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

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

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

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

 

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

Thanks for watching, and see you next month!

Seeking relief from pain at the pump? Electric vehicles are ready to roll

With gas prices rising above four dollars per gallon, families and businesses are feeling the effects.  And once again elected officials are clamoring for action to instantly reverse that trend.  But we know that you can't bring down energy prices overnight.

Fortunately, since 2009, the Department of Transportation has been investing in transportation options that free Americans from the high cost of refilling their gas-powered cars.

Whether it's high-speed rail, transit, or walkable, bikeable streets, we are working to foster alternatives so people can choose to quit feeding their local gas pumps and continue feeding their families, their college savings accounts, and their retirement funds.

"Innovation Motorcade" charges through Washington

One approach that is already reducing fuel costs for drivers and creating jobs is the Obama Administration's support for electric and hybrid vehicles.  Earlier today, I was happy to share that news at the Electric Drive Transportation Association’s 2011 Conference.  And, for those who didn’t realize the maturity of this industry, today’s “Innovation Motorcade” of electric vehicles parading through Washington, DC, was a real eye-opener.

A few years ago, US businesses made just 2 percent of batteries for emerging cars like the Chevy Volt and the electric Ford Focus. But a few years from now, America will be home to 40 percent of the world's automotive battery manufacturing capacity.  That means jobs.  In fact, workers are on the job right now, pioneering advanced batteries at Compact Power in Michigan.

It also means the status quo on America's roadways is beginning to give way to a future--long overdue--in which electric and hybrid vehicles are the norm, not the exception.

Am I sad that my Buick Regal is about to become a classic?  Not at all.  I'm excited that we're finally on the verge of a 21st century transportation system that suits the energy and environmental realities we face.

DOT adds protections for air travelers

As I’ve mentioned many times before on this blog, airline passengers have rights, and airlines have an obligation to respect those rights.

That’s why today I am pleased to announce new airline passenger protections that will ensure air travelers are treated with the respect they deserve.

Today's protections build on the historic rule we issued in December 2009 prohibiting tarmac delays of more than three hours for U.S. airlines operating domestic flights.  And we know these consumer protections work.  Since the first airline consumer protection rule went into effect, lengthy tarmac delays have dropped to almost zero--without causing a significant increase in flight cancellations.  That has boosted passengers' confidence that they won't be stranded for hours at a time.

Our new protections require airlines to reimburse passengers for bag fees if their bags are lost, provide consumers involuntarily bumped from flights with greater compensation, and disclose hidden fees.  And, because passengers on international flights deserve the same protections and fair treatment as those on domestic flights, we're also expanding the current ban on lengthy tarmac delays.

DOT community, nation mark sad anniversary

Today marks the 16th anniversary of the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City.  We at the Department of Transportation join with all Americans in remembering the 168 people--including 19 children--who lost their lives in that despicable act of terrorism.

 
Each of the 168 empty chairs honors one of the April 19 victims

Eleven of the public servants killed that day were part of the DOT family.  They were at their desks in the Murrah Building, doing what all of us at DOT do every day: working hard to make American transportation safer and better.  Their memory continues to inspire us.

Lucio Aleman, Jr., Mark A. Bolte, Ronota A. Woodbridge, Larry J. Jones, James K. Martin, Jerry L. Parker, Michelle A. Reeder, and Johnny A. Wade worked for the Federal Highway Administration.

Michael J. Carrillo, Rick L. Tomlin, and John "Buddy" Youngblood also worked for the FHWA, but in the office that eventually became today's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

All 11 are memorialized in a grove of rebud trees planted in their honor at the FHWA Turner-Fairbank Research Center in Virginia.  

I am thankful to everyone who honors these individuals by remembering this sad anniversary. And I urge everyone to continue remembering their sacrifice.

I particularly want to thank today's federal employees.  Ever since that tragic day in 1995, going to your government job each day is an act of courage in the service of your nation.  And I, for one, appreciate that service.

Vehicle odometer fraud jeopardizes safety...and pocketbooks

When we think about car safety, we usually consider the obvious features – seatbelts, air bags, brakes, rear-view visibility.  But some less obvious equipment, like a vehicle's odometer, can be just as important.

Making sure your new cars are safe is certainly a big part of our safety mission at the Department of Transportation.  But within the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Office of Odometer Fraud Investigations, DOT professionals are working hard to protect the safety--and wallets--of used car buyers.

Automakers often recommend part replacements based on a car's mileage.  So a vehicle's odometer is one of the easiest ways to judge expected wear and tear on parts that can affect your safety like ball joints, suspension and timing belts. 

If an unscrupulous seller rolls back the odometer, you could end up driving a car that is considerably less valuable and less safe than you thought.  Some sellers even roll back the odometers on recent models, so buyers think they're getting a brand new vehicle--you can imagine the extra cost consumers pay for that fraud.  The most dangerous odometer rollbacks occur on vehicles that have been in serious crashes and should no longer be on the road at all.

The Office of Odometer Fraud Investigations has been working hard to track down crime rings that repeatedly buy high-mileage vehicles, tamper with their odometers, and resell them as lower-mileage cars to unwitting drivers.  Fortunately, the office has tools to help investigators see patterns and trends and to sort through piles of records.

Pipeline safety forum seeks to assure Americans of the safety they deserve

Here at the Department of Transportation, safety is our number one priority – whether it involves planes, trains, buses, trucks, cars, or pipelines.  Improving safety is the first thing I think about in the morning.  It’s the thing that keeps me awake at night.

That’s why I’m so concerned about the rising number of deaths in pipeline explosions across America – which have multiplied from nine in 2008, to 13 in 2009, to 22 in 2010, even as the overall numbers of pipeline accidents have declined.  And that’s why, today, the DOT hosted more than 200 people, representing a wide range of pipeline stakeholders, for a National Pipeline Safety Forum.

For our part, the Obama Administration has already stepped up our pipeline safety efforts:

• President Obama has proposed a 15 percent increase in federal pipeline safety funding, which will allow us to hire more dedicated safety professionals.
• This August, we will put into place a new rule requiring all operators of gas distribution pipelines to evaluate their risks and take immediate steps to mitigate those risks.
• And I've called on Congress to raise the maximum civil penalties for pipeline safety violations and boost the number of safety experts available to perform pipeline inspections.

But everyone at today's safety forum knows that we can't fix America's pipelines from Washington. 

We need the pipeline community to step up their efforts.  We need them to begin discussing safety risks – and how best to identify and address these risks without delay.

Faces of Distracted Driving: Linda Doyle, 61 "No family should ever have to lose a loved one to something as insignificant as a text message or a phone call."

Linda Doyle was one of those people who devoted herself to helping others.  Her generous spirit even extended to rescuing feral cats in her Oklahoma City neighborhood.

On September 3, 2008, Linda was on her way to pick up food for the cats she took care of every day.  Proceeding through an intersection where she had a green light, her car was struck by a pickup truck driven by a young man who was talking on his cell phone.  Linda was killed instantly.

At the crash scene, there were no skid marks, no evidence that the young man had even attempted to brake.  Why not?  Because, although he was looking straight ahead, he never saw the red light.  And he never saw Linda Doyle.

Today, Linda's daughter, Jennifer Smith, shares her mother's story in our latest "Faces of Distracted Driving" video.

  

DOT reminds you that pipeline safety is everyone's business

Today marks the halfway point of 2011's National Safe Digging Month, and I want to remind everyone to "Call 811 before you dig."  

Safety is always a top priority for the Department of Transportation, and we will continue doing everything possible to prevent damage, injuries, and loss of life from pipeline failures.  Earlier this month, for example, we launched a national pipeline safety initiative to repair and replace aging pipeline infrastructure.

At the work site in Arlington

Our efforts to improve pipeline safety aren’t stopping there.  Yesterday, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Administrator Cynthia Quarterman and I announced $2 million in grants for 24 states to improve pipeline safety. Thanks to these State Damage Prevention grants, established by the Pipeline Inspection, Protection, Enforcement, and Safety (PIPES) Act of 2006, states from Virginia to Indiana to New Mexico are receiving money to help promote safe digging and prevent dangerous pipeline accidents. 

PHMSA Administrator Quarterman and I also joined Associated General Contractors CEO Stephen Sandherr, Common Ground Alliance President Bob Kipp and local fire and safety officials yesterday for a first hand look at proper safe digging procedures.

A terrific demonstration of safe site preparation

Joe Hammerstrom of Skanska construction led us on a tour of a new construction site in Arlington, VA, where he's managing the construction of a new office building. He emphasized the importance of calling 811 and identifying underground pipelines before beginning excavation. That simple step can save thousands of dollars in property damage and help prevent injuries and deaths.

That's why Joe had already made the call to the 811, the national free hotline that sends out professional locators to mark where underground pipelines and utilities are located when you plan to dig.  The site was marked with spray paint, so Joe and everyone on his construction site could know exactly where the underground pipelines are.  That means they'll be able to work safely, minimizing the chances of striking a pipeline and causing an accident.

University Transportation Centers: solving today's problems, developing tomorrow's transportation professionals

Through its University Transportation Centers, our Research and Innovative Technology Administration is working hard to improve the future of transportation.  At these centers, expert faculty, graduate students, and even undergrads work side-by-side doing the research that helps keep the state-of-the-art in transportation moving forward.

Earlier today, for example, I blogged about an exciting traffic forecasting technology being developed by IBM, the California Department of Transportation, and the University of California, Berkeley.  And UC Berkeley is one of our University Transportation Centers.

Lightweight fiber-reinforced polymer bridge decks allow faster bridge repair

Last week, research teams from UTC's across the country gathered at DOT headquarters to share work that is--or will soon be--changing transportation.  And, if the projects displayed at University Research Technology Transfer Day are any indication, the future of transportation is safer, faster, smarter and greener than today.

One team from Kansas State University demonstrated bridge replacement panels made of Fiber Reinforced Polymer honeycombs that are 25 percent lighter than current concrete bridge decks.  This means the repaired bridge can actually handle more vehicle weight on the original bridge structure, which gives freight carriers more options to get where they're going.  The panels are also faster to install, so travelers face fewer detours and lane closings.  And they save the state departments of transportation money that can be stretched into making more bridges safer.

Partnership can predict traffic and let you know before you drive

Today, I'm reading about some exciting news for commuters.  A team from IBM Research, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), and the University of California, Berkeley, are developing the Smarter Traveler solution to help commuters avoid congestion and enable transportation agencies to better manage traffic.

Imagine you're about to drive to work.  You're a smart commuter, so you check the traffic report before you leave home.  Your route looks clear.  Twenty minutes later, you're stuck in traffic, anxious, frustrated, and wasting expensive gas.  Every ten minutes, a voice on your radio reminds you that the road you're on is jammed.  Because you're between exits, there is little you can do but remain stuck.

Smarter Traveler initiative aims to keep you out of this

Now imagine that, before you leave home, you get a text message or an email advising you that a section of the route you typically take is likely to be congested.  It's not congested now, but 20 minutes from now--when you get to that spot--it will be.  The message suggests an alternate route that is unlikely to be congested.  You change your plans and enjoy a stress-free commute.

Commuters in the San Francisco Bay Area are testing that predictive technology right now, thanks to the new Smarter Traveler initiative.  Because participants receive the message before they get behind the wheel, it's safe.  And, because the routes they drive are less congested, they're enjoying more time with their families and spending less at the gas pump.

Motor coach safety enforcement actions produce results

Ensuring the safety of our nation’s highways is a top priority for the Department of Transportation.  Whether driving their cars or riding in motor coaches, America’s travelers deserve to be safe.

That’s why the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and its state and local law enforcement partners recently conducted nine days of surprise motor coach safety inspections across the nation.

And I'm pleased to report that enforcement action resulted in 2,782 inspections and the removal of 289 unsafe buses or drivers from our roadways.  Inspectors issued out-of-service citations to 156 drivers and 262 vehicles.  In addition to vehicle inspections, FMCSA and state safety investigators initiated full safety compliance reviews on 95 commercial bus companies.

But this safety strikeforce was just part of FMCSA’s ongoing efforts to strengthen passenger carrier safety nationwide. 

America needs a six-year transportation blueprint

For two years and counting, Transportation for America has been among the Department of Transportation’s closest partners and allies.  They’ve helped us spread our message – reminding people that transportation projects are about creating jobs today and investing in tomorrow.  And they’ve helped inform our policymaking – from our high-speed rail initiative, to our TIGER program, to our work building livable communities.

This afternoon, I’m meeting with Transportation for America to talk about President Obama’s vision for the future of our roadways, railways, runways, and transit systems.  I’m going to remind them – as I often remind readers of the Fast Lane – that at the same time as we’re cutting government spending, we’re also laying a new foundation for economic opportunity, development, and competitiveness.  And that’s why we’re working with Republicans and Democrats in Congress on a new, long-term transportation law.

As I’ve said before, this is one transportation project that America cannot do without.

By 2050, the United States will be home to 100 million additional people.  That's the equivalent of another California, Texas, New York, and Florida combined. If we settle for the status quo, our families and neighbors will fight paralyzing congestion and our next generation of entrepreneurs will find access to markets completely clogged. 

More people also means more demand for gas.  And that will keep upward pressure on the prices that Americans pay at the pump.  Already, families across the country are feeling the pinch of $4-a-gallon gas, and they are looking for ways to escape that difficult bind.  They want ways to get to work and school without breaking the bank.

New study and public service ad contest boost DOT safety efforts during National Distracted Driving Awareness Month

The Department of Transportation continues to alert America's drivers to the dangers of texting and talking on a cell phone behind the wheel.  Whether it's through our Faces of Distracted Driving series, pamphlets educating parents, or presentations in high schools, we are on a rampage against distracted driving.

Thankfully, we are not in this fight alone.

The American Advertising Federation and Security Point Media recently announced a PSA contest that ends on April 29.  This is their second annual "Champion a Cause" challenge, and they've invited the nation’s top advertising, marketing and media experts to target adults who text and drive with an advertisement for television monitors near airport security lines:

"As this deadly epidemic begins to gain attention, almost all of the messaging is targeted to teens.  Show us how you would capture the attention of the compulsive-natured business traveler - a demographic that’s notoriously hard to reach and bound to find this message hard to hear."

If you're a media or marketing professional, I hope you'll consider participating in their safety campaign.

And, as you may already know, motor vehicle crashes are the number one killer of America's teens.  That's why we're continuing our push to educate teens about the dangers of distracted driving.

Good data is a critical part of that effort, and yesterday the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and State Farm announced the results of an important new study of teen drivers.  This study seeks to identify the most common errors teen drivers make leading to a serious crash.

United Streetcar putting Americans to work, putting America in position to win the future

When you watch our latest video, "Transporting America: United Streetcar," you'll see the next generation of transportation. You'll see transit investments from the Department of Transportation helping people get where they need to go without breaking the bank.  And you'll see a company out-innovating and out-building its foreign competition while creating jobs for American workers.

 

The streetcars rolling through Portland, Oregon, are helping commuters beat the rising cost of refueling their cars and vans and trucks.  And, as rising gas prices take a bigger bite out of family budgets, other communities are looking to ease that bite through similar transportation options. 

As commuter Jim Winkle says in the video, "It's made a huge difference."

That's why the Department of Transportation has supported streetcar projects in communities like Portland across America.  From Charlotte, North Carolina, and Washington, DC, to Tucson, Arizona, and Dallas, Texas, grants from the Federal Transit Administration are helping jump-start the American streetcar renaissance.

 

United Streetcar president Chandra Brown agrees:  "The Department of Transportation has been a true partner as the streetcar industry has developed.  Without their assistance, we could not have made the private investment to make this new industry successful."

That's good news for commuters and their families.  It's also good news for American workers because, at United Streetcar, they're manufacturing the first American streetcars in more than 50 years. 

From Alabama to Alaska, DOT delivers emergency relief to states

When a natural disaster strikes, the cost of repairing roads and bridges can be a tremendous burden to states.  But restoring vital transportation links is important so commerce can resume and residents can get back to work and school.

That's why the Department of Transportation helps support states whose roads and bridges have suffered damage from storms, flooding, rock slides, and other events.

And today, we're providing more than $319 million to states across the country to cover the costs of getting roadways back in shape after a variety of disasters.  From Puerto Rico west to American Samoa and 28 states in between, DOT is helping pay for road resurfacing, bridge replacement, guardrails, traffic signs, lighting, and debris removal.

Highway flooding in North Dakota

Knowing they can be repaid by the Federal Highway Administration's Emergency Relief program motivates states to make emergency repairs more quickly without the hesitation of worrying about funding.

As Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez said, "We want states to know we will reimburse them for work that is necessary to get roads and bridges back in service again after an emergency."

As gas prices rise, DOT is on your side

Gas prices have jumped above four dollars a gallon for regular in some parts of the country, and everyone is feeling the pinch.  Driven by the pain of a $40 or $50 fill-up at the pump, many Americans are finding ways to save, and the Department of Transportation is working hard to make sure you have even more options.

One sure sign of a rise in gas prices is increased transit ridership, and the North County Transit District in North San Diego County, CA, has just reported such a spike.  NCTD's Breeze bus system recorded 157,336 boardings from March 27 through April 2, a 14 percent rise over the 137,694 boardings during the same week in 2010.  In March, ridership on their Coaster commuter train was also nearly 14 percent above the March 2010 number. 

North County's Coaster takes commuters alongside the Pacific Ocean

Demand has risen so high on the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System's express route, the MTS has added extra trips to boost existing service.  Both transit agencies have benefited from Federal Transit Administration grants in recent years to help expand service and maintain a state of good repair.

In Alaska's Mat-Su Valley, daily commutes to Anchorage can cost drivers upward of $400 a month in gas alone.  In families with two commuters driving separately, we're talking about $800 a month.  So Palmer and Wasilla commuters are rediscovering the buses and vanpools offered by area transit programs like Valley Mover, Share-A-Ride and Mat-Su Community Transit.  Wasilla resident Michael Gilbert uses the Share-A-Ride vanpool and saves more than $400 a month.

That savings is one reason the Obama Administration has committed hundreds of millions of dollars to support dozens of projects in communities like Wasilla and Palmer around the country.   For example,in Utah we're using our New Starts program to support the Weber County to Salt Lake City Commuter Rail project. For drivers who travel the length of this 44-mile corridor each way in their daily commmutes, the fuel bill alone can easily top $500 each month, and transit offers families a way to put some of that money back into their wallets.

America's marine highway system: delivering goods more efficiently, reducing dependence on foreign oil

To win the future, America must invest in the multi-modal transportation system that makes our livelihoods possible.  Whether its roadways, railways, or runways, how effectively we move goods and people determines how effectively our economy thrives.

And when oil prices rise dramatically and greenhouse gases threaten our environment, the link between transportation and economic strength only grows tighter.

On Tuesday, I had the opportunity to speak about an increasingly crucial part of our transportation network--America's marine highways--at the North American Marine Highways and Logistics Conference.

America's marine highways will shift some of our nation's cargo traffic--particularly in areas where there are known bottlenecks--from roadways to waterways.  Since we announced our initiative a year ago, DOT's Maritime Administration (MARAD) has designated 18 marine highway corridors and awarded $215 million in TIGER grants to marine highway and port projects. 

These are essential arteries of commerce that will bypass congested roads around busy ports, reduce greenhouse gases, and create jobs for our skilled mariners and shipbuilders across the country.  

In addition to transporting goods more quickly, easily, and efficiently, our marine highway system will also save a valuable resource: fuel.

DOT gets new allies in fight against distracted driving

I'm pleased to report the DOT has two new allies in its fight to end distracted driving.

Yesterday, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the Orthopaedic Trauma Association teamed up with boxing legend Smokin' Joe Frazier to launch "Decide to Drive." This national initiative includes a multimedia campaign, interactive website (www.decidetodrive.org), a school curriculum, and materials to help surgeons talk to their patients about the risks of distracted driving.

Orthopaedists are the doctors who have to put victims' bones and limbs back together after a crash, and very few people are more familiar with the tragedy distracted driving causes than these surgeons. 

AAOS released results of a survey indicating that 94 percent of adult drivers in America believe distracted driving is a problem in the U.S.  Yet, 20 percent of those drivers thought their own driving skills were good enough to text or talk on the phone safely, despite the evidence against such claims.  And none of the 1,500 respondents--not one--reported their own driving as unsafe.

That is a large--and dangerous--disconnect that calls for greater public awareness campaigns like "Decide To Drive."

Faces of Distracted Driving: Hear the stories, get the message

Since the launch of our "Faces of Distracted Driving" series in November, the response has been overwhelming.  In less than five months, these videos have been viewed over 100,000 times in communities all across the country.

They're being shown in driver education classrooms.  The Army is using them as training aids.  And we've heard from people of all ages--including those who aren't even old enough to drive--who are pledging to keep their eyes on the road, their hands on the wheel, and their phones in the glove box.

To take our campaign to the next level during National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, I'm proud to announce the release of a new public service announcement that will continue spreading the word about the tragic costs of texting and cell phone use while driving.

This 30-second PSA, “Get the Message,” features people from across the country who lost loved ones in distracted driving crashes and have spoken out through our “Faces of Distracted Driving” campaign. The video is also available for download now on our Distraction.gov website.

National Driver Register celebrates 50 years with 21st century upgrade

I’ve talked a lot on this blog about the importance of safe driving. And at the Department of Transportation we are doing everything we can to protect people from drunk, distracted, and reckless drivers on our nation’s roadways.

To help keep dangerous drivers off the roads, the National Driver Register (NDR) was created in 1960 to help states communicate which drivers have had their licenses suspended or revoked or have been convicted of serious traffic violations such as driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs.  As the original Register Users Guide said:

“THE PUBLIC MUST BE PROTECTED from drunken and other irresponsible drivers.  This protection cannot be effective inless each State has ready access to the records of these drivers in all other States.  With this information, the drivers license administrator in one State can avoid licensing a driver whose license in another State has been denied, suspended, or revoked for serious cause.”

State motor vehicle agencies provide NDR with the names of individuals who have lost their privileges or who have been convicted of a serious traffic violation. States can then search the database to make sure someone with a dangerous driving record in one state doesn’t start with a clean slate by simply jumping across state lines.

Depending on individual state regulations and the severity of the driver's violations, that driver may be denied a new license.

Benefits of high-speed rail draw a crowd

Since the Department of Transportation announced the availability of an additional $2.4 billion for high-speed rail projects last month, governors and members of Congress from both major parties have been clamoring for the opportunity to participate.

As of our Monday deadline, we received more than 90 applications from 24 states, the District of Columbia, and Amtrak.  The preliminary total of those requests is nearly $10 billion, more than four times what we have available. 

Why is demand for high-speed rail support so high? 

Because elected officials have seen the immediate benefits of jobs where rail work has already begun.  They've seen these jobs in Maine--where the Downeaster extension to Brunswick is under construction--and they've seen them in Illinois--where 96 miles of track are now being laid for the Chicago-St. Louis high-speed corridor. 

Demand is high because these leaders--Democrats and Republicans--have also seen the expanded manufacturing activity in Indiana, where the workers of Steel Dynamics are forging track.  They know that 30 other manufacturers and suppliers have agreed to build or expand operations in the U.S. should they participate in high-speed rail projects.  They know that our Buy America requirements ensure they'll be using American-made supplies and materials, so U.S. companies, workers, and communities will receive the maximum economic benefit of our high-speed rail investment.

Texas launches "Talk. Text. Crash." campaign to encourage safer driving

As I mentioned earlier this week, April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.  And last Wednesday the Texas Department of Transportation kicked off their April efforts with a rally on the steps of the state Capitol and a terrific new safe driving campaign called "Talk. Text. Crash."

Motorcycle
Click here to listen to one of Texas DOT's new radio public service ads

As Texas DOT Traffic Safety Coordinator Karen Peoples said, "We're trying to get the great people of our state to limit their distractions.  Whenever you're behind the wheel, make arriving safely at your destination your number one priority."

The rally featured several family members speaking on behalf of  12 loved ones who have been killed in distracted driving crashes.  One of the victims remembered last week was Alex Brown, whose tragic story is featured in our "Faces of Distracted Driving" series.

Another of the speakers, Jennifer Smith, is the founder of FocusDriven, a national advocacy group working to end distracted driving.  The story of Jennifer's mother, Linda Doyle, will also be featured in an upcoming "Faces of Distracted Driving" video.

The bold public education campaign to encourage Texans to put down their cell phones while driving is built around a simple message: "You talk, you text; you crash."

As Work Zone Awareness Week Begins, road safety is more important than ever

First you see the warning signs, "Road Work Ahead."  Then the orange cones.  And then the orange vests of the crews who are grading, paving, and installing safety features on your road.  These men and women are working hard maintaining, repairing, and upgrading America's highways in all kinds of weather; they deserve our respect and courtesy.

And the best way to show them our respect is to drive safely when traveling through their work zones.

Yesterday, Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez kicked off the 12th annual National Work Zone Awareness Week, which runs through this Friday.  As spring rolls in and the highway construction season ramps up, this special week is observed across the country by state, local and federal transportation officials.  I thank them for their efforts, and I hope everyone gets their important message. 

Last Friday, I announced that in 2010 the number of traffic fatalities in America fell to their lowest levels since 1949.  But we still have more than 30,000 people dying on our nation’s roads each year.  We will keep working to push that number down, and that includes the number of deaths in our work zones.

Pipeline Safety Action Plan a first step to prevent future tragedies

When we turn on our heat, stoves, or hot water, none of us expects an explosion in our front yard that might endanger our families and neighbors.

But recent deadly pipeline blasts in San Bruno, California, and Allentown, Pennsylvania, and the damaging rupture in Marshall, Michigan, have many of us concerned about our aging pipelines.

Earlier today, I saw the damage from Allentown's February pipeline blast up close.  I also met with some of the families and neighbors of the five people killed in that blast.  I was struck by the ravaged neighborhood, and I am so sorry for the terrible loss these families have suffered.

To help prevent future tragedies like Allentown's, we are calling on America’s pipeline owners and operators to conduct a top-to-bottom review of their lines.

Rockville, MD, high school students get the message: texting or talking on cell phone, drinking, and driving are a deadly combination

Thanks to an invitation from the enterprising students at Rockville High School in Maryland, I visited their school last Friday to talk about the dangers of distracted driving. That April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month made the visit all the more fitting.

For these students, Friday was also the last day of their Every 15 Minutes program.  This is a compelling exercise where every 15 minutes students experience the loss of one of their classmates to a drunk driving crash.  When this intense simulation program was founded, the name was meant to reflect a statistic that one person was killed in an alcohol-related vehicle crash in the United States every 15 minutes.

Since then, Every 15 Minutes has added texting and driving to the mix of deadly behaviors in their dramatic simulations.

Better access to transportation services for people with disabilities a key part of DOT proposals

At the Department of Transportation, we believe that America’s planes, trains, buses, and sidewalks are more than ways of getting from one place to another.  They’re the avenues by which people connect with opportunities to achieve their dreams. 

That’s why we’re laser-focused on improving everyone’s access to transportation systems.  And this morning, DOT leaders met with representatives from across the disability and transportation communities to discuss President Obama’s 2012 budget, answer questions, and get feedback on where we’re headed.

“For the 2012 proposal and our upcoming reauthorization, we really wanted to think about how we can help make all modes of transportation accessible,” said Polly Trottenberg, Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy.

Record low traffic deaths encourage continued road safety efforts

Today, I am very pleased to announce that in 2010 the number of traffic fatalities in America fell to the lowest levels since 1949.  

This drop comes despite a sharp increase in the number of miles Americans drove last year - 21 billion additional miles. In addition, the rate of road fatalities in the U.S. has also dropped to its lowest level since 1949. Over the last five years, traffic deaths have declined by 25 percent.

This is thanks to the combined efforts of DOT, states, law enforcement, safety organizations, and America's drivers who are taking personal responsibility for their driving habits. Overall, in 2010, the number of deaths fell three percent to 32,788.  And the rate of fatalities per million miles traveled fell to 1.09 from 1.13 in 2009.

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Despite this good news, we are not going to rest on our laurels. That's because the number of people killed in preventable roadway tragedies is simply too high; 30,000 deaths is 30,000 too many.  And if you lost a loved one to a crash in 2010, or know someone who did, then you know exactly what I mean.

This Department will not stop pressing forward on road safety. We will continue working vigorously to protect the lives of everyone who uses our roadways.

As April arrives, so does National Safe Digging Month; please call 811 before you dig

In 2010, there were 53 accidents involving excavation damage to pipelines in the United States.  Those accidents led to five deaths and considerable damage.

Unsafe digging is a leading cause of pipeline damage.  That’s why the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is reminding Americans that April is National Safe Digging Month.

And, whether you're a professional or a do-it-yourselfer, one of the most important ways to make sure you're digging safely is to call 811...before you dig.

When you dial 811, the nationwide hotline number, utility crews can let you know where pipelines and utilities run in your vicinity.  It’s free, and knowing where those lines are protects everyone nearby.

“Failure to call before digging can result in property damage, tragic accidents and even fatalities," said PHSMA Administrator Cynthia Quarterman.   "While these types of incidents have decreased over the last ten years, in one out of every three, the people digging had not called 811 first.”

100 Open Skies partners mean more competitive pricing, more convenient service

Americans live in a global community.  Our transportation system--our roadways and railways; our flight paths and shipping lanes--these avenues keep economic growth and human progress moving forward. 

Through the more than 100 Open Skies partnerships we've negotiated, the United States is working hard to make our avenues to the world as efficient as possible.  That means more connections between the U.S. and partner countries, which means more convenient service and more competitive pricing. 

And that benefits travelers, shippers, airlines, and economies.

I was proud to join Secretary of State Hillary Clinton yesterday at a celebration of our Open Skies initiative, commemorating a milestone of Open Skies agreements negotiated with over 100 partners during the past 20 years.

President Obama, DOT on pathway to better energy future

Today, President Obama released his plan for America’s energy security, and DOT has a huge role to play.

The transportation sector accounts for two-thirds of the United States’ oil use and contributes one-third of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions.  After housing, transportation is the second biggest monthly expense for most American families.

As the President said, “In an economy that relies so heavily on oil, rising prices at the pump affect everybody.”

We have the opportunity, and the obligation, to take action.  We can change both the types and the amounts of energy that our transportation systems use while also creating good, high-paying jobs and easing everyone’s burden at the pump.

Enforcement actions, new initiatives to make commercial bus travel even safer

Every year, motorcoaches safely carry 750 million passengers around the country. But recent tragic crashes in New York, New Jersey and Arizona are a sober reminder that we can and we must do better.

Today, the Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is partnering with state law enforcement in 13 states to conduct surprise bus safety inspections.  These strike forces at popular tourist destinations and ports of entry are part of FMCSA's year-round, nationwide enforcement activities to strengthen commercial bus and driver safety. 

In 2009 alone, our bus safety agency and its law enforcement partners inspected more than 130,000 commercial buses. As a result, FMCSA placed 4.3 percent of bus drivers and 7.6 percent of buses out-of-service for everything from vehicle safety problems to hours-of-service violations.

FMCSA Administrator Anne Ferro at commercial bus inspection strike force last August

Today, we're pleased to announce that we are adding FMCSA's safety arsenal with a final rule on Commercial Driver’s License testing and Commercial Learner’s Permit standards. This will revise testing standards to ensure uniformity across state licensing agencies and reduce the likelihood of licensing and testing fraud.  The final rule will also require individuals to obtain a Commercial Learner’s Permit prior to obtaining a CDL.

By this fall, FMCSA will issue a final rule requiring new, mandatory training standards for entry level commercial bus drivers.  Under this new rule, drivers seeking a motorcoach license must complete 80 hours of training, with at least 32 hours of behind-the-wheel training.

While these rules represent a big step forward, they are further actions in a long line of initatives DOT has taken to protect motorcoach passengers.

Maricopa County planners improve transportation options for Phoenix, AZ, residents

With gas prices pinching all of us, it's good to know that some communities are taking bold steps to give their residents options for getting out of their cars and into public transportation.

That's exactly what's happening in the greater Phoenix region as Valley Metro continues to extend its wildly popular light rail network and increase bus and parking access to light rail service.

Today it can cost upwards of $50 to fill up your tank, so we need more and better transit options to help us save money for life’s priorities instead of putting it into the gas tank.

FTA Administrator Peter Rogoff rides light rail with US Representative Ed Pastor of Arizona's 4th District

During his visit to Maricopa County yesterday, Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff rode light rail to Tempe and Mesa with Congressman Ed Pastor and met with Mayors Phil Gordon of Phoenix, Hugh Hallman of Tempe, and Scott Smith of Mesa. 

He also saw first-hand how planned transit projects throughout the Phoenix area will improve connections between the region's roadways, the Central Mesa Light Rail corridor, and the major activity centers of downtown Phoenix, downtown Tempe, Arizona State University, and Sky Harbor International Airport.

These are the places area residents, business travelers, and tourists need to go, and the region's transit planners are working hard to get them there safely.  For example, during events at the US Airways Center in downtown Phoenix, event tickets also serve as transit passes--when you buy your ticket, you've already bought your ride.

Lifesavers Conference provides road safety leadership, acknowledges safety champions

While the professionals at the Department of Transportation work hard every day to improve the safety of America's transportation systems, we don't do it alone.  Countless other organizations across the country are working toward the same goal--keeping you and your loved ones safe on our roads, rails, and runways.

This week in Phoenix a terrific group of safety advocates is gathered for the annual Lifesavers Conference, "the premier national highway safety meeting in the United States dedicated to reducing the tragic toll of deaths and injuries on our nation's roadways."

Participants in Lifesavers 2011, who are already leading safety professionals, will learn even more about a wide range of safety topics, from child passenger safety and occupant protection to roadway and vehicle safety and technology.

I'm proud that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has been a key supporter of Lifesavers.  And yesterday NHTSA Administrator David Strickland was on hand to present awards to 15 people and two organizations for their outstanding achievement in promoting highway safety across America.

As Administrator Strickland said, "Our award winners exemplify the highest standards of achievement in the field of traffic safety.  We are seeing major progress in a whole range of safety areas thanks to the professionalism, dedication and energy of our award winners and thousands like them in communities all across the country."

Countdown to DesertXpress begins

States and regions across the country are working tirelessly to realize President Obama's vision for American high-speed rail.  And on Friday, I had the pleasure of joining Nevada Senator Harry Reid to announce that construction on the DesertXpress corridor between Las Vegas and Southern California will soon get underway.

The DesertXpress project cleared a major hurdle last Friday when the Federal Railroad Administration released its final environmental impact statement.

DesertXpress promises travel times of 85 minutes between Victorville, California, and Las Vegas, Nevada.  This cuts the existing drive--three hours under the best conditions and nearly twice as long in traffic--in half.  Sitting in congestion for four, five and even six hours along I-15 is especially brutal for travelers paying sky high gas prices.

But high-speed rail means much more than a shorter trip from California to Las Vegas.  It means jobs, and it means reinvigorated American manufacturing.

Faces of Distracted Driving: Eric Okerblom, 19 "Our son is gone, but we will be his voice"

Bob Okerblom was never a cyclist. And he certainly never imagined that he'd one day bike from coast to coast. But that is just what he's doing today--a tribute to the son he lost much too soon.

It was a clear summer day less than two years ago when 19-year-old Eric Okerblom set out on his own bike ride. A natural athlete who completed his first marathon at the age of 16, he had plans to join the cycling team when he returned to the University of California at Berkeley for his sophomore year.

And on a road not far from his home near Santa Maria, California, Eric was killed when a teen driver traveling at 60 miles per hour struck his bike with her truck. 

The driver's cell phone records indicated that she was texting just prior to the crash.

The sudden loss of their son was unimaginable to Bob and Eilene Okerblom. And they share their story in the latest installment of our "Faces of Distracted Driving" series.

Building big goes hand-in-hand with building safely

At DOT, we’re all about building big--while building safely.  And today, I met with representatives from the Common Ground Alliance (CGA) in Las Vegas to discuss how to make America’s transportation projects safer before even breaking ground.

Damage to natural gas pipelines from digging has caused 19 fatalities in the past 5 years. That’s why I remain so concerned about the dangers of damage while digging, which causes one out of every five serious pipeline accidents. Even our nation’s contractors and excavators don’t always know exactly where our pipelines are located.

It’s easy to understand why. America’s energy transportation network is enormous. There are more than 2.5 million miles of pipe--enough to circle the earth 100 times--and much of it was installed at least 50 years ago.

That’s why we’ve teamed up with CGA to spread the word for National Safe Digging Month in April. As we say, you’ve got to “know what’s below” and call 811 before you dig. The number is universal and works across the country. It’s a good idea in both construction and for private homeowners. Some of these gas service lines are installed just 12 inches below the surface.

While I was in Las Vegas, I also took our safety message to the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of America Annual Convention and CONEXPO-CON/AGG trade show. 

I reminded them to always put safety first on the job site--especially since these contractors are working on many of the most critical road and bridge projects around the country.

Students at AEM Construction Challenge dream big, build big

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of addressing the extraordinary group of young people gathered at the AEM Construction Challenge Championship in Las Vegas.  The Construction Challenge is a hands-on competition where teams of high school students work together to solve infrastructure problems with construction solutions. 

This year’s championship consisted of two challenges.  The first, Road Rumble, required each team to build a headquarters using construction materials obtained by a radio-controlled piece of transportation equipment they designed.  The second, H2 Oh Yeah!, challenged the teams to research water policy and infrastructure issues and compete against each other in a quiz show.

Teams compete in the Road Rumble challenge.

The contests required each student to use their logical and technical skills to advance.  And while it was a closely fought battle the entire day, team OH13OH from the Miami Valley Career Technology Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, ultimately took home the overall 2011 Construction Challenge prize.

But win or lose, each student who made it to Las Vegas already accomplished a great deal in my book.  Over 1,000 teens competed in regional qualifying rounds in January for a chance to advance to the national championship.  The 144 students from 24 high schools who competed this week represented the very best and brightest.

Students get hands-on at the H2 Oh Yeah! challenge.

And I delivered a message to them straight from President Obama: Even though the competition may be over, we’re counting on you to keep up your studies in science, technology, engineering, and math.

These teens, and so many like them across the country, are the next generation of leaders we’re going to be looking toward as we build the 21st century transportation systems we all need and deserve. 

Law enforcement officers: Critical partners in traffic safety

Keeping America’s roadways safe is a big job--and DOT can’t do it alone.  Law enforcement officers across the country, our partners in the pursuit of safety, play a critical role in implementing highway safety programs, raising awareness, and applying laws. 

This afternoon, FHWA Administrator Victor Mendez, NHTSA Administrator David Strickland, and FMCSA Administrator Anne Ferro had the opportunity to thank these dedicated safety partners at a mid-year meeting of the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

 
They each spoke about DOT’s efforts to keep our roadways safe--and the many ways in which law enforcement officials help achieve that goal.

For one example, DOT’s “Click It or Ticket” program is the most successful seatbelt enforcement campaign ever, with 85% of all Americans now buckling up each time they get into a vehicle.  NHTSA estimates that seatbelt use saved more than 72,000 lives between 2005 and 2009 alone. 

For another, our “Over the Limit, Under Arrest” campaign has helped save lives and get drunk drivers off the street.  From 2008 to 2009, alcohol-impaired driving fatalities declined by 7.4 percent.

These successes wouldn’t have been possible without the tireless enforcement efforts of police officers around the country--nor would our continuing progress in removing unsafe commercial truck and bus drivers from our highways.

NHTSA invites public feedback on landmark proposed rear-view visibility rule

Abigail Dahlen, of Birmingham, Alabama, was just 2 years old when she went to retrieve a tennis ball in her neighbor's driveway.  At the same moment, her neighbor was backing up in his SUV, headed out to pick up a pizza.  Unable to spot the small child in his vehicle's path, the driver struck and killed Abigail. 

Patrick Ivison, of San Diego, California, was just 14-months old when he and his mother were walking behind a car. The driver put his car in reverse, backed over Patrick, and trapped him underneath. Now 16 years old, he’s still paralyzed from the chest down.

Patrick, Abigail's mother Brandy, and several other families affected by these tragic back-over accidents spoke at a hearing yesterday about the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s proposed new rear-view visibility rule where we asked the public to tell us what they think.

“I’m not here today to complain about my life. I survived an accident that many others didn't.  I am here to honor those children that didn't survive. I want to speak on their behalf so that the world understands that it's impossible to avoid hitting something you cannot see," said Patrick, who is an active athlete, participating in hand-cycling and even surfing.

The proposed rear-view visibility rule would eliminate blind zones as part of a landmark effort to prevent cars from backing over pedestrians. On average, there are nearly 300 fatalities and 18,000 injuries a year. A disproportionate number are toddlers and the elderly. We believe this rule can help save lives and prevent thousands of injuries every year.

The proposed rule follows the Cameron Gulbransen Kids Transportation Safety Act of 2007, which directed NHTSA to amend rear-view visibility standards.  One of the worst things about these back-over accidents is that it often involves parents backing up over their own children in the family driveway.

Ordinary Americans perform extraordinary acts in fight to end distracted driving

Recently, I've been pleased to note a promising trend in the fight to end distracted driving. 

We're now seeing more and more stories featuring everyday Americans reaching out to their peers and communities to help raise awareness about the dangers of texting or using a cell phone while driving. 

Zits, by Jerry Brown and Jim Borgman, courtesy, zitscomics.com

This week, for example, the comic strip "Zits," which runs in more than 1,600 newspapers, features a texting-and-driving storyline produced in partnership with AAA.  When the strip's 16-year-old Jeremy Duncan is involved in a texting-related crash, creators Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman hope it will remind the strip's readers--largely teens and parents--about the dangers of this deadly epidemic.  I hope it will, too.

After busy maintenance period, St. Lawrence Seaway opens for 2011 navigation season

I am happy to announce that yesterday marked the official opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway’s 2011 navigation season.  Here at the Department of Transportation, that's an exciting sign that spring has truly arrived.

The start of the 53^rd Navigation Season follows a very productive winter maintenance period, during which Seaway crews worked on a number of important asset renewal projects, including dewatering and covering locks. 

1st vessel through: the Avonborg carries wind turbine components bound for Indiana through the St. Lambert lock

Our St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (SLSDC)’s 10-year Asset Renewal Program represents the first comprehensive effort to repair and modernize the U.S. Seaway infrastructure.  Without such significant reinvestment in the Seaway, it would become increasingly difficult to keep our bi-national waterway open for business.

Maintenance and asset renewal is especially important since Seaway traffic is predicted to grow for a second straight year in 2011, a great sign for our economy. 

The Great Lakes-Seaway shipping system supports hundreds of thousands of jobs.  As Stephen Wilkes of Tata Steel said at yesterday's opening, "Marine transportation plays a key role for the steel industry and its customers, enabling the efficient movement of raw materials, semi-finished, and finished products which directly contribute to the Canadian and U.S. manufacturing base."

Portland TIGER project promises "an oasis of employment and innovation"

The Department of Transportation's TIGER awards have been a huge success.  And today I helped break ground on a project in Portland's South Waterfront district that is a perfect example of a community solving problems through innovative transportation ideas.

The $66.5 million SW Moody Avenue project received $23 million in TIGER funds and will help generate economic activity by reconstructing a critical corridor.  Elevating the roadway will allow the city to cap adjacent brownfields, open up large parcels of land for development--including a hospital--and transform this district, as Portland Mayor Sam Adams said, into one of the city's greenest areas.

And the elevated Moody Avenue will offer a host of new transportation options:

• Traffic lanes that will increase capacity and reduce congestion so drivers can spend less time on the road stuck in traffic and more time with their families;
• Pedestrian and bicycle facilities that will give people cleaner, greener transportation options for getting around the city; and
• Streetcar service that will help create new economic opportunities and connect residents with Portland’s central business district.  And we know those streetcars will pack twice the economic punch, too, because they’ll be built right in Portland, by Americans for Americans.

Portland, Oregon, and United Streetcar: Americans innovating, building for Americans

I’ve mentioned before in this blog how important President Obama’s bold vision for the future of American transportation system is.  Out-innovating and out-building the rest of the world provides a clear path toward winning the future.  And it's exciting for me to see that vision already coming to life in Portland, Oregon.

By adding innovative transit opportunities, Portland has become a model livable community, a city where public transportation brings housing closer to jobs, schools, and essential services.  And perhaps nothing symbolizes Portland's livability better than the modern streetcars operating on its streets and the streetcars being built right in Portland at United Streetcar.

 

United Streetcar is the only manufacturer of modern streetcars in America. They built the first modern Buy America compliant streetcar for use in Portland, and they are currently building additional streetcars for Portland’s East Side Loop Extension and for Tucson, Arizona’s new streetcar system.

And, let me tell you, the Americans who are manufacturing those streetcars could not be more humble about the incredible work they're doing.  I saw this firsthand yesterday when I toured United Streetcar and met the workers crafting these modern cars. 

General Aviation industry makes Wichita "air capital of the world"

When President Obama said in his State of the Union address that America needs to out-build and out-innovate the rest of the world, he must have had in mind the example of our extraordinary general aviation industry.

And today I had the great pleasure of meeting with several thousand general aviation workers in Wichita, Kansas, including folks from Learjet, Beechcraft, Bombardier, and Cessna.

I've traveled all across the U.S., and I have rarely been so warmly welcomed.  These are proud American workers, and they have good reason to be proud.  General aviation is a big driver of economic opportunity and innovation, supporting 1.2 million jobs across the country and contributing more than $150 billion to our nation’s economy.

And nowhere is that more evident than in Wichita, "air capital of the world."  General aviation has put Wichita--and Kansas--back on track for economic recovery.  According to Wichita Mayor Carl Brewer and General Aviation Manufacturers Association president Jack Pelton, that has something to do with Wichita having, "the best workforce in the world."

Bridge safety program, strong and getting stronger

From roads to rails to runways, the Department of Transportation is laser-focused on one priority: safety. And that focus is paying dividends.  One area where we're pleased to report progress is the safety of America's bridges. 

For 30 years, Federal Highway Administration oversight of the Highway Bridge Program and the National Bridge Inspection Program has ensured that safety comes first.  And today we are launching a new bridge safety initiative to make that oversight even stronger.

"Snooper" bridge inspection truck, photo courtesy Mo DOT

The new approach allows FHWA to more clearly and easily identify bridge issues in each state.  Previously, FHWA prepared a written assessment of a particular state’s bridge inspections based on the general review of key inspection areas.

Our new initiative replaces this narrative with a grid displaying the inspection data for 23 specific key areas. These areas include elements like bridge load limits, degree of foundation scouring, and state inspection frequency.  This approach allows greater consistency in FHWA state assessments, making it easier to identify potential safety challenges and evaluate state bridge safety compliance.

Drowsy driving a risk to everyone on the road

Does this sound familiar?  You're driving on a quiet stretch of highway.  Your eyelids start drooping.  You blink hard to keep your eyes focused.  Your head begins to nod, and you snap it up into position.  Yet you continue driving, thinking you can manage your obvious fatigue.

This is drowsy driving, and it is a danger to everyone on the road.

According to data collected by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2009, drowsy driving crashes injured more than 30,000 people.  And, because police can't always determine with certainty when driver fatigue causes a crash, the actual number may be higher.

At the Department of Transportation, safety is our number one priority.  We have worked hard to reduce the risks of fatigue among airline pilots, commercial drivers, and rail and transit operators.  But we also recognize that drowsy driving is a problem for the rest of us on America's roads.

And we are working hard to make our roads safer.

Guest blogger FMCSA Administrator Anne Ferro: Adding women can strengthen the trucking industry

Throughout her career, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrator Anne Ferro has encouraged women to join the motor carrier industry.  This week she took her message to the 2011 Truckload Carriers Association national convention.
                                                                                                                                                      

Women are thriving in every sector of our society.  We are leading businesses and serving at the highest levels of government.  We are succeeding in careers that our mothers and grandmothers never could have imagined.  And that includes not only driving big rigs, but managing their safe operations.

This month the Council on Women and Girls released a new report on Women in America that shows few women are working in the construction, production or transportation sectors.

Panel discussion on Women in Trucking  includes (l-r) Tom O'Brien, TA/Petro Stopping Centers, Val Liese,
Jack Jones Trucking, Phyllis Cochran, Navistar, and Administrator Ferro

But I know there is an untapped pool of talented women drivers and women who would be well suited as safety managers. We know, too, that the current gender imbalance for drivers deprives trucking of a vital source of talent.

Trucking is a strong industry.  It’s a leading indicator of our nation’s economic health, hauling 70 percent of the tonnage carried by all modes of domestic freight transportation.  And women in trucking have contributed to that strength.  But we can do a lot better.

DOT, American Public Transportation Association partners for safety, service, reliability

Earlier this week, I had the honor of addressing the American Public Transportation Association’s legislative conference.  Deputy Secretary John Porcari and Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff also spoke to APTA members. 

Why all three of us?  Because APTA's mission, "To strengthen and improve public transportation," is a goal this Department deeply believes in.  This Administration has made transportation a priority--and affirmed that commitment, not just with words, but also with actions.  President Obama’s 2012 budget proposal invests $129 billion in transportation.  We’re talking about a 127% increase in support aimed at improving safety, service, and reliability.

Photo courtesy Steve Barrett

Over the next six years, the President proposes $119 billion to keep the nation's transit systems in a state of good repair.  And because we know Americans want more options for getting around, this money will also allow us to help expand transit services and make communities more livable.

In these tough economic times, some cities don't have the resources to cover their transit operating costs.  But too many Americans depend on transit service to get where they need to go, so we can't let temporary shortfalls lead to cuts in service.  The Administration's proposal allows communities with significant unemployment to use federal transit grants temporarily to help with operating costs--up to 25 percent in the first year, 15 percent in the second year, and 10 percent in the third year.

Flickr sets offer colorful reminder of DOT activities

Yesterday, I blogged about the new "On the Go" YouTube video where I answer questions submitted on Facebook, Twitter, and here on the Fast Lane. 

Today, I’d like to remind you about another great social media tool that DOT is using – Flickr.

In the last two years the Department of Transportation has been busy.  My Flickr page provides a photographic record of some of our activites.  So far, we've got 67 sets.  Some of them have only a few photos, and some of them have more than a dozen. 

But, from the Hoover Dam Bridge dedication to the National Truck Driving Championships, each set provides a glimpse into what was going on that day at DOT.

If you haven't seen the Flickr site, please give it a visit soon.  And, to help you catch up on what you might have missed, here's a brief slideshow of some photos I particularly like.  I hope you'll enjoy them, too.

 

Jobs today, economic competitiveness tomorrow--now is the time to build high-speed rail

My phone hasn't stopped ringing with calls from governors, legislators, and other leaders seeking a share of the $2.4 billion we made available to the states for high-speed rail last week.  And the citizens of those states are also clamoring for rail on Facebook and Twitter and in comments on this blog.

They know what so many Americans know: High-speed rail will create jobs now and lay the foundation for economic development tomorrow.  And if you need convincing about the benefits of an American high-speed rail network--jobs, economic development, and competitiveness--I urge you to read my op-ed today in today's special issue of The Hill.

This country has state-of-the-art highways that move people and products from one place to another.  We have a safe and strong aviation sector that carries us on short hops and long hauls.   We're rightly proud of the bridges and tunnels we have engineered to cross through mountains and over rivers once considered impassable. 

But our roadways and airports are already crowded, near or at capacity every day.

If we refuse to plan ahead, we’re staring at a future where we choke our own economy, where companies can't move goods or people from place to place, where we can't compete with other nations.

And building an American high-speed rail network isn't just about a vision for tomorrow.  In the short-term, building this network will create manufacturing and construction jobs at a time when they are sorely needed. A report by the U.S. Conference of Mayors, projected that high-speed rail would create tens of thousands of jobs in cities and along rail corridors across the United States.