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Easter Seals Project ACTION seeks better youth mobility

Earlier today, I blogged about older Americans and livability. Now, as we approach the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, I want to thank one of the groups DOT has been working with to make our communities more livable for the 54 million Americans with disabilities.

DOT has been a longtime partner with Easter Seals Project ACTION. And last week, a delegation from Project ACTION visited DOT headquarters to present us with a unique artwork created by local students with disabilities who attend WVSA ARTs connection's ARTiculate Employment Training and Outreach Program.

The artwork illustrates the transportation needs of youth with physical disabilities, and it was created in conjunction with local artist Jude Crannitch, who provided his skills and guidance to the students.

Created by Congress in 1988, Easter Seals Project ACTION promotes cooperation between the transportation industry and the disability community to increase mobility for people with disabilities under the ADA and beyond. For 22 years, they have been working to make accessible and reliable transportation a reality for Americans with disabilities.

And they have done so with Federal Transit Administration support.

DOT livability goals consistent with AARP mission

(Cross-posted from http://blog.aarp.org/shaarpsession/)

First, let me just say that I am a member of AARP. I've got four grown children and nine healthy grandchildren, and--like AARP--I think a lot about the quality of life in America for people over 50.

But, as Secretary of Transportation, it's my job to look for transportation solutions that improve the quality of life for all Americans.

Photo: Bill O'Leary, Washington Post

That's why DOT policy encourages a variety of transportation options. And it's why we have partnered with HUD and EPA to coordinate investments that promote strong, livable communities with good housing choices in proximity to good transportation choices.

Livability has great cross-generational appeal; younger Americans as well as baby boomers and older Americans like this approach. So it's no wonder you find a city like New York, which has long attracted our nation's college graduates, getting a nod from the World Health Organization as the first in their new Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities.

"The City of New York," says WHO Director of the Department of Aging and Life Course Dr. John Beard, "has shown a real commitment to becoming an Age-Friendly City and has been very innovative in its approach. In doing so, New York is paving the way for creating livable and age-friendly communities across the globe."

I recently talked with Mike Cuthbert, host of AARP's Prime Time Radio, and with Sheilah Kast, host of their Inside E Street television program, about how our livability initiative affects seniors in particular.

Now, by livability, I mean being able to take your kids or grandkids to school, shop for groceries, or see a doctor without having to get into your car. And not having to give up your independence or mobility when you get older.

Walking my grandchildren to school in Indianapolis

But that's not always easy. In fact, in an AARP study published last year, 40% percent of adults over 50 said their sidewalks were nonexistent or in disrepair. Others worried about the availability of transit service, particularly in rural communities where affordable access to services is a critical issue.

Well, whether it's sidewalks and streetcars or safe curbs and bus service, DOT supports a variety of choices. These approaches are good for the environment; they're good for breaking our addiction to foreign oil; and they're good for our health.

We'll always have cars; we'll always have trucks. And DOT will continue making sure our roads and bridges are in good repair. But people across the country have indicated they want options, and our livability initiative supports those options.

After 55 years of federal service, George Austin Hay calls it a day at DOT

Tomorrow, we bid goodbye to a long-time friend of DOT. George Hay has been with the Federal Highway Administration for only 37 years. But, at the age of 94, he is retiring anyway.

When I asked him why he decided to walk away now, after all these years, he told me, "Well, someone I knew died recently, and I suddenly realized life is short."

Shaking hands with George; his co-worker Kim Thomas of FHWA in the background

George smiled at me like he knew what I was thinking--that a 94-year-old is hardly testament to life's brevity--so he added, "I have a few things I want to do."

Whatever George chooses to do next, it's difficult to imagine it exceeding his already notable career as an actor--the only DOT employee I know who's listed on www.imdb.com--and as a public servant.

As anyone at DOT who knows him will tell you, George's first love was acting. From Johnstown, PA, where he knew Jimmy Stewart and where one of his high school teachers was Gene Kelly, he went to New York City to pursue a theater career. There, he landed a role in a play starring Helen Hayes and went on to a long run in "Inherit The Wind."

He also began accumulating film roles, appearing along the way in such movies as Alfred Hitchcock's "North By Northwest" with Cary Grant and "Being There" with Peter Sellers. He even did a turn as the Speaker of the House (does that mean he outranks me?) in "The Contender" with Jeff Bridges and Joan Allen. His resume, so far, includes over 100 feature films.

I asked him how he found the time during his 55 years of federal service to act in all of these movies. He told me he devoted his annual leave to film shoots, that movie-making was his idea of a vacation.

No story of George's years at FHWA is complete without coworker Kim Thomas

But he also mentioned taking a long trip across the country on America's highways and visiting our National Parks.

"Teddy Roosevelt, he had this idea that seemed so crazy," George says about the founding of our National Park network, "But it turned out to be pretty smart, and these places are our real national treasure."

George's federal career began in 1956 when he joined the Defense Department's Army Pictorial Center in Astoria, NY. "In those days, the Army actually had the biggest soundstage on the East Coast," recalls George. "We made mostly training and recruiting films."

One of George's jobs--in addition to writing, directing, acting, and camera work--was hiring actors to narrate and perform in these films. And over the years, George hired many of our most famous screen personalities: Paul Newman ("Very personable"), Henry Fonda ("Nice sense of humor"), and Ronald Reagan ("What a personality!").

In 1973, he joined DOT here in Washington, DC, working in FHWA as a film producer and director.

Guest blogger FHWA Administrator Victor Mendez: "A Recovery Act milestone in Albuquerque"

Last Thursday marked the second time in four months that I went to New Mexico to celebrate a success story created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Back in February, we marked the one year anniversary of the Recovery Act by announcing a $31 million TIGER grant to the Navajo Nation to help make a section of US 491 safer.

Gov. Richardson, FHWA Administrator Victor Mendez, poised to cut New Mexico's first major Recovery Act ribbon

And last week, I joined Governor Bill Richardson to celebrate the ribbon-cutting of New Mexico’s first major Recovery Act road project, the I-40/Paseo del Volcan Interchange in Albuquerque.

As Secretary LaHood noted, "The Recovery Act was passed to turn back the worst recession since the Great Depression. Through it, we're rebuilding our transportation infrastructure and forging a stronger economic future in New Mexico and all across the United States."

ARRA road funds at work on I-40 / Paseo del Volcan. Photo courtesy NM DOT

The nearly $15 million we committed to the I-40/Paseo del Volcan project was money well spent. We heard from many attending the opening that the road work put about 150 people to work directly, generating over $1.7 million in payroll.

The project also pumped money into local businesses--creating even more jobs. NM Transportation Secretary Gary L. J. Girón told the crowd:

“The economic impact of this job has trickled down the line. Not only did those working for our contractor Mountain States Constructors benefit, but so did the subcontractors—truckers were employed to haul material; asphalt companies were hired to provide material—extending the benefits far beyond those 150 employees.”

Motorists will notice the full roadway and interchange reconstruction, a new overpass, new ramps, and new construction of Paseo del Volcan in the surrounding area.

All of these enhancements will make the community more livable by creating a safer intersection.

The completed project will also let commuters from Albuquerque’s growing West Side spend less time stuck in traffic. The estimated 25,000 daily drivers currently served by the newly completed segment is expected to more than double in the next 15 years due to a surge in West Side residential and commercial development.

So our investment is not only improving our infrastructure, it's also giving time back for people to enjoy with their families and friends.

Now, this may be New Mexico’s first major Recovery Act project, but it certainly won’t be the last. As Gov. Richardson pointed out, New Mexico has 77 projects under construction during this Summer of Recovery.

Baltimore County Police Chief earns NHTSA honor; Data-driven approach increases traffic safety

One of DOT's greatest assets has been the participation of municipal, county, and state police departments in our traffic safety enforcement efforts. Whether it's "Click It or Ticket," distracted driving, or "Over the Limit, Under Arrest," America's police officers have given the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) their fullest support.

NHTSA Administrator David Strickland praises Baltimore County's DDACTS record,
with BCPD Chief Jim Johnson (left) and County Exec. James T. Smith, Jr.

And, just a few miles up the road from DC, the Baltimore County Police Department has been one of NHTSA's strongest partners. Two years ago, Chief Jim Johnson volunteered the BCPD to implement a brand new, technological initiative, DDACTS (Data-Driven Approaches to Crime and Traffic Safety).

Chief Johnson's department was one of only eight departments nationwide participating in this approach. DDACTS was developed by NHTSA and turned into a pilot program in partnership with the Department of Justice. By mapping crashes together with other incidents, police using DDACTS can identify problem areas as they are beginning to develop. They can then position officers in a highly visible enforcement presence to deter speeding, distracted driving, and unsafe pedestrian behaviors.

Chief Johnson thinks this is common sense:

"Technology is now a vital part of fighting crime. We use it to fight identity theft; we use it to communicate to the public. Now, with DDACTS information, we can deploy our officers and resources in the most effective and efficient way. It really turns our data analysts into keyboard crime fighters."

And, by improving traffic safety through reduced crashes, injuries, and fatalities, a community can also realize reductions in crime. "One helps the other," Chief Johnson says, "because vehicles are often used in the commission of crimes."

Administrator Strickland presents NHTSA Public Service Award to BCPD Chief Jim Johnson

Due to Chief Johnson's outstanding leadership, the Baltimore County police have been at the forefront in using this new tool effectively to reduce crime and increase traffic safety in 15 priority hot spots. For his innovation in developing and implementing the DDACTS operational model for Baltimore County, NHTSA Administrator David Strickland yesterday awarded Chief Johnson NHTSA's highest individual honor, the Public Service Award.

FAA CLEEN program envisions greener airspace

In its latest effort to make air travel cleaner and greener, the Federal Aviation Administration has announced $125 million in new contracts that will get us closer to technologies for reducing commercial jet fuel consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and noise. Since FAA forecasts significant air traffic growth over the next 20 years, this is good news for all of us.

Through their CLEEN--Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions, and Noise--program, FAA has awarded contracts to five companies--Boeing, General Electric, Honeywell, Pratt & Whitney, and Rolls Royce--to develop and demonstrate new technologies, procedures, and alternative fuels that help us meet our environmental and energy goals: 

• Reducing fuel burn by 33%, which will also reduce greenhouse gas emissions;
• Reducing landing and takeoff nitrogen oxide emissions by 60%--without increasing other emissions--over the 2004 International Civil Aviation Organization standard;
• Reducing noise levels by 32 dB relative to the current noise standard; and
• Increasing use of more sustainable jet fuels, with transition strategies that don't require significant aircraft or engine modification.

Now those are ambitious goals, but through the government-industry consortium announced by FAA today, we are one step closer to achieving them.

And the recipient companies' agreement to match these funds will help us get there more cost-effectively. This will double the impact of the $125 million in awards to $250 million. Some or all of the five companies may even choose to exceed their match, adding further value to these contracts.

Look, there's no question that commercial aviation is of vital importance to America. But we also have a responsibility to look for ways to reduce our environmental footprint and our energy consumption.

And with its NextGen advances and CLEEN contracts, the FAA is demonstrating their commitment to that effort. As FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt said today, "The CLEEN program is a central piece of our environmental strategy."

NHTSA mentors Phelps HS robotics team

It should be pretty clear by now that I love my job, and for many reasons. But, mostly it's because of the dedicated people working at DOT. And a special crew at NHTSA offers a terrific example.

These folks have been giving up their evenings and weekends to mentor students at DC's Phelps Architecture, Construction, and Engineering High School in the FIRST Robotics Competition. This year, Phelps Robotics Team 2912 earned 3rd place at the DC Regional Competition, and NHTSA Administrator David Strickland went to Phelps for their FIRST Robotics awards ceremony.

NHTSA mentors work with members of Phelps HS Robotics Team 2912 on their robot

FIRST--For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology--was founded by renowned inventor Dean Kamen, who you may know as the inventor of the Segway and many other innovative creations. Kamen's mission for the FIRST challenge programs is "to transform our culture by creating a world where science and technology are celebrated and where young people dream of becoming science and technology leaders."

But the program also encourages what Kamen calls "gracious professionalism," a way of competing that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community.

Watch an animated simulation of the challenge the Phelps team faced in this year's competition.

As proud as Administrator Strickland and I are of the NHTSA mentors' role in supporting that vision, we both agree that the Phelps students are the real stars. These students chose to apply to Phelps--a selective, citywide, comprehensive high school with a rigorous curriculum based in math and science--and then chose to form a FIRST Robotics Competition team.

This engagement in their own education will take them far, perhaps even to a future as NHTSA scientists, mathematicians, and engineers.

Phelps Robotics Team 2912

Road safety pioneer Chuck Hurley "will always be a part of MADD"

Though Chuck Hurley has only been CEO of Mothers Against Drunk Driving since Feburary 2005, he has been with MADD as a volunteer since October 1980.

Three decades of service is impressive enough, but if you think about what MADD has achieved in those 30 years, his tenure there seems even more remarkable.

"When I first heard of MADD," he says, "we were losing 30,000 people a year to drunk driving, and we've cut that by about two-thirds." He adds, "That's something.--not enough, but something."

Joining me to say goodbye to Chuck (2nd from left) are Deputy Secretary John Porcari, new MADD CEO Kimberly Earle,
NHTSA Administrator David Strickland, and MADD VP for Public Policy J.T. Griffin

Now, I look forward to many years of effective advocacy from newly appointed MADD CEO Kimberly Earle. But, I have to say that Chuck has raised the bar pretty high.

"I know the shoes I'm stepping into are pretty big," says Kimberly. "A lot of great work has gone into getting us where we are now."

As MADD Board of Directors Chair Chris Johnson noted, Chuck has been a part of MADD for almost its entire history, and "He will always be a part of MADD."

Still advocating; Chuck gets a fond farewell from NHTSA

From his early creation of MADD's signature Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving--a model for public safety campaigns--to his most recent efforts arguing for mandated interlock use at the 0.08 level, Chuck Hurley's work defines "tireless," and our roadways are much safer because of that.

Chuck has been a great partner of DOT and our National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. He has advised us; he has urged us forward; and, at times, he has criticized us when he thought we could do more.

That commitment has been completely contagious as he has energized thousands of people in his years at MADD.

And those energized people have changed our culture. Many of you may remember the years when drunk driving was a quietly tolerated killer. Now, 30 years later and thanks to Chuck's leadership, Americans know drunk driving is completely unacceptable.

"It's official!" Bike lanes open down America's Main Street

It was hot, sizzling hot, and summertime-in-DC humid. But I wouldn't have missed it for the world.

I'm talking about yesterday's dedication festivities to inaugurate Washington, DC's newest bicycle lanes. And these are not just any bike lanes. These lanes run right down the middle of Pennsylvania Avenue--America's Main Street--from the White House to the U.S. Capitol.

It's official! Mayor Fenty, Gabe Klein, Reps. Blumenauer and Oberstar

I see them as another milestone in Washington's steady march to become a model livable American community.

All across America, people are asking for more choices, more options to get from one place to another. Some of them can't afford cars. Some are concerned about greenhouse gas emissions. Some want exercise or to be out of doors, but don't feel safe.

For too long, walking and biking have been overlooked as important forms of transportation. Now we see local governments answering that call by creating new opportunities for people to take advantage of streetcars, transit, walking, and bike lanes. They’re taking the needs of pedestrians and cyclists into account like never before.

As DC Mayor Adrian Fenty said, ""This country is finally catching up to our European and other neighbors in their commitment to bicycling."

But don’t get me wrong: There will always be cars and trucks on America's roadways--and DOT will always be committed to keeping America’s roadways the safest and most efficient in the world. Mayor Fenty made this point effectively, saying, "We believe there is room here for everyone--on four wheels, two wheels and on foot."

DOT, HUD team up on joint funding for coordinated housing and transportation planning

For the first time ever, DOT and HUD will team up to foster planning for more livable, sustainable communities. In this groundbreaking collaboration, we will coordinate up to $75 million in funding--$35 million from DOT, $40 million from HUD--for planning activities leading to projects that integrate transportation, housing and economic development.

This is more exciting than it sounds.

 

This joint Notice of Funding Availability means projects that apply for funding will be evaluated by a dual-agency process. Rather than have applicants proceed through two separate grant application procedures that might be on different timelines with different requirements, we're streamlining to create one point of entry.

We're breaking down needless barriers between complementary federal programs. And, if you ever talk to planners, they will tell you these barriers between agencies can be a considerable obstacle to local innovation.

On anniversary of tragic Metrorail crash, let's rededicate ourselves to transit safety

Today marks the one-year anniversary of Metrorail's Red Line crash of June 22, 2009. With nine people killed and 80 injured, it remains one of the darkest days I've experienced as Secretary of Transportation.

And, once more, my deepest sympathies go out to the families and loved ones of those killed and to those who were injured.

Memorial flowers on a bridge mark the site of the Red Line crash, photo courtesy Gerald Martineau, Washington Post

I have written many times that safety is DOT's number one priority when it comes to planes, trains and automobiles. But we don't have the authority to set safety standards for mass transit.

Last November, I blogged here that DOT should also be looking out for passengers who ride subways and light-rail. And since then, I have asked Congress to give our Federal Transit Administration that oversight.

Transit is one of our nation’s safest forms of transportation. But state and local budget constraints have combined with aging infrastructure to challenge that safety, and your federal government is expressly prohibited from protecting those passengers through oversight.

The WMATA crash of last June was not an isolated event. During the past year we've also seen transit accidents in Boston and San Francisco, Chicago and Salt Lake City.

That's why we want to be able to set some very good safety standards. And, if the transit agencies or states don't boost their efforts to meet those standards, we want some oversight. America's transit passengers deserve an agency that can step in when it needs to.

US Merchant Marine Academy Class of 2010: ready to serve

What a great pleasure to be back at the US Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY, for the commencement exercises honoring the class of 2010!

I want to thank Dr. Shashi Kumar and everyone involved with the Academy for another great year and another terrific year. And I want to thank this year’s commencement speaker, Admiral Michael Mullen, USN, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Adm. Michael Mullen, USN, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is today's USMMA commencement speaker

As I’ve said before at Kings Point, the Academy is an enormous asset to our nation. The nation's economic and security needs met by the U.S. merchant marine are compelling. And the Academy prepares its graduates to operate the best commercial fleet in the world and support our national defense at a moment’s notice.

I am proud to report that the Kings Point community is thriving. And with additional help and support from the Obama Administration, it will become stronger still.

Congratulations to the class of 2010!

Pew survey results send the message: adults part of the distracted driving epidemic

It's no surprise that America's adults are busy communicators.

We're tethered to our jobs even when we're not at work. We're making sure our kids and grandkids are where they're supposed to be. We're trying to manage our households, keep up with our friends, arrange our schedules.

Texting and talking on a cell phone make all of this possible. But when driving, distracting behaviors also kill nearly 6,000 people a year.

 

So the recent Pew Research Center report showing that adults are "just as likely as teens to have texted while driving and are substantially more likely to have talked on the phone while driving" ought to open a few eyes.

"Adults may be the ones sounding the alarm on the dangers of distracted driving," says Mary Madden, co-author of the report, "but they don't always set the best example themselves,"

Pew's Internet & American Life Project survey indicates that 58% of adults send or read text messages, and close to half (47%) of those people say they do so while they drive. That means that 28% of US adults admit to texting behind the wheel.

Yet, 26% of US drivers aged 16 or 17 report texting while driving. Sure, that's only an overall difference of 2%, but we're supposed to know better.

President Obama breaks ground on 10,000th Recovery Act road project; let the Summer of Recovery begin!

Welcome, everyone, to the Summer of Recovery!

And what better way to kick off a season of renewed American infrastructure and good-paying American jobs than to have the honor of joining President Obama in Columbus, Ohio. Together, we celebrated the groundbreaking of the 10,000th roadway project underway thanks to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Leaving the White House with President Obama, photo courtesy CNN

Now, 10,000 road projects underway from a single stimulus--that's an accomplishment right there. But how about the fact that DOT helped get all of those projects underway in just the 16 months since President Obama signed the Recovery Act into law?

And, let's remember that every single one of those projects creates many, many job opportunities--with some single projects employing thousands. In fact, in the first quarter alone, Recovery Act funded highway projects created 17,000 jobs.

Photo courtesy Alex Friendly, US DOT

But this summer, we're really heating things up. As President Obama said today in Columbus, "If we're going to rebuild America's economy, then we've got to rebuild America, period."

Last July, we were excited about having 1,750 road projects under construction. This July, we're talking about nearly 11,000 projects working to improve nearly 30,000 miles of roadway.

So, just as it was designed to do, the Recovery Act continues to pay dividends for American infrastructure and American workers.

And it will continue to do so, with the total number of stimulus-funded jobs expected to rise from 2.5 million as of May to 3.5 million by the end of this year.

Look, we know that, for families with unemployed workers, there is still a recession, and the only economic indicator that matters is that paycheck. That's why this summer DOT is working at a fever pitch to help the states transform the funds we've awarded them into action.

Government not for the parties, but for the people

Fresh from a conference called "Breaking the Stalemate: Renewing a Bipartisan Dialogue," I am fired up to extend that discussion.

First, let me say that I was proud to attend a conference with such colleagues as former Speaker of the House Bob Michel, who worked tirelessly to build consensus, and former Representative Amo Houghton, who let the merits of legislation, not party affiliation, determine his position on that legislation.

After winning the 2008 Presidential election, Senator Barack Obama, crossed the political aisle and nominated me for Secretary of Transportation. Serving together in Congress, he and I had forged an effective collegial relationship. Similarly, I had also developed a great working relationship with his soon-to-be Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel.

In both relationships, we had an important factor that could have divided us: our party affiliations. But in both relationships, we had something far more important that brought us together: our desire to make life better for the great State of Illinois and for America.

That's really the only thing there is to talk about: making life better in America. Party affiliation might indicate a general approach to that goal, but the goal remains making life better for people--not parties.

The party is one tool we have for achieving that goal. But once we forget that it's just one tool in a plentiful kit, once we begin working to advance our party's interests over the people's interests, it's easy to lose our way.

Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon, yesterday's keynote speaker, is a current example of someone practicing civility in Congress. Sen. Wyden talked yesterday about his work with Sen. Judd Gregg as a successful bipartisan partnership:

"What we've been able to do--not out of political convenience, but through principled bipartisanship--is show that a Democrat and Republican, instead of having the parties beat up on each other, can go out and take on these big interest groups that drain the revenue out of our nation."

When I was in Congress, I helped start a series of retreats aimed at building collegiality and diminishing bitter partisanship. I like to think that, when you get to know people on the other side of the aisle, it makes it harder to characterize those people as enemies.

As 20th anniversary of ADA approaches, DOT extends protections to maritime passengers

As the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act approaches--July 26--we are proud to announce today the first federal rule to specifically provide ADA protections to people with disabilities who travel on boats and ships.

This Administration is committed to protecting the rights of passengers with disabilities in all modes of transportation, and this new rule will extend that protection aboard maritime vessels.

It's the right thing to do.

The rule covers vessels, like public ferry systems, operated by public entities. It also covers vessels, like cruise ships, operated by private entities primarily for transporting people.

First and foremost, we want to make sure that boat and ship operators don't deny access to passengers based on their disability. 

But we also want to make sure that those passengers, once aboard, are treated fairly. So this rule makes sure that passengers cannot be charged extra for accessibility-related services, and that passengers with disabilities are not required to furnish their own attendants. It requires boat and ship operators to inform passengers of vessel accessibility and services, and it requires operators to have a knowledgeable person available to help passengers with disabilities resolve their concerns.

Simply, this rule will make sure that operators' policies do not discriminate against passengers with disabilities. And that is as it should be.

FHWA's Victor Mendez, Recovery Act jump-start Orange County's West County Connectors project

Earlier this week, Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez was in Orange County, California, to help break ground on the West County Connectors interchange project near Garden Grove.

This $400 million undertaking is supported by $50 million in funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The SR22/I-405/I-605 interchange is a gateway for traffic between Los Angeles and southern California. It is one of the busiest interchanges in America, with more than 327,000 drivers passing through it each day, causing substantial traffic congestion and significant wait times. Adding a second HOV lane in both directions on I-405 will reduce congestion and highway noise and improve local air quality.

As Administrator Mendez said in California:

"This project represents everything President Obama had in mind when he signed the Recovery Act: greater safety; less congestion; and, most of all, jobs for people who are ready to roll up their sleeves and go to work!"

When completed, the connector will also enhance safety for the thousands of motorists who rely on the SR22, I-405 and I-605 each day. Currently, carpool users must cross multiple general-purpose lanes to get from SR 22 to I-405 and to the I-605. This results in significant weaving, posing risks to everyone using these routes.

The Recovery Act is not just creating jobs, it's helping shore up America's infrastructure.

And, in case you thought the greatest impact of the Recovery Act was behind us, I want to make it clear that summer 2010 is going to be the most active season yet with thousands of projects underway across America.

New report shows biking and walking gains

Today, the Federal Highway Administration is releasing "The National Biking and Walking Study: a 15-year Status Report." This study, by the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center, discusses trends and outcomes in bicycling and walking since 1994. I think the news is pretty good.

First and foremost, Americans are hitting the sidewalks and streets on foot and by pedal in record numbers. From 1990 to 2009, the number of trips taken on foot more than doubled from 18 billion to 42.5 billion. Similarly, the number of bike trips increased from 1.7 billion to 4 billion.

Now, the original goal of The National Biking and Walking Study submitted in 1994 was to "double the percentage of total trips made by bicycling and walking from 7.9% to 15.8% of all travel trips."

In transportation circles, we call that percentage "mode share," and any planner will tell you that doubling mode share is an ambitious goal. But it turns out that we're getting there.

According to the 2009 National Household Travel Survey, bicycling and walking now account for 11.9% of all trips. It's not the 15.8% we hoped to see, but--considering the increase in population and overall number of trips--it's progress.

Even better, the safety data is also promising. From 1994 to 2008, the number of pedestrians killed decreased by 22.3% and the number of bicyclists killed decreased by 12%. Since the number of trips taken on foot or on bike has more than doubled in the same period, those declines are a good sign of increased safety.

Also, even as the percentage of all trips taken on foot or on bicycle has increased in the same period, the number of bicyclist and pedestrian fatalities as a percentage of all traffic fatalities has dropped. Again, not only have bicycling and walking gained in mode share, but they've also gained in relative safety.

But, we are still talking about 4,378 pedestrians and 716 bicyclists killed in 2008. No matter how we look at the data, that is just too many.

I don't think I need to remind readers that safety is DOT's highest priority. As FHWA Administrator Victor Mendez said, "We are proud of the work we’ve done to integrate walking and bicycling into people’s transportation options, but we won’t stop working until we find ways to prevent fatalities."

And that's why we're working so hard to help create Complete Streets, ensure Safe Routes to School, and develop Livable & Sustainable Communities.

GHSA reports growing state efforts to curb distracted driving

I was pleased to read that, today, the Governors' Highway Safety Association released its report, "Curbing Distracted Driving: 2010 Survey of State Safety Programs." What makes this such an important release is that it's the first such comprehensive look at what the states are doing to end this deadly epidemic.

According to GHSA.org, the report indicates:

"States are aggressively pursuing solutions to distracted driving including: stronger laws, increased data collection, new education programs, public/private partnerships and a growing reliance on new media to spread the message."

And that is good news.

It's good news not just because state highway agencies are making preventing distracted driving a priority. It's also good news because states are using all of the tools available to them in this safety effort.

As GHSA chair Vernon F. Betkey, Jr. said, "We know from our experiences with drunk driving and seat belt use that there is no magic bullet, and the same holds true with distracted driving.”

We do have a strong record to draw on, and it's great to see the states are borrowing valuable lessons from these successful efforts. From information to education and from legislation to enforcement, many states are working hard to get control of this dangerous behavior.

Now, the trend is very positive--the number of states involved in efforts to prevent or reduce distracted driving is increasing notably. But we are still waiting for some states to get in the game.

Pipeline incidents are deadly reminders to make the One-Call

Last week was a deadly one for workers near pipelines in Texas. In two separate incidents, three men were killed and 11 injured when workers digging in the ground struck natural gas pipelines.

Cleburne pipeline explosion, photo courtesy Dallas Morning News

We are fortunate to have a system in place--One Call--to make sure these kinds of incidents don't happen. And investigations are underway to determine whether workers involved in the two Texas explosions called 811 and how the utilities and pipeline operators may have responded.

But, given the deaths of these three workers and the injuries to their co-workers, I want to remind workers whose jobs require them to dig underground to call 811 before you dig.

It's not only the law; it saves lives.

Whether you're drilling into the ground to install utility poles, as the workers in Cleburne were doing on June 7, or digging for caliche with a bulldozer, as the workers in Darrouzett were doing the very next day, excavation can be dangerous.

And the damage from excavation poses a serious threat, not only to the workers involved, but to everyone in the area.

America has a vital transportation system that remains virtually invisible to most of us: the network of 2.3 million miles of pipelines criss-crossing this nation just beneath the surface. Those pipelines carry a tremendous load and perform a very important service.

However, as vital as those pipelines are, they are still vulnerable to digging and drilling.

Dialing 811, our national “Call Before You Dig” number, connects excavators anywhere in the country to One-Call centers to alert utility owners and pipeline operators of planned digging activities.

Visit www.regulationroom.org to add your 2¢ on proposed aviation consumer protections

Earlier this month, I blogged about the rule DOT proposed adding new protections to help ensure that airline passengers can expect reasonable treatment when they fly.

This proposed rulemaking is in addition to the new tarmac delay and customer service rules that took effect in April.

Now, since those rules took effect, we've had many passengers asking how they are supposed to report lengthy tarmac delays.

First, I want to take this opportunity to let people know that passengers are not required to report these delays; it is the responsibility of the air carrier to report extended tarmac delays.

Second, I want to make sure everyone knows that if they have any sort of complaint about the airlines, they can register their concerns at on our user-friendly Aviation Consumer Protection and Enforcement website.

In the same early June blog post, I also wrote that: "We've added this proposed rule to our user-friendly Regulation Room, an online partnership with Cornell eRulemaking that makes your participation that much easier."

Today, I want to remind readers that the Regulation Room is still open for comment on this proposed rule, and it will remain open for another 45 days.

We really are waiting to hear from you.

The number of people who have visited the www.regulationroom.org site--4,500--has been impressive. And we've had over 400 comments posted already about this proposed rule. Many visitors are returning to the site over and over again to read the latest comments and add their responses.

That's why the tagline for the Regulation Room is "people talking to people talking to government."

FAA uses Recovery Act tools to enhance safety, improve facilities at US airports

"Without the Recovery Act, we would not be here."

Those words were spoken by California Senator Barbara Boxer earlier this month as we broke ground for a new control tower at Palm Springs International Airport. The tower, which will improve safety considerably for the 71,000 takeoffs and landings each year, is one more good airport project made possible by funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Breaking ground at Palm Springs International Airport

The new tower will replace a 60-foot tower built in 1967 with a 150-foot tower. Solar panels will be installed atop the structure to provide power. With an unobstructed view of the entire airport, five controllers will be able to provide safe separation for aircraft and vehicle traffic on the tarmac and in airspace within a 5-mile radius and up to 3,000 feet.

Senator Boxer said that, thanks to the Obama Administration and Congress, "We did something very important here for our community, for safety, and for jobs."

Now, the proliferation of orange cones on our nation's highways this summer are visible signs of the Recovery Act working for America. But people might not be aware of the tremendous work the Federal Aviation Administration has done through the Recovery Act to improve our nation's airports.

From March 23, 2009, the date FAA awarded its first ARRA grant, through last week, FAA has awarded 100% of its $1.1 billion in airport improvement funds. Construction is underway on all 362 airport improvement projects, and 239 of those projects are already substantially complete.

That means improved safety in airports across America. It also means over 3,000 jobs created or retained because of FAA-issued Recovery Act grants.

As California Representative George Miller noted recently, "Before this Congress and President Obama took decisive action, our nation was losing more than 750,000 jobs a month. It is clear that without the Recovery Act, our nation would be still dealing with an economic catastrophe."

The Recovery Act has enabled the FAA to improve runways, taxiways, aprons, terminals, aircraft rescue and firefighting buildings, airport equipment, noise mitigation, runway safety areas, and security.

These projects have not only meant jobs for thousands; they have also improved service and safety at US airports for everyone.

But there's more in the Recovery Act for airports than just grants. A 2-year Alternative Minimum Tax exemption for airport bonds made these bonds more attractive to investors and reduced the interest rate paid by airports. The reduced financing costs for large airport capital improvement projects means airport sponsors now have more capital to invest in good infrastructure projects.

The Recovery Act also includes provisions for Build America Bonds. These bonds provide funding for state and local governments to complete capital projects at lower borrowing costs through a federal subsidy equal to 35% of interest paid. Again, airports are using reduced interest payments on bonds to extend the improvement power of their capital investments.

Operation Lifesaver wants drivers and pedestrians to "Look, Listen, & Live"

In my work raising awareness about the dangers of distracted driving, I've heard from a number of drivers complaining about pedestrians who are texting, listening to mp3 players, or talking on cell phones while walking.

And, it's not just cars and trucks that pedestrians are ignoring. As in the video above, oblivious to the dangers around them, pedestrians distracted by cell phone calls and text messages also risk deadly encounters with the transit buses and commuter trains around them.

So, as DOT works to make more transportation options available, we want to make sure pedestrians stay focused and keep their eyes and minds open. That's why the Federal Transit Administration is supporting a new pedestrian safety campaign.

Produced by rail safety advocates Operation Lifesaver with the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, the new campaign uses bus shelter posters and on-board video public service announcements to remind commuters to  “Stay Focused! Stay Alive!”

This campaign is in addition to the strong campaign, supported by the Federal Railroad Administration, that Operation Lifesaver is waging against distracted driving. That campaign began last month with this audio PSA:

Click here to listen to Operation Lifesaver's radio PSA

According to Sally Tingle, Texas Operation Lifesaver state coordinator:

“We want to remind drivers and pedestrians to avoid electronic distractions, especially near train tracks. Whether you are on foot or driving a vehicle, distraction can be deadly, and trains can’t stop quickly because of their size and weight.”

 

Doctor advises: talking to patients about distracted driving is essential to preventive health care

Thank you, Dr. Amy Ship; you have truly made my day!

This Boston area primary care physician has written a "Perspective" essay in The New England Journal of Medicine arguing persuasively that, "A question about driving and distraction is as central to the preventive care we provide as the other questions--about tobacco, alcohol, seat belts, and exercise--we ask."

In fact, Dr. Ship calls talking about the health consequences of driving and distraction "the most primary of care."

She points out that she and her colleagues at Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center routinely ask their patients lifestyle-related questions about practices known to be associated with harm. "We know," she asserts, "that counseling patients about dangerous behaviors can have powerful consequences."

That's why she has recently added a new question to her litany. Dr. Ship finds that "Do you text while you drive?" opens up the routine review of health and safety habits to talking on a cell phone while driving, which we know is roughly equivalent, safety-wise, to driving while intoxicated.

"Context matters," Dr. Ship claims:

^"When a doctor raises an issue while providing overall preventive care, the message is different from that conveyed by a public service announcement nestled between ads for chips and beer or a printed warning on a product box."

Different, for that matter, even from a Secretary of Transportation's blog? I think so.

Obama Administration moving freight more safely, smoothly, and sustainably

This morning I addressed the Freight Transportation Policy Forum of the National Industrial Transportation League. I was grateful to have this opportunity to talk about moving America's goods from farm and factory to store shelves.

It may seem that DOT spends a lot of energy on moving passengers. Between blogs on high-speed rail, speeches on distracted driving, rules on aviation consumer protections, grants to transit agencies, and rallies for bike and pedestrian policy, it's pretty clear that I'm excited about improving how Americans get from point A to point B.

But I want to remind you that every step we take to improve mobility for people also improves mobility for the supplies and goods we want and need:

• Making it easier for people to take public transportation, or ride bikes also reduces costly congestion on the highways our truck drivers use;
• Reducing driver distraction makes those highways safer for freight; and
• Improving miles of track in advance of a high-speed rail network also smooths the way for more efficient rail shipping.

And that's without even mentioning the steps the Obama Administration is taking specifically to move freight more safely, effectively and sustainably. For example, of $1.5 billion in TIGER discretionary funds, more than half--$765 million--went to projects that benefit freight:

• Developing a marine highway system in northern and central California to ease truck congestion and reduce greenhouse gas emissions;
• Upgrading port facilities in Portland, Searsport, and Eastport, Maine, enabling US businesses to move wind turbines and other green freight while creating jobs and improving the local economy;
• Improving Chicago’s regional rail infrastructure through an innovative public-private partnership to break through the bottleneck that adversely impacts a quarter of all US rail traffic.

These projects represent a significant change from old freight funding patterns that have focused on highways.

Obama Administration task force helps Florida's Space Coast turn a critical corner

Yesterday I attended a meeting of President Obama's Task Force on Space Industry Workforce and Economic Development.

Florida's Space Coast getting full support from Obama Administration

Florida's aerospace community employs some of the most talented and highly trained people in America. So, as our nation's space program transforms away from Shuttle flights, the Obama Administration is taking steps to help Florida's Space Coast transform its economy and prepare its workers for the opportunities of tomorrow.

Those steps began in May with the multi-agency Presidential Task Force on Space Industry Work Force and Economic Development and its $40 million commitment to regional economic growth. Yesterday's session was an opportunity for co-chairs Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and NASA Administrator Charles Bolden to report on last Thursday's town hall meeting where they heard directly from local leaders working to strengthen and diversify the Space Coast economy.

Now, while it may seem like the Space Shuttle is only a single NASA program, some estimates indicate that when that program ends its historic run, 8,000 technically-skilled people will need to shift into other jobs and industries. This Administration is working hard to facilitate that transition.

"The problem is immediate," Secretary Locke said. "The impact is substantial. The need for help is critical."

And DOT is absolutely committed to doing what it can.

DOT leaders join Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance to launch 2010 "Roadcheck" inspection marathon

Today marks the kickoff of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's annual Roadcheck, a 72-hour blitz of comprehensive North American Standard (NAS) Level I inspections and other related roadside enforcement activities.

This morning, DOT's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrator Anne Ferro was on the scene at Roadcheck's international headquarters, FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. Also attending were Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez and Research and Innovative Technology Administrator Peter Appel.

Anne Ferro gets things started at Roadcheck 2010

Every year Roadcheck mobilizes thousands of federal, state, provincial and local inspectors at more than 1,500 locations. And those locations are in every state and province in North America--including Canada and Mexico.

"From sun-up this morning until sundown Thursday," Administrator Ferro announced, "more than 70,000 truck inspections will be performed. Every major component of the truck or bus will be examined, including brakes, lights, and tires."

But because FMCSA studies show that drivers play a role in nearly nine out of ten fatal large-truck crashes, drivers are also a critical part of Roadcheck. So drivers will be asked to show their Commercial Driver's License, their medical examiner's certificate, and their record of duty status.

FMCSA Administrator Ferro inspecting a truck with Maryland State Police

Last year, CVSA rallied 9,683 certified inspectors at 2,145 locations, and counted a record 72,255 truck and bus inspections--56,486 of which were NAS Level I, the most comprehensive roadside inspection. And, although last year's results showed significant declines in vehicle and driver violations, FMCSA reports that Roadcheck saved 17 lives and avoided 307 injuries.

As Administrator Mendez said this morning:

"It’s our job to create a driving environment where everyone who shares a road – whether it’s the biggest 18 wheeler, the smallest family car, or a bicycle -- can do so safely. The statistics show that we’re succeeding. Last year, the number of highway fatalities reached their lowest level in more than 50 years."

Last year's Roadcheck data supports that claim. 2009 Roadcheck inspections showed the highest overall vehicle compliance rate—80.4%—since 1996, and the highest overall driver compliance rate—95.7%—ever, but I know we can do better and make our roads even safer.

Photos courtesy Tony Schafer, DOT

For example, RITA Administrator Peter Appel pointed out, "One way of making our roads safer is through Intelligent Transportation Systems. These systems will help commercial drivers avoid situations that lead to crashes."

He added that, "The same ITS platform that supports safety benefits will also lead to other applications to improve trucking efficiency--such as wireless roadside inspections."

But until that day arrives, we can count on CVSA's Roadcheck.

Summer's heat requires extra car safety vigilance

There are a lot of great things about summer and kids; baseball, swimming, fireflies, and ice cream come to my mind, and the list certainly doesn't end there. But summer's heat also brings potential danger to our nation's children.

Boulder City, Nevada, takes hyperthermia seriously

One of those dangers is hyperthermia, or heat stroke, from being left unattended in a parked vehicle.

DOT data indicates that hyperthermia kills at least 27 children every year. That makes it the #1 non-crash vehicle-related cause of death for of our nation's kids.

According to a San Francisco State University fact sheet, 9 children have already died in 2010, and summer hasn't even heated up yet.

On a day when the temperature outside is 86 degrees, the temperature inside a car can quickly reach 135 or even 150 degrees! And research indicates that leaving the windows open a crack does little to reduce this oven effect.

Now, you may be wondering, "Who would leave a child unattended in a hot car?" Or "Who would let a child play unattended in a hot car?"

Research from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration suggests those may be the wrong questions. Because these are not deliberate decisions. For example:

• A stressed parent forgets to drop a quietly sleeping baby at daycare and parks at his or her office building.
• A curious kid finds a way to crawl into a car is overcome by hyperthermia before thinking to get out.
• A caregiver stops at a grocery store or to run a quick errand and lingers one or two fatal minutes.

What we recognize is that those people are very much like ourselves. And, to get a sense of what I'm talking about, I urge you to read the 2010 Pulitzer Prize-winning feature article, "Fatal Distraction: Forgetting a Child in the Back Seat of a Car is a Horrifying Mistake," by The Washington Post's Gene Weingarten.

Look, the fact is these are accidents. But they are deadly and they are entirely preventable.

More DOT runners hit DC streets for a good cause; this time it's Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure®

This morning I blogged about a crew of DOT runners supporting Jasmine "Jazzy" Jordan last Thursday. Well, I'm proud to tell you we had another DOT team out in force on Saturday for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure®.

And this time I was available to join them!

With my wife Kathy and Eric Brinker, son of founder Nancy Brinker

Founded in 1982 by Peoria native Nancy Brinker in memory of her sister, Susan G. Komen for the Cure® is widely recognized as the leading non-profit organization of the global breast cancer community. Their signature event, the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure®, with its tens of thousands of participants and its creative t-shirt slogans, is widely recognized as the most visible symbol of the movement to eradicate this disease.

My wife Kathy and I have long been participants in this event in our home state of Illinois, so supporting Honorary Chair Dr. Jill Biden with my fellow Cabinet Secretaries Gary Locke (Commerce) and Kathleen Sebelius (Health and Human Services) was an easy choice.

With HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius

But for many of the 40,000 others who joined us for the 21st running of this event, completing the 5k course is not so easy. Many of them are still-grieving survivors of loved ones who lost the fight with breast cancer. Many are recent breast cancer survivors. And many are currently wrestling with cancer or are champions of those battling the disease.

17-yr-old Jasmine Jordan, youngest to run across US, raises awareness for truckers' healthcare fund

It is an honor and a pleasure to introduce you to a true American hero, Jasmine "Jazzy" Jordan.

In less than two weeks, Jazzy will run into New York City, completing her run across the US that began in Los Angeles in September 2009. And last Thursday, several DOT employees joined with staff from the Owner Operators Independent Drivers Assocation (OOIDA) to accompany Jazzy into Washington, DC.

DOTers ready to run, from left to right: Jonathan Mueller, OOIDA's Mike Joyce, Todd Solomon, Jazzy,
Darren Buck, Dolores Macias, Helen Serassio

Even more impressive than her record-setting effort--she will be the youngest ever to run across America--is that she's doing this to raise awareness and funds for the St. Christopher Fund for trucker relief.

Look, truck driving is not an easy way to earn a living. So the St. Christopher Truckers Development and Relief Fund provides financial assistance to drivers who have medical problems and cannot afford health care. SCF also conducts health research to benefit professional drivers and the trucking industry.

Jazzy and DOT/OOIDA crew cross Memorial Bridge toward Lincoln Memorial with Arlington County police escort

Jazzy grew interested in SCF when an employee of her family's trucking company, Sheila Grothe, was diagnosed with cancer:

"I heard that Sheila wasn't able to afford some of the treatments for her cancer, and it didn't seem right. All my life I've heard that 'America moves by truck,' and I just thought someone should tell people about how independent truck drivers have a hard time with health insurance and how the St. Christopher Fund helps. Then maybe the fund could have more money available for people like Sheila. Since I'm a runner, I tried to think of something to do with running."

After Sheila died on April 17, 2009, Jazzy went out for a run. "It's what I do when I'm stressed or need to think," she explains. "And that's when I decided to try this cross-country run."

With the help of her father, Lee, who put aside his own trucking company to support Jazzy, her run began a few months later.

Through 118 degree heat in California to the shin splints that have plagued her since New Mexico and the many days it took just to cross Texas, Jazzy has persevered.

"I don't think of the hard stuff when I'm out there," she says. "I think of the good moments, like running into West Memphis, Arkansas, where two fire trucks made an archway of extended ladders and the sidewalks were lined with elementary school students who then joined me on the road. That one brought me to tears. Good tears."

Nation's largest cement plant opens; Recovery Act projects fuel demand, jobs

Today is one of those days that inspire my optimism about America. I'll be in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, to celebrate the recent opening of our nation's largest cement plant.

I understand if you aren't as excited by a new cement plant as I am. But, let me tell you that this plant generates more than cement.

Holcim Ste. Genevieve on the shores of the Mississippi River

Simply, we're talking about jobs and economic growth. Plant construction alone created more than 2,500 jobs for Missourians. And since Holcim St. Genevieve went operational, the plant has maintained 250 jobs, leading to an annual payroll of nearly $20 million.

And stories like this are popping up around America. As the Wall Street Journal reports today on its website, "The U.S. Labor Department said nonfarm payrolls rose by 431,000 last month, the largest gain since March 2000."

These are not just jobs. For families struggling to make ends meet, these jobs represent hope.

For example, when the Chrysler plant in St. Louis was shutting down awhile back, skilled workers who would have been out in the cold were a natural fit at Holcim, and the company was happy to snap them up.

And, when seasonal workers began looking around for a full-time paycheck, and when others got pink slips from small companies in the area that couldn’t keep their doors open, the Holcim plant gave them back their future by putting them to work.

But the good news doesn't end there. Because, according to a study by Southeast Missouri State University, the economic impact of the plant is projected to increase labor income in Missouri by $257 million, more than 10 times the plant's own payroll. And it is projected to support almost 5,000 new direct and indirect jobs.

Thank you, Rhode Island's Westerly HS, for taking distracted driving seriously

This afternoon, I went to Rhode Island's Westerly High School to talk about DOT's campaign against distracted driving.

The great thing about our time together is that most of the Westerly students understand that texting or talking on a cell phone behind the wheel is dangerous.

Unfortunately, many of them admitted they do it anyway.

Fielding questions at Westerly High School

Now, that is no slight against Westerly at all. Because that contradictory and deadly behavior is being repeated by young drivers across America.

If it weren't, we wouldn't be reading about the tragic outcomes of this recklessness in each day's newspaper.

The Cibleys tell their story of tragic loss on The Oprah Winfrey Show

Springfield, Mass., rededicates State Street corridor; urban boulevard connects past and future

The people of Springfield, Massachusetts, know that sometimes a road is more than just a way of getting from point A to point B. That's why they have made the effort to revamp that city's historic State Street corridor.

And today I joined Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, and US Representative Richard Neal to rededicate Springfield's urban boulevard.

The State Street rededication marker, with Rep. Neal

"It's a magnificent 3.2-mile street and all cities in America should have a State Street," observed Rep. Neal. And he should know, having graduated from Technical High School just around the corner.

Rep. Neal has championed the corridor's redesign for years. Today, thanks to $17 million in state and federal funding, his impressive vision has become an even more impressive reality.

And I want to thank Gov. Patrick for his support of this terrific project. Massachusetts' contribution to this important work shows the state's understanding of how 21st century infrastructure leads to 21st century economic success.

Great kids, but they didn't care who I was until I mentioned I worked for President Obama!

The city of Springfield gets that, too. And they've proven it by coming out today with just a terrific welcome for me. The kids of the Rebecca M. Johnson Visual and Performing Arts Elementary School may be young, but they see that this kind of investment and activity indicates their city is committed to their future.

Because, these roadway and streetscape improvements are a springboard for public-private corridor redevelopment. This project is a perfect example of how support from the federal government can breathe new life into a historic community.

More consumer protections on tap for air travelers

Today, DOT proposed further consumer protections for air travelers. These are in addition to our recent rule putting an end to long tarmac delays and deceptive airline practices.

Today's proposed rule adds a number of new protections to help ensure that airline passengers can expect reasonable treatment when they fly.

This DOT means consumer protections for air travelers

For example, our rule would:

• Increase compensation for passengers involuntarily bumped from flights
• Allow passengers to make and cancel reservations within 24 hours without penalty
• Require full and prominently displayed disclosure of baggage fees, as well as refunds and expense reimbursement when bags are not delivered on time
• Require fair price advertising
• Prohibit price increases after a ticket is purchased
• Mandate timely notice of flight status changes

Quite simply, we think airline passengers have rights, and we want to raise the bar for airlines when it comes to treating passengers fairly.

DOT's Volpe Center turns 40

Some 440 miles northeast of DOT headquarters lies one of our greatest success stories, and perhaps one of our best-kept secrets, the John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center. And today, we're celebrating the Volpe Center's 40 years of excellence.

The center's V2V safety data transmission work could reduce car crashes involving unimpaired drivers

Now, the Volpe Center's mission is really quite simple: improve our nation's transportation systems.

But the work the Center's professionals do to advance that mission is state-of-the-art. From human factors research to global maritime tracking, the Volpe team is a world leader in finding innovative, research-based solutions to America's complex transportation challenges.

And although the Volpe Center operates within DOT's Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) and DOT sponsors the bulk of the Center's projects, the Center also has paying clients in other federal, state, and local governments, academia, industry, and even foreign governments.

Simply put, the Volpe Center's experts are problem-solvers hard at work on the center's strategic goals:

1. Contribute to solving U.S. DOT's key challenges
2. Influence the direction of America's transportation enterprise
3. Ensure a sustainable business model
4. Continuously develop the center's human capital

DOT bicycle-pedestrian policy gets "thumbs up"

What a way to kick-off a weekend. Last Friday dozens of bicyclists rode down to DOT headquarters to present a letter of thanks and support for our recent policy giving bicycles and pedestrians a seat at the transportation table.

Transportation for America's Lilly Shoup presents the letter of support

The letter was circulated by America Bikes, Safe Routes to School National Partnership, and Transportation for America. And it was signed by over 275 organizations nationwide.

Now, as gratifying as that was, my response was simple: If we're going to be a Department of Transportation with a comprehensive approach, we need to promote biking and walking along with other modes of moving people and goods around.

But--and it's time we were all clear on this point--that does not take away from any other form of transportation.

Look, everyone has his or her own transportation priority. And for some, that transportation priority is tightly connected to earning a living, so the idea that investing in one form of transportation comes at the expense of another is not unimportant. I get that.

But, making walking and biking safer and more accessible is relatively inexpensive. For example, we could upgrade the entire 2,250 mile East Coast Greenway, a network of bike routes stretching all the way from Key West to Maine, for only one-fifth the cost of a single recent I-95 bridge over the Potomac.

We're really talking about a very small sliver of the transportation budget.

DOT policy gets an enthusiastic "Thumbs Up"

When I look around DOT, I see devoted federal workers doing their very best every single day to make all forms transportation in America more effective, more sustainable--and most importantly--safer. There are people working on protecting the lives and livelihoods of truckers. There are people working to help airline consumers and to keep aviation safe. There are people developing high-speed rail options. And yes, there are people here looking out for bikers and pedestrians.

Everyday, we're working on a multitude of ways to connect America more efficiently and more safely.