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

Setting the stage for a new generation of clean vehicles

American consumers are calling for cleaner cars that won’t break their budgets at the gas pump.  And this morning, I was proud to stand with President Barack Obama and EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson when the President announced a historic agreement to answer that call.

Today's agreement with 12 major automakers will increase average fuel economy to 54.5 miles per gallon for cars and light-duty trucks by model year 2025.

“This agreement on fuel standards represents the most important step we’ve ever taken as a nation to reduce our dependence on foreign oil,” said President Obama.  "By 2025, the average fuel economy of vehicles will nearly double."

Just two years ago, we struck an agreement for Model Years 2012-2016, which will raise fuel efficiency to 35.5 miles per gallon and begin saving families money at the pump this year.  And today's agreement builds on that by increasing fuel savings another 5 percent every year for cars, 3.5 percent a year for light trucks during the first four years, and 5 percent for light trucks for the remaining four years.

What does this mean for consumers?  Together, our work will save American families $1.7 trillion at the pump, and by 2025 result in an average fuel savings of over $8,000 per vehicle.

California reports safer highways for 5th year in a row

At DOT, there is no greater feeling than knowing a life has been spared.  That is why I am so pleased to report that, last week, the California Office of Traffic Safety celebrated their fifth year of consecutive declines in traffic related fatalities.

In 2010, the number of fatalities in the Golden State dropped to 2,715.  That is nearly a 12 percent drop from 3,081 traffic deaths in 2009.  And since the peak in 2005, with 4,333 deaths, California's numbers have declined by more than 37 percent.

Image courtesy Riverside County History

The number of traffic fatalities in California have not been this low since 1944, when only one-tenth the number of vehicles were on the road, driving only one-sixteenth the number of miles California drivers traveled in 2010.

This mirrors a similar five-year trend in Mississippi, reported earlier this month, that is also reflected on the national level.  In April, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration reported that, in 2010, traffic deaths in the United States were at their lowest level since 1949.

Photo courtesy California Route 66 Preservation Foundation

The combination of safer vehicles and roads, education, and enforcement programs have continued to make a difference.  “The drop in fatalities that we have seen in the last five years means that thousands of Californians are with their families today instead of being a statistic,” said Christopher J. Murphy, director of the California Office of Traffic Safety.

The familiar yellow bus, a safe ticket to opportunity

It's difficult to believe it, but in less than a month, our local roadways will once again be populated by yellow school buses, moving America's most precious cargo to and from schools and neighborhoods.  The folks who provide that essential service are not just carting passengers back and forth; they are connecting America's children with all of the great opportunities that come from the chance to learn, grow, and succeed at school.

That's right, succeed.  Because research indicates that a good day at school begins with a positive experience getting to school.  And for many families, that familiar yellow school bus is the only reliable way their children can get to and from the schoolhouse door.

So last week in Baltimore, I was happy to talk with members of the National School Transportation Association and thank them for their hard work.

This summer, keep the kids in your life safe from hyperthermia

Summer is a great time of year for kids and adults alike.  But it’s important to remember that summer’s heat can be a potential danger to our nation’s children--especially when left alone in cars.

The statistics are alarming.   For children under 14, hyperthermia is the leading cause of vehicle deaths that don’t involve a crash.  And already this summer, our National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has recorded 21 hyperthermia-related child deaths.

 

Every single one of these tragic deaths is entirely preventable--not a single child need ever lose their life in this horrible way. 

To step up efforts to prevent these needless deaths, NHTSA convened a first of its kind roundtable with key stakeholders on Tuesday.  Representatives from the automobile industry, car seat manufacturers, victims, researchers, consumer groups, and health and safety advocates joined NHTSA experts to discuss strategies for reducing child fatalities and injuries in hot vehicles.

Have a great idea to save the government money? Last chance to enter the SAVE award contest

DOT employees have shown me time and again their tremendous commitment to making government work better and more efficiently.  They’ve submitted thousands of ideas on IdeaHub, an online community where employees can post ideas for their colleagues to comment and build upon, since its launch last August.  And they’re never shy about expressing their thoughts at employee town hall meetings.

That’s why as part of the Obama Administration’s ongoing efforts to modernize government, I am pleased to announce the launch of the third annual Securing Americans’ Value and Efficiency (SAVE) Award competition. 

 

Over the past two years, federal employees have submitted more than 56,000 cost-cutting ideas to the Office of Management and Budget for review in the SAVE Award contest. 

And it has made a difference. 

Already, ideas from federal employees are saving hundreds of millions of dollars, rooting out redundancy, waste, and inefficiency, and making government more accountable to the American people. 

The goal this year is simple – to give all federal employees a chance to submit suggestions about how their agency can save money and perform better. 

The airport jobs we desperately need: Congress' failure has consequences

Cross-posted from the NY Daily News opinion page

At LaGuardia, one of the nation's busiest airports, this workweek began with customary hustle and bustle--except among the workers demolishing the airport's old control tower.

At 8 p.m. on Sunday, the contractor hired to oversee this essential modernization project delivered a painful message to his 40 employees: Because the United States Congress didn't do its job, they were being turned away from theirs.

Airport construction has been halted throughout the country, including at LaGuardia,
photo courtesy Mark Bonifacio, NY Daily News

Today, 9.2% of our country's workforce is looking for employment. In addition to these 14.1 million Americans, many more are struggling to make ends meet as they work fewer hours for less pay.

In light of this harsh reality, Congress' failure to pass legislation authorizing the Federal Aviation Administration to continue its regular business is devastating news for families across America.

Volkswagen, Audi distracted driving awareness initiative helps move America down the road to safety

A while ago, I encouraged companies to take up the fight against distracted driving by educating their employees about the dangers of texting or talking on a cell phone behind the wheel.  Since then, employers across America have stepped up to the challenge and made distracted driving awareness a priority in the workplace.

Yesterday, I joined several hundred Volkswagen and Audi employees at their American headquarters in Herndon, Virginia.  Together, we celebrated the launch of a new employee education initiative, “Enjoy the Ride.  Don’t text and drive”

To demonstrate their support for this initiative, 4,000 Volkswagen and Audi employees took personal responsibility for safe driving by signing a banner pledging to never text behind the wheel.  These 4,000 men and women understand that distracted driving poses a very serious safety problem on America's roads.  They have sent a powerful message by becoming part of the solution. 

Many of them have gone even further by reminding their families and friends that no text or email is so important that it can’t wait until they reach their destination.

As Congress continues to ignore the FAA, more critical work stops, more workers are sent home

Yesterday, in response to Congress's failure to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration, I wrote that dozens of stop work orders had been issued for construction on major projects to build and modernize air traffic control towers and other airport and aviation infrastructure across the country. 

Twenty-four hours later, Congress still has not fulfilled a basic responsibility to keep crucial operations at the FAA running.  Without 4,000 FAA employees on the job, the list of aviation construction projects unable to proceed is growing by the day.  And the number of construction workers sent home from their jobs on these projects is rising.

A crack in the east and west runway can be seen at the
Stuttgart (Arkansas) Municipal Airport on Monday. 
Photo courtesy Sarah Morris, Stuttgart Daily Leader

We are talking now about hundreds of millions of dollars in construction projects, research, and testing--all shut down.  And we are talking about thousands of workers--public and private--who were not paid yesterday, will not get paid today, and will not get paid tomorrow.  They will not get paid at all unless Congress acts.

In Traverse City, Michigan, airport manager Kevin Klein watched the idle job-site where workers were slated to install the "cab" section of the Cherry Capital Airport's new control tower.  "It's very frustrating," Klein said. "It puts about 50 construction workers out of a job. But about 200 people are involved in this some way--designers, engineers, vendors, delivery folks. It's going to be a hardship on them."

I've said it before and I'll say it again: this is no way to run the world's best aviation system.

Airports need runway status lights.  Runway and taxiway lights help pilots know when it is safe to enter or cross a runway and when it is safe to take off.  Now, $250 million in work to design and install these lights at airports around the country is on indefinite hold.  At Phoenix Sky Harbor, Seattle-Tacoma, Houston George Bush Intercontinental, New York-LaGuardia, Washington-Dulles, Minneapolis-St. Paul, and Las Vegas McCarran international airports, this critical work can't move forward.

Delaware toll plaza improvements show America ready to meet transportation challenges

Last year, at the groundbreaking for the Newark Toll Plaza Improvement Project on I-95, Federal Highway Deputy Administrator Greg Nadeau said, “The age of waiting in line at this toll plaza is nearly over."  With yesterday's ribbon-cutting, FHWA Administrator Victor Mendez was happy to prove him right.

According to the Delaware DOT, now that the plaza has two highway-speed E-ZPass lanes in each direction, more than 50 percent of traffic won't even have to slow down to pay tolls.  If you are a frequent driver of I-95 through Delaware, that is welcome news. 

FHWA Administrator Mendez (2nd from right) celebrates with Delaware Gov. Markell, US Sen. Chris Coons,
US Sen. Tom Carper, and DelDOT Sec. Shailen Bhatt

For many Mid-Atlantic travelers, getting through the toll booths in a timely way was a regular obstacle to an on-time arrival.  Average daily traffic at the toll plaza exceeds 100,000 vehicles and--on summer and holiday weekends--regularly goes beyond 140,000.  Wait times of 30 to 45 minutes were normal for summer weekends, and waits of an hour or longer hour were not unusual during holiday weekends. 

"We would drive with our young children to visit my parents in Philadelphia," says Jennifer Welch of Maryland.  "And as we approached the Delaware line, my whole body would tense up, anticipating the toll plaza and the inevitable delay.  The kids hated it, too.  It got so frustrating that we stopped making the trip as often."

But that was then.

Highway-speed toll lanes will make a big difference.

On a trip last week, Welch says, everything was different: "First of all, there was no delay--none.  And for a summer weekend, that's just unheard of.  Then, with our E-ZPass, we were able to sail through the plaza not just at normal toll booth speed, but at highway speed.  It's a completely different experience now."

Congressional inaction halts aviation projects across US

Because Congress failed to pass legislation giving the Federal Aviation Administration the necessary operating authority, FAA employees have been furloughed, construction workers have been sent home from their jobs, and communities are being hurt.

Dozens of stop work orders have been issued for construction on major projects to build and modernize air traffic control towers and other airport and aviation infrastructure across the country. 

Work on the new air traffic control tower at Oakland International Airport must halt

Already this morning, Paul Scariano, Inc., the contractor on a tower demolition project at La Guardia Airport, had to turn away 40 workers. "It wasn't easy telling them we've been shut down because of a fiscal situation in Washington," said supervisor Lucca Toscano.  "Some of these guys just got back to work after a long time, and their benefits have all expired.  So for them this is like running into a brick wall, and they're asking me, 'How do we explain this to our families?'  I don't know what to say to them."

In the meantime, Toscano says, his company still has to pay for the equipment they've leased.  "That's just money out the window," he says.  "Then there's the scaffolding we've already built and everything that is around the site; we can't protect any of it."

Old LaGuardia tower (left) will impede view from new tower (right) until demolition.
Photo courtesy Mark Bonafacio, News

In Gulfport, Mississippi, a community still trying to rebound from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, work has been halted on the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport's new air traffic control tower.  Construction workers, so happy to be on the job, were turned away this morning.

From Florida to Alaska and Maine to California, stop work orders are taking their toll on construction workers as well as our ability to add capacity to the nation's aviation system.  Stopping this work does not save taxpayers money; rather, as Lucca Toscano made clear, it will add to the costs of these projects.

Reduced congestion, safer pedestrians in New York City thanks to FHWA and “Midtown in Motion”

At DOT, we are constantly working on new technology to help keep motorists and pedestrians safe, grow our economy, and reduce congestion.

And last Monday, Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez joined New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and New York City Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan to launch “Midtown In Motion.” This is a sophisticated new approach to improve traffic and safeguard pedestrians in the 110-square-block heart of Manhattan.

Administrator Mendez, Mayor Bloomberg, and NYC Transportation Commissioner Sadik-Khan
get things started with the push of a button

Like the Fast 14 project I blogged about last week, the “Midtown In Motion” system is an exciting innovation brought to drivers and pedestrians through the support of our Federal Highway Administration.

Midtown In Motion gives New York City traffic engineers the ability to see real-time data transmitted from sensors, video cameras and E-ZPass readers. With this information, they can respond immediately to changes in traffic flow caused by construction, special events, crashes and other activities. For example, they can adjust signal timing along a specific corridor to clear up an emerging traffic jam before it even occurs.

Through improved traffic flow and added turn lanes at 53 intersections, we also expect the project to improve pedestrian safety in a high-traffic area that is so crowded with workers and tourists.

Congress fails to extend FAA’s authorization

Earlier this afternoon, Congress adjourned without passing a clean FAA reauthorization extension.  And because of its inaction, states and airports won't be able to work on their construction projects and thousands of people around the country will have to go without a paycheck.

This is no way to run the best aviation system in the world, and I'm tremendously disappointed by today’s events. 

The current FAA reauthorization expires at midnight tonight.  And without an extension, airports across the country will also be forced to halt important construction projects and other airport activities.  The FAA will be unable to provide roughly $2.5 billion for airport projects in all 50 states that could put thousands of people to work in good paying jobs.  For example:

• Orlando International Airport in Orlando, Florida is still waiting on funding to rehabilitate a major taxiway. 
• Houghton County Memorial Airport in Hancock, Michigan is still waiting on funding to modify their terminal building and discourage wildlife from entering the active airfield.
• Richmond International Airport in Richmond, Virginia is still waiting on funding to proceed with construction of a new apron for a terminal concourse.
• Lubbock International Airport in Lubbock, Texas is still waiting on funding to begin the third phase of a critical runway rehabilitation.
• Adams Field in Little Rock, Arkansas is still waiting on funding to begin the rehabilitation of taxiway lighting, construction of a Runway Safety Area, and the installation of a Precision Approach Path Indicator that helps pilots land safely.

In addition, the Federal Aviation Administration will be forced to furlough nearly 4,000 employees--men and women across the country who perform valuable work for our nation's aviation system and our economy.  These are real people with families who do not deserve to be put out of work during these tough economic times.

Every day, thousands of people across our country show up to work to make our aviation system as safe, efficient, and reliable as possible.  I couldn’t be prouder of their efforts. 

There is no excuse for Congress failing to pass this FAA extension.  It’s crucial to our economy, it’s crucial to tens of thousands of middle-class families who will see paychecks stop, and it’s crucial to our transportation system.

We cannot afford to wait--Congress needs to come back to Washington, finish its work and pass a clean extension of the FAA Bill.

TN readers prove America is a Transportation Nation

Cross-posted from Transportation Nation

First things first: Thank you, Transportation Nation, for submitting such great questions for this month's edition of "On the Go."  I 'm so encouraged by the number of Americans who pay close attention to transportation issues because I know you'll be there to support us when we get things right, and I know you'll hold our feet to the fire if we don't.

Thank you, also, for allowing me the opportunity here to answer a few more of your terrific questions.

The first question comes from Tom Roberts on Facebook, who asks: "When will there be a TIGER III?"

Tom, I have some good news and bad news. The good news is that the third round of TIGER grant opportunities is already in the works, and we begin accepting pre-applications on August 22.  TIGER supports innovative transportation projects that will create jobs and have a significant impact on the nation, a region or a metropolitan area.  The competitive awards empower communities to build the transportation networks they need.  The first two rounds of TIGER have been very successful, and I'm proud of the 126 projects--in all 50 states and the District of Columbia--that we've recognized with $2.1 billion in TIGER grants.  In this third round, Congress has made available $527 million.

The bad news?  We're not calling it TIGER III.  Because it has been so successful, TIGER might be around for a while; with more rounds to come, we're ready to leave the numbering behind us.

ParkingInMotion asked on Twitter: "What are your early opinions of San Francisco's SFpark program, and what it will do for the future of smart parking in cities?"

SFpark is an exciting new pilot program operated by the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, using a $19.4 million grant from the Federal Highway Administration.  The system provides users real-time information on parking availability before they get into their cars and helps San Francisco drivers spend less time searching for parking.  It also helps reduce congestion and emissions from idling cars because drivers will know exactly where to find parking spaces.  And, the system can efficiently distribute parking space availability by raising or lowering meter rates block-by-block based on the number of spaces available nearby. 

Key airport projects across the country in jeopardy unless Congress passes an FAA bill

Tomorrow night, the FAA reauthorization bill is set to expire.  And without swift action from Congress to pass an extension, the Federal Aviation Administration will be unable to move forward on important airport construction projects and thousands of FAA employees across the country will be immediately furloughed.

Congress needs to do its work.  If they can’t pass a bill, new construction projects won’t begin.  And construction workers will suffer. 

Congress has already passed twenty short-term extensions to the FAA's reauthorization--putting a burden on our employees and creating enormous uncertainty for states and airports across the country. This is no way to run the best aviation system in the world.

Now, unacceptable provisions in the House of Representative's version of the bill are holding up passage of another extension.

If Congress can't reach an agreement by midnight tomorrow night, the Airport Improvement Program, which provides construction grants to airports, will be shut down and unable to provide roughly $2.5 billion for airport projects in all 50 states.

Additionally, up to 4,000 FAA employees in 35 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico will be furloughed and forced to go without pay if Congress fails to pass an extension.  While air traffic control would continue, large numbers of employees in New Jersey, New York, California, Georgia, Oklahoma, Texas, Washington, Illinois, and D.C. will be affected. This includes many of FAA’s engineers, scientists, research analysts, administrative assistants, computer specialists, program managers and analysts, environmental protection specialists, and community planners.

We need our employees at work, and states and airports need to be able to work on construction projects.  If Congress cannot resolve its differences, FAA programs and thousands of public and private sector jobs will be in jeopardy.

Congress must pass an extension of the FAA bill now.

July "On the Go" is here with talk on transit, high-speed rail, and job advice to recent grads

Did you ever wonder how I got my start working in transportation?  I talk about that and a whole lot more in the July episode of my ongoing Q&A series, "On the Go with Ray LaHood."

Watch our latest video now to hear about how DOT is helping to maintain metropolitan transit systems, our commitment to bringing high-speed rail to communities across the country, and my advice to young people looking to break into the transportation field.

Do you have a question you'd like me to answer?  You can:

• Post on my Facebook Discussion board;
• Tweet me using the #q4ray hashtag; or
• Leave a comment here on my blog.

Thanks for watching, and check back tomorrow to read a few more of my answers to questions we couldn't get to in this month's video.

Introducing Gary Barber, DOT's Regional Emergency Transportation Representative of the Year

The people of DOT are working hard every day to help you get where you need to go safely and reliably, and I think they're doing a great job.  Today, I want to introduce you to a DOT professional who--in addition to his regular duties--works with other agencies and local authorities during emergencies to help make transportation available to those in need.

Response preparedness takes a lot of coordinated effort, and in DOT that responsibility falls on the shoulders of our Regional Emergency Transportation Representatives.  These representatives provide a crucial service.  And last Monday, I had the honor of presenting Gary Barber with our inaugural Regional Emergency Transportation Representative of the Year Award.

The representative in each region manages DOT’s emergency teams, develops emergency procedures, and connects other agencies with DOT.  Their efforts ensure that everyone is on the same page when it comes to emergency transportation operations.

Fast 14 project an exciting demonstration of American innovation

In the past two and a half years, I've been fortunate to see many terrific projects. From basic surface repair on a quiet stretch of road in New Hampshire to the stunning new Pat Tillman Bridge at the Hoover Dam crossing, every project has been a testament to the skills of America's construction workers, engineers, and designers.

But last weekend, Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez observed one of the most ambitious projects we've seen, the Fast 14. This bold approach to replacing 14 different bridges on I-93 in Medford, Massachusetts, in a single summer, demonstrates perfectly the ability of American innovation to respond to transportation challenges. And the work he witnessed proves that America is ready, willing, and able to dream big, and build big.

In this video from MassDOT, FHWA Administrator walks viewers throught the Fast 14 project

The challenge was tremendous; last summer gaping holes opened up in bridges along the crucial I-93 corridor near Boston. It was clear that the superstructure--the concrete decking and steel beams--of the aging bridges was failing and had to be replaced. Unfortunately, with conventional techniques, closing lanes to replace the 14 structurally deficient bridges on this primary commuter artery would likely tie Boston-area traffic in painful knots for four long years.

The Massachusetts DOT design-build team proposed to cut that four years down to 14 weeks by prefabricating the superstructure pieces off-site then quickly fitting them into position. Rather than close lanes for the weeks it would take to fabricate a bridge's superstructure on-site, lane closures could be limited to weekends when the pre-fab superstructure could be lowered into place. Preparatory work, they suggested, could be done in advance without disrupting the flow of traffic.

As FHWA Administrator Victor Mendez (right) looks on, crews lower a bridge panel into place on Salem Street bridge

SunRail agreement brings Central Florida one step closer to long-needed commuter rail

As anyone who commutes on I-4 in or around Orlando will tell you, it is one of the most congested highways in the country.  But soon, thanks to SunRail, commuters and others living in the greater Orlando area will be able to opt out of the region’s traffic mess.

Yesterday, I joined Congressman John Mica, Congresswoman Corinne Brown, and Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer to sign a grant agreement pledging $178.6 million in federal support through 2013 to build Central Florida's first commuter rail line.

Signing the agreement with Florida DOT Secretary Anath Prasad

The first 32-mile segment of the 61-mile system is scheduled for completion in 2014, and when SunRail opens for business, area residents will be able to skip daily traffic snarls, spend less of their hard-earned income on gas, reduce the region's tailpipe emissions, and help cut America's dependence on expensive foreign oil. 

Stepped-up action against unsafe motorcoach companies delivers record results

Last month, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrator Anne Ferro kicked off Roadcheck 2011, saying, "We will not tolerate unsafe carriers that endanger the public." Today, the FMCSA released numbers that prove it.

Thanks to stepped-up surprise inspections, full compliance reviews, and enforcement actions, DOT under the Obama Administration has issued as many imminent hazard orders placing unsafe bus and truck companies out of service as in the previous 10 years combined.  Between 2000 and 2009, the FMCSA issued 14 imminent hazard orders placing unsafe carriers out of service.  In just the last year and a half, we have already issued another 14.

In the past four months alone, we issued eight out-of-service orders. These orders immediately followed investigations that found carriers or drivers to have so flagrantly violated safety regulations that continuing operations would present imminent danger to passengers and to the public.  For example, last month, we discovered a Michigan company transporting passengers in luggage compartments.

Roadside inspections of motorcoaches have jumped nearly 100 percent, from 12,991 in 2005 to 25,703 in 2010, while compliance reviews are up 128 percent, from 457 in 2005 to 1,042 in 2010.

In May, FMCSA and its state and local law enforcement partners conducted more than 3,000 surprise passenger carrier safety inspections over a two-week period. This strike force removed 442 unsafe buses or drivers from the nation's roadways.

Moving this summer? ProtectYourMove.gov can help you pack some peace of mind

Summer is the busiest season for America's moving companies.  While many of us are trying to find ways to beat the heat, millions of others are relocating their households.  And that is no picnic.

We at DOT know that moving can be stressful.  Over 40 million Americans every year try to take stress out of the equation by hiring interstate moving companies.  And there are many reputable companies providing excellent service to choose from. 

Unfortunately, as in many fields, there are also unscrupulous companies that would take advantage of your vulnerability during a household move. That’s why the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration offers the terrific online resource www.protectyourmove.gov to help you get the best moving experience possible.

 

Port of Miami Intermodal and Rail Reconnection Project: jobs now, economic benefits for decades to come

At DOT, we're investing in projects that put Americans back to work and contribute to our long-term prosperity while once again making this nation’s transportation system the envy of the world.

And on Friday, I was pleased to join US Senator Bill Nelson, Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez, and other state and local leaders to break ground on the Port of Miami Intermodal and Rail Reconnection Project. This long-awaited venture, supported by DOT’s TIGER program, is exactly the kind of innovative project that will create jobs today while preparing South Florida to seize tomorrow's economic opportunities.

View news video of the groundbreaking at nbcmiami.com

Construction crews will restore rail service between the Port of Miami and the Florida East Coast Rail Yard in Hialeah, Florida.  This valuable link was suspended in 2005 following damage from Hurricane Wilma.

Rail reconnection work is part of a larger project underway at the Port--including the new Miami Access Tunnel funded by a DOT loan--that will help position the Port of Miami to take advantage of new business when the current Panama Canal expansion opens in 2014.  The new tunnel and the restored rail service will open the Port of Miami's doors to this economic opportunity.

But first, this investment will create 822 construction jobs. In fact, some of the folks who were hired to work on the line braved the heat on Friday to help me break ground on the project. I know they're happy to be on the job, and we're happy to have them doing this important work.

The future has arrived for U.S. Merchant Marine Academy plebes

Our economy relies on our ability to transport goods and people safely and effectively, and ships have a vital role to play in that.  Whether we're talking about oceans, rivers, America's Marine Highways, or the St. Lawrence Seaway, we need a well-trained merchant marine to keep our economy moving.  And, in times of war or national emergencies, it’s essential that the United States have a fleet available to support our armed forces.

That’s why I have so much respect for the United States Merchant Marine Academy and why I'm especially pleased to welcome the Academy's newest cadets to Kings Point.  Last week, the Class of 2015 reported to the Academy for induction.  The fine young men and women experiencing their Plebe Summer today will become the capable leaders of America's maritime industry tomorrow.

In two short weeks, we can expect a well-regimented Class of 2015

Unlike many first-time college students, they did not drag everything but the kitchen sink along with them.  Kings Point is a service academy, and students are only allowed to bring one duffel bag. 

No designer labels here; everything is standard  issue

After dropping their gear, the first stop was the gym, where students moved from station to station, culminating in some basic drill instruction.

A few basic drill steps

Then, they were measured for uniforms, traded their duffels for foot lockers, and sat down for the traditional haircut.

One style fits all

After that, the newly shorn cadets bid their families one final goodbye and begin their formal training.

Waiting for one last glimpse of their cadets

Following the two weeks of training, classes begin, and these young mariners are ready to embark on a four year journey of physical training, classroom and hands-on education, and leadership development.  I trust that Superintendent RADM Philip Greene and his staff will help the students learn everything they need to know about how the U.S. Merchant Marine maintains America's economic and security needs.

I wish the Class of 2015 the best during their years at Kings Point, and I thank them for their service.  Welcome aboard!

DOT earns Small Business Administration’s Gold Star award

I am pleased to share the news that the Department of Transportation was recognized recently with the Small Business Administration's Gold Star award.  The SBA presents the award to agencies that exhibit exemplary performance in pursuit of aggressive goals and strategic initiatives to help increase small business participation in the federal marketplace.  And thanks to our Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU), we have been doing exactly that.

Randall Nossaman, Brandon Neal, Devera Redmond show me the Gold Star banner and award from SBA

Our small businesses are leaders in the kind of innovation that will help America win the future.  They are also engines of economic growth and job creation.  When we talk about strengthening our economy and our competitiveness, that starts with small businesses. Helping these businesses gain access to opportunities helps the nation.

That’s why our OSDBU team is working so hard.  And their commitment to providing contracting and subcontracting opportunities for small, women-owned and disadvantaged businesses has really made a difference. 

"Strong Cities, Strong Communities" matching federal investments with local needs

Across America, mayors, small business owners, and community leaders are finding innovative new ways to create jobs, provide affordable housing and transportation, and build the strong communities people want to live in.  But even the best idea needs resources to become a reality, and it can be difficult to figure out which federal programs might provide the boost a city needs to put new ideas into action.

Often, the reason that communities don’t get the maximum benefit available from the federal government is not because there's a shortage of federal resources.  Federal employees may work hundreds or even thousands of miles away, and work with many different states or cities, understanding the particular needs of a community or the features of a local program may be a challenge.  And states and cities may lack the capacity and technical expertise to reach those resources. 

Deputy Secretary John Porcari with Memphis Mayor A C Wharton

There’s a lot we in the Obama Administration can learn from the smart, committed people working to make America’s cities successful.  And sometimes those leaders could use a little support in accessing federal resources, cutting through red tape, and keeping their best and brightest college graduates working right there in their home communities.

That's where "Strong Cities, Strong Communities" comes in.

Earlier this week, Deputy Secretary John Porcari traveled to Memphis to announce that as part of this new initiative, the Obama Administration will send five full-time federal staff people to Memphis.  Their job will be to listen to local leaders, learn what they need from the federal government, and help them secure that assistance or expertise. And the Obama Administration will also work with private partners to create a fellowship program that will connect new graduates looking for jobs with city governments looking for well-trained professionals.

Mayor Wharton welcomes the new initiative

As Deputy Secretary Porcari said to the members of the Memphis community who gathered at Court Square Park on Monday, “Strong Cities, Strong Communities is based on the simple idea that because change happens at the local level, we should cut red tape and make it easier for cities and states to realize their visions for the future.”

Reduction in traffic fatalities in Mississippi encourages continued safety efforts

When it comes to traffic safety, we at DOT know that a combination of strong laws, stepped up enforcement, and public education campaigns is the key to saving lives.

So I was pleased to learn recently that, over the past five years, the State of Mississippi has significantly reduced the number of traffic fatalities on its roadways.

Natchez Trace Parkway, one of Mississippi's scenic roadways

The number of people who lost their lives in automobile crashes in Mississippi is down from 931 in 2005 to 641 fatalities in 2010.  That's an impressive 31 percent drop.  This decline earned the Mississippi Department of Public Safety a regional award from the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators.  Mississippi's achievement was recognized for this award from among 14 southern states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

This recognition comes at the same time that the number of traffic fatalities nationwide fell to the lowest levels since 1949, despite a sharp increase in the number of miles Americans drove last year.  Over the last five years, traffic deaths across the nation have declined by 25 percent.

Connected Vehicle Driver Acceptance Clinics coming soon to a community near you

The charming and heroic stars of Cars 2 and Transformers are not the only talking cars hitting American cities this summer.  At DOT, we call them Connected Vehicles: cars, trucks, buses, and other vehicles fitted with technology that allows them--like their big-screen counterparts--to communicate with each other and with roadway infrastructure like traffic lights, dangerous road segments, and railroad crossings.

The communication devices installed in these cars will be able to warn their drivers of approaching hazards.  Whether it's an upcoming traffic signal turning red or another vehicle stopping suddenly several cars ahead, Connected Vehicles will give drivers extra time and more information so we can make better driving decisions.

But, as useful as Connected Vehicles will be to their human drivers, this new technology will only be successful if we can learn to operate them effectively.  So, this summer, DOT is beginning Driver Acceptance Clinics to test new safety capabilities for Connected Vehicles.  These driver clinics will test how real drivers react to this new technology.

The clinics are part of an exciting DOT research program to make cars, trucks, and buses safer through wireless communication technology.  Our Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have partnered with the Crash Avoidance Metrics Partnership (CAMP) to lead these six driver clinics.

Mon/Fayette Expressway opens an era of safer, less congested travel in West Virginia and Pennsylvania

This is an historic year for our nation’s highway system.  We just celebrated the 55th anniversary of the Interstate Highway System, and we’re marking the bicentennial of our nation’s first road this year.

But our highway system is always changing as we improve our roads and bridges to meet new and evolving demands.  And we’re not done building yet.

Yesterday, Federal Highway Deputy Administrator Greg Nadeau traveled to Morgantown, West Virginia to join Governor Earl Ray Tomblin and other state and local officials for the opening of the final segment of the Mon/Fayette Expressway.  This new highway is a critical link between Morgantown and Pittsburgh, and it's poised to deliver big benefits to the people and communities along its route.

FHWA Deputy Administrator Greg Nadeau helps cut the ribbon on the Mon/Fayette Expressway.

It provides safer and faster travel options for drivers on I-68 between Morgantown and the Pennsylvania state line--particularly commercial vehicles that had, until recently, been forced to use smaller arteries in the area, such as S.R. 51 and U.S. 40.  And because it will help ease congestion and improve transportation access, it promises to spur economic growth in Fayette and Washington counties for years to come.

The results are in: NHTSA study shows high-visibility enforcement cuts distracted driving

As you know, we at DOT have a strong commitment to end distracted driving.  And yesterday, in Syracuse, NY, I was able to share the highly-anticipated results of our study showing that high visibility enforcement coupled with public education campaigns reduces cell phone related distracted driving.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) launched two distracted driving enforcement programs in the communities of Harford, Connecticut, and Syracuse, New York--two states with laws against texting and handheld cell phone use while driving--to see if stepped-up enforcement would be effective in stopping this dangerous behavior behind the wheel.

 

Over the course of the year, the two communities supported the enforcement effort with public service announcements using NHTSA's safety message Phone in One Hand, Ticket in the Other.  This program followed the effective style of two other successful education campaigns, Click it or Ticket and Over the Influence, Under Arrest.

The one-year study showed the rate of electronic device use while driving dropped significantly in both pilot programs.  Syracuse showed an overall decrease of 32 percent in both handheld phone use and texting.  Hartford showed an even more impressive 57 percent drop in handheld phone use and a stunning 72 percent drop in texting behind the wheel. 

 

Arkansas’ Two Rivers Park Bridge proves “when people work together, dreams come true”

As I’ve blogged before, DOT is fully committed to supporting community efforts to treat cycling and walking as valued elements of the nation’s transportation system.

That’s why on Friday, I was pleased to help dedicate the Two Rivers Park Bridge in Little Rock, Arkansas.

The Two Rivers Park Bridge is a beautiful, 1,300 foot pedestrian and bike bridge that is the last link in a bike and pedestrian trail system connecting 20 parks and 18 miles of trails in downtown Little Rock, North Little Rock, and Pulaski County.  Eighty percent of the $5.3 million project was funded by DOT’s Federal Highway Administration.  The bridge will officially open to the public on July 23, and it is a beauty.

Video courtesy Gavin Lesnick, Arkansas Democrat Gazette

I want to send special thanks to Pulaski County Judge Buddy Villines for his leadership on this project.  He and other local officials had the vision to create a wonderful chain of parks along the river between downtown Little Rock and Pinnacle Mountain.

As Judge Villines said at the dedication, “This trail of parks is witness to the fact that when people work together, dreams come true.” 

Faces of Distracted Driving: Heather Lerch, 19 "All taken away by a conversation that could have waited"

Like many 19-year-olds, Heather Lerch of Rochester, WA, had plans. She was a first-year student at Centralia College, hoping to pursue a career in forensics and criminal justice. She had just celebrated a birthday; she had bought a car; she had an address book full of friends in her cell phone.

On February 23, 2010, the text messages that she often exchanged with those friends cost her crucial seconds of attention to the road.  While driving home from work as she had done hundreds of times, Heather approached a bend in the road. But she was texting, saw the bend too late, and crashed through the guardrail. Heather was killed instantly.

“I had seen her earlier, before she left for work,” says Heather’s father, Dan Lerch. “I told her to have a great day. That I loved her. And I never saw her again.”

 

To help others learn about the dangers of distracted driving, the Washington State Department of Licensing, together with Heather’s parents, Dan and Wendy, produced a video and submitted it to our “Faces of Distracted Driving” series.

Miss Utah USA takes on texting and driving

When Jamie Lynn Crandall became Miss Utah USA last October, she immediately set her sights on getting the title of Miss USA 2011. But that hasn’t been her only focus.  She has dedicated her reign to educating others about the dangers of distracted driving. 

In 2007, Jamie lost her good friend, 17-year-old Lauren Mulkey, to a driver who was texting behind the wheel:

"Lauren had just taken me home, and she was at an intersection nearby with a green light. Another car entered the intersection from her left. The driver had a red light for six seconds, but he was texting at the wheel and didn't see it.  He wasn't even injured."

Lauren’s mother, Linda Mulkey, founded  “Hang up, Save a Life” to raise awareness about America's distracted driving epidemic.  "I started helping her immediately, even before the pageants," says Jamie.

 

U.S. cooperation with European Union on Marine Highways will benefit everyone

As I've written before, America's Marine Highways are the single most fuel-efficient and cost-effective way to haul goods from one place to another, and we know that investing in waterborne transportation creates jobs and spurs economic growth.

Our friends in the European Union understand this as well.  That’s why on Friday in Brussels, Maritime Administrator David Matsuda signed a Memo of Cooperation with his European Union counterpart Matthias Ruete on marine highways, which Europeans call "short sea shipping."

US Maritime Administrator David Matsuda and EU Director General of Energy and Transport
Matthias Ruete sign memorandum of cooperation in Brussels

American and European transportation experts understand that shifting some of our freight from crowded roads to open inland waterways will reduce emissions and roadway congestion.  The goal of our new cooperation is to share best practices on how to make that happen.

State of Good Repair grant from FTAhelps Toledo paratransit riders

Why was Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff in Toledo this week awarding a $3.4 million grant to replace 43 paratransit buses?  Because this Administration is absolutely committed to helping provide better transportation options for all Americans.

The Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (TARTA) operates a fleet of 56 small buses to transport elderly and disabled passengers.  Those buses have outlived their expected service life and need to be upgraded.  TARTA will use the grant, awarded under the FTA's State of Good Repair program, to replace its outdated buses with safer, more fuel-efficient vehicles.  The new vehicles can carry as many as 12 people and can accommodate up to four wheelchairs.

FTA Administrator Peter Rogoff announcing the State of Good Repair grant in Toledo; photo courtesy Brian Farber, FTA

Access to paratransit--available by appointment and on-demand--is crucial to the ability of transit-dependent Americans to get around.  For TARTA, paratransit has been the fastest growing segment of their service.  If you are elderly or disabled and can't use a standard bus, paratransit service is your lifeline to jobs, education, medical care, groceries, and just about everywhere you need or want to go.

As Administrator Rogoff said, “Getting around town is a challenge when you can’t drive, but it makes matters worse to have to ride in vehicles that aren’t reliable.”

At 75, America's air traffic control system keeps getting better

When you look at the Federal Aviation Administration's highly developed air traffic control organization, it's difficult to imagine a time when there were only 15 controllers at three centers. But, 75 years ago today, that's exactly what we had.

On July 6, 1936, the Bureau of Air Commerce took over the operation of the first air traffic control centers in Newark, Chicago, and Cleveland. Faced with a growing volume of air traffic, the 15 employees who made up the original group of in-route controllers took position reports from pilots to plot the progress of each flight and to make sure the flights were not on conflicting routes.

The first airway traffic control center in Newark, NJ

Today, thanks to the system these early controllers set in motion, American aviation is enjoying its safest period ever. As Federal Aviation Administrator Randy Babbitt said, “As a pilot, I am in awe of the aviation safety and technological advancements that have been made in the last 75 years."

And I am pleased to say that we will never stop working to make our skies even safer.

Air traffic and air traffic control have changed a lot in 75 years

Practice runways help Alaskan pilots prepare for off-airport landings

Cars, trains, buses--these are how most of us get where we need to go each day.  But for many Alaskans, air travel is a regular part of their routines.

Because of its unique geography, airplanes are often used in Alaska to transport people and goods.  Nearly 11,000 Alaskans are registered pilots, a number that gives the state the most airplanes per capita nationwide and the most pilots per capita in the world.  And with so many pilots and such a high frequency of flying, you can bet that aviation safety is a top priority.

Off-airport landing, photo courtesy blueiceaviation.com

That’s why the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has partnered with the Fairbanks International Airport and Palmer Municipal Airport in Alaska to build practice runways that allow pilots to work on their landing skills in a safe environment. 

Alaskan Region Airports Division Manager Byron Huffman explains the state's peculiar flight conditions:

"Alaskan pilots face high-risk flying and landing in remote areas of a largely rural state.  For example, on hunting and fishing trips, pilots may have to land on river sand bars or on mountain ridges."

The Alaska Department of Transportation introduced the idea of designated practice runways to help lower the number of general aviation accidents. Then, FAA employees at the William J. Hughes Technical Center refined a design created by the State of Alaska and provided recommendations.

Finally, with the help of the FAA, the practice landing strips were marked, each measuring 25 feet wide by 600 feet long.  The gravel runways were designed to mimic the conditions pilots would face in real flying situations.

TIGER grants are here again

Over the last two years, the response to our popular TIGER (that's Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) grant program has been overwhelming.  We've already provided $2.1 billion for 126 projects that are creating jobs and investing in transportation networks nationwide.

And we're not stopping there.

I'm pleased to announce that we're making an additional $527 million available for a third round of TIGER funding.  And we're encouraging states, cities, and local governments to submit their applications.

Now, we expect these dollars to be in high demand.  During the previous two rounds, DOT received more than 2,500 applications requesting more than $79 billion for transportation projects across the country.

But our competitive grant program will ensure that only the most beneficial and innovative transportation solutions are selected.  Projects will be chosen based on their ability to:

• Contribute to the long-term economic competitiveness of the nation,
• Upgrade the safety and quality of existing transportation infrastructure and facilities,
• Increase energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and
• Improve the quality of life in communities through better transportation choices and connections.

St. Louis, MO businessman Frank Bommarito spreads the word about distracted driving

Every day, Americans across the country are stepping up to join our fight to end distracted driving.  And in St. Louis, Missouri, Bommarito Automotive Group Founder and CEO Frank Bommarito is using his prominent position in the local business community to raise awareness about the dangers of cell phone use while driving.

Like many people, Frank never gave much thought to distracted driving.  He would use his phone behind the wheel, occasionally missing an exit while chatting away. 

But after being involved in a minor car accident caused by someone who was talking on a cell phone, Frank realized just how serious the consequences of inattentive driving could be.

So he started taking action--first by curbing his own phone use, and then by getting the message to others.

"I have advised my family and my automotive group members to try to refrain from unnecessary cell phone use while driving," Frank said. "I know it's a hard habit to break, but it's good advice--and I hope they take it."