ACTS Webinar Agenda

Bureau of Transportation Statistics
Advisory Council on Transportation Statistics (ACTS)
Friday, May 14, 2010
1:00 – 2:30 p.m. EST

LINK TO JOIN THE WEB CONFERENCE
http://fhwa.na3.acrobat.com/btsac/

TELECONFERENCE NUMBER TO ACCESS AUDIO PORTION
800-621-8701, Code 87271

1:00 – 1:15 Welcome & Introductions

Mr. Peter Appel, RITA Administrator
Dr. Robert Bertini, RITA Deputy Administrator
Dr. Steven Dillingham, BTS Director
ACTS Members

1:15 – 1:25 Opening Remarks &  Council Overview

Dr. John-Paul Clarke, Chair

• Meeting purpose and agenda review
• Purpose of the ACTS
• Review of Charter
• Members’ roles and responsibilities

1:25 – 1:30 Ethics Overview

Robert Monniere, Office of Chief Counsel

1:30 – 1:50 BTS Overview

Dr. Steven Smith, BTS Deputy Director

• Overview of the Bureau of Transportation Statistics organization, management, mission, and plans related to the Secretary’s strategic goals

1:50 – 2:30 Discussion & Next Steps

Dr. John-Paul Clarke, Chair

• Input from Council members
• Questions and discussion regarding next steps

MINUTES

I. Opening Remarks: Steven K. Smith

a. Introductions

II. Welcome: RITA Administrator, Peter Appel

a. BTS Role and Activities
b. The Advisory Council was set up to receive input the broader transportation community.  The lines of communication are open (even after this meeting) and continued dialogue encouraged.

III. Remarks: RITA Deputy Administrator, Robert Bertini

a. This is an exciting time to work in transportation. BTS’ products are needed to provide a foundation and a model for sound decision making.
b. Remaining engaged and sharing ideas on best practices and how to improve processes will foster a proactive forum among stakeholders and constituents. 
c. Delivering timely information is value added.

IV. Chairman, John-Paul Clarke, ScD

a. From my experience serving on other advisory councils, I’ve learned that they work best when there is a lot of dialogue and where our number one priority is data quality.
b. Council members encouraged to be willing to share and listen; and provide constructive ways to improve overall.
c. General reference to the Charter

V. Robert Monniere, RITA  Attorney

a. Review of the GSA  Federal Advisory Committee Act
b. Public Record
c. Register Notices
d. Avoiding Ethical Conflicts
e. Work Statute

VI.   BTS Overview/ Presentation: Steven K. Smith

a. BTS was established within the (USDOT) in 1992 to collect, analyze and report transportation data.
b. Seven (7) program areas within BTS:

i. Office of Advanced Studies
ii. Office of Survey Programs
iii. Office of Statistical Quality
iv. Office of Transportation Analysis
v. Geospatial Information Systems
vi. Office of Airline Information
vii. Office of Transportation Information Resources

VII. Floor open

a. Committee members shared how they (and their students) have used various BTS data-sets.

VIII.   Funding

a. Transportation Data Priorities
b. Sustainability

IX.   Next Steps

a. Before the next meeting, the committee needs to think about what it is customers want, then look at the resources and determine levels of priority.
b. Priorities - driven by the  DOT Strategic Plan
c. Next meeting scheduled for June 4, 2010 at the Department of Transportation

Meeting Adjourned.