U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Proposes Legislation to Improve Rail Transit Safety Oversight

             U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today called on Congress to pass the Obama Administration’s Public Transportation Safety Program Act of 2009, a new transit safety bill to ensure a high and standard level of safety across all rail transit systems.  The measure would effectively eliminate the statutory prohibition against imposing such broad safety standards that has been in place since 1965. 

Secretary LaHood made his remarks in testimony before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in Washington, D.C.

            “The current system for federal rail transit safety oversight is weak and inadequate and does not guarantee a consistent level of safety for transit passengers,” said Secretary LaHood.  “While rail transit remains a safe way to travel, the Obama Administration believes it is time to take serious steps to make it even safer and ensure a standard level of safety across all systems.”

            Asking the Committee to consider the bill “seriously and promptly”, Secretary LaHood pledged to assist Congress in enacting a new safety regime that will better protect daily riders as transit systems age and available revenues remain tight.  The proposed legislation would do three things.

First, the bill would authorize the Secretary to establish and enforce minimum federal safety standards for rail transit systems – effectively breaking through the 1965 prohibition.  The bill would also provide the Secretary the option to establish a safety program for public transportation bus systems.  Secretary LaHood also announced the formation of a Transit Rail Advisory Committee on Safety (TRACS) that will help guide the Department’s rail transit safety regulations.

Second, the bill would authorize the Secretary to allow states to receive federal transit assistance to staff and train state oversight personnel to enforce new federal regulations.  State programs would have to be well-staffed and adequately empowered by state governments to fully enforce federal regulations in order to be eligible for federal funds. 

Third, the bill would require the state agencies conducting oversight to be fully financially independent from the transit systems they oversee.  The Federal Transit Administration would enforce all federal regulations where states choose not to participate in the program or where the state program is found to lack the necessary enforcement tools. 

            “More than 14 million passengers use our rail transit systems every weekday.  Yet the responsibility to guarantee their safety is currently left to a patchwork of 27 state agencies with inconsistent standards, inadequate powers and insufficient staffing.  With one exception, these agencies average less than one full time employee” said FTA Administrator Peter Rogoff, who appeared with LaHood before the House panel.  “Our proposed legislation will better ensure that the millions of passengers who use transit to get to work, school and home every day do so safely and without incident.” 

            Under the Administration’s proposal, FTA and state agencies participating in federal transit safety enforcement would be authorized to conduct inspections, investigations, audits, and examinations, as well as test public transportation systems’ equipment, facilities, rolling stock, operations, and persons engaged in the business of a public transportation system.  They would also have the authority to issue reports and subpoenas, require the production of documents, take depositions, and prescribe recordkeeping and reporting requirements.

For a text of the bill, go to http://testimony.ost.dot.gov/final/default.htm

# # #

FACT SHEET

THE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SAFETY PROGRAM ACT OF 2009

What Does The Act Do?

The proposed legislation does three things:

• First, the bill would authorize the Secretary to establish and enforce federal safety standards for rail transit systems that receive federal transit assistance – effectively eliminating the statutory prohibition against imposing broad safety standards that have been in place since 1965.

• Second, the Secretary would allow states to be eligible for federal transit assistance to hire and train state oversight personnel to enforce new federal regulations.  State programs must be well staffed and adequately empowered by state governments to fully enforce federal regulations in order to be eligible for federal funds. 

• Third, the program would require the state agencies conducting oversight to be fully financially independent from the transit systems they oversee.  The Federal Transit Administration would enforce all federal regulations where states chose not to participate in the program or where the state program is found to lack the necessary enforcement tools.

Why Rail Transit Regulation?

• The current system for federal rail transit safety oversight does not guarantee a consistent level of safety for transit passengers among all transit systems in all states.

• More than 14 million passengers use rail transit systems every weekday.  Yet, the responsibility for their safety is currently left to a patchwork of 27 state agencies with inconsistent standards, inadequate powers and insufficient staffing. 

• While rail transit remains a safe way to travel, the Obama Administration believes we must take serious steps now to make it even safer and ensure that it remains safe in the years to come.

Additional Details of “The Act”

• Under the Administration’s proposal, the FTA and state agencies participating in federal transit safety enforcement will be authorized to conduct inspections, investigations, audits and examinations, as well as test public transportation systems’ equipment, facilities, rolling stock, operations, and persons engaged in the business of a public transportation system. 

• FTA will also have the authority to issue reports and subpoenas, require the production of documents, take depositions, and establish recordkeeping and reporting requirements.

• The Secretary would establish a safety certification program under which a state that chooses to participate would be eligible for federal transit assistance to carry out a federally approved Public Transportation Safety program.  Participating states would be required to demonstrate to the Secretary’s satisfaction that the state agency has

  • an adequate number of fully trained staff to enforce federal regulations;

  • been granted sufficient authority by their governor and state legislature to compel compliance by the transit systems they oversee; and

  • sufficient financial independence from any transit systems they oversee. 

• In all states where either the state agency has “opted out” of participation or where the Secretary has found the requesting state agency to be inadequate, the Secretary, acting through the FTA, would enforce all federal safety regulations. 

• States would not be preempted from establishing more stringent safety standards than the federal standards, if the standards meet certain criteria. 

• The bill also would allow the Secretary to establish a safety program for public transportation bus systems that receive federal transit assistance.

• Secretary LaHood also announced the formation of a Transit Rail Advisory Committee on Safety (TRACS) that will help guide the Department’s rail transit safety regulations.

DOT Fines Spirit Airlines for Violations of Consumer Rules

            The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) today assessed a civil penalty against Spirit Airlines for violating DOT consumer regulations.  Spirit was assessed a civil penalty of $375,000 for failing to comply with rules governing denied boarding compensation, fare advertising, baggage liability and other consumer protection requirements.  The civil penalty to be paid is a record for these kinds of violations.

            “Protecting airline consumers against unfair and deceptive practices is an important part of the Department’s mission,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.  “We will continue to take enforcement action when airlines violate our rules.”

            The Department’s Aviation Enforcement Office found that Spirit bumped passengers from oversold flights but did not provide compensation or a written notice of their rights to compensation, as required by DOT rules.  The investigation also revealed that Spirit failed to resolve baggage claims within a reasonable period, on one occasion taking 14 months to provide compensation.  Spirit also was found to violate DOT rules by providing compensation for delayed baggage only for the outbound leg of round-trip flights and only for purchases made more than 24 hours after arrival.  In addition, Spirit violated baggage liability laws governing international travel by refusing to accept responsibility for missing laptop computers and certain other items it accepted as baggage.

            Spirit also violated DOT rules requiring airfare ads to state the full price to be paid by omitting carrier-imposed fees from the base fare.  It also failed to make available on request a copy of the Department’s rule prohibiting discrimination against disabled passengers.  The Aviation Enforcement Office also cited Spirit for referring to DOT and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations when responding to consumer complaints even though the complaints did not concern DOT or FAA rules.  Spirit also violated DOT rules by failing to retain copies of consumer complaints and by failing to file required reports in a timely manner.

            The Aviation Enforcement Office’s investigation of Spirit involved a review of complaints filed with the Department by consumers as well as inspections at airports and a review of records at Spirit headquarters.  The Aviation Enforcement Office will conduct a follow-up investigation of Spirit during the coming year.

            The consent order against Spirit is available on the Internet at www.regulations.gov, docket DOT-OST-2009-0001.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood
Announces Agenda for Distracted Driving Summit
Leaders to Explore Solutions to Distracted Driving

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced the agenda for the Distracted Driving Summit on Tuesday, September 30 and Wednesday, October 1. Over 200 safety experts, researchers, elected officials and members of the public will gather in Washington, D.C. to share their experiences, provide feedback and develop recommendations for reducing the growing safety risk that distracted driving is imposing on our nation’s roads. 

“We must act now to stop distracted driving from becoming a deadly epidemic on our nation's roadways,” said Secretary LaHood. “This Summit will give safety leaders from across the nation a forum to identify, target and tackle the fundamental elements of this problem.”

The Distracted Driving Summit will bring together respected leaders from around the country for interactive sessions on the extent and impact of the problem, current research, regulations, best practices and other key topics.  The two day Summit will feature five panels – on data, research, technology, policy, and outreach – with a range of experts discussing each topic. 

The Summit will begin with a context setting panel where participants will examine the scope of the issue and the various distractions that exist, followed by a panel that will review currently available research.  Day one wraps up with an examination of distractions caused by technology and efforts made to assess and reduce negative effects caused by current and planned devices.  Panelists will also consider technology that can prevent the consequences of driver distraction.

Day two features a review of legislative and regulatory approaches for dealing with distracted driving; evaluations of the impact of such measures; and enforcement issues.  Members of Congress and their staff will also have the opportunity to contribute to the discussion.  Day two concludes with a discussion with teens about their experiences with distracted driving followed by an examination of various public awareness initiatives and research regarding the effectiveness of these efforts.

To accommodate the strong response, the Summit will be available live by webcast and members of the public will be given the opportunity to submit questions online for each individual panel discussion. The complete agenda and additional information about the Summit can be found at http://www.rita.dot.gov/distracted_driving_summit/ .

# # #

Distracted Driving Summit
September 30 – October 1, 2009
Renaissance Hotel, 999 9th Street NW, Washington, DC

Agenda Is Subject to Change

Wednesday, September 30

DOT Welcome and Summit Opening
Peter Appel, Administrator
Research and Innovative Technology Administration

Opening Address
Ray LaHood, U.S. Secretary of Transportation
                 
Panel: Driver Distractions and Inattention – Definitions and Data
A context-setting panel on the definition of distracted driving (what it is and what it is not), data on the extent of the issue, the types of distractions across surface modes of transportation.

Moderator:       Victor Mendez, Administrator, Federal Highway Administration

Speaker:           Dr. John D. Lee, Professor, Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Speaker:           Kristin Backstrom, Senior Manager, AAA Foundation for Traffic
Safety
Speaker:           John Inglish, General Manager, Utah Transit Authority
Speaker:           Bruce Magladry, Director, Office of Highway Safety, National Transportation Safety Board

Panel: Research Results - How Risky is Distracted Driving?
This panel session will review what various research – experimental research, industry self reporting, collision studies, and observational studies– tell us about the nature of the problem of distracted driving.

            Moderator:       Rose McMurray, Acting Deputy Administrator, Federal Motor
                                    Carrier Safety Administration

            Speaker:           Dr. Ann Dellinger, Lead, Motor Vehicle Injury Prevention Team,
                                    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center of
                                    Injury Prevention and Control
            Speaker:           Dr. Tom Dingus, Director, Virginia Tech Transportation Institute
            Speaker:           Dr. William Horrey, Chair, Surface Transportation Technical Group, Human Factors and Ergonomics Society and Research Scientist, Center for Behavioral Sciences, Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety
            Speaker:           Dr. Key Dismukes, Chief Scientist, Human Systems Integration
                                    Division, National Aeronautics and Space Administration Ames
                                    Research Center

 

Panel: Technology and Distracted Driving
This panel will focus on distractions caused by technology and on efforts that have been
made (or are needed) to assess and reduce the negative impact of distractions caused by
current and planned devices.  It will also consider technology that can prevent the
consequences of distraction.

Moderator:       Peter Appel, Administrator, Research and Innovative Technology
Administration

Speaker:           Dr. David Eby, Research Associate Professor and Head, Social
                        and Behavioral Analysis, University of Michigan Transportation
Research Institute
Speaker:           Rob Strassburger, Vice President, Alliance of Automobile
Manufacturers
Speaker:           Steve Largent, President and Chief Executive Officer,
International Association for Wireless Telecommunications
Industry
Speaker:           Michael Petricone, Senior Vice President, Government Affairs,
                        Consumer Electronics Association
Speaker:           Rod MacKenzie, Chief Technology Officer and Vice President of
                        Programs, Intelligent Transportation Society of America

Thursday, October 1

Congressional Presentation
                       
Panel: Legislation, Regulation and Enforcement of Distracted Driving
This panel session will review legislative and regulatory approaches for addressing
distracted driving; evaluations of the impact of such measures; enforcement issues; and
public attitudes towards the issue.

            Moderator:       Peter Rogoff, Administrator, Federal Transit Administration

            Speaker:           John D’Amico, Representative, Illinois General Assembly
            Speaker:           Bruce Starr, Senator, Oregon Senate and Executive Committee
                                    Member of the National Conference of State Legislatures
            Speaker:           Steve Farley, Representative, Arizona House of Representatives
            Speaker:           Major David Salmon, Director, Traffic Services Division, New York State Police
            Speaker:           Vernon Betkey, Chairman, Governors Highway Safety                      
                                    Association and Director of the Maryland Highway Safety Office
 

Youth Program

Panel: Public Awareness and Education
This panel will review initiatives to increase public awareness of safety issues such as
distracted driving, and will review research regarding the effectiveness of such efforts.

            Moderator:       Ron Medford, Acting Deputy Administrator,
                  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
            Speaker:           Sandy Spavone, Executive Director, National Organization for
                                    Youth Safety
            Speaker:           Chuck Hurley, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer,
                                    Mothers Against Drunk Driving
            Speaker:           Ann Shoket, Editor-in-Chief, Seventeen Magazine
            Speaker:           Janet Froetscher, President and Chief Executive Officer, National
                                    Safety Council
            Speaker:           Dr. Adrian Lund, President, Insurance Institute for Highway
                                    Safety

Secretary LaHood
Closing Remarks and Action Plan

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Announces Agenda for Distracted Driving Summit
Leaders to Explore Solutions to Distracted Driving

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced the agenda for the Distracted Driving Summit on Tuesday, September 30 and Wednesday, October 1. Over 200 safety experts, researchers, elected officials and members of the public will gather in Washington, D.C. to share their experiences, provide feedback and develop recommendations for reducing the growing safety risk that distracted driving is imposing on our nation’s roads. 

“We must act now to stop distracted driving from becoming a deadly epidemic on our nation's roadways,” said Secretary LaHood. “This Summit will give safety leaders from across the nation a forum to identify, target and tackle the fundamental elements of this problem.”

The Distracted Driving Summit will bring together respected leaders from around the country for interactive sessions on the extent and impact of the problem, current research, regulations, best practices and other key topics.  The two day Summit will feature five panels – on data, research, technology, policy, and outreach – with a range of experts discussing each topic. 

The Summit will begin with a context setting panel where participants will examine the scope of the issue and the various distractions that exist, followed by a panel that will review currently available research.  Day one wraps up with an examination of distractions caused by technology and efforts made to assess and reduce negative effects caused by current and planned devices.  Panelists will also consider technology that can prevent the consequences of driver distraction.

Day two features a review of legislative and regulatory approaches for dealing with distracted driving; evaluations of the impact of such measures; and enforcement issues.  Members of Congress and their staff will also have the opportunity to contribute to the discussion.  Day two concludes with a discussion with teens about their experiences with distracted driving followed by an examination of various public awareness initiatives and research regarding the effectiveness of these efforts.

To accommodate the strong response, the Summit will be available live by webcast and members of the public will be given the opportunity to submit questions online for each individual panel discussion. The complete agenda and additional information about the Summit can be found at http://www.rita.dot.gov/distracted_driving_Summit/ .

# # #

 
DISTRACTED DRIVING SUMMIT
SEPTEMBER 30 – OCTOBER 1, 2009
RENAISSANCE HOTEL, 999 9TH STREET NW, WASHINGTON, DC

Agenda Is Subject to Change

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30

DOT WELCOME AND SUMMIT OPENING
Peter Appel, Administrator
Research and Innovative Technology Administration

OPENING ADDRESS
Ray LaHood, U.S. Secretary of Transportation
 
PANEL: DRIVER DISTRACTIONS AND INATTENTION – DEFINITIONS AND DATA
A context-setting panel on the definition of distracted driving (what it is and what it is not), data on the extent of the issue, the types of distractions across surface modes of transportation.

Moderator:  Victor Mendez, Administrator, Federal Highway Administration

Speaker:  Dr. John D. Lee, Professor, Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Speaker:  Kristin Backstrom, Senior Manager, AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety
Speaker:  John Inglish, General Manager, Utah Transit Authority
Speaker:  Bruce Magladry, Director, Office of Highway Safety, National Transportation Safety Board

PANEL: RESEARCH RESULTS - HOW RISKY IS DISTRACTED DRIVING?
This panel session will review what various research – experimental research, industry self reporting, collision studies, and observational studies– tell us about the nature of the problem of distracted driving.

Moderator:  Rose McMurray, Acting Deputy Administrator, Federal Motor
  Carrier Safety Administration

Speaker:  Dr. Ann Dellinger, Lead, Motor Vehicle Injury Prevention Team, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center of  Injury Prevention and Control
Speaker:  Dr. Tom Dingus, Director, Virginia Tech Transportation Institute
Speaker:  Dr. William Horrey, Chair, Surface Transportation Technical Group, Human Factors and Ergonomics Society and Research Scientist, Center for Behavioral Sciences, Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety
Speaker:  Dr. Key Dismukes, Chief Scientist, Human Systems Integration  Division, National Aeronautics and Space Administration Ames
  Research Center
 
PANEL: TECHNOLOGY AND DISTRACTED DRIVING
This panel will focus on distractions caused by technology and on efforts that have been
made (or are needed) to assess and reduce the negative impact of distractions caused by
current and planned devices.  It will also consider technology that can prevent the
consequences of distraction.

Moderator:  Peter Appel, Administrator, Research and Innovative Technology
Administration

Speaker:  Dr. David Eby, Research Associate Professor and Head, Social and Behavioral Analysis, University of Michigan Transportation
  Research Institute
Speaker:  Rob Strassburger, Vice President, Alliance of Automobile  Manufacturers
Speaker:  Steve Largent, President and Chief Executive Officer,  International Association for Wireless Telecommunications
  Industry
Speaker: Michael Petricone, Senior Vice President, Government Affairs,   Consumer Electronics Association
Speaker:  Rod MacKenzie, Chief Technology Officer and Vice President of  Programs, Intelligent Transportation Society of America

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1

CONGRESSIONAL PRESENTATION
  
PANEL: LEGISLATION, REGULATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF DISTRACTED DRIVING
This panel session will review legislative and regulatory approaches for addressing
distracted driving; evaluations of the impact of such measures; enforcement issues; and
public attitudes towards the issue.

Moderator:  Peter Rogoff, Administrator, Federal Transit Administration

Speaker:  John D’Amico, Representative, Illinois General Assembly
Speaker:  Bruce Starr, Senator, Oregon Senate and Executive Committee Member of the National Conference of State Legislatures
Speaker: Steve Farley, Representative, Arizona House of Representatives
Speaker:  Major David Salmon, Director, Traffic Services Division, New    York State Police
Speaker:  Vernon Betkey, Chairman, Governors Highway Safety Association and Director of the Maryland Highway Safety Office

 
YOUTH PROGRAM

PANEL: PUBLIC AWARENESS AND EDUCATION
This panel will review initiatives to increase public awareness of safety issues such as
distracted driving, and will review research regarding the effectiveness of such efforts.

Moderator: Ron Medford, Acting Deputy Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Speaker:  Sandy Spavone, Executive Director, National Organization for Youth Safety
Speaker:  Chuck Hurley, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Speaker:  Ann Shoket, Editor-in-Chief, Seventeen Magazine
Speaker:  Janet Froetscher, President and Chief Executive Officer, National Safety Council
Speaker:  Dr. Adrian Lund, President, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

SECRETARY LAHOOD
CLOSING REMARKS AND ACTION PLAN

Airline On-Time Performance Improved in July

          The nation’s largest airlines had a rate of on-time flights this past July that was higher than both the same month last year and the mark posted in June 2009, according to the Air Travel Consumer Report released today by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). 

According to information filed with the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), a part of DOT’s Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA), the 19 carriers reporting on-time performance recorded an overall on-time arrival rate of 77.6 percent in July, better than both the 75.7 percent on-time rate of July 2008 and June 2009’s 76.1 percent. 

The monthly report also includes data on lengthy tarmac delays, flight cancellations and the causes of flight delays by the reporting carriers, as well as reports of mishandled baggage filed with the carriers, and consumer service, disability and discrimination complaints received by DOT’s Aviation Consumer Protection Division.  This report also includes reports of incidents involving pets traveling by air, as required to be filed by U.S. carriers.

Cancellations

The consumer report includes BTS data on the number of domestic flights canceled by the reporting carriers.  In July, the carriers canceled 1.2 percent of their scheduled domestic flights, lower than both the 1.7 percent cancellation rate of July 2008 and the 1.5 percent rate posted in June 2009.

Tarmac Delays

In July, the carriers filing on-time performance data reported that .028 percent of their scheduled flights had tarmac delays of three hours or more, down from .0499 percent in June.  There were 29 flights with tarmac delays of four hours or more in July. 

Causes of Flight Delays

            In July, the carriers filing on-time performance data reported that 6.89 percent of their flights were delayed by aviation system delays, compared to 7.69 percent in June; 7.33 percent by late-arriving aircraft, compared to 7.54 percent in June; 5.93 percent by factors within the airline’s control, such as maintenance or crew problems, compared to 5.94 percent in June; 0.74 percent by extreme weather, compared to 0.83 percent in June; and 0.04 percent for security reasons, the same percentage as June.  Weather is a factor in both the extreme-weather category and the aviation-system category. This includes delays due to the re-routing of flights by DOT’s Federal Aviation Administration in consultation with the carriers involved.  Weather is also a factor in delays attributed to late-arriving aircraft, although airlines do not report specific causes in that category.

Data collected by BTS also shows the percentage of late flights delayed by weather, including those reported in either the category of extreme weather or included in National Aviation System delays. In July, 39.42 percent of late flights were delayed by weather, down 11.16 percent from July 2008, when 44.37 percent of late flights were delayed by weather, and down 9.34 percent from June when 43.48 percent of late flights were delayed by weather.

Detailed information on flight delays and their causes is available on the BTS site on the World Wide Web at http://www.bts.gov.

Mishandled Baggage

The U.S. carriers reporting flight delays and mishandled baggage data posted a mishandled baggage rate of 3.98 reports per 1,000 passengers in July, an improvement over both July 2008’s rate of 4.87 and June 2009’s 4.17 rate. 

Incidents Involving Pets

In July, carriers reported six incidents involving the loss, death or injury of pets while traveling by air, identical to the total reported in July 2008 and up from June 2009’s five reports.  July’s incidents involved three deaths, two injuries and one lost pet. 

Complaints About Airline Service

In July, the Department received 827 complaints about airline service from consumers, down 24.3 percent from the 1,093 complaints filed in July 2008 but up 10.7 percent from the 747 complaints received in June 2009.

Complaints About Treatment of Disabled Passengers

The report also contains a tabulation of complaints filed with DOT in July against airlines regarding the treatment of passengers with disabilities.  The Department received a total of 53 disability-related complaints in July, lower than both the total of 65 complaints filed in July 2008 and the 54 received in June 2009. 

Complaints About Discrimination

In July, the Department received 17 complaints alleging discrimination by airlines due to factors other than disability – such as race, religion, national origin or sex – up from both the total of nine recorded in July 2008 and 10 received in June 2009. 
Consumers may file their complaints in writing with the Aviation Consumer Protection Division, U.S. Department of Transportation, C-75, W96-432, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20590; by voice mail at (202) 366-2220 or by TTY at (202) 366-0511; or on the web at http://airconsumer.dot.gov.

Consumers who want on-time performance data for specific flights should call their airline’s reservation number or their travel agent.  This information is available on the computerized reservation systems used by these agents. 

The Air Travel Consumer Report can be found on DOT’s World Wide Web site at http://airconsumer.dot.gov.   It is available in “pdf” and Microsoft Word format.

Facts
 

AIR TRAVEL CONSUMER REPORT
July 2009

KEY ON-TIME PERFORMANCE AND FLIGHT CANCELLATION STATISTICS
Based on Data Filed with the Bureau of Transportation Statistics
by the 19 Reporting Carriers

Overall

      77.6 percent on-time arrivals

Highest On-Time Arrival Rates

1. Hawaiian Airlines – 93.6 percent

2. Alaska Airlines – 87.2 percent

3. SkyWest Airlines - 83.6 percent

Lowest On-Time Arrival Rates 

1. Comair – 63.6 percent

2. Atlantic Southeast Airlines – 68.3 percent

3. AirTran Airways – 69.8 percent 

Most Frequently Delayed Flights

1.   Northwest Airlines flight 1266 from Boston to Tampa, FL – late 96.77 percent of the time
2.   Northwest Airlines flight 1554 from West Palm Beach, FL to Boston – late 96.77 percent of the time
3.   Pinnacle Airlines flight 896 from Knoxville, TN to Atlanta – late 93.10 percent of the time
4.   Comair flight 6511 from Omaha, NE to Atlanta – late 89.47 percent of the time
5.   Pinnacle Airlines flight 2923 from Detroit to La Crosse, WI/Winona, MN – late 85.71 percent of the time

Flights with Longest Tarmac Delays

1. Delta Air Lines flight 745 from New York JFK to Portland, OR, 7/26/09 – delayed on tarmac 392 minutes

2. Continental Airlines flight 432 from Houston to New York LaGuardia, 7/29/09 – delayed on tarmac 310 minutes

3. Continental Airlines flight 1176 from Chicago O’Hare to Newark, NJ, 7/29/09 – delayed on tarmac 299 minutes

4. US Airways flight 17 from New York JFK to Phoenix, 7/26/09 – delayed on tarmac 276 minutes

5. JetBlue Airways flight 34 from New York JFK to Rochester, NY, 7/26/09 – delayed on tarmac 268 minutes

Highest Rates of Canceled Flights

1.   Comair – 5.4 percent
2.   American Eagle Airlines – 2.2 percent
3.   Atlantic Southeast Airlines – 2.0 percent

Lowest Rates of Canceled Flights

1. Hawaiian Airlines – 0.1 percent

2. Alaska Airlines – 0.4 percent

3. Continental Airlines – 0.4 percent   

Cash for Clunkers Wraps up with Nearly 700,000 car sales and increased fuel efficiency, U.S. Transportation Secretary LaHood declares program “wildly successful”

The CARS program came to a close Tuesday night with nearly 700,000 clunkers taken off the roads, replaced by far more fuel efficient vehicles. Rebate applications worth $2.877 billion were submitted by the 8 p.m. deadline, under the $3 billion provided by Congress to run the program.

Cars made in America topped the most-purchased list, from the Ford Focus to the Toyota Corolla to the Honda Civic.

“American consumers and workers were the clear winners thanks to the cash for clunkers program,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “Manufacturing plants have added shifts and recalled workers. Moribund showrooms were brought back to life and consumers bought fuel efficient cars that will save them money and improve the environment.”

“This is one of the best economic news stories we’ve seen and I’m proud we were able to give consumers a helping hand,” Secretary LaHood said.

According to a preliminary analysis by the White House Council of Economic Advisers, the CARS program will:

• Boost economic growth in the third quarter of 2009 by 0.3-0.4 percentage points at an annual rate thanks to increased auto sales in July and August.
   

• Will sustain the increase in GDP in the fourth quarter because of increased auto production to replace depleted inventories.
  
   

• Will create or save 42,000 jobs in the second half of 2009. Those jobs are expected to remain well after the program’s close.

Ford and General Motors recently announced production increases for both the third and fourth quarters as a result of the demand generated by the program. Honda also said it will be increasing production at its U.S. plants in East Liberty and Marysville, Ohio and in Lincoln, Alabama.

In addition, the program provides good news for the environment. That’s because 84 percent of consumers traded in trucks and 59 percent purchased passenger cars. The average fuel economy of the vehicles traded in was 15.8 miles per gallon and the average fuel economy of vehicles purchased is 24.9 mpg. – a 58 percent improvement.

“This is a win for the economy, a win for the environment and a win for American consumers,” Secretary LaHood said.

With the end of transactions under the program, the Department of Transportation is augmenting a team that already includes more than 2,000 people processing dealer applications for rebates.

###
 

C.A.R.S. Program Statistics
Wednesday, August 26th, 2009

Dealer Transactions

Number Submitted:  690,114

Dollar Value:  $2,877.9M

Top 10 New Vehicles Purchased

1. Toyota Corolla

2. Honda  Civic

3. Toyota Camry

4. Ford Focus FWD

5. Hyundai Elantra

6. Nissan  Versa

7. Toyota Prius

8. Honda  Accord

9. Honda  Fit

10. Ford Escape FWD

New Vehicles Manufacturers

Toyota                         19.4%

General Motors            17.6%

Ford                             14.4%

Honda                          13.0%

Nissan                             8.7%

Hyundai                          7.2%

Chrysler                          6.6%

Kia                                  4.3%

Subaru                            2.5%

Mazda                             2.4%

Volkswagen                    2.0%

Suzuki                             0.6%

Mitsubishi                        0.5%

MINI                                 0.4%

Smart                              0.2%

Volvo                              0.1%

All Other                      <0.1%

Top 10 Trade-in Vehicles

1. Ford Explorer 4WD

2. Ford F150 Pickup 2WD

3. Jeep Grand Cherokee 4WD

4. Ford Explorer 2WD

5. Dodge  Caravan/Grand Caravan 2WD

6. Jeep Cherokee 4WD

7. Chevrolet Blazer 4WD

8. Chevrolet C1500 Pickup 2WD

9. Ford F150 Pickup 4WD

10. Ford Windstar FWD Van

Vehicles Purchased by Category

Passenger Cars:    404,046

Category 1 Truck:   231,651

Category 2 Truck:    46,836

Category 3 Truck:      2,408

Vehicle Trade-in by Category

Passenger Cars:      109,380

Category 1 Truck:    450,778

Category 2 Truck:    116,909

Category 3 Truck:        8,134

84% of trade-ins under the program are trucks, and 59% of new vehicles purchased are cars. The program worked far better than anyone anticipated at moving consumers out of old, dirty trucks and SUVs and into new more fuel-efficient cars.

Average Fuel Economy

New vehicles Mileage:  24.9 MPG

Trade-in Mileage:  15.8 MPG

Overall increase:  9.2 MPG, or a 58% improvement

Cars purchased under the program are, on average, 19% above the average fuel economy of all new cars currently available, and 59% above the average fuel economy of cars that were traded in. This means the program raised the average fuel economy of the fleet, while getting the dirtiest and most polluting vehicles off the road.


 

Requested Voucher Dollar Amount by State:

• Recognize that bicyclists have a right to ride on the roadway;

• Always stay alert;

• Make a visual check for bicyclists by checking mirrors and blind spots before entering or leaving a lane of traffic.

Cyclists should:

• Ride on the roadway or shared pathways, rather than on sidewalks;

• Follow the same rules of the road as other roadway users, including riding in the same direction as traffic and following all the same traffic signs and signals;

• Wear a bicycle helmet every time you ride;

• Make yourself  visible by wearing bright colors during the day, reflective gear (clothing, arm or leg bands, etc.) in low light conditions,- and use head and tail lights at night.

To review NHTSA’s latest bicyclist and other cyclist traffic safety facts, click here: http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/810986.PDF

Briefing Room

Secretary LaHood:  TIGER Discretionary Grants Will Target Major-Impact Transportation Projects, Job Creation

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced the availability of $1.5 billion in TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) Discretionary Grants for capital investment in surface transportation projects.  Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis to projects that have a significant impact on the nation, a region or metropolitan area and can create jobs and benefit economically distressed areas.   

“TIGER discretionary funding will open up the door to many new innovative and cutting-edge transportation projects,” said Secretary LaHood.  “This is exciting news and I believe that these projects will promote greater mobility, a cleaner environment and more livable communities.”

The grants can range from $20 million up to $300 million to support high impact transportation projects.  Secretary LaHood can waive the minimum grant requirement for beneficial projects in smaller cities, regions or states.  The U.S. Department of Transportation will require rigorous economic justifications for projects over $100 million.  To ensure responsible spending, the department will require all fund recipients to report on their activities on a routine basis.

The solicitation published in the Federal Register today provides clear criteria for the department to make merit-based decisions on the new discretionary program. 

Primary selection criteria include contributing to the medium- to long-term economic competitiveness of the nation, improving the condition of existing transportation facilities and systems, improving the quality of living and working environments through livable communities, improving energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving the safety of U.S. transportation facilities.

The Department will also give priority to projects that are expected to quickly create and preserve jobs and stimulate rapid increases in economic activity, especially projects that will benefit economically distressed areas. 

Applications for TIGER discretionary grants must be submitted by September 15, 2009, from state and local governments, including U.S. territories, tribal governments, transit agencies, port authorities and others.  Comments on the criteria must be received by June 1, 2009.  The Federal Register notice can be accessed by clicking here. 

New Study: Higher Seat Belt Use Could Save Many Lives
Research Kicks Off “Click It or Ticket” Nationwide
Enforcement Campaign Set To Run May 18-31

A U.S. Department of Transportation study released today estimates that 1,652 lives could be saved and 22,372 serious injuries avoided each year on America’s roadways if seat belt use rates rose to 90 percent in every state.  The new research report, based on 2007 data, also estimates that seat belts saved a stunning 15,147 lives that year.  The study’s findings were released today as the Department launched its “Click It or Ticket” nationwide enforcement campaign.

“Wearing a seat belt costs nothing and yet it’s the single most effective traffic safety device ever invented,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “We want to let the American people know that by failing to wear your seat belt, you not only risk serious injury or death, you also risk getting a ticket.”
 

The “Click It or Ticket” campaign is set to run from May 18 to May 31. The mobilization, expected to involve more than 10,000 police agencies, is supported by $8 million in national advertising funded through Congress and coordinated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).  The ads, which will air in English and Spanish, generate awareness of the increased enforcement efforts and the increased chance of getting a ticket if you are not buckled up.  Ads will be aired on television, radio, and online. 
 

The estimated national seat belt use rate – which stood at 83 percent in 2008 - is based on NHTSA’s National Occupant Protection Use Survey. One of five Americans still fails to buckle up regularly.  
 

Speaking before students at a news conference at a suburban Virginia high school, Secretary LaHood underscored the worrisome reality that seat belt use rates are relatively low among teenagers. Of the 4,540 16-to-20 year old passenger vehicle occupants killed in 2007, 2,502 were unbelted at the time of the crash. Teen belt use rates are especially low at night. In 2007, nearly two-thirds (65 percent) of the 16 to-20 year olds killed in nighttime crashes were unbelted at the time.
 

“Young people often think they’re invincible. Yet like everyone in a passenger vehicle, they’re tremendously vulnerable in the event of a crash,” Secretary LaHood said.
 

To view the research report, click here: http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811140.PDF

U.S. Transportation Secretary LaHood Honors Mariners Who Participated in Rescue of Passengers and Crew of USAIR Flight 1549
    
      (New York, NY) – U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today presented Merchant Marine Outstanding Achievement Medals to civilian mariners who participated in the rescue of the passengers and crew of US Airways Flight 1549. The event was held at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York City, overlooking the site of the Flight 1549 crash landing on the Hudson River. 
     
      “These extraordinary men and women woke up on a cold January morning, expecting an ordinary day,” said Sec. LaHood. “Yet by the time they got to bed that night, they were true heroes. Thanks to their bravery and skill, they helped save more than a hundred lives.”
     
      Within minutes of the crash of US Airways Flight 1549 last January, civilian mariners on the Hudson River responded to the scene and began the work of rescuing survivors from the downed aircraft. Many of the civilian vessels also volunteered to ferry New York City first responders, fire and police personnel to the crash site. Their actions helped save the lives of all 155 passengers and crew members aboard.

      The Merchant Marine Medal for Outstanding Achievement recognizes individuals who have made extraordinarily valuable contributions to the merchant marine. In all, 72 civilian mariners who participated in the rescue of the passengers and crew from Flight 1549 will receive medals.  
     
      On Wednesday, seven representatives from companies and private vessels involved in the rescue effort joined Sec. LaHood and other officials on-stage to receive medals in the official ceremony: Scott Keon, M/V Lt. Michael P. Murphy; Captain Vincent Lombardi, New York Waterway; Captain Ed Werber, Circle Line; Robert Giordano, New York Water Taxi; Greg Hanchrow, Staten Island Ferry; Captain Kenneth Poesl, Ken’s Marine; and Glenn Miller, Miller’s Launch.

      A full list of the 72 Merchant Marine Medal for Outstanding Achievement recipients is below.

Kareem Abraham, New York Water Taxi
Santo Agusta, Miller’s Launch
Michael Albury, Ken’s Marine
John Angelillo, Staten Island Ferry
Osman Berete, New York Waterway
Natale Binetti, New York Waterway
Steve Black, New York Waterway
Dave Carhart, New York Water Taxi
Justin Carter, New York Water Taxi
Pepe Carumba, New York Waterway
Britanny Catanzaro, New York Waterway
Edward Cieslak, Ken’s Marine
Adam Clark, Miller’s Launch
Danny Convery, New York Waterway
Daniel Correa, New York Water Taxi
Mark Davidoff, New York Water Taxi
Robert Dunn, New York Waterway
Rich Engel, New York Water Taxi
Gulio Farnese, New York Waterway
Tom Fitzgerald, Circle Line
Robert Ford, New York Waterway
Tom Fox, New York Water Taxi
Angel Freire, Circle Line
Andrew Galarza, New York Waterway
Robert Giordano, New York Water Taxi
Xavier Gonzalez, New York Waterway
Mohamed Gouda, New York Waterway
Martin Haines, New York Water Taxi
Greg Hanchrow, Staten Island Ferry
Harry Hawk, New York Water Taxi
Frank Illuzi, New York Waterway
Michael Jordan, New York Water Taxi
Scott Koen, M/V LT. Michael P. Murphy
Manny Liba, New York Waterway
Vincent Lombardi, New York Waterway
Chris Loughrey, Miller’s Launch
Vince Lucante, New York Waterway
Carl Lucas, New York Waterway
Ross McDonagh, New York Water Taxi
David Martin, New York Waterway
John Mason, Circle Line
Terrance Maxwell, New York Waterway
Luis Melendez, New York Water Taxi
Cosmo Mezzina, New York Waterway
Glenn Miller, Miller’s Launch
Eddie Pagan, New York Water Taxi
Gregorio Pages, New York Waterway
Tom Paladino, New York Water Taxi
Mike Pellisi, New York Water Taxi
Jason Peters, New York Waterway
Shelly Phillip, New York Water Taxi
Kenneth Poesl, Ken’s Marine
Hector Rabanes, New York Waterway
Richard Redmond, Circle Line
Wilfredo Rivera, New York Waterway
Juan Rosario, New York Waterway
Luis Salerno, New York Waterway
Roger Sander, Staten Island Ferry
Endy Santana, New York Water Taxi
Dale Shaw, New York Water Taxi
Quaseim Smith, New York Water Taxi
Ted Sondergaard, New York Water Taxi
Michael Starr, New York Waterway
Jose Torres, New York Waterway
Sven Van Vatavia, Miller’s Launch
John Veriffimo, New York Waterway
Matt Warta, New York Waterway
Ed Werber, Circle Line
John Winarski, New York Waterway
Pete Zdrakas, Circle Line
Vince Zeppie, New York Water Taxi
Gadi Zofi, Ken’s Marine

President’s Budget Recommends $1.83 Billion for Transit Construction, Including 10 New Projects Across the Nation

On Thursday, President Obama recommended to Congress $1.83 billion in funding for major transit projects that will create jobs and increase transportation options throughout the United States. More than $600 million of those funds are being recommended for new projects in areas as diverse as Northern New Jersey; Austin, Texas; and Roaring Fork Valley, Colo.  A list of projects and their descriptions is available at:  http://www.fta.dot.gov/publications/reports/reports_to_congress/publications_9672.html

“By reinvesting in our nation’s transit infrastructure, we are making our communities more livable, invigorating the local economy, and putting America back to work,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said.

The spending plan, included in President Obama’s Budget submitted to Congress yesterday, announces recommendations by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to invest $604.3 million in 10 new or expanding transit projects — five projects under the New Starts Program, which provides federal funding for major capital construction projects, and five projects under the Small Starts Program, which funds smaller transit projects.

The plan also continues funding for 29 projects already, or soon to be, under construction that have received commitments for federal funding in previous years. Also, in a separate announcement this week, LaHood made available an additional $742.5 million in American Reinvestment and Recovery Act funds for 11 of these projects. 

An additional 13 proposals were evaluated by the FTA, but are not yet advanced enough to be considered for funding.  FTA’s Annual Report on Funding Recommendations for New and Small Starts for Fiscal Year 2010 provides information and ratings for all projects in the New Starts and Small Starts programs. 

Statement of U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood on the Departure of Deputy Secretary Thomas J. Barrett

      Tom Barrett leaves the Department of Transportation with my deepest gratitude for all the fine work he has done here.  I was delighted that he agreed to remain in office during the transition between administrations, and his knowledge and wisdom have proved indispensable in helping us get a quick start on economic recovery and other urgent priorities. 

      In his earlier role as the first administrator of DOT’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Tom undertook the hard work of organizing a new federal agency with a critical safety mission. 
     
      Tom’s work at the Department, following a 35-year Coast Guard career in which he attained the position of Vice Commandant, adds up to a distinguished career of service to the public – one filled with accomplishments of which he can be proud. 

      I wish Tom all the best as he becomes Deputy Federal Coordinator at the Office of the Federal Coordinator for Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Projects.  He will be missed.

BTS Releases Fourth-Quarter 2008 Air Fare Data;
Average Fourth-Quarter Domestic Air Fares Drop from Third Quarter
Top 100 Airports: Highest Fare in Cincinnati, Lowest Fare at Dallas Love

            Average domestic air fares in the fourth quarter of 2008 of $347 were 3.7 percent lower than the all-time quarterly high set in the third quarter but were still the highest for any fourth quarter on record, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA), reported today. 

            A press release containing information about fourth-quarter average fares and the Air Travel Price Index, a quarterly measure of changes in airfares is available at www.dot.gov/affairs/briefing.htm.  Additional information about air fares in the fourth quarter, including average fares for the top 100 airports, and about ATPI, including indexes for foreign-origin itineraries and the top 85 air travel markets based on originating passengers, can be found on the BTS website, http://www.bts.gov/xml/atpi/src/index.xml.

Multiple airport areas for which a single average fare calculation is available are: Boston, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Washington, DC.

Airports covered by average fare calculations are:

STATEMENT OF

KAREN VAN DYKE

ACTING DIRECTOR, POSITIONING, NAVIGATION, AND TIMING

RESEARCH AND INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY ADMINISTRATION

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

BEFORE THE

NATIONAL SECURITY AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS SUBCOMMITTEE

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT AND GOVERNMENT REFORM

HEARING ON:

GPS: CAN WE AVOID A GAP IN SERVICE?

MAY 7, 2009

Chairman Tierney, Ranking Member Flake, and Members of the Subcommittee:

I am Karen Van Dyke, Acting Director for Positioning, Navigation and Timing in the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA).  I appreciate the opportunity to appear before you today to discuss the criticality of the Global Positioning System to the civil user community.

GPS technology is increasingly woven into the fabric of American society, from cars and planes to cell phones and wristwatches. It improves productivity and efficiency in many areas of commerce. For example, today’s construction, farming, mining, shipping, surveying, and traffic management systems have become dependent on GPS. The technology enhances public safety by preventing transportation accidents and by reducing the response times of ambulances, firefighters, and other emergency services. It allows agriculture operations to continue through low visibility field conditions such as rain, dust, fog and darkness, and to apply chemicals precisely, reducing environmental impact while reducing production costs. GPS also furthers scientific aims such as weather forecasting, earthquake prediction, and environmental protection.

Furthermore, the precise GPS time signal, derived from atomic clocks, is embedded in critical economic activities such as synchronizing communication networks, managing power grids, and authenticating electronic transactions.

Importance of GPS to NextGen

Of particular interest to the Department of Transportation is the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) program.  NextGen is a wide-ranging transformation of the national air transportation system to meet future demand and support the economic viability of the system while reducing delays, improving safety, and protecting the environment. NextGen will change the way the system operates – reducing congestion, noise, and emissions, expanding capacity and improving the passenger experience. NextGen is a highly complex, multilayered, evolutionary process of developing and implementing new technologies and procedures.

NextGen will reduce fuel burn and greenhouse gas emissions, allow more direct, time-based routings, enable safer operations, and reduce runway incursions.  United Airlines already has pioneered the use of tailored arrivals based on GPS from Honolulu to San Francisco, with a fuel savings of 1,600 pounds per flight.

GPS is the foundation for NextGen navigation and surveillance. The continuity of funding and integrity of the planned launch schedule of the GPS constellation is vital to the nation moving ahead with NextGen.

Commitment to GPS

I would like to thank the Air Force for their dedicated service in providing extremely reliable operation of GPS since it achieved Initial Operating Capability in 1993.  The United States clearly is the leader in space-based positioning, navigation, and timing and we must continue to maintain and improve GPS, its augmentations, and backup capabilities to meet growing national security, homeland security, economic security, civil, and scientific demands, and to maintain this U.S. technology leadership position.

Sustainability of the GPS constellation is critical to users worldwide. The Department of Transportation is committed to modernization of GPS and providing funding to ensure the development and modernization of the next generation of GPS to provide new civil capabilities.  Fully funding the DOT portion of GPS modernization is critical to ensuring that the GPS III program remains on schedule to ensure future constellation sustainment.

The Department of Transportation is confident that the Department of Defense will continue to operate GPS at or above the minimum GPS Performance Standard commitment of 21 healthy satellites 98 percent of the time, equivalent to 24 healthy satellites 95 percent of the time and will find innovative methods to extend the life of the GPS satellites to prevent any gaps in availability.  We recognize that GPS has exceeded performance commitments with 30 satellites currently operational, and that some users may have come to expect this level of service.

Mitigation of Disruption

The Department of Transportation is a provider, as well as a user, of GPS services, augmenting the GPS signal to improve accuracy and integrity.  FAA provides the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS), and RITA coordinates resources and plans for the inland component of the  Nationwide Differential GPS System (NDGPS), operated and maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard. WAAS and NDGPS stations are a part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)-managed national Continuously Operating Reference Stations or CORS network of over 1300 permanently operating GPS receivers maintained by over 200 federal, academic and private organizations.  The U.S. Air Force, U.S. Coast Guard, and the Federal Aviation Administration have agreements to coordinate and provide notification of GPS performance and any disruptions of GPS service to the user community.

For aviation users relying on unaugmented GPS, when the constellation is at its minimum GPS Performance Standard commitment, outages will be experienced on a routine basis, which could result in complaints and economic impact.  For users who equip with GPS augmented by WAAS, the impacts are reduced, supporting minimum availability requirements of 99% or more. 

However, like any radionavigation system, GPS is vulnerable to interference that can be reduced, but not eliminated.  In 2001, RITA’s Volpe National Transportation Systems Center issued the “Vulnerability Assessment of the Transportation Infrastructure Relying on the Global Positioning System”.  The findings of this assessment indicated that there was awareness within the transportation community of risks associated with use of GPS as a primary means for position determination and precision timing.  Due to the reliance of transportation on GPS signals, it is essential that threats be mitigated and alternative back-ups be available, and the system be hardened for critical applications. DOT has determined that sufficient alternative navigation aids currently exist in the event of a loss of GPS based services.

Potential back-up capabilities to GPS are being explored as part of a National Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) Architecture study, initiated in 2006 at the request of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Networks and Information Integration and DOT’s Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy. The overarching goal of the architecture, with GPS as its cornerstone, is intended to overcome identified capability gaps, and achieve an evolutionary path to providing integrated space-based, terrestrial, and autonomous solutions in the 2025 time period that will ensure the continuity of government-provided PNT services. 

In conclusion, I would like to thank the Committee for allowing me to discuss the civil user perspective of GPS.  The Department of Transportation is committed to continue our strong working relationship with the Department of Defense to maintain our global leadership in space-based PNT.

I would be glad to answer any questions you may have.

STATEMENT OF

ROY KIENITZ

UNDER SECRETARY OF POLICY

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

BEFORE THE

COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION 

SUBCOMMITTEE ON SURFACE TRANSPORTATION AND MERCHANT

MARINE INFRASTRUCTURE, SAFETY, AND SECURITY

U.S. SENATE

HEARING ON

PIRACY ON THE HIGH SEAS:

 Protecting our

Ships, Crews, and Passengers

May 5, 2009

Chairman Lautenberg, Ranking Member Thune, and Members of the Subcommittee:

I am pleased to have the opportunity to appear before you today to discuss the serious threat stemming from the ongoing piracy problem on the high seas.

Throughout 2008 and continuing into 2009, the global piracy situation has grown substantially worse – particularly in an ever-expanding area off the coast of Somalia, where more than 20,000 vessels transit the region each year.  The impact of piracy has been very significant but the American public has only recently been made more aware of the situation with the attacks on two American flag vessels, the MAERSK ALABAMA and the LIBERTY SUN (both of which were carrying food aid for Somalia.)

Acts of piracy threaten freedom of navigation and the flow of commerce.  Pirates frequently demand millions of dollars in ransom for the release of hostages, ships and cargoes.  Press reports indicate that in 2008, pirates received an estimated $30 million dollars in ransoms for the release of pirated vessels.  In 2008, 42 vessels were seized by pirates operating off the coast of Somalia.  Globally, 889 mariners were held hostage by pirates (815 in Somalia) as part of ransom demands.  The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) reports that in 2008, globally, 11 mariners were murdered by pirates and another 21 are missing and presumed dead.  The IMB also reported that during the same period, off the Horn of Africa, four mariners were killed and 14 are missing and presumed dead.

The vessels most vulnerable to piracy attacks are those traveling slowly (with limited speed capabilities) and with low freeboard – that is to say, there is not much height between the water and the deck level.  At any given time during the past nine months, more than a dozen vessels and their crews have been held hostage off the Somali coast.  Currently, 18 commercial ships are being held for ransom by pirates in Somalia, along with more than 300 crewmembers.  One reason for the success of piracy and ransom taking is that the government in Somalia is ineffective and this has enabled pirates to operate with virtual impunity. 

The Gulf of Aden, which links the Mediterranean Sea and the Suez Canal with the Indian Ocean, is one of the busiest shipping choke points in the world.  On average, 50 commercial vessels transit the Gulf daily.  Many of these vessels are potential targets.  More than 3.3 million barrels of oil pass through the Gulf of Aden every day, representing 4% of the world’s total daily production and 12% of all the oil transported by water daily around the world by sea.  In addition, numerous other cargoes and container freight pass through the Gulf daily. 

Approximately 80% of the vessels transiting the Gulf of Aden carry cargo destined to and from Europe, East Africa, South Asia, and the Far East.  However, a significant portion of cargoes is also destined to or from the United States.  In addition, U.S. citizens serve as crew or are passengers on vessels transiting the area.

On average, at least one U.S. commercial vessel transits the area each day. Many of these U.S.-flag vessels carry Department of Defense cargo bound for Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom.  U.S.-flag vessels transiting the region also carry humanitarian cargoes generated by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) or international organizations to the Horn of Africa, including Djibouti and, Somalia and to other countries in East Africa or South Asia. 

As mentioned, piracy off the Horn of Africa significantly increased through 2008 and into 2009, with more than 150 attacks and 55 successful piracies.  The cost and disruption to the flow of commerce overall are significant.  Press reports indicate that, in addition to merchant mariners killed or presumed dead, hundreds, including American mariners, have been traumatized by being attacked and held hostage, and even by the uncertainties generated by the growing instability of the region. 

Ship owners and operators are also adversely affected by rising daily operating costs, due to increased insurance premiums and operational delays caused by longer transit times or diversions to avoid the area.  In many cases, there are additional costs related to transiting or circumventing the higher risk area.  This is particularly true where vessels are diverted around the Cape of Good Hope in an effort to avoid the Gulf of Aden altogether, which increases labor costs, fuel consumption and the carbon footprint of marine transportation.  Higher shipping costs also raise the costs of commodities for local populations. 

The United States has been a leader in promoting collaborative international action to combat the current piracy crisis.  Historically, it has been our nation’s long-standing policy to support freedom of the seas.  In July 2008, the United States took a leadership role in the United Nations fight against piracy.  This resulted in United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolution 1816, which authorized countries cooperating with the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia, for which advance notification has been provided to the Secretary-General, to enter Somali territorial waters to repress piracy.  This was followed by additional Security Council Resolutions 1838 and 1846 in the fall of 2008.  In December 2008, the United States drafted UN Security Council Resolution 1851, which authorizes countries cooperating with the TFG of Somalia to enter Somali territory to repress piracy.  The Security Council subsequently, adopted this resolution.

UN Security Council Resolution 1851, also encouraged the establishment of an international cooperation mechanism -- known now as the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia (CGPCS).  The CGPCS has 28 nations as members, 6 international organization observers, with 7 additional countries pending requests to participate.[1]  The Department of State leads the United States participation in the CGPCS.  The CGPCS acts as a common point of contact between and among states, regional and international organizations on all aspects of combating piracy and armed robbery at sea off Somalia’s coast, and specifically includes outreach to the commercial maritime industry.  The CGPCS held plenary meetings in January at the United Nations in New York City and in Cairo in mid-March.  The CGPCS will meet again on May 29 in New York City.

The CGPCS established four working groups that are providing recommendations to the CGPCS.  Working Group #1 is addressing activities related to military and operational coordination and is chaired by the United Kingdom.  Working Group #2 is addressing judicial aspects of piracy and is chaired by Denmark.  The United States has the lead for Working Group #3, which focuses on shipping self-awareness and interaction with industry.  The Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) and the Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Coast Guard have been co-leading efforts with this Working Group.  Working Group #4 is tasked to offer recommendations to improve diplomatic and public information efforts and is chaired by Egypt.  The U.S. will propose on May 29 the creation of Working Group #5 to explore the feasibility of tracking and freezing the assets of pirates and those who support them.

The UN Security Council resolutions called for greater cooperation between governments and industry to reduce the incidence of piracy.  In January 2009, former Secretary of State Rice stated that, "Once a hostage situation develops, the stakes in military operations increase.  Consequently, an important part of counter-piracy efforts must be measured in enhancing self-defense capabilities of commercial vessels, increasing the odds of success against pirates until warships arrive."   This sentiment certainly still holds true today and we saw evidence of this in the highjacking of the MAERSK ALABAMA.

Because of its specialized knowledge, such as operation of our mobility sealift vessels, and established relationships with U.S. and international shipping, maritime unions, the marine insurance community and global maritime industry associations, MARAD has considerable experience in dealing with the diverse interests of the global maritime industry and is actively involved in the fight against piracy.  MARAD operates a fleet of Ready Reserve Force (RRF) vessels which have transited the Gulf of Aden region in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom (OIF/OEF).  As OIF winds down, RRF vessels may be called upon to play a significant role again in support of the demobilization of forces, with a consequence of exposing the vessels and crews to threats from pirate attacks. 

Further, many vessels supported by MARAD’s Maritime Security Program (MSP), participate in the Agency’s Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement (VISA) and transit the Gulf of Aden on a routine basis.  The MAERSK ALABAMA is one of the 60 vessels enrolled in the MSP.  MARAD also has oversight over government cargoes transiting the region – particularly food aid and military cargoes that are carried mainly aboard U.S.-flag commercial vessels transiting the Gulf.  Finally, as an interface between U.S. maritime labor and the federal government, MARAD also has great interest in protecting the welfare of U.S. mariners who sail aboard vessels in the region. 

MARAD provides operational advice to U.S.-flag owners and operators, including counter-piracy measures and awareness, on a regular basis through MARAD Advisories, through a comprehensive and frequently updated website, and through MARAD’s electronic “MARVIEW” system which is available to registered users.   We also play a key role in the training of merchant mariners through the development of International Maritime Organization (IMO) maritime security courses and workforce development.  Working with the Coast Guard and IMO, Vessel Security Officer, Company Security Officer, and Facility Security Officer, courses were developed by the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA).  MARAD continues to certify maritime security training providers who meet the criteria established by the Coast Guard.  To date, more than 50 training providers have been certified across the country.  Efforts are also being made to include anti-piracy and security training in the academic programs at USMMA and the state maritime schools.

In late December 2008, the Department of State asked MARAD to assist with the CGPCS Industry Outreach Working Group.  To this end, MARAD has met on numerous occasions with industry to help shape best management practices to counter piracy and to share industry concerns with U.S. government agencies.  In late December, the National Security Council published an action plan entitled, “Countering Piracy off the Horn of Africa: Partnership & Action Plan” (CPAP).  MARAD was actively involved in developing this plan, and posted the CPAP on its website for the benefit of industry. 

MARAD strongly supported the Military Sealift Command’s proposal to create and implement “Anti-Piracy Assessment Teams” for commercial vessels. These teams consist of personnel from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, and MARAD.  On a voluntary basis, these teams board U.S.-flag vessels and offer recommendations on how to improve a vessel’s physical defenses against piracy, and review security tactics, techniques and procedures.  To date, a number of successful Anti-Piracy Assessment Team vessel assessments and recommendations have been completed.  We expect this process to be embraced by the international community for similar implementation.

MARAD’s continuing outreach to the maritime industry on the piracy issue has taken many forms.  In addition to leading informal meetings and participating in international forums, MARAD has hosted several collaborative meetings with both the American and international maritime industry community and appropriate federal agencies.  For example, in October and November 2008, MARAD and the Department of State sponsored meetings with representatives from the maritime industry to specifically discuss piracy in the Gulf of Aden.  Participants included company security officers from major U.S. flag carriers,  including American President Lines (APL), Horizon Lines, Maersk, Intermarine, Interamerican Ocean Shipping, American Roll On/Roll Off, Crowley, American Overseas Marine, and Ocean Shipholdings.  Flag states with U.S.-owned vessels or with vessels serving strategic U.S. interests also participated, including representatives from Denmark, Marshall Islands, Liberia and Panama.  The U.S. Navy’s Maritime Liaison Office Bahrain and the United Kingdom’s Maritime Transport Office were also included. Topics specifically addressed at these meetings were maneuvering and speed, illumination, communication, duress terminology, armed force protection, and self-defense devices which may be used to deter piracy.

At the request of the maritime industry, MARAD facilitated extensive discussions on piracy with the Department of State, Department of Defense, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Department of Homeland Security’s Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Coast Guard.  In November 2008, MARAD participated in a public hearing hosted by the Coast Guard, focused on piracy initiatives being considered by the International Maritime Organization’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC).  In December 2008, MARAD staff played an instrumental role in several other international planning events related to piracy.  MARAD participated in the NATO Senior Civil Emergency Planning Committee (SCEPC) meeting held in Brussels, Belgium, which included piracy as an agenda item.  MARAD chairs the NATO Planning Board on Ocean Shipping, which reports to the SCEPC.    

On December 2, 2008, MARAD hosted a Piracy Round Table meeting to discuss industry “self-help” and best practices to counter piracy.  This meeting brought U.S. government agencies together with the maritime industry to develop a mutual understanding of the problem and to develop best practices recommendations.  Members of the industry included shipping associations, registries, carriers, marine insurance companies and representatives from the European Union.  U.S. government representatives included personnel from the Coast Guard, Department of State, Department of Defense, Office of Naval Intelligence, USAID, the National Security Council, and the Homeland Security Council.  MARAD established an Anti-Piracy portal on the Agency’s website, which is continuously updated.  MARAD Advisories are posted on this site as are any recent developments and key contact information.

MARAD hosted an international maritime industry Piracy Summit on December 11, 2008, with representatives from more than 50 industry associations, insurers, shipping companies, and labor to encourage them to further develop best management practices to combat piracy and to implement these strategies.  Representatives from government included the Department of State, the Coast Guard, U.S. Transportation Command, Office of Naval Intelligence and Military Sealift Command.

In late December, MARAD joined the Department of State for discussions in London between representatives of European Union navies and maritime trade associations.  The purpose of these discussions was to further develop and implement best management practices and to improve communication between maritime companies and military forces in the Gulf of Aden region.  MARAD continues to meet with industry to finalize best management practices and share industry concerns with government agencies.

In early 2009, MARAD intensified its efforts in the fight against piracy to further improve coordination between industry and the various navies participating in the Gulf of Aden, to provide voluntary assessments of security on U.S. vessels, and to further establish best management practices to prevent piracy and to bring industry’s perspectives and ideas to the interagency.  Additional industry meetings, UN meetings, meetings hosted by the Baltic International Maritime Council (BIMCO) and a counter-piracy meeting held in Dubai and hosted by the Maritime Liaison Office in Bahrain, have all pursued these objectives.  Since maritime labor is uniquely vulnerable to pirate attacks, with mariners having been killed or held hostage as part of ransom demands, MARAD has included maritime labor in many of the discussions and meetings.

The Maritime Administration led the U.S. delegation of Working Group #3 at the meeting of the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia in March of 2009 and presented the international industry developed (and MARAD facilitated) “Best Management Practices” (BMPs) to counter piracy.  MARAD also supported the dissemination of counter piracy guidance and supported better coordination between military and civilian operators in the region.

MARAD has further developed its electronic information system “MARVIEW” and contributed to the Maritime Safety and Security Information System (MSSIS) for the purposes of providing more efficient piracy related data.  MARAD is providing U.S. flag projected schedules in the waters off Somalia to the National Maritime Intelligence Center (NMIC) and vessel tracking information on U.S. flag carriers to appropriate military authorities.

Given limited military resources available to fully protect commercial shipping in the waters off Somalia, there is an increasing focus on the issue of shipping companies hiring private armed security personnel to protect their vessels while transiting the waters off Somalia.  There are many complicated factors which must be addressed before the industry, as a whole, can adopt this recommendation.  These include the need to develop appropriate standards for armed security providers, compliance with port state restrictions on arms aboard merchant vessel entering many ports in the world, and consideration of potential escalation of violence due to the presence of arms onboard commercial vessels, issues of safety for the crew and vessel, rules on the use of force, design constraints of vessels to carry additional personnel, union contract issues, insurance and liability issues and many other related factors. We recognize that in appropriate circumstances, on certain vessels determined to be at high risk, properly screened and certified third-party security providers with firearms, operating in compliance with applicable coastal, port and flag state laws can be an effective deterrent to pirate attacks.

The Government is examining the options of recommending, or possibly directing U.S.-flagged vessels to use armed security teams while transiting near Somalia.  Some U.S.-flagged owners and operators have used armed security teams while transiting near Somalia and have found it to be an effective anti-piracy tool.

Most recently, MARAD has engaged the marine insurance industry to determine the effects of the piracy situation on insurance rates and to determine the effects on insurance if vessels carry armed security personnel aboard.  MARAD will continue to work with industry to determine whether and to what extent armed security might be used aboard commercial vessels in certain circumstances.

It is clear that combating international piracy is no small effort, evidenced by its long history.  Much work has already taken place, but much remains to be done, before international piracy can be eliminated.  Due to its unique and positive relationship with U.S.-flag and international vessel owners, MARAD has maintained a vital role in the development of U.S. anti-piracy policy.  Additionally, through its training role, MARAD provides a valuable service to the commercial fleet.  

Mr. Chairman, the Department of Transportation stands ready to assist in any way possible to address piracy and any other issue that threatens the national and economic security of the United States and our allies. 

Thanks you again for holding this hearing today.  I will be happy to answer any questions you might have.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Announces $75 Million  in Federal Funding for Eastside Extension of Portland Streetcar Loop
U.S. Company Oregon Ironworks, Inc. to Manufacture Seven New Streetcars

The U.S. Department of Transportation today announced $75 million in federal funding for the Portland Streetcar expansion, a major boost for communities surrounding the $127 million, 18-station, 3.3-mile eastside extension, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said today.

“This streetcar project will not only offer Portland residents additional options for getting around, but will also spur economic development along the line and create opportunities for employment,” LaHood said.

Secretary LaHood and members of the Oregon Congressional delegation announced the Portland project as part of the Department’s ongoing livable communities initiative to promote sustainable surface transportation programs that are more safe, reliable and cost-effective for commuters.

The proposed extension, across the Willamette River from the existing Westside Streetcar Loop, will connect to 10th Street and Lovejoy in the Pearl District northwest of downtown Portland, and then run south along Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Grand Avenue, terminating near the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI).

Upon completion, the eastside extension of the Portland Streetcar Loop will include 18 new stations, seven new vehicles and significant capital improvements to the Broadway Bridge to accommodate streetcar operations.  Oregon Ironworks, Inc., based in Clackamas, Oregon, will manufacture the seven new vehicles.

The proposed service will operate every 12 minutes during weekday peak periods. Revenue operations will begin in 2011.  The line is expected to carry approximately 8,700 passengers daily.

A portion of the total project cost is being funded by FTA’s Small Starts program, aimed at promoting less costly but effective transit projects. To be eligible for the program, the request for Small Starts funding must be no greater than $75 million and the total project cost must be less than $250 million.

U.S. DOT Doubles Roof Strength Standard for Light Vehicles
Announces First Ever Standards for Heavier Vehicles

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced tough, new roof standards that will significantly strengthen vehicle roof structures and improve rollover crash protection.

“Rollovers are the deadliest crashes on our highways and today’s rule will help occupants survive these horrific events,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.  

The new regulation from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will double the current roof strength requirement for light vehicles weighing up to 6,000 pounds.  It specifies that both the driver and passenger sides of the roof must be capable of withstanding a force equal to three times the weight of the vehicle. 

The current standard calls for roofs to withstand 1.5 times the weight of the vehicle, applied to one side of the roof, for light vehicles up to 6,000 pounds.

Heavier vehicles from 6,000 to 10,000 pounds, which have never been regulated, must now have both sides of the roof capable of withstanding a force equal to 1.5 times the weight of the vehicle.

The phase-in schedule, which begins in September 2012, will be completed for all affected vehicles by the 2017 model year. 

Secretary LaHood also reminded Americans that wearing a safety belt will significantly improve the chance of survival in a rollover crash.  They keep people in their seats and can prevent them from being ejected in rollover crashes

“These new standards go a long way toward reducing deaths, but safety belts are the first, most important step everyone should take to protecting themselves and their families,” he said.
The tougher roof crush requirements are part of a comprehensive plan to address rollover crashes, which kill about 10,000 people annually.   That approach includes a mandated electronic stability control system, which helps prevent the rollover from occurring. 

 The final rule will be available later today on NHTSA’s website.  www.nhtsa.gov

U.S. DOT Announces New Consumer Program for Child Safety Seats

The U.S. Department of Transportation announced today that it will create a new consumer program to help parents and caregivers find a child seat that fits in their vehicle.   The new program is the result of a comprehensive review ordered by Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to improve child passenger safety and Federal child seat standards.

Secretary LaHood also ordered the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to develop a new side impact safety standard for car seats.  Side impact crashes account for one-third of all highway deaths among children under thirteen years old.

The internal review found that current standards, which require child seats to withstand forces that are more severe than 99.5 percent of real-world crashes, are effective.  However, Secretary LaHood urged NHTSA to do better.

“Infants and children are our most precious cargo,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “We need to constantly improve our track record and help parents to choose a child seat that fits in their vehicle.”
 
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration task force, which reviewed child safety regulations, was comprised of a team of 30 experts. The team found that while current standards offer a high degree of protection, the agency should consider adding a first ever side-impact standard for child safety seats.  It also recommended research on future improvements to the current frontal impact standard.

NHTSA will institute a new program beginning with the 2011 model year to make it easier for parents to choose child safety seats. Car manufacturers will recommend specific seats in various price ranges that fit for individual vehicles.  Car manufacturers including Nissan and others in Europe already provide similar recommendations.

The review also found that half of all children between the ages of zero to seven years of age, who were killed in motor vehicle crashes, were not in child safety seats.

“A child safety seat cannot do its job if it’s not used at all,” said Secretary LaHood.  “Parents and caregivers need to make sure their children are buckled up properly and child seats are installed correctly.”

BTS Releases Summary 2008 Traffic Data for U.S and Foreign Airlines;
Total Passengers Down 3.5 Percent from 2007

      The number of scheduled domestic and international passengers on U.S. airlines and on flights to and from the United States on foreign airlines declined in 2008 by 3.5 percent from 2007, dropping to 809 million, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), a part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA), today reported. 
     
      A news release summarizing the data may be obtained at http://www.bts.gov/press_releases/2009/bts019_09/html/bts019_09.html.  Airline traffic data can be found on the BTS website at TranStats, the Intermodal Transportation Database at http://transtats.bts.gov.  Click on “Aviation,” then on “Air Carrier Statistics (Form 41 Traffic),” then on “T-100 Domestic Market.”

FAA Bird Strike Database Will Be Available to Public On Friday
Proposal to Protect the Data Will be Withdrawn

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will make its entire Bird Strike database available on a public website this Friday, April 24. Portions of the database have been publicly available since the information was first collected in 1990, but the public will now be able to access all of the database’s fields.

The FAA is also withdrawing a proposal to protect the data, after a 30-day comment period closed earlier this week.  The FAA has determined that it can release the data without jeopardizing aviation safety.

The FAA has redacted a very small amount of data in the database containing privacy information, such as personal phone numbers.

Over the next four months, the FAA will make significant improvements to the database to improve the search function and make it more user-friendly. In its current format, users will only be able to perform limited searches online, but will be able to download the entire database.

The FAA also plans to work with the aviation community to find ways to improve and strengthen bird strike reporting.

The database can be accessed through http://wildlife-mitigation.tc.faa.gov/public_html/temp.html#access. 

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood reminded the nation’s governors and state Secretaries of Transportation today that any money they save on transportation projects paid for with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act dollars must be used for additional transportation projects.

Across the country, reports are showing that contractor bids to build and repair transportation networks are coming in substantially below the original engineering estimates. In some cases, thanks to fierce competition for the work and the low price of petroleum, bids are 10, 20 and even 30 percent lower than expected.

In a letter, Secretary LaHood urged the governors and transportation secretaries to take those cost savings and use the money for additional projects that will put more people to work.

“We will work with you to ensure that your state benefits from your frugality,” LaHood wrote. “Savings you accrue from awarding low bids, and from reduced construction costs due to your oversight and project management should remain in your state to be spent on other eligible transportation projects.”

In just seven weeks, the Department of Transportation has approved over 2,400 requests worth $7.5 billion for highway, road, bridge and airport construction and repairs nationwide. Projects have been approved in every state. DOT economists estimate that over 39,000 job-years will be created just from the projects approved so far.

The Obama Administration is committed to getting ARRA dollars into the economy as quickly as possible in order to get the economy back on track. A group of senior officials from across the Department of Transportation, known as the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) team is monitoring the program to make sure the money is rapidly made available and that the spending is closely monitored and transparent to the public.

###
Letter from Secretary Ray LaHood to Governors - PDF is attached

Our Recovery Act investments in transportation are off to a great start. In just seven weeks, our department has approved over $7.5 billion in state requests for highway, road, bridge and airport construction and repairs nationwide. Projects have been approved in every state. Our economists estimate that over 39,000 job-years will be created just from the projects that we have approved so far.

It is especially gratifying to read reports that contractor bids to build and repair our transportation networks are coming in substantially below state expectations. Across the country, bids are 10-20% less than the engineers’ estimates. As you hold the line on costs, Americans benefit. We can build more projects with the savings, reducing traffic congestion and creating more jobs. We are, quite literally, getting America moving again.

Obviously, these additional jobs and infrastructure benefits happen only if the cost savings are put to work in new transportation projects. President Obama’s policy is that all savings will be reinvested in eligible transportation projects, and only in those projects. This was also the clear intent of Congress when it approved the Recovery Act.

Therefore, whenever federally-assisted Recovery Act transportation projects are awarded, or constructed, at less than the originally estimated cost, any federal dollars that are not used for that particular project must be used for other projects consistent with the original Recovery Act appropriation. Money saved from Recovery Act-funded highway projects, for example, may be used for transit and rail. But funds saved must only be used for eligible transportation projects.

We will work with you to ensure that your state benefits from your frugality. Savings you accrue from awarding low bids, and from reduced construction costs due to your oversight and project management should remain in your state to be spent on other eligible transportation projects.

The transportation community is the public face of the Recovery Act. As the summer road construction season begins, motorists will see workers at work, thanks to the Recovery Act. We are creating jobs. Just as importantly, we are creating hope.

I look forward to working with you to make that hope a reality.

You are subscribed to DOT News for Department of Transportation. This information has recently been updated, and is now available

U.S. Transportation Secretary LaHood Praises Efforts of FAA Air Traffic Controllers Who Helped Land Plane After Pilot Died At Controls

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood last night praised the actions of air traffic controllers at Southwest Florida International Airport in Ft. Myers and Miami Center who helped a distressed passenger safely land a twin-engine plane after the pilot died at the controls shortly after take-off.

“I really wanted to applaud you for using your good skills and good common sense to bring this plane down safely,” Secretary LaHood told Ft. Myers Tracon controller Dan Favio by phone, describing his efforts and those of his fellow controllers as “heroic.”

Secretary LaHood has also reached out to controller Brian Norton, who worked with Favio in Ft. Myers, and flight instructor Kari Sorenson, a friend of Favio’s who helped relay important information about the plane to the controllers.

The three men helped passenger Doug White gain control of the plane and land after the pilot suffered an apparent heart attack with no warning. White had previously flown single-engine planes, but was not familiar with the twin-engine King Air 200. The other passengers on the plane were White’s wife and two teenaged daughters.

Favio came to the Federal Aviation Administration six months ago after previous air traffic control experience in the military and at a private contract tower. He has also logged some flight time as a pilot in single-engine planes. He quickly enlisted the help of Sorenson, who has thousands of hours of experience in the King Air 200.

With Sorenson’s detailed guidance on air speed, flap control and trim settings, the controllers helped White line up for the approach into Ft. Myers and land safely on his first attempt.

“You did great work and I really appreciate it,” LaHood told Favio.

LaHood also praised the efforts of controllers at Miami Center, who received the first emergency radio call from White and calmed him down before passing him over to their colleagues at Ft. Myers.

DOT Proposes Continental, US Airways for New U.S.-Brazil Air Services

 The U.S. Department of Transportation today proposed to award Continental Airlines and US Airways new rights to fly to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.  If the decision is finalized, Continental could operate a new daily nonstop roundtrip flight from Houston as early as June 1 and US Airways could begin a new daily nonstop roundtrip flight from Charlotte, NC on Oct. 1.

 In its preliminary decision, the Department noted that US Airways, the only applicant not currently serving Brazil, would inject new competition into the market as well as provide the first direct Brazil service from Charlotte, where US Airways has a significant connecting hub.  Continental’s service from Houston would be the carrier’s first year-round nonstop service to Rio de Janeiro, as well as the only year-round nonstop flights to that city from the central or western United States, the Department said.  Other carriers filing applications were Delta Air Lines, seeking to provide additional daily service between Atlanta and Rio de Janeiro, and American Airlines, seeking rights to offer three weekly New York-Rio de Janeiro flights.

 The rights tentatively awarded today are made available under the second and third stages of a June 2008 U.S.-Brazil aviation agreement that, among other provisions, increased weekly U.S.-Brazil passenger flights for each country’s airlines from 105 to 154 in four stages.  In August 2008, the Department awarded American 11 new weekly flights and Delta 10 under the first-stage.  The 14 remaining weekly flights, available in October 2010, will be awarded in a future proceeding.

 Objections to the show-cause order must be filed within ten days.  If objections are filed, answers are due seven days afterward.  The Department will then issue a final decision.  The show-cause order, carrier applications and other documents in the case are available on the Internet at www.regulations.gov, docket DOT-OST-2009-0003.