence Seaway is under a lot of pressure.  Not only because 225,000 jobs are supported by this navigation system – more than three times the number of people squeezing into Lucas Oil Stadium this weekend for the Super Bowl.  And not only because it generates billions of dollars in revenue for the US and Canada.

The St. Lawrence Seaway is under a lot of pressure because 21 million gallons of its water have been drained in order to maintain and repair the two American locks for the upcoming navigation season.

On Wednesday, local elected officials and media got a rare peek into these goings on when Seaway Administrator Collister Johnson, Jr., took them on a tour of the temporarily empty Snell Lock.

The draining of the lock is all part of the Seaway's infrastructure Asset Renewal Program started in 2009.  This $180 million project has 70 contractors from 10 firms working on the Snell and Eisenhower locks.  The crucial maintenance and repair these crews are tasked with keeps the lock system's machinery working efficiently and ensures that our important bi-national waterway stays open for navigation. 

These crews are repairing a system that supports thousands of jobs and billions of dollars each year.  So they're under a little pressure, too.

Archie League awards recognize air traffic controllers' commitment to safety

Last night in Atlanta, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association capped its annual Communicating for Safety Conference with a great celebration of the best in Air Traffic Control: the Archie League Medal of Safety Awards.

The Archie awards--named after the first air traffic controller--recognize the year’s best examples of extraordinary work ensuring safety during a flight emergency.  I am very proud of all of the 2012 honorees:

• Alaskan Region Kristina Kurtz
• Central Region Todd Mariani
• Eastern Region Matt Reed
• Great Lakes Region Guy Lieser and Steve McGreevy
• New England Region Chris Henchey and Ryan Workman
• Northwest Mountain Region (co-winner) Charlie Rohrer
• Northwest Mountain Region (co-winner) Ken Greenwood, Josh Haviland and Ryan Herrick
• Southern Region Alvin Kent
• Southwest Region Frank Fisher and Greg Fleetwood
• Western Pacific Region Kevin McLaughlin

In congratulating the winners last night, Acting Federal Aviation Administrator Michael Huerta reminded us that despite the awardees' commitment to safety and their extraordinary calm under dramatic circumstances, air traffic control relies on a team:

"Vince Lombardi once said, 'Individual commitment to a group effort – that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.' And so it goes with air traffic control. Even though only a handful of controllers are being recognized tonight, the fine work of thousands of controllers is what helps to make America’s airspace the safest in the world."

And one of the dramatic saves that earned Archie League recognition exemplifies that teamwork.  On December 11, 2011, Ken Greenwood, Ryan Herrick, and Josh Haviland of the Seattle Terminal Radar Approach Control combined to help pilot Jim Lawson descend through thick clouds from 3,200 feet and land his Mooney MO20 at Washington's Renton Airport, without any fuel.  It's really a terrific story, and I urge you to watch the video below from the Today Show.

First and foremost, DOT and the FAA are safety agencies. In the last 35 months—that’s almost three years—more than two billion people have flown on U.S. commercial aircraft without a fatal accident. And  the nation's air traffic controllers, like this year's Archie winners, are on the front lines of our mission to ensure pilot and passenger safety.  Thankfully, most of us who travel America's skies don't need to draw upon the heightened vigilance and skill of our controllers, but when a situation turns dangerous, it's good to know that these men and women are on the job.

Atlanta streetcar a foundation for lasting success

The year 1949 was the last time the Freedom Train rumbled across America carrying our nation's founding documents. It was the last time we saw the number of traffic deaths as low as they were this past year.  And 1949 was also the last time Atlantans heard the familiar clang of a streetcar as it rolled through town. The last time, until now.

Yesterday morning, I was proud to stand alongside Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed at the groundbreaking of the new streetcar line in downtown Atlanta.  It was truly a special day, made all the more memorable by the very enthusiastic crowd who joined us to kick-off this great project.

Photo courtesy Thomas Wheatley, Creative Loafing Atlanta

This project was awarded the largest of our 2010 TIGER grants and with good reason.  The 2.6-mile streetcar line runs right through the core of the city.  It will provide much needed public transportation to small businesses, convention centers, and popular destinations like the World of Coca Cola, the Georgia Aquarium and the CNN Center. The line will also be a powerful catalyst for business growth in the areas it serves.

On this, the second day of Black History Month, I am proud to announce that the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., National Historic Site and the historic Auburn Avenue corridor, considered the birthplace of the Civil Rights movement, will also have stops along the route.

Real World Design Challenge adds Surface Transportation competition

Last month, I wrote about the Real World Design Challenge (RWDC) where high school students work as a team to enhance aircraft performance and fuel-efficiency.  Over the past four years, thousands of teams have participated in RWDC's Aviation competition.  And at a recent WTS International reception, I was happy to join RWDC Project Director Dr. Ralph K. Coppola in launching the latest Real World Design Challenge competition: a Surface Transportation challenge.

With a very happy Dr. Ralph K. Coppola

DOT is partnering with RWDC to build on the recent success of our Transportation YOU program, a hands-on mentoring initiative that puts young women between the ages of 13 and 18 directly in contact with women in STEM careers.  Transportation YOU offers interactive field experiences in transportation-related professions.  And it opens the eyes of students to the wide spectrum of career options within their reach in transportation.

We established Transportation YOU in conjunction with WTS International because, as we rebuild our nation's transportation systems, the opportunities for young women are enormous.  We see rising demand for environmental engineers who can continue to increase fuel-efficiency, for materials scientists who can develop new road pavement technologies, and for aerospace professionals ready to take on the challenges of commercial space flight.

Now, this push is not just about helping the next generation get its careers started on the right foot.  It's also about making sure America has in place enough talented professionals to follow in the footsteps of today’s transportation engineers and problem-solvers currently at work on our nation’s toughest challenges.

I was happy to meet these bright young students

Great Lakes Fire Training Center an important safety asset for America's maritime community

I have said over and over again that, at DOT, safety is our number one priority.  And most Americans are quick to recognize DOT as a leader in road, rail, air, and pipeline safety.  But our Maritime Administration (MARAD) also plays an important safety role, and its Great Lakes Fire Training Center is a critical part of preparing America's Merchant Marine for fire safety on waterborne vessels. 

Last week, Maritime Administrator David Matsuda traveled to Swanton, Ohio, to tour this important facility and watch five high school seniors from the Toledo Maritime Academy, who became the first from their school to train at the center.  By all accounts, it was an impressive day. 

"Marine transportation is a great industry, with good employment opportunities," Administrator Matsuda told the students.  "Together, MARAD and the Toledo Maritime Academy are helping high school students graduate with the qualifications they need to begin a career at sea and to ensure that career is a safe one. The Maritime Administration has been teaching mariners how to fight fires on board vessels for 30 years at this location, and we are proud to be able to offer this kind of training."

Maritime Administration director visits Toledo: courtesy foxtoledo.com

 

The Merchant Marine Act of 1936 established as policy that the United States shall have a merchant marine "manned with trained and efficient citizen personnel."  MARAD's Merchant Marine Seamen Fire Training Program was launched in 1976 to help fulfill that policy with improved firefighting training for U.S. mariners.