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

With DOT assistance, JFK Eternal Flame arrives in Ireland

Under normal circumstances, transporting a lighted torch aboard a commercial aircraft is not permitted. It's the kind of thing DOT's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) would have serious concerns with for obvious safety reasons.

But sharing the JFK Eternal Flame with Ireland to commemorate the 50th anniversary of President John F. Kennedy’s first-ever visit to Ireland by a U.S. president is not a normal circumstance.

The flame changes hands at New York's JFK Airport

And in recognition of strong American-Irish relations, PHMSA and FAA worked together to authorize Aer Lingus’ transport of the flame aboard a passenger aircraft on a flight from New York’s JFK Airport to Dublin, Ireland.

Domestic and international regulations give PHMSA the authority to allow alternative methods of transporting hazardous materials as long as an equivalent level of safety is ensured. And that is exactly what PHMSA did. In this case, a specially designed kerosene lamp provided the required level of safety.

Aer Lingus contacted FAA Flight Standards to request approval. FAA's Eastern Joint Security and Hazardous Materials Safety Office reviewed the airline's history and the procedures to be used on-board the aircraft and gave Aer Lingus the green light.

Not only will sharing the JFK Eternal Flame further strengthen the bonds between the U.S. and Ireland; it's also a terrific way to share President Kennedy's legacy--including his famous 1961 call to service, which inspired so many of us: "Ask not what you country can do for you, but what you can do for your country."

Vehicle-to-Vehicle technology demonstrates promise of improved road safety

It's one thing to read or hear about Connected Vehicle technology--an innovation where cars communicate with each other and provide information to help drivers make safe decisions. It's quite another to ride in a vehicle equipped with this promising technology and experience the benefits firsthand.

Well, that's exactly what has been happening in the city of Ann Arbor, Michigan for the past several months. As part of a real-world study, real people are driving nearly 3,000 vehicles equipped with this state-of-the-art safety technology. 

It's not the kind of test you can duplicate in a lab. It’s the largest ever test of connected vehicles or Vehicle To Vehicle (V2V) technology in a real-world environment, and it’s helping us to collect the data we need to illustrate the safety benefits of V2V and guide forthcoming decisions.

That's why we invited decision-makers here in Washington, DC, to experience the benefits of V2V this week, not from inside an office but from inside a vehicle.

 
U.S. Representative Tom Petri of Wisconsin tests this innovative safety technology

And they responded. Members of Congress, congressional staff, Federal Communications Commission staff, an FCC Commissioner, and staff from the Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications Information Administration all came out to RFK Stadium to test out the vehicles.

This 4th of July, let's celebrate safely

Every year around the Independence Day holiday, about 200 people are rushed to emergency rooms daily with fireworks-related injuries. These injuries can have a life-altering impact on people, including severe eye injuries, loss of limbs, and even death.

That's why DOT's Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration works closely with the Consumer Products Safety Commission; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Fireworks, and Explosives and the Department of Justice to enforce federal safety standards and raise awareness about the dangers of fireworks. It is absolutely imperative for us to come together to remind everyone about fireworks safety.

PHMSA Administrator Quarterman at "Celebrate safety; celebrate safely" event

Yesterday, these partner agencies held their annual fireworks safety demonstration on the National Mall here in Washington, DC. And PHMSA Administrator Cynthia Quarterman was on hand to talk about DOT's role in preventing fireworks incidents.

Administrator Quarterman pointed out that, on any given day, there are about 1 million shipments of hazardous materials in the United States. And although the term hazardous materials may conjure images of mysterious chemicals stored in large yellow barrels, it also includes many consumer items...like fireworks.

As entertaining as they are, fireworks are first and foremost explosive materials. And when transportation-related fireworks accidents happen, they can have devastating consequences.

Transportation Youth Leadership Summit students learn about transit, and then some

I spent part of this afternoon talking to a group of young people about the many benefits of public transportation. For tens of millions of Americans who can't--or choose not to--drive, transit is a lifeline to jobs, schools, groceries, medical services, and other essential destinations. When we talk about the transportation choices Americans have said they want, transit is a key part of the mix.

But, because not everyone knows about the value of transit, the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) holds an annual Youth Summit to Advance Public Transportation. Each summer, APTA brings about 50 talented high school students to Washington, DC to learn about:

• The environmental benefits of public transportation;
• How communities can prosper through increased transit services;
• The role of local and federal policies in public transit usage; and
• Career opportunities in the transit industry.

 

It's important that America's future leaders appreciate the opportunities that public transportation makes possible. And given the fact that approximately 10,000 baby boomers are retiring every day, it's also important that we make the next generation aware of the career possibilities in the transit industry.

DOT's Saint Lawrence Seaway team, certifiably green

Yesterday, President Obama introduced his bold plan to protect our kids’ health and begin to slow the effects of climate change so we leave a cleaner, more stable environment for future generations. I'm pleased to say that at DOT, we have been working hard to reduce carbon emissions from transportation and lessen transportation's reliance on oil.

From roadways and aviation to rail, transit, and maritime, that effort has been across all modes and ongoing.

Earlier this month, for example, Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (SLSDC) Acting Administrator Craig Middlebrook attended the sixth Green Marine annual Green Tech Conference. Acting Administrator Middlebrook came home with something extra in his suitcase: certification of the SLSDC's environmental stewardship.

Jean Aubry Morin, St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation; David Bolduc, Green Marine Executive Director; and Craig Middlebrook, Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation

Green Marine was launched in 2007 and has been recognized in Canada and the United States as a vigorous and effective environmental sustainability program for the North American marine industry. The group sets a high standard for the marine industry to reduce its carbon footprint. Participants from both sides of the border include shipowners, ports, terminals, shipyards, and the U.S. and Canadian Seaway Corporations – all striving to improve the environmental performance of their operations. 

One practice that sets Green Marine apart is its annual environmental audit of all participants and publication of the results at the Green Tech Conference. At Green Tech 2013, I'm happy to report, our Seaway team earned a strong score.

National Freight Advisory Committee moving forward

This morning, the National Freight Advisory Committee (NFAC) kicked off its first meeting, and everyone at DOT is excited to see this important effort move forward. After all, our ability to move freight plays an important role in our ability to grow the American economy. A healthy economy requires a transportation network that is always improving the way it circulates freight.

About 48 million tons of freight are transported across America each day, and every little improvement to our freight system can make a tremendous economic difference. That adds up to a daily value of $46 billion worth of new refrigerators, cars, food, raw materials, and machinery bound for factories, markets, and consumers.

And, as Deputy Secretary John Porcari said today, "By 2050, America will be home to more than 100 million additional people –requiring us to move more than 8 billion extra tons of goods per year. That means our freight system – which is already the strongest in the world – will need to become even stronger."

At DOT, we've taken the lead on strengthening our nation's freight movement because we know that competing in a global economy requires American businesses to move goods from ship to train to truck as safely and efficiently as possible.

FRA celebrates Tukwila Station groundbreaking, other Pacific Northwest rail improvements

One of the highlights of my four and a half years as Transportation Secretary has been the progress we've made speeding up intercity passenger rail. Americans are riding the rails in record numbers, and thanks to President Obama's vision for high-speed rail, DOT is working hard to ensure they can ride at higher speeds.

And yesterday, Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph Szabo helped celebrate another milestone in that effort, the groundbreaking of a new passenger rail station in Tukwila, Washington.

Tukwila Station groundbreaking, photo courtesy Dean Radford, Tukwila Reporter

A key part of preparing our nation's transportation infrastructure for the 21st century involves bringing more good transportation choices to Americans, and the Tukwila Station will do exactly that. The Pacific Northwest is home to one of the busiest intercity passenger rail corridors in the nation, running between Vancouver, British Columbia, and Eugene, Oregon. Tukwila lies along the busiest segment on this service--between Portland and Seattle--which is expected to see a 50 percent jump in ridership in the next five years alone.

The multimodal project includes construction of the new station--including two new platforms--a parking lot with long-term parking for Amtrak patrons, an improved pedestrian underpass, and enhanced passenger amenities.

The outcome? A modernized train station that enables customers to make safe, easy connections to Amtrak's Cascades line, Sound Transit's (ST) Sounder commuter rail, ST Express buses, and King County's Metro Transit bus service.

Rhode Island on the Forefront of National Freight Network

One of the most important components of a healthy economy is modern port infrastructure to feed our maritime transportation system.  By investing in our waterways, we create jobs, improve economic competitiveness, and build prosperity over the long term.

Today at the Rhode Island Ports Showcase in Providence, Acting Maritime Administrator, Paul ‘Chip’ Jaenichen spoke about DOT’s commitment to making such investments.

Rep. Jim Langevin (front), Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, Acting Maritime Administrator Paul 'Chip' Jaenichen, and ProvPort Chief Operating Officer Bruce Waterson.

 

At the Port of Providence alone, port-related employment has grown from 800 jobs 15 years ago to 2,400 jobs today.  And at DOT, we’re committed to this continued growth, having invested more than $32 million in TIGER grants to Rhode Island ports to increase their capacity and efficiency.

In addition, DOT has transferred more than 500 acres of federal property at these ports to the state, so that they are able to meet their modernization and expansion needs.  The grants and the land transfers represent an opportunity for port growth and a major jump-start to its economy.

The growth of Rhode Island ports clearly demonstrates their ability to help power our nation’s economic engine.  As we move more freight, we generate more jobs and create new business opportunities.

Since the passage of MAP-21, DOT has been working to develop a National Freight Policy focused on improving the condition and performance of the national freight network.  Our growing economy, and the freight tonnage that comes with it, requires this type of collaboration at every level – federal, state, local, public, and private.  It is clear that Rhode Island residents have taken the steps to make this a reality.

Home to one of the first statewide freight advisory group in the nation, the Ocean State has emerged as a leader in transportation planning and sets an example for other states to mirror.  It is clear that a forward-thinking maritime agenda starts at the top, and DOT congratulates Governor Lincoln Chafee, Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, and Congressmen David Cicilline and James Langevin for being strong maritime allies.

DOT Safety Partner Safe Kids Celebrates 25 Years

Preventable injuries, including crashes and other vehicle related incidents, are the leading cause of death for children in the U.S.  In fact, around the world, a child dies from a preventable injury every 30 seconds.  With safety as our number one priority at DOT, we are working hard every day to reduce the number of injuries in and around cars and on our roadways.

Fortunately, we have terrific safety partners to help us in this mission.  And last week, NHTSA Administrator David Strickland and Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez helped one of those partners, Safe Kids, celebrate its 25th anniversary.

The folks at Safe Kids understand that many preventable injuries can be avoided through good education and smart planning.

For example, the FHWA’s Every Day Counts (EDC) initiative seeks to speed up project completion so road safety improvements can be completed more quickly and drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and bicyclists can enjoy the safety benefits of those improvements sooner.

A few years ago, Huston Township, Pennsylvania, used an EDC technique called Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil (GRS) to complete construction of a replacement bridge before winter.  Had the bridge not been completed, school buses would have had to travel a steep winding detour in potentially icy conditions and children would have had to wait for their bus at the bottom of a steep hill.

Thanks to GRS, the bridge opened before winter set in and those potential dangers were avoided.

The safety professionals at NHTSA are always thinking about how to keep our children and grandchildren safe.  Whether it’s child safety seats, bike safety, or heat stroke prevention, NHTSA experts are constantly spreading the safety message through partnerships with groups like Safe Kids.

After 25 years of work, Safe Kids has contributed to the decrease in the number of children killed each year in preventable accidents.

And at DOT, we are proud to call them partners.

U.S. shipyards flex economic muscle nationwide

Our nation's shipyards are a major economic asset – not only for coastal communities but for the entire nation.

Yesterday, Acting Maritime Administrator Paul ‘Chip’ Jaenichen visited one of the largest shipyards in the U.S., the General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard in San Diego. Employing more than 3,000 men and women, this shipyard is an economic powerhouse in the shore-side city and is a model of the cutting edge ship design, manufacturing, and repair available in America.

Acting Maritime Administrator Paul ‘Chip’ Jaenichen visits one of the largest shipyards in the U.S., the General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard in San Diego.

In fact, according to a study released by MARAD earlier this week, the U.S. shipbuilding and repair industry has an economic impact that ripples throughout the nation.

The report, Economic Importance of the U.S. Shipbuilding and Repairing Industry, indicates that although most shipbuilders are located in coastal areas, the direct and indirect economic benefits of America's shipyards reach all 50 states. 

In 2011, the nation’s more than 300 shipyards directly provided more than 107,000 jobs, $7.9 billion in labor income to the national economy and contributed $9.8 billion in Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In addition, the average income for these industry jobs, $73,000, is 45 percent higher than the national average! 

On a nationwide basis, including direct, indirect, and induced impacts, the industry supported 402,010 jobs, $23.9 billion of labor income, and $36 billion in GDP.

The NASSCO shipyard

That’s why this Administration has invested more than $150 million in the development of U.S. shipyards through the Small Shipyard Grant program – part of over $1 billion invested in our nation's maritime industry since 2009.

These investments have helped U.S. shipyards continue to build ships on our shores, creating good jobs for the American worker.

The proven economic importance of our nation’s shipyards and across the nation demonstrates President Obama’s approach to infrastructure investment is working. And by investing in our infrastructure now, we’re not only creating jobs; we're also creating a foundation for continued economic growth in the future.

Our nation’s shipyards and the industries they support are helping to reignite the American economy.

Cutting Costs and Modernizing Buildings through Performance-Based Contracting

By Brodi Fontenot, DOT Assistant Secretary for Administration and Senior Sustainability Officer

Cross-posted from www.whitehouse.gov

On June 19th, the White House Council on Environmental Quality brought together leaders from government, private industry, non-profits, and academia at a White House event to highlight President Obama’s $2 billion commitment to improve the energy efficiency of Federal buildings through performance contracting.  Below, U.S. Department of Transportation Assistant Secretary Brodi Fontenot shares some of the innovative ways his agency is using performance-based contracting to conserve energy, cut waste, and save taxpayer dollars.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) operations encompass more than 10,000 buildings in all 50 states, from air traffic control centers and research facilities to our regional offices and headquarters. That kind of range complicates our efforts to green our internal operations and infrastructure, yet over the last two years, DOT has improved its sustainability performance across all seven measures of the OMB Sustainability and Energy Scorecard.

To achieve those results and continue to move forward on sustainability, we are trying to use every tool available.  One tool that has served us well is Performance-Based Contracts (PBCs). A PBC is a tool where a company makes improvements at little to no upfront capital cost and is paid through the savings from the project over many years. It is a win-win-win for government, industry, and the environment.

These contracts are an important vehicle for meeting our energy and water goals. PBCs are attractive because they are a low-cost tool with limited upfront capital investment that emphasizes performance. DOT has dedicated sources of funding for some building improvements, but PBCs present a vital tool to stretch the value of taxpayer dollars.

Biothermal renovations at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

Ohio River crossing breaks ground; new bridge means better connections for people and commerce

Last August, Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez helped Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear and then Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels break ground on the East End Crossing, part of the Ohio River Bridges project. On Tuesday, Administrator Mendez was back in Louisville for the groundbreaking of the second of the two bridges, the Downtown Crossing.

These two bridges are the first to be built in the Greater Louisville area in 50 years. A lot has happened in that half-century, including steady growth in the number of vehicles crossing the Ohio River between Louisville and southern Indiana. In fact, state officials estimate that  the John F. Kennedy Memorial Bridge --the existing downtown crossing-- alone serves more than 121,000 drivers each day.

FHWA Administrator Victor Mendez

The new 6-lane crossing will be built alongside the Kennedy Bridge, doubling the number of total travel lanes from 6 to 12. This will boost safety and cut congestion--a big win for the folks on both sides of the river. As Administrator Mendez noted, "The community has needed these bridges for years."

Small Business Week celebrates key driver of the American economic engine

This week is not just National Small Business Week, but the 50th anniversary of that special week when we celebrate a critical force in the American economy.

So today, I did what nearly every American does at least once a day--I used the services of a small business. Of course, the sandwich I bought from Cornercopia, near our DOT Headquarters, is not the only small business activity I participated in today, but it was a memorable lunch (I ordered the Navy Yard sandwich).

Behind the Cornercopia counter with proprietors Albert Oh and Danica Han

As President Obama said, “America’s small businesses reflect the best of who we are as a Nation—daring and innovative, courageous and hopeful, always working hard and looking ahead for that next great idea."

He is absolutely right about that. In my four and half years here at DOT, I have seen firsthand many of these innovators and the terrific things they've done to create jobs and improve America's transportation system.

At DOT, our Buy America program and Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization ensure that our nation's small  businesses get a fair shake when it comes to participating in DOT transportation investments.

As a result America's small businesses are producing parts for passenger train cars and cutting-edge locomotives. They're designing and manufacturing electric buses. They're rebuilding roadways and bridges from coast to coast. And we're happy to help support their entrepreneurial initiative 52 weeks a year.

Our small businesses are moving American transportation forward. And, yes, they're also making sandwiches--pretty good ones at that.

DOT makes emergency relief funds available to restore Skagit River I-5 Bridge

When the Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River collapsed on May 23, we said that DOT would help the people of Washington State in every way we can. And we are making good on that promise.

Yesterday, we announced that we are making $15.6 million in federal emergency funds available to help rebuild this important crossing.

The Skagit River I-5 bridge carries about 71,000 vehicles each and every day on its four lanes. It's the main highway between Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia. So it's a major commercial route between the U.S. and Canada, with approximately 11 percent of the volume coming from commercial trucks transporting goods between the two countries.

As Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez said, "People and businesses have been impacted while this bridge is out of commission, and that hurts both the local and national economy. So we're providing the state with the federal support it needs to restore this critical link."

These emergency funds are a major part of our commitment to restore mobility and expedite repairs as quickly as possible.

 
Photos courtesy WSDOT

New FRA Rail Crossing Locator app puts safety information in your pocket

When we say that safety is our top priority, we aren't kidding around. And today, we're taking another step to put safety at your fingertips with the Federal Railroad Administration's Rail Crossing Locator.

With this free app for iOS, users with an iPhone or iPad can have the entire inventory of U.S. rail crossings in their pockets. The Rail Crossing Locator allows you to access information wherever you are to improve neighborhood safety and make better personal travel choices.

When users enter a specific location, the app displays highway-rail grade crossings in that area. For each crossing, it displays important information like whether the crossing is at-grade, above-grade, or below-grade and the type of traffic control device the crossing uses.

The app also allows users to report information about grade crossings to FRA. Because the database of rail crossings relies on railroad self-reporting, app users who keep us informed of inaccuracies will help us ensure that the information we make available to the public is more accurate and up-to-date.

Telling FRA about a crossing is a great way to contribute to your community's safety, and it's a feature of the app that we're really excited about.

USMMA Commencement: looking back, forward with the Class of 2013

The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Class of 2013 began their time at Kings Point in the summer of 2009. Earlier that year, I began my time at the U.S. Department of Transportation. And although I have not traveled the world by sea as they have, in many ways we have journeyed together these past four years.

We all came to Kings Point for the first time in 2009. I was still a new secretary—getting to know the families and faculty that make the Academy strong. The men and women of the Class of 2013 were fresh plebe candidates—getting used to their military haircuts and embarking on their journey to leadership.

So it was a particularly great pleasure to attend yesterday's Academy commencement, celebrate the achievements of these 201 fine men and women, and wish them well as they begin their careers as maritime leaders.

More than 2,000 people gathered for this momentous event including Superintendent RADM James Helis; Deputy Superintendent Capt. Susan Dunlap; commencement speaker Gen. William Fraser, commander of the U.S. Transportation Command; parents, friends, and other family members; and, of course, the graduates themselves--all of whom know that a strong maritime industry is essential for a prosperous and safe America. 

Guest blogger RITA Dep. Administrator Greg Winfree: Ride To Work Day an opportunity for improving safety

Today marks the 21^st Annual Ride to Work Day—when tens of thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts across the U.S. ride their motorcycles to work in a show of mutual support and solidarity. Originally created by Motorcycle Consumer News columnist Bob Carpenter in 1992, the event has served as a way to promote motorcycles and rider safety; combining the ride with numerous activities around the country, including charitable events.

Ride to Work Day is not just something I enjoy talking about, but something I enjoy participating in, too. I count myself as one of the millions of motorcycle riders and enthusiasts found in every city and community in the United States. This is a great opportunity to not just raise awareness about motorcycles, but to also focus on improving safety.

Greg Winfree, Deputy Administrator of Research and Innovative Technology Administration

Though motorcycle riders only make up a fraction of a percent of all vehicle miles traveled each year, motorcycle crashes account for a staggering 14 percent of all crash-related fatalities according to a report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In 2011, 4,612 motorcycle riders or passengers were lost on America’s roads and highways—with another 81,000 suffering injuries. It's clear that riders are much more at risk for suffering a severe or fatal injury than those in automobiles and other fully-enclosed motor vehicles.

Motorcycles offer a variety of benefits, but they are inherently more vulnerable. So a combination of situational awareness by motorcycle riders, those in other vehicles on the road, and safety practices (like always wearing a helmet) can go a long way toward reducing fatalities.

Moreover, the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, its modal partners and industry are advancing new technology which offers some very promising safety benefits and capabilities for motorcycle riders.

Partnership for Sustainable Communities marks 4th anniversary with web-streaming Twitter Town Hall

By Bob Perciasepe, Maurice Jones, and John Porcari

June 16, 2013 marks the four-year anniversary of the Partnership for Sustainable Communities, a collaboration of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Since 2009, our three federal agencies have been working together to help communities build stronger regional economies, improve their housing and transportation options, and protect the environment.

As President Obama said when the Partnership launched in 2009, “By working together, [the agencies] can make sure that when it comes to development—housing, transportation, energy efficiency—these things aren't mutually exclusive; they go hand in hand.”

Our collaboration helps communities plan the housing, transportation and economic development they need as infrastructure for economic growth, helping them attract businesses and improve quality of life for residents.

The Partnership is a one-stop shop for communities to access federal resources that can help them become more economically and environmentally sustainable.  To date, the Partnership has provided more than $4 billion in funding for projects in all 50 states, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

Chicago celebrates Bike To Work Week with a preview of new Divvy bike share

A little fun fact about Bike To Work Week is that it differs from community to community. In Sonoma, California it was the second week in May; in Washington, DC, it was the third week in May. Well, in Chicago, it's this week, and the week's events culminated this morning in a Bike To Work Rally that I was happy to be a part of.

Chicago will soon join more than 20 American cities that benefit from a bike share program with its very own Divvy Bike Sharing System. Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Transportation Commissioner Gabe Klein plan to have 75 bike share stations up and running by the end of this month, with as many as 400 operational by the end of the year.

With New York, Chicago, and a dozen more cities --places like Tampa, Phoenix, and Fort Worth-- expected to open bike shares by the end of this year, it's safe to say that 2013 is, indeed, the year of the bike share.

Take a look around you. Bicycles are once again a fixture in America's communities. Whether we're talking about sharrows, separated bike lanes, or trails and paths distinct from roadways, bicycle-friendly infrastructure is part of a mainstream approach to transportation and community planning.

You can call it Complete Streets; you can call it Smart Growth; you can call it whatever you want. Here at DOT, we call it common sense, and it's just one part of our efforts to support livable communities with the full menu of transportation options Americans have said they want.

And since day one, President Obama and this Department have made that a priority. We have worked hard to make sure that--wherever you're going and however you're getting there--you can travel safely.

Obama Administration fuel economy standards making a difference today, protecting our future

In 2010, our National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the EPA established passenger vehicle and light truck fuel economy standards for model years 2012-16. We estimate that the new rule will lead to a corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) of 34.1 miles per gallon by 2016, a 24 percent increase from 2011. The rule also introduced the first-ever greenhouse gas emissions standards for passenger vehicles.

Now that we're nearly six months into 2013, it's clear that the Obama Administration's standards have already begun making a difference.

Today, Consumers Union --part of Consumer Reports-- hosted an event with experts from government and the private sector discussing what higher fuel economy means for consumers and how they can take advantage of it.

NHTSA Administrator David Strickland participated, and he had some good news: Cars sold in the United States are using less fuel in our cars and consumers are saving money at the pump.

In combination with the CAFE standards set for model years 2017-2025, we estimate that Obama Administration initiatives will:

• Save American drivers more than $1.7 trillion at the pump by 2025.
• Reduce America’s dependence on oil by an estimated 12 billion barrels over the lifetime of the vehicles, and, by 2025, reduce oil consumption by 2.2 million barrels per day—more than a quarter of the current level of our foreign oil imports.
• Slash six billion metric tons in greenhouse gas emissions over the life of the Administration’s programs.

FTA support improves access to transit, opportunity in Nebraska and New Mexico

When DOT helps make it easier for people to get access to job sites, medical services, grocery stores, and higher education, we're not only helping transit riders; we're improving communities.

Two developments last week from the Federal Transit Administration offer excellent examples of how even a small investment can pay important dividends. FTA awarded two grants to help veterans and their families in New Mexico find affordable rides to work, school, medical care, and other destinations. And in Kearney, Nebraska, FTA helped celebrate the opening of a new transit facility that will ensure reliable transit service for hundreds of daily riders in rural Nebraska.

The New Mexico Department of Transportation is receiving $364,000 to upgrade a regional call center in the Santa Fe area. NMDOT will purchase software to schedule on-demand service for people with disabilities, including veterans. NMDOT is also working with the City of Santa Fe to upgrade the city’s existing transportation call center. These upgrades will enable callers to obtain real-time information on bus stop arrivals and will also improve access for people with disabilities.

Also in New Mexico, the Mid Region Council Of Governments is receiving $282,500 to launch a transit website in Albuquerque. The new site will consolidate information currently fragmented across many sites into a single site with easy access to transportation services throughout the Albuquerque region.

Both efforts will provide one-call or one-click access to information that makes it easy for veterans, military families, and others to arrange and connect to transportation options throughout the state.

Ensuring that our veterans and military families have access to quality, convenient transportation is just one way we can thank them for their service. As FTA Administrator Rogoff said, “Santa Fe, Albuquerque and the surrounding counties are home to roughly 155,000 veterans and thousands more active duty military personnel and families who need and deserve access to reliable transportation options.”

Demand for TIGER infrastructure funding remains strong

The applications for TIGER 2013 are in, and the conclusion is clear: America's communities want to make their transportation infrastructure safer and more effective, and they need Federal support to do it.

With  this year's TIGER awards, once again the number of applications has far exceeded the available funding. We received 568 applications from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and American Samoa.

The total amount of these applications? $9 billion. That's nearly 20 times the $474 million Congress made available to the program.

President Obama challenged us to improve our nation’s infrastructure to provide the transportation choices people and businesses want and the efficiency and safety they need. Since 2009, DOT's TIGER investments have done just that across the country by helping communities relieve congestion, create jobs, and generate lasting economic growth.

The previous four rounds of our TIGER program provided $3.1 billion to 218 projects in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. And competition was stiff for those funds; during the previous four rounds, we received more than 4,050 applications requesting more than $105.2 billion for transportation projects across the country.

It's no surprise to see this year's applications continue that pattern.

DOT professionals understand that transportation is about people

This Department understands that transportation is about people.

Not only does our nation's transportation network move drivers and passengers to the destinations they seek, but the same network also moves the goods Americans need, want, use, and sell every day.

Whether we're talking about safety or sustainability, infrastructure or innovation, the terrific professionals at DOT are here to serve their fellow Americans. And if I leave behind me nothing else after four and a half years as Secretary, I hope that I have helped educate the public about the extraordinary quality of service I've observed here.

Recently, I visited some of DOT's locations outside of Washington, DC--the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation's operations in Massena, NY,  the Volpe National Transportation Systems Center in Cambridge, MA, and the FAA Tech Center in Atlantic City, NJ--to let the men and women of DOT know how much I appreciate the work they do.

It was especially important to me to visit the many DOT employees at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center in Oklahoma City, and to recognize the hardships experienced by many of them during recent tornado events.

The Aeronautical Center is home to numerous Federal Aviation Administration operations-- as well as DOT's Transportation Safety Institute. The work we do in Oklahoma City contributes importantly to aviation safety and makes a real difference in people's lives. The Center team even supported our 2009 Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS), also known as "Cash For Clunkers," processing hundreds of thousands of rebates in a very short time.

Packing for vacation travel? Leave room for NHTSA's summer driving tips

As excited children across the country will surely tell you, summer is upon us. And, for many people, that means vacation travel--often by car. Hitting America's highways for a summer trip is a tradition as old as--well, as old as America's highways themselves.

Here at the Department of Transportation, we want to make sure that safety is part of that tradition.

To help you prepare for the summer driving season, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) urges motorists to take simple, yet necessary, precautions to ensure vehicles are in optimal driving condition and appropriately equipped prior to taking to the road. NHTSA also reminds drivers to avoid risky behaviors that could endanger all users of our roadways.

NHTSA's summer driving tips are available for download on the SaferCar.gov website. There, you will also find a terrific interactive version of these precautions, suitable for kids as well as adults.

Airlines know that everyone has a role to play when it comes to preventing human trafficking

Every year millions of men, women, and children are trafficked for sexual or labor exploitation worldwide--including the United States. President Obama has directed his Cabinet to strengthen the Administration’s efforts to stop human trafficking. At DOT, that’s exactly what we’re doing.

Because trafficking often involves moving victims from one place to another--against their will--those of us who work in transportation are on the front lines in this effort. We have a responsibility to watch for the signs and report suspicious activity to the appropriate authorities.

We must not let the American transportation system be an enabler in these criminal acts.

That's why DOT has partnered with the Department of Homeland Security to create a training program for our nation's airline employees. We want everyone --from baggage handlers to customer service representatives to gate agents to flight attendants to pilots-- to know exactly what to do if they suspect human trafficking is happening in flight or on the ground.

Peoria veterans fly one more mission

Yesterday, I was blessed with one of those experiences that makes me proud to be an American: greeting Peoria-area veterans visiting the memorials in our nation's capital. Proud to have met the 80 men and women who served our country in World War II and the Korean, Vietnam, and Gulf Wars. And proud because these heroes had been flown to Washington, DC, earlier in the morning thanks entirely to Greater Peoria Honor Flight volunteers.

Honor Flight is an exceptional organization, launched in January 2005 by Earl Morse, a Retired Air Force Captain who was at the time a Physician Assistant at the VA clinic in Springfield, Ohio. He was saddened that many of the WWII veterans using the clinic were unable to visit the newly opened National World War II Memorial. So Morse outlined a volunteer program to fly WWII veterans to the memorial.

Poster inviting Illinoisans to celebrate the Honor Flight veterans upon their return to Peoria

He proposed two ideas. First, the veterans would pay nothing. The entire aircraft rental would have to be paid solely by the pilots, who would volunteer their services in the cockpit. Second, the pilots would personally escort the Veterans around D.C. the entire day. Quickly, 11 pilots who had never met Earl's patients volunteered. By the end of the year, so many veterans wanted to participate that Honor Flight began using commercial aircraft.

Since then, Honor Flights have flown from more than 120 cities across America.

Yesterday's group was the very first Honor Flight from Peoria, so it was a special honor to meet them at the WWII Memorial. It was even more special to me because I was joined by my dear friend and mentor Bob Michel, a fellow Peorian.

With Tampa Riverwalk and other TIGER projects, transportation equals opportunity

For more than four years now, President Obama and I have said repeatedly that investing in transportation helps spur economic growth. And in speeches and on this blog, I have talked about project after project doing just that in communities across America. DOT's infrastructure investments create jobs and generate economic activity. They do.

One city that has seen the evidence of this ripple effect firsthand is Tampa, Florida. Last year, I blogged about the I-4 / Selmon Expressway, a project that has created 14,000 jobs and which, when completed next spring, will allow trucks to drive from the Port of Tampa all the way to Maine, Illinois, or California without hitting a single traffic light. A project that will take truck traffic off the local roads in Ybor City and allow the Port of Tampa to compete for the increased cargo volume coming through the expanded Panama Canal.

And in 2011, I wrote about the TECO Streetcar Line that links downtown Tampa to residential areas, restaurants, hotels and entertainment. A project that connects tourists and residents to the downtown area to enjoy festivals, conventions, and all of the great culture the city of Tampa offers. A project that generated more than $1 billion in economic investment--before it even opened.

Today, I'm writing about another exciting project that kicked off yesterday in Tampa, the Kennedy segment of the Tampa Riverwalk. The Riverwalk will provide greater access to Tampa’s downtown area businesses -- while improving safety and accessibility-- for pedestrians and bicyclists.

As Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez said at yesterday's construction launch in Tampa, "The Riverwalk is a classic example of what our TIGER grant program is all about. Our investment is going to help a creative local idea become reality – bringing with it jobs and economic growth, and making Tampa a better place to live and visit."

2013 Roadcheck hits the streets with one goal: safety

It's time once again for the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's (CVSA) annual Roadcheck, the largest targeted inspection and enforcement program on commercial motor vehicles in the world.

Each year, approximately 10,000 CVSA-certified local, state, provincial, and federal inspectors at 1,500 locations across North America perform truck and bus inspections, with approximately 14 trucks or buses being inspected, on average, every minute from Canada to Mexico during the 72-hour event last year.

From sunrise this morning until sunset Thursday, we expect 2013's Roadcheck officers to conduct more than 70,000 inspections.

FMCSA Administrator Anne Ferro with motorcoach operator

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrator Anne Ferro attended this morning's kickoff event at FedEx Field in Landover, MD, and FMCSA Chief Safety Officer Jack Van Steenburg will be in Ontario, Canada, tomorrow for another Roadcheck event.

Safety is the FMCSA’s number one mission. And our partnership with CVSA and the States truly raises the safety bar for commercial motor vehicles. This year alone, FMCSA will award more than $300 million in grants to directly support nearly 10,000 state and local inspectors dedicated to motor carrier, commercial vehicle, and driver safety. 

This year, Roadcheck inspectors and enforcement officers will emphasize motorcoach safety and properly securing cargo loads on trucks.

New USMMA Advisory Board members will help steer a course to excellence

The Department of Transportation is committed to providing every midshipman at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy the highest-quality education possible. And to help us achieve that goal, Deputy Secretary John Porcari and I visited the Kings Point, NY, campus last week to announce seven new members of the USMMA Advisory Board.

We're counting on the new Advisory Board members to help Kings Point further its mission to educate and graduate the best-qualified merchant mariners.

The USMMA Advisory Board serves as an independent body whose purpose is to examine the course of instruction and management at Kings Point and advise Superintendent RADM James Helis and the Maritime Administrator on how to ensure the best possible educational atmosphere.

As RADM Helis said, “Kings Point graduates go on to careers in global transportation, so it is essential that we have an Advisory Board that helps the Academy stay current on maritime industry trends and educational best practices."

With the new members announced last week--who bring expertise in academic excellence, leadership development, and current maritime industry needs and trends--that is exactly what we have done:

• Dr. Sharon van Wyk, Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer, American Public University System 
• Dr. Kathy Humphrey, Vice Provost and Dean of Students, University of Pittsburgh 
• Dr. Laurie Leshin, Dean of the School of Science, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute  
• Mr. Marty Linsky, J.D., Faculty, Harvard Kennedy School and Co-Founder, Cambridge Leadership Associates
• Lt. Manuel Maddox, U.S. Coast Guard, and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Class of 2006 
• Mr. Bill Pennella, Vice Chairman of the Board and Executive Vice President, Crowley Maritime Corporation 
• Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Professor, Department of Global Studies and Geography, Hofstra University

OMB Scorecard illustrates DOT sustainability gains

One month ago, in a blog post on DOT's Sustainability Awards, I wrote that since 2010, DOT has moved from the bottom tier of Federal agencies on President Obama's sustainability scorecard to the upper tier. And last Friday we released our annual sustainability scorecard which shows exactly where DOT has improved its energy and sustainability performance to move us up the list.

I'm proud to point out that DOT has improved its performance in every sustainability category.

• We have met our goal for greenhouse gas emissions--in fact, we have already met our Fiscal Year 2020 goals, eight years early.
• We have met our goal for reducing energy intensity and use of renewable energy, nearly doubling our renewable energy usage from 8 percent to 14 percent.
• And we have met our goal for reducing fleet petroleum use by nearly tripling our alternative fuel use since 2005 and cutting petroleum consumption by 14 percent.

And we have cost-effective plans in place to step up efforts to meet those goals still outstanding: green buildings and reducing potable water intensity.

DOT has supported sustainability outside the Department as well. We've helped Americans use less gas by giving them transportation options like bus rapid transit, light rail, streetcars and bike shares. We've worked with the Administration to roll out historic standards that will increase fuel economy standards to 54.5 mpg by 2025. We've helped airlines reduce fuel use and carbon emissions through our NextGen initiative. And we've invested $12 billion in high-speed and higher performing passenger rail—giving Americans relief from congested highways and airways.

Each of these important programs will ensure the nation’s transportation system continues to be fast, safe, efficient and sustainable.

Great Lakes Governors set a course for economic growth, environmental protection

Over the weekend, the Great Lakes governors welcomed the new month of June with a new commitment to collaborate on two key issues: growing their economies and protecting the lakes.

The governors of Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin last met specifically to discuss the Great Lakes in 2005, so they had plenty to talk about. Here at DOT, we have two agencies directly engaged in Great Lakes matters --the Maritime Administration and the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation-- and we're happy to see this conversation get re-started.

The Great Lakes and their careful stewardship are absolutely critical to America. In addition to being the world's single largest source of fresh water, the region generates nearly 30 percent of our nation’s GDP, and about 60 percent of all U.S. manufacturing is based there. The region is also critical to trade. Canada, our largest trading partner, shares these waterways. Hundreds of billions of dollars in cargo pass through this region every year.

The Great Lakes and the Seaway also form one of our best tools for improved competitiveness and stronger growth—a marine super highway that moves goods from point A to point B quickly, safely, and affordably.  This saves cargo shippers billions of dollars in transportation costs, and that's good for businesses and consumers.