“Building & Maintaining Transportation Infrastructure for New Mexico’s Economic Future”

Feburary 18, 2008

Commission Report: Transportation System in “Physical and Financial Crisis”

According to a report issued February 1 by the National Surface Transportation Infastructure Financing Commission, the nation’s surface transportation system is in a physical and financial crisis because current revenue is insufficient to maintain and improve this country’s highways, public transportation systems and intermodal connectors.

Preliminary observations from the report include:

• Transportation system demands are outpacing required investment;
• Maintenance costs are competing with necessary expansion of the system;
• The fuel tax, which has been the key federal funding source for our system, is no longer sufficient at current rates;
• More direct user charges should be explored; and
• We need not only more investment in our system, but more intelligent investment complemented by better operation of the system.

The report says that the transportation system needs an infusion of money to build and maintain a better transportation system that is needed because of economic and population growth. Relying solely on the federal gas tax is not a feasible long run strategy because “the fuel taxes that are the backbone of the federal transportation revenues will continue to shrink relative to use and needs of the system.”

The Commission invites comments and feedback on the interim report in order to develop constructive and specific recommendations that will support the nation’s future transportation needs. The final report is expected to be release by the Commission at the end of 2008.

Learn more about the Commision's work here.

Congestion Takes Toll on Trucking Industry

According to a recent survey of trucking executives conducted by The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) on behalf of the American Trucking Associations Federation, without a long-term solution congestion will have a “deleterious” effect on the trucking industry. Congestion ranked fourth among concerns for the industry but was a vital cog in the top three concerns.

The Hours-of-Service (#1 on the list) rules do not currently provide for “congestion credit.” Drivers facing congestion are disincentivized from pulling out of traffic and resting for a few hours due to the impact on total driving and on-duty hours.

The second concern on the list is driver shortage which is intensified by potential recruits having to contemplate a career trapped in traffic. Fuel usage is the third most pressing issue facing the trucking industry. As trucks sit idle in traffic, fuel is wasted. A study by the Federal Highway Administration estimates that trucks spend over 240 million hours annually idling in traffic which translates to a cost of $8 billion per year for the trucking industry.

The ATRI survey is used by industry groups at the state and federal level as a roadmap of issues and strategies that carriers believe will have the most impact on the industry in the foreseeable future. The survey lets these groups address the issues broadly and proactively.

I-69/TTC Public Hearings Continue

The Texas Department of Transportation continues public hearings for I-69/TTC this week with stops in Alice, Atlanta, Edna, El Campo, Freer, Jefferson, Laredo, Magnolia and Texarkana. The hearings provide citizens an opportunity to comment on the I-69/TTC draft environmental impact statement (DEIS).

The purpose of the public hearings is to hear from Texans on the recently narrowed study area for I-69/TTC. This is an opportunity for citizens to participate in the decision making process. TxDOT staff will be available to answer project questions during an open house from 5-6:30 p.m. The public hearings begin at 6:30 p.m. 

There are several ways for the public to provide comments on the I-69/TTC DEIS. They may submit their comments at one of the hearings, online at www.keeptexasmoving.com or comments can be mailed to I-69/TTC, P.O. Box 14428, Austin, TX 78761. All comments must be received by March 19, 2008 to be included on the official record.

Plan to Attend the Texas Transportation Forum

Communication is a two-way street.
Transportation can be a bit more complicated.
Let’s discuss.

Join us at the third annual Texas Transportation Forum, April 20-22 at the Hilton Austin to discuss the future of mobility in the Lone Star State.

As we watch our state’s population and infrastructure costs increase,  declining resources are putting a strain on our transportation network. The time to address our transportation challenge is now!

We have invited leaders from the public and private sectors to discuss the transportation challenges facing Texas and the nation and address where we go from here. We hope you’ll join us in the conversation.

Let’s discuss:

• Resources: how can we best leverage our current state and federal funding options?
• Vision: are we prepared to seek innovative new financial resources?
• Partnerships: how can we work together to provide a safe, reliable transportation network?
• The Future: what will the Texas of the future look like? Are we planning for it?

Our list of distinguished speakers includes Governor Rick Perry who will offer his insights during the closing luncheon.

Co-hosts of the forum are the Texas Department of Transportation, the Associated General Contractors of Texas, the Texas Good Roads Transportation Association and the Texas Transportation Institute.

Discounted early registration is available until March 7 at 5:00 p.m. (CST). For more information, visit www.TexasTransportationForum.com.

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