By Ron Thaniel
February 12, 2007

Transportation Challenges

Focusing on the challenges facing our nation’s surface transportation system, the Transportation and Communications Standing Committee met January 24. Under the leadership of Chair Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, he welcomed U.S. House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman James Oberstar (MN).

Oberstar told the mayors gathered that investment in surface transportation infrastructure has far-reaching effects, not only on our nation’s economy and its global competitiveness but also on the quality of life of nearly all Americans.

Despite the importance of transportation both to the economy and the quality of life in our communities, expansion of transportation infrastructure has not kept pace with needs. Oberstar stated, “Increasing congestion is a problem that spans all modes and affects our railroads, waterways, highways, and air traffic systems.”

Oberstar said the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure would address these challenges by exploring the role of transportation in the national and global economy, through the improved mobility of passengers and freight, as well as the way these systems can improve the quality of life of citizens through increased mobility and promote economic development.

In particular, he said the Committee would authorize Amtrak, which expired at the end of fiscal year 2002, authorize the Federal Rail Safety Program that expired at the end of 1998, and authorize the Federal Aviation Administration programs, which will expire in FY 2007.

He also told the mayors that his Committee would examine the close connection between transportation policy and energy policy and look at solutions to increase energy efficiency of the transportation industry while reducing our nation’s dependence on foreign oil.

Other priorities for the Committee identified by Oberstar are the reauthorizations of the Water Resources Development Act, the Federal Maritime Commission and the Appalachian Regional Commission; passage of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible and Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) technical corrections bill.

In addition, Oberstar said protecting the safety and security of the traveling public is critically important to every mode of transportation and requires significant attention and review.

Under the leadership of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Vice Chair for Telecommunications Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich, the committee welcomed Collin Crowell, Chief Policy Advisor for Telecommunications to Representative Edward J. Markey (MA), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet.

Crowell told the mayors that the subcommittee, under the direction of Markey, will focus on a policy blueprint to make broadband service ubiquitous and affordable for every American.

He said Markey’s end goal will be consumer choice, affordability, high broadwidth speeds, full build-out, high quality of service, and an open architecture that supports Internet freedom — in short, an infrastructure for the 21st Century.

“Unfortunately, depending upon which rankings are cited, we are either 16th in the world, or 21st, or 29th in broadband subscribership. Even discounting for some of the differences in the nations ahead of us, one thing is clear — we are not number 1,” said Crowell.

Crowell added, “For the United States any successful plan that will move us up in these rankings will inevitably involve a mix of policy solutions including competitive policies, universal service, targeted grants, wireless policy, network neutrality provisions, municipal offering of broadband service — and maybe other tools as well. It is clear, however, that relying solely upon market forces isn’t delivering what consumers need.”