"On the Go" continues with another set of terrific questions from you

Last month, I started a new "On the Go" video blog feature so I can respond directly to some of the questions I get on Facebook, Twitter, and here on Fastlane. The response has been enthusiastic, and today I'm keeping it going with another installment.

The main reason it's been a success so far is because your questions have been great. It's terrific to have readers who are well-informed and ready to get down into the nitty-gritty of transportation issues.

"On the Go" gives me an important opportunity to communicate directly to people who are really engaged in transportation and government.

 

So, we'll keep the lines open and hope you'll keep the questions coming. I've already posted a new topic on my Facebook "Discussions" tab for our May "On the Go."   And, remember, you can also post your questions on Twitter using the #q4ray hashtag, or through the "Comments" feature right here on this blog.

Thanks for watching, and see you next month!

Comments

[Scott Wallace]

Dear Mr. LaHood, I would like to know why our country(USA) requires that cars be at least 25 years old to be exempt of D.O.T. standards. Other countries such as Canada only require that a car be only 15 years old to be exempt of Safety Standards.
Don't you think that most people who would be seriously interested in owning a classic vehicle 15-20 years old would be genuinely interested in the cars preservation for years to come and prevent it from being misused or driven by a teenager?
I also would like to know what D.O.T is going to do when a car such as a 1989 Nissan Skyline will be of "Age" in the year 2014 and the car will qualify as exempt from safety standards.
Keep in mind that due to the extreme popularity of the Nissan Skyline, the car will very well survive over the years and there are many well preserved examples that exist dating back to the 1970's outside the U.S.A.

Would changing the exemption year from 25 years to 15 or 20 years be possible?

[Cherie Johnson]

Dear Mr. LaHood, Why aren't administration officials talking about Joule Energy which is being built now in New Mexico and will be able to provide fuel at $30 a barrel which can totally replace gasoline and fossil fuels. The pilots have been or in the process of compleion and will be available next year through bio-engineering. This is only one of the many techologies that in this case are next year. Others may be a little farther off but not if we reivest. Joule wil produce diesel a 30-50 times the efficiency of biomass using genetics, solar,waste and CO2. We have to move and stop the oil companies

[Andy]

Money, grants and incentives should be provided so that cities all across the nation invest in light rail enabling people who settle in suburbs can easily make use of the greater availability of infrastructure within the city.

I live in a small village on the outskirts of Albany, NY that has very little to offer in the way of shopping, restaurants, etc. but the only way to find those things is to drive 50 miles a day to get to them (there is one bus early in the morning and another late at night). Old railway lines run through the village that could easily provide transport except that they are ripping up those lines and replacing them with bicycle paths. Thats great for younger people but how about those of us who cant ride bicycles.

Can something me done to help bring light rail to Albany, NY?