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

DOT provides $1.4 billion to help transit agencies recover from Hurricane Sandy

On October 29, 2012, roughly 50 million people living on the Eastern seaboard faced down one of the worst natural disasters in memory – Hurricane Sandy.  The storm was also by far the worst disaster ever to hit public transportation in a region that accounts for well over a third of all the daily transit riders in the nation.  In fact, at the height of the storm, approximately 40 percent of our nation’s transit riders were at a standstill from Washington, DC to Boston.

President Obama directed DOT to waste no time in coordinating a response to the disaster. And that’s exactly what we did, working closely with our partners at the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the area’s transit providers.  While touring some of the most storm-ravaged areas, Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff and I, along with Governors Chris Christie and Andrew Cuomo, the Congressional delegations, and Mayor Bloomberg, saw first-hand just how much work was needed to return to normal.

In order to help these communities rebuild, DOT is announcing a third round of emergency aid, totaling $1.42 billion.

With U.S. Senator Schumer (NY) and NYC Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Kahn last month

California's Green Port Gateway project will create jobs, boost U.S. exports

As part of President Obama’s initiative to double our national exports by 2015, DOT has been committed to investing in our nation’s aging infrastructure and ports.

In keeping with that commitment, on Tuesday, Maritime Administrator David Matsuda helped break ground on the “Green Port Gateway,” a major port-to-rail infrastructure expansion project in Southern California.

Funded in part by a $17 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant, this project will help reduce congestion and improve the environment at the Port of Long Beach by shifting more cargo from trucks to trains.

When completed, the $83.5 million project will improve the connection between the Port of Long Beach and the Alameda Corridor, a rail line that carries about 15 percent of all waterborne containers entering or leaving the United States.

MARAD Administrator David Matsuda, Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster, Congressman Alan Lowenthal, California Transportation Commissioner Fran Inman, and Port Commission President Susan Wise.

Hazmat investigators work on the front lines of transportation safety

If you’ve ever driven behind a tanker on the highway, you’ve probably noticed its hazmat labels.  But labels are just part of what it takes to maintain a safe and reliable commercial transportation system – hazmat investigators work on the front lines of transportation safety every day so that we don’t have to worry about how products like gasoline or disinfecting aerosols get to our local gas stations and stores.

Hazardous materials like these appear in the products that homes and businesses use every day and are a vital part of the economy.  In fact, there are nearly one million shipments of hazardous materials along our highways, railroads, waterways, and in the air every day.

And as both the population and demand for commercial transportation continue to grow, DOT’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) needs more people to join the field as investigators, to ensure those shipments are all made safely.  Check out the agency’s new video featuring hazmat investigators who explain their duties, what they enjoy about their jobs, and why what they do is so important.

Research, technology, and data drive America's transportation system

I’ve talked a lot about how the Department of Transportation is a data-driven organization – data helps ensure we are as effective as possible when it comes to improving our country’s safety, mobility, and economic competitiveness.

Without good data, we wouldn’t be able to plan as effectively for the future or identify trends as they first start emerging.  That’s exactly what was on Deputy Research and Innovative Technology Administrator Greg Winfree’s mind when he addressed the annual meeting of the Transportation Research Forum last week.

As the Deputy Administrator noted, committing to an approach that leverages research, technology, and data to address key transportation issues and guide public policy just makes sense.  Today, innovations such as vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communications, GPS, and remote-sensing can advance safety and improve performance with fewer dollars and better results.

FMCSA begins enhanced training of Special Investigators to improve bus safety

Every day, millions of Americans wake up and travel by plane, train, or bus to their destinations.  Many will board that vehicle and not think about safety.  That’s because safety is DOT’s job, and it is one that we take seriously.

Yesterday, Deputy Secretary Porcari, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrator Anne Ferro, and I met with over 50 special investigators from across the nation, each passionate about safety, who will lead the charge to step up FMCSA’s oversight of bus operators.

Each investigator was specially chosen from the many who applied, and brings a unique perspective and commitment to safety.  In speaking with the group, many expressed their readiness to change attitudes within the industry and bring a lasting impact to the standard of bus safety.

We will leverage their experience and expertise, equip them with new tools and new strategies, and return them to the field to advance new best practices to ensure safety comes first and unsafe operators are shut down.

Fifty investigators from around the country gathered with FMCSA officials at DOT headquarters for the kick-off of their specialized training to utilize unique investigative techniques aimed at improving the safety of bus operators.

MARAD loan guarantee helps the Bravante V supply vessel set sail from Panama City

When President Obama told the nation that he wanted America to be a “magnet for jobs,” he envisioned an economy that invested in our country’s workforce and brought business to our shores.

And with last Thursday’s launch of the Bravante V from the Eastern Shipyard in Panama City, Fla., it’s clear that vision – and the hard work that followed – is paying off.

The Bravante V is a platform supply vessel owned by Boldini S.A., of Rio de Janiero, Brazil.  But thanks to a $240.8 million loan guarantee from the Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) in 2011, Boldini selected the Panama City-based Eastern Shipbuilding Company to construct Bravante V and four additional platform supply vessels over the next three-and-a-half years.

As spring road construction projects begin, everyone has a role to play in work zone safety

Despite the snow covering much of the U.S. today, spring construction is in full bloom across the nation, meaning that drivers will soon see the bright orange vests and hardhats of construction crews popping up along America’s highways.

As the number of workers on roads and highways increases, the risk of crashes and fatalities also increases.  These risks apply to drivers, passengers, workers, bicyclists and pedestrians alike.  In fact, drivers and passengers are at the highest risk.

American-made wheel loader ready for roadwork duty

Last Thursday, at a new heavy equipment plant in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, the first American-made Volvo Wheel Loader rolled off the line.

And joining Swedish Ambassador Jonas Hafström and Volvo Construction Equipment President Pat Olney to cut the ribbon on the company's Region Americas headquarters was Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez.

The new wheel loader is exactly the kind of heavy equipment crews use in highway maintenance and upgrades across the United States. So, like all of us at DOT, Administrator Mendez is happy to see a roadwork-ready heavy loader made in America.

As the Administrator said,  "I can’t wait to see the Made in America equipment you’re producing here being put to work on highway projects all across this great country!"

Administrator Mendez also pointed out that we are now in the middle of economic recovery as we work our way out of the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. Unemployment is now at its lowest level in four years. Companies are hiring.

St. Lawrence Seaway opens 55th navigation season; new vessels offer environmental, economic savings

If you're part of DOT's Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, or if you live along the Great Lakes, today is the real first day of spring.

Why? Because today in St. Lambert, Quebec, SLSDC Acting Administrator Craig Middlebrook joined his counterpart, Terence Bowles of Canada's Seaway Management Corporation, to open the binational waterway for its 55th navigation season.

With the newly built Baie St. Paul transiting the St. Lambert Lock, the Seaway was declared officially open. Depending on the weather--and despite the calendar, snow is still a distinct possibility on the Seaway--the vessel is expected to transit the two U.S. locks in New York State later tonight or tomorrow.

We're happy to see the debut of a new vessel series being built specifically for use in the St. Lawrence Seaway. The new vessels promise to burn 15 percent less fuel and will emit significantly less carbon into the atmosphere on and near the Seaway.

We're even more excited by the outlook for Seaway freight volume this season, with the total for 2013 expected to top 40 million metric tons.

As Acting Administrator Middlebrook said, "The resurgence of manufacturing in North America is fueling demand for both traditional and new Seaway cargoes, with positive implications for Great Lakes shipping."

The Eisenhower Lock in New York State

DOT taking the lead on freight

Yesterday, I wrote about the value of good port infrastructure to America's export businesses, but the need for safe, efficient freight movement is much broader than that. A modern transportation system of roads, rails, runways, waterways, and pipelines is important to all American businesses.

And it's important to us at the Department of Transportation.

That's why Deputy Secretary John Porcari talked with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Transportation Infrastructure and Logistics Committee yesterday about DOT's efforts to improve our nation's freight movement. And he had plenty to talk about.

Over the last four years, the Obama Administration has made considerable investments in our national freight network. Through four rounds of our popular TIGER Grant program, DOT has directed $1 billion toward projects that primarily address freight. This includes more than $650 million to projects that strengthen freight rail infrastructure, reduce freight bottlenecks, and alleviate congestion issues. And we’ve invested more than $350 million in our port system.

About 48 million tons of goods—from refrigerators to smart phones--are transported across America each day. That’s $46 billion worth of commerce. And that's just one day.

By 2050, America will be home to more than 100 million additional people – and our freight network will need to haul 4 billion more tons of freight per year than it currently does. That means our freight system – which is already the strongest in the world – will need to become even stronger

So it's good news that the new transportation bill, MAP-21, includes a number of ways for us to continue making progress on freight.

Obama Administration drives release of car safety data, unveils new NHTSA SaferCar app for iOS

By US Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood and US Chief Technology Officer Todd Park
This article is cross-posted on the Office of Science and Technology Policy blog.

This morning, we're proud to join the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in announcing a "SaferCar" app for iPhones, iPad, and iPod Touch devices. This new app puts the power of NHTSA's tremendous volume of vehicle safety data, including real-time vehicle safety information from NHTSA’s SaferCar.gov site, at the fingertips of American consumers. NHTSA’s SaferCar app allows users to search its 5-Star Safety Ratings for vehicles by make and model, locate car seat installation help, file a vehicle safety complaint, find recall information, and subscribe to automatic notices about vehicle recalls.

As a key partner in the White House Safety Data Initiative, the Department of Transportation (DOT) made a commitment at the Safety Datapalooza last September not only to make car safety data available through an easy-to-use app but also to give developers and entrepreneurs real-time access to the underlying government data  through Application Programming Interfaces (API), so they can integrate these data into new and existing apps to further empower consumers. These APIs are now available, and developers can learn more about them at Safety.Data.Gov. NHTSA is also planning to publish an online course that teaches developers how to build safety tools using these APIs.

Millions of Americans already rely on these data to inform their purchasing decisions on popular automobile review sites; with the SaferCar app and others that will follow, they’ll be able to access these data in real-time. That includes:

• 5-Star Safety Ratings: Consumers considering vehicle purchases can look up crash test ratings and compare them across different makes and models.
• Recalls and Complaints: Consumers can register their vehicles to be notified by NHTSA if a safety issue is discovered. The app also makes it simple to submit complaints to NHTSA regarding possible safety problems with a particular vehicle.
• Help Installing Child Seats:  Get driving directions to the nearest child seat inspection station and get assistance to properly install car seats and boosters.
• Safety Headlines and Alerts: Receive important news and information from NHTSA, as well as recall notices and push notices on their recorded vehicles. 

Unleashing open data in formats that are easy to use in new and innovative ways, while rigorously protecting privacy, has been a priority for the Obama Administration. We applaud the NHTSA team for this latest contribution to the cause of open data and transportation safety!

Ex-Im financing creates U.S. shipping opportunities, jobs

Last June I wrote about the Export-Import Bank re-authorization passed by Congress and signed by President Barack Obama. By providing financing for thousands of businesses trying to sell more American products overseas, this legislation supports the President‘s goal of doubling U.S. exports, insourcing jobs to American shores, and ensuring that we make the products that the rest of the world buys.

Gamesa, a Spanish clean-energy company whose North American headquarters is in Pennsylvania, is a great example of how the re-authorization can create jobs in the U.S.  Using a $152 million Ex-Im bank loan, Gamesa manufactures wind turbine blades here in the United States, assembles the finished turbines here as well, then exports these complex assemblies to Uruguay and Mexico. Production here supports 510 American jobs.

The turbines will be shipped by Intermarine’s Ocean Freedom, a specialized U.S.-Flag heavy lift vessel operating between the Ports of Philadelphia and Houston. These shipments support 36 steady jobs for skilled American mariners.

Seventy-five percent of American exports travel through U.S. seaports. These facilities are key to our ability to transport American products overseas, and their collective modernization is a crucial part of the President’s export initiative.

Commercial Motor Vehicle drivers know all navigation systems are not the same

If you're a commercial bus or truck driver using a GPS navigation system that doesn't tell you about important route restrictions--like low overpasses--that shortcut you take to save time and fuel could end up costing you more than you bargained for.

The differences among navigation systems might seem small, but they can make a big difference in safety. Especially for those who drive commercial motor vehicles, a lack of information can leave you unprepared and can lead to dangerous incidents like crashing into the underside of a low-clearance bridge.

At DOT we think one bridge strike is too many. That's why the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is taking new steps to ensure that those who drive our nation's commercial motor vehicles are aware of the different information provided by different navigation systems.

A typical system that a consumer buys at an electronics or auto parts store--or that comes with a newly purchased car--might not have the ability to show low bridges, tunnel restrictions, and other information relevant to commercial bus and truck drivers. And for those drivers, that information is crucial for safe navigation of America's roads.

So, we're arming commercial drivers with good information so they can make better safety decisions.

FMCSA is working with its state partners and the industry to make sure professional truck and bus drivers recognize the importance of using navigation systems intended for commercial vehicles.

As FMCSA Administrator Anne Ferro said, “By using the right navigation system and driving the safe route, commercial drivers put safety first.”

To support this safety message, FMCSA has created a visor card--available for printing at www.fmcsa.dot.gov-- specifically for truck and bus drivers on how to choose the right navigation system.

Know What’s Below; Call 811 Before You Dig this Spring

Officially, the first day of Spring is tomorrow, but our Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration is getting a jump on the season today with a safety message I hope you'll read...and share.

Whether the calendar says so or not, when the weather warms and the crocuses pop up, we know that spring is here. And for tens of millions of Americans, that means it’s time to do some yard work.

But, before you start planting trees or installing fences, make sure you know what’s below by calling 8-1-1.

One call to 8-1-1 just two to three days ahead of time prompts local companies to mark their nearby underground utilities for free so that you’ll know what’s below and dig safely.

Underground pipelines deliver most of the energy we use to heat, cool and operate our homes, cars and businesses. Underground utility lines provide power, cable and water.

Serious accidents are rare, but the consequences can be fatal. In fact, excavation damage is the number one cause of pipeline incidents involving death or serious injury.

More commonly, you could cut off electrical power to your neighborhood or flood a nearby street. While these incidents cause less harm, they can still cost you plenty of money, discomfort, and embarrassment.

PHMSA Administrator Cynthia Quarterman notes, "There are millions of miles of pipelines and utility lines like cable and power under our yards, streets and communities. Striking one of these lines while digging can cause major inconveniences for you and your neighbors. And if you hit a natural gas pipeline, death and serious injury are also possible."

So don’t assume that you know what’s below; before you pick up a shovel, pick up a phone and make the call to 8-1-1.

Paint and flags mark underground pipelines so that you'll know what's below - and be able to dig safely

State legislatures know that infrastructure investment boosts safety, economic competitiveness

America's state legislatures are on the front lines of governance; when the federal government holds back on infrastructure, state legislators must explain to constituents why their bridges need repair and why local businesses struggle to ship raw materials in and finished goods out to world markets.

So when I spoke to the leaders of the National Conference of State Legislatures last week, they wanted to know what kind of support they could expect from the Obama Administration and Congress to help their residents get where they need to go safely and conveniently--and to help their states' businesses remain competitive in the global economy.

Like President Obama, our state legislatures understand that their economic competition isn't coming from the state next door, but from countries and international businesses around the world. They know that, if we want America to continue to lead—to be a magnet for jobs and manufacturing—we must work together to invest in our infrastructure.

And that's why, in his State of the Union address, President Obama put forth a plan to rebuild and upgrade our infrastructure so our businesses have the tools they need to compete.

The President’s plan includes a “fix-it-first” policy to ensure that repair and maintenance of our existing roads, bridges and public transportation systems take priority. It also includes a “Rebuild America” Partnership to attract private capital to build the infrastructure our states' businesses need most.

Right now, we have an opportunity to think big and be bold--as the generation that came before us did, and as the generations that came before them did.

White House opens nominations for Champions of Change in transportation; we want to hear from you

The White House Champions of Change program highlights the stories and examples of citizens across the country who are “Building an America to Last” with projects and initiatives that move their communities forward. Each week, The White House invites Champions to share their ideas and to empower and inspire others.

Soon, the White House will select Champions for a May 8, 2013, event honoring people who are making a difference in transportation, and we want to hear from you about who should be on the list.

White House Champions of Change in transportation meet with DOT leaders in August 2012;
photo credit Julie Fischer-McCarthy, DOT

In the past, we've been fortunate to have many terrific Champions of Change in Transportation. For this round of Champions of Change, DOT is looking for nominees who are creating "Transportation Technology Solutions for the 21st Century."

And we need your help to identify them.

If you know of an individual or organization providing leadership in transportation technology solutions that either enhance performance, reduce congestion, improve safety, or facilitate communication, please let us know by March 28.

2012 one for the record books; safety up on America's rails

One thing I won't ever get tired of saying is that, at DOT our number one priority is safety. That means protecting your safety in our nation's skies, on our roadways, on our railways, and on our transit systems. It also means protecting our nation's cargo, the goods we need and use every day and the supplies, raw materials and finished products that fuel our economic engine.

America's freight and passenger railroads provide a safe way to help people and freight get where they need to go. And I'm happy to say that by, virtually every statistical measurement, 2012 was the safest rail year on record.

Compared to 2011, last year's train accident rate per million train miles was down 19 percent. And the grade crossing collision rate fell by 8 percent.

According to Federal Railroad Administration data, from 1980 to 2012, the U.S. train accident rate fell 80 percent and the U.S. rail employee injury rate fell 85 percent. Since 2000, those declines have been 45 percent and 52 percent, respectively. Train collisions per million train-miles have dropped 87 percent since 1980 and 36 percent since 2000.

Deputy FTA Administrator Therese McMillan among 2013 "Women Who Move The Nation" award recipients

From aviatrix Amelia Earhart to the first female Secretary of Transportation Elizabeth Dole, women have played an integral role in our nation’s transportation system.  Last week, I wrote about the Department of Transportation’s new web exhibit all about women in transportation history: www.dot.gov/womenandgirls.

But it isn’t just these women of the past who have made great strides in transportation.  Women are excelling today as transportation policy experts, civil engineers, airline pilots, city planners, and racecar drivers.

And this morning, the Conference Of Minority Transportation Officials honored some of the nation's talented women transportation professionals at their annual “Celebrating Women Who Move the Nation” awards breakfast. 

Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth was chosen as this year's Lifetime Achievement Award winner for her service in the Iraq War as a U.S. Army helicopter pilot.  And I'm proud to say that Therese McMillan, our own Deputy Federal Transit Administrator, was also among this year's honorees.

FTA Deputy Administrator Therese McMillan.

Deputy Administrator McMillan started at FTA in July of 2009, after serving as the Deputy Executive Director-Policy at the San Francisco Bay Area Region's Metropolitan Transportation Commission.  Since joining the FTA team, she has led a major reassessment and reform of FTA’s Civil Rights responsibilities; has launched a national conversation and research effort to help transit agencies adapt to changing weather patterns and natural disasters; and has overseen the restructuring of FTA’s grants programs.

After President Obama signed MAP-21 into law last year, McMillan played a key role in helping FTA implement the law's transit-related provisions. More recently, she helped develop a streamlined process for FTA's primary capital funding program, New Starts / Small Starts.

NHTSA, safety partners encourage young filmmakers to send a safety message; deadline for PSA competition approaching

Spring is coming, and in addition to flowers popping up in the garden, it also means better weather for teens to --you guessed it-- film their own safe driving Public Service Announcement (PSA).

That's right; last September, at the Grand Prix of Baltimore, we announced a a new video challenge that invites teens and young adults to produce a PSA encouraging their peers to avoid distracted driving.

Star Mazda Series driver Zach Veach talks safety with Dep. Sec. John Porcari, NHTSA Admin. David Strickland at last year's contest announcement in Baltimore.

The two winning PSAs (one for college students, one for high schoolers) will be announced during Global Youth Traffic Safety Month in May. In addition to earning their creators a scholarship, the winning PSAs will air on television stations nationwide. Other top finishers will win the opportunity to attend a one-day survival skills class at the Skip Barber Racing School.

The deadline to submit videos is April 1, 2013.

Now, that date is fast approaching, so I'm taking to the blog to give young Americans one more reminder that there's still time to get out there and--safely--shoot their PSAs. If you know any young filmmakers or safety advocates, please encourage them to visit http://projectyellowlight.com/ for details.

This contest is a joint effort from DOT's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and our terrific safety partners at Mazda Motorsports, Project Yellow Light, the Ad Council and the National Organizations for Youth Safety.

Watch as highly trained race drivers fail to drive safely in a simulator while distracted

My message to 2013 APTA legislative conference: The state of public transit is good; we can do better

Every year, members of the American Public Transportation Association gather in Washington, DC, to talk with their Representatives and Senators in Congress. It's an opportunity to remind their elected legislators of the tremendous value transit services deliver to people across the nation. 

In fact, last year, U.S. transit agencies provided 10.5 billion passenger trips to the tens of millions of urban, rural, and tribal Americans who ride buses, light rail, commuter rail, subways, vans, paratransit vehicles, and streetcars each and every day. According to APTA, that's 154 million more trips taken by Americans than the previous year, and it's the seventh year in a row that transit providers delivered more than 10 billion trips nationwide.

Through the past four years, the Obama Administration, working through DOT and our Federal Transit Administration has created more than 350 miles of new rail and bus rapid transit systems. We’ve executed more than 40 new major capital transit projects in 16 states.

These projects are attracting billions of dollars in new housing, retail, and office buildings in cities like Phoenix, Houston, Orlando, and Minneapolis-St.Paul.And we’ve helped revitalize American manufacturing and innovation by purchasing 260 rail cars and thousands of clean-fuel buses.

In the past four years, I’ve traveled to all 50 states, and I’ve seen first-hand what safe, reliable transportation choices mean for working families, seniors, veterans and students. Investments like these make commuting more affordable for millions of Americans, deliver cleaner air to our communities, and support good jobs that cannot be outsourced.

As we look back, it’s clear we’ve made great progress. But the truth is that we have more work to do. Businesses want safe and reliable 21st century transportation. We must continue to build on the momentum we’ve created and continue to invest in the infrastructure that makes this country great.

 

Warehouse District breaks ground; as complete streets take shape, America's next generation will come home to Peoria

It's always great to be back in my hometown of Peoria, Illinois, but it was doubly nice to be there last Friday to help break ground on Peoria's Warehouse District complete streets project.

For more than 10 years, Peoria's elected officials and other local leaders have been working toward a vision of a vibrant city that attracts the next generation of talented young professionals. That vision requires offering residents and visitors multiple transportation options from bus transit to roads that are safe and inviting for all users--including bicyclists and pedestrians.

The Warehouse District project takes a complete streets approach to do exactly that. And that's why it's been able to attract a wide range of supporters--from the city of Peoria and private investors to the state of Illinois and the U.S. DOT.

The project received a 2010 TIGER grant to improve 22 blocks of downtown Peoria by making the streets safer and more attractive and by connecting housing with shopping, dining, and employment opportunities.

Kent, Ohio, transit center a gateway for more than just buses

When it comes to transit, I have said repeatedly that if you build it, they will come. That means more transit riders, and it means more economic development near transit access. And there's no better demonstration of this than the Kent Central Gateway transit center in Portage County, Ohio. I was happy to join Congressman Tim Ryan in downtown Kent to help Mayor Jerry Fiala open the beautiful new multi-modal facility.

In our first round of TIGER grants, we awarded the Portage Area Regional Transportation Authority $20 million to help build a new bus transfer facility in downtown Kent.

The Central Gateway replaces a bus transfer center that was on the Kent State University campus and only offered parking for University permit holders. That facility also lacked separation of automobile and bus traffic, putting rider safety at risk.

The new facility features parking spaces and bicycle storage available to the public. It keeps bus and car traffic separate for improved safety. It boasts indoor and outdoor waiting areas. It provides easy access to the Portage Hike and Bike Trail network. And it offers connections to the nearby cities of Akron, Youngstown, and Cleveland.

But, if you talk to folks around Kent, even before opening, the new transit center did more than just enhance mobility in this northeastern Ohio college town. The $26 million Central Gateway has been the catalyst for more than $100 million in new economic development that includes five major building projects--including a new conference center--that have transformed downtown Kent into a symbol of economic recovery.

In time for International Women's Day, DOT adds web exhibit Women in Transportation History

Today marks International Women's Day, a global day celebrating the achievements of women past, present and future. This day was initially marked to honor the efforts of suffragettes who fought for women's right to vote. Since then, the day has grown into a broader recognition of women's success, and of the progress toward equity between men and women that we still need to achieve.

In recognition of this day--and Women's History Month, which began last Friday--we at DOT are proud to launch two online celebrations of Women in Transportation History. And I wholeheartedly encourage you to see them both at www.dot.gov/womenandgirls.

These interactive combinations of text, photographs, and a timeline are a great start to what I hope will be a long-lasting project.

The first presentation features a collection of photographs and key historical moments of women in transportation going back to 1890. Viewers can slide a virtual frame across the collage chronologically to change what time period is active on their screen. The collage also features an alphabetical list of key figures that viewers can navigate. It's really quite an experience.

The collage uses elements borrowed from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), and we thank them for their generosity, and their code.

Our second presentation is a more traditional timeline version of Women In Transportation History going all the way back to 1790. The timeline allows visitors to slide the active frame forward or backward in history.

DOT allocates first round of Disaster Relief Act funds for Sandy transit recovery work

When Hurricane Sandy devastated public transportation systems in New York and New Jersey, President Obama pledged to act swiftly to help restore service for millions of riders and help the region’s transit agencies recover economically.

And yesterday, we announced nearly $390 million to reimburse the New York Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) and the Port Authority Trans-Hudson Corp. (PATH) for expenses incurred during their efforts to prepare for and recover from the storm. The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) received a smaller grant of $1.19 million.

At the height of the storm, more than 40 percent of our entire nation’s transit service was suspended.

As Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff said, “The sooner we reimburse transit systems for the measures taken to minimize the damage and re-establish service, the sooner they can focus on long-term plans to strengthen transit infrastructure and protect against future disasters.”

The amounts announced yesterday are the first allocations from the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 2013.

Freight Advisory Committee will help America's businesses deliver the goods

Freight movement is the lifeblood of the American economy. To succeed here and around the world, our nation's businesses need to get goods from ship to train to truck quickly and efficiently.

On Tuesday, as part of our ongoing effort to establish a National Freight Strategic Plan, we invited stakeholders to the DOT Freight Policy Council's second listening session. We wanted to hear from those on the front lines of shipping about how we can improve the way we move the goods that drive our economy.

America's employers and companies count on a modern, multi-modal transportation system to move their goods to consumers every day.  In fact, the U.S. freight system moves 57 tons of goods per person every year.  About 48 million tons of goods are transported across America each day. That’s $46 billion worth of new cars and trucks, machinery for factories, televisions, smart phones, and many, many other goods that we buy and sell every day.

In his State of the Union address last month, President Obama laid out his plan to strengthen the middle class and grow the economy by making America a magnet for jobs and manufacturing. Safe and efficient freight movement plays a key role in that plan.

So at DOT, we're taking the lead on improving our nation's freight movement to help keep America's businesses competitive. Tuesday's listening session was just the latest step in that effort.

Fifth time a charm at 2013 National Bike Summit

Four years ago, in one of the first blog posts of my tenure as Secretary of Transportation--written after speaking at the 2009 National Bike Summit--I wrote that, "I don't think the League of American Bicyclists knew what to expect when they invited me to their summit."

In my remarks that night, I told them that bicyclists have a full partner in DOT for working toward livable communities. Well, last night was my fifth time addressing the League's National Bike Summit, and I think by now they know me pretty well.

 

Because over the years, that message has not changed: Bicyclists are important users of America's transportation system. In fact, with the increase in the number of Americans bicycling regularly for their transportation needs, it's even more true today.

And it's not just bicyclists' use of our nation's roadways, paths, and trails that makes them important. This year's summit theme is "Bicyclists Mean Business" for very good reason. Where bicycle-friendly infrastructure investments have been made, the economic dividends have been terrific.

Receiving a pretty nice parting gift from Commissioner Sadik-Khan,
with Bike League President Andy Clarke; photo courtesy The League

For example,as New York City Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan told attendees last night, where the city has invested in protected bike lanes, sales tax receipts have increased dramatically. And that means businesses along those routes are seeing increases in revenue.

Commissioner Sadik-Khan also told attendees that roads with bike lanes are significantly safer--and not just for bicyclists, but for all users of those roads. And that is good news because, in 2011, the number of bicyclists killed on American roads was up 11 percent.

So my particular message to the Bike Summit last night on safety was this: We can do better. We must do better. We will do better.

With TIGER-fueled expansion, Port of Brownsville expects to boost state and local economy, create jobs

Because America’s marine transportation system plays such a vital role in keeping our economy moving forward, it's no surprise that President Obama mentioned ports specifically in his State of the Union address.

Our ports move valuable freight in and out efficiently and economically. That’s why the Obama Administration has made investing in ports a top priority—providing more than $349 million to ports nationwide since 2009.

Cargo operations at the Port of Brownsville; photo courtesy Maritime Administration

And just as my blog post earlier today showed how DOT has been investing in roadways in North Texas, we have also been investing in the Lone Star State's ports. The Port of Brownsville, for example, is expanding its capacity by adding a 600-foot, heavy-load capacity cargo dock on the south side of the Brownsville ship channel, thanks in part to a planned $12 million TIGER grant from DOT.

Today Maritime Administrator David Matsuda toured the port, where the second dock and its new railroad sidings--when complete--will allow the port to increase its freight volume. This increase will help the facility remain competitive with domestic and foreign ports in the Gulf of Mexico region.

Maritime Administrator Matsuda (center) tour the port

Investing in transportation infrastructure connects people with opportunity in North Texas and across America

A few weeks ago, in his State of the Union address, President Obama talked about the importance of investing in transportation to create jobs, make America a magnet for businesses, and improve the quality of people’s lives. And at DOT we're working hard to help make that happen around the country with support for roads, rails, and runways.

One new roadway that has been reducing congestion and benefiting companies and commuters in Texas since last October is the Western Extension of the President George Bush Turnpike, a north-south limited access highway just west of Dallas in Grand Prairie. Last Friday, Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez helped dedicate this last phase of the $1.1 billion PGBT, completing the vital regional connector.

Officially connecting the Western Extension to the President George Bush Turnpike

The initial sections of the PGBT offer six lanes of east-west expressway in the developing economic area in the northern part of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. It links commuters to high-tech corridors, corporate headquarters, and other important destinations, and it gives motorists additional access to U.S. 75, the Dallas North Tollway, I-35E, and I-635. This toll road also offers travelers an alternative route to the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.

The newest section, the 11.2 mile Western Extension, connects to the vital east-west corridors of SH 183, I-30, the 303 Spur, and I-20. By creating a parallel route to the currently congested SH 360, the extension gives commuters easier access to the growing number of economic opportunities along the north side of the Metroplex. And, for the businesses in the north, a smoother and more efficient traffic flow of workers and goods means improved access to talented employees, freight shipping, and customers.

FHWA Administrator listens to Grand Prairie Mayor Charles England talk about the benefits of the new roadway

FMCSA welcomes incoming Safety Investigator class to the front lines of commercial motor vehicle safety

When we say that safety is our number one priority, we mean that for every mode of American transportation--airplane, truck, car, ship, train, transit, bicycle, and even your own feet. One great thing about our safety mission is that we don't have to do it alone. We get help from terrific people and organizations across the country.

And earlier this week, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration welcomed the newest members of our safety family, the incoming class at the National Training Center Safety Investigator Academy in San Marcos, Texas. When these candidates graduate, they will play a vital role in protecting lives and preventing injuries by conducting inspections of the many commercial trucks and buses traveling the roadways across America.

These students have left their homes and families for 10 weeks of demanding training to become part of FMCSA's constant pursuit of commercial motor vehicle safety. They have left challenging careers--as state troopers, border patrol officers, financial analysts, home builders, service members, and firefighters--to take a direct role in preventing crashes, injuries, and fatalities involving large trucks and motorcoaches.

On Tuesday, the Academy's incoming class heard the story of John Lindsay, whose wife Wanda described their 2010 crash. John and Wanda were on their way to visit family when they slowed to a stop for a traffic jam. Suddenly, a large tractor-trailer slammed into the back of their car, sending it down an embankment into a ditch. Wanda suffered fractured vertebrae and ribs, a broken nose, and a concussion. John never woke up.

By sharing the story of her loss, Wanda provided additional inspiration for the class and motivated them to intensify their commitment to safety.

 

This tragic toll is what we hope to end with the help of our newest training class.

As FMCSA Deputy Administrator Bill Bronrott told them, "The good news is that there is something we can do about this. And you are our best hope for wrapping our collective arms around this enormous challenge. Every highway user will be counting on you to be their front-line eyes and ears who won't compromise our safety-first promise."

He is exactly right. And I wish the new class every success both during their training and during their valuable service as FMCSA safety investigators.

Deputy Administrator Bronrott and safety advocate Wanda Lindsay