AASHTO/Coalition Partners support national freight strategy.
Press Release Summary:
Freight Stakeholders Coalition, which is comprised of 17 members including AASHTO, has released 2009 Surface Transportation Reauthorization Platform. Mandating development of National Multimodal Freight Strategic Plan, 10-point platform also calls for funding for freight mobility/goods movement and creation of freight office in Office of the Secretary of Transportation. In 20 yr, number of U.S. commercial trucks could double, handling 70-80% of freight, while rail freight may increase by 60%.
Original Press Release:
AASHTO and Coalition Partners United Behind Call for National Freight Strategy
At one time or another, just about everything we own, from the clothing we wear to the food we eat, spent time as freight. Manufacturers, shippers, and businesses rely on the Nation's seaports, highways, railroads, and airports to get their raw materials and manufactured goods to the marketplace. America's economy depends on the ability to move freight quickly and efficiently; that's why the Freight Stakeholders Coalition (FSC) - a 17 member organization, which includes the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) - has released its 2009 Surface Transportation Reauthorization Platform.
The 10-point platform mandates the development of National Multimodal Freight Strategic Plan. The FSC says the plan should be developed through a partnership between state departments of transportations, cities, counties, Metropolitan Regional Planning Organizations, and other stakeholder groups.
"A truly efficient and robust national freight transportation system that reaches into all parts of the country and benefits producers and consumers alike must be a top priority for the federal government," said Allen Biehler, AASHTO president and Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. "We've got to get this right, because there's too much at stake."
In less than 20 years, the number of commercial trucks traveling over America's Interstate systems is expected to double. Today, 70 to 80 percent of the nation's freight moves by truck. In the next 25 years, rail freight is expected to increase by 60 percent. The volume of international containers coming into our ports is forecast to increase from 40 million in 2005 to 110 million by 2020.
"The number and significance of the many organizations unified around this platform is a testament to the importance and urgency of establishing a national freight program with dedicated funding in the next surface transportation authorization bill," said Leslie Blakey, executive director, Coalition for America's Gateways and Trade Corridors.
Janet F. Kavinoky, Director of Transportation Infrastructure, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said, "Economic recovery and long-term growth are supported by reliable and safe networks that are operated efficiently. Freight may not vote but members of our organizations do, so Congress and the Obama Administration must make moving the commerce a central focus of any transportation-related legislation."
The ten point platform also calls for dedicated funding for freight mobility and goods movement and a stronger and more active federal role and the creation of a of a multimodal freight transportation office in the Office of the Secretary of Transportation to provide coherence and direction to the effort. You can see the Freight Stake Holders Coalition 2009 Surface Transportation Reauthorization Platform at: tinyurl.com/qm94ut.
The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) is the "Voice of Transportation" representing State Departments of Transportation in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. AASHTO is a nonprofit, nonpartisan association serving as a catalyst for excellence in transportation.
