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2003 Forum
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2003 Oberstar Forum — Summary
Bringing freight efficiencies to passenger travel is a key challenge
Regional and national transportation officials, policymakers, and professionals joined Congressman James L. Oberstar on March 16–17, 2003, to discuss improving intermodal connections among passenger and freight carriers. It was the second meeting of the forum named after Oberstar and hosted by the Center for Transportation Studies at the University of Minnesota.
Forum invitees again participated in a satellite-style conversation
circle. Above, G. Alexander Taft (center) makes a point.
Rep. Oberstar headlined the event, which featured Associate Deputy Secretary of Transportation Jeffrey Shane. Also participating in the forum were Minnesota Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau and USDOT administrators Marion Blakey (Federal Aviation Administration) and Mary Peters (Federal Highway Administration), as well as deputy administrator Sam Bonasso (Research and Special Programs Administration).
In addition, many other state and national leaders attended (see list), including American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials executive director John Horsley and Transportation Research Board executive director Robert Skinner. CTS director Robert Johns served as master of ceremonies.
"Intermodalism is more than just a ‘buzzword’ or the flavor of the day among transportation policymakers," Oberstar said, kicking off the forum by laying out a broad vision for the nation’s transportation system while casting a sharp eye toward the coming reauthorization of federal transportation funding. "We need to think in intermodal terms as we engage in long-range planning for our transportation infrastructures."
In his keynote address during the portion of the forum open to the public, Shane cited the critical role freight transportation has played in making the U.S. economy one of the most efficient in the world. But he stressed the need for improving intermodal links for passenger travel and providing consumers with more travel choices. In addition, Shane dubbed 2003 a unique year for transportation. "Maybe for the first time ever, Congress will have a chance to reauthorize our aviation, surface, and intercity passenger rail programs in a single session," he said.
Following Oberstar’s opening remarks, University faculty members Gerard McCullough and Lance Neckar presented the latest perspectives in transportation research. McCullough, a professor of applied economics, said that price pressures and other factors make it difficult for different modes, like truckers and railroads, to cooperate. Neckar, a professor of landscape architecture, added that national policy should be about regional competitiveness and efficiency. But, he pointed out, the fact that land use is actually decided locally often conflicts with broader policies.
During the USDOT administrator roundtable discussion, RSPA’s Samuel Bonasso indicated the need for a clear vision of what the critical paths for moving goods and people are. FAA administrator Marion Blakey noted that FAA leadership in technology and research is routinely shared with other modes, and that this technology transfer plays an important role, especially in safety and efficiency. Finally, FHWA administrator Mary Peters added that FHWA has taken great strides to make sure freight stakeholders are at the table today and that FHWA works with the private sector to define, deploy, and test cost-effective standards and technologies that enhance freight productivity and security both domestically and internationally.
Forum invitees also took part in a unique conversation circle. The innovative dialogue format, which was a successful element of last year’s forum, incorporated satellite-style seating around an inner ring of chairs designated for speakers. Discussion themes evolved as new members entered the circle and others exited. TRB executive director Robert Skinner, for instance, talked about a unique commuter solution known as "slugging," a term used to describe a form of commuting found in the Washington, D.C., area where commuters share rides with total strangers. Though these informal slug lines are not government-initiated programs, they often form in established park-and-rides.
AASHTO’s John Horsley suggested that the UPS model is one good example of what transit can learn from freight. UPS, he says, epitomizes good service to the customer, simplification of trips, and customer confidence that a package can be tracked and will arrive on time. This model could be used with transit in which the entire transit trip—including buses, trains, and airplanes—is packaged together.
Leading off a policy discussion panel with Mn/DOT deputy commissioner Doug Differt and Congressman Oberstar, USDOT’s Jeffery Shane offered suggestions for what the federal government can do to facilitate intermodalism. He supports the goal of streamlining processes at the federal level in efforts to shorten project approval times. "We cannot afford the increased costs delays cause. We must make decisions quicker," Shane maintained, "even if the decision is no." Oberstar also stressed the need to do better in terms of delivering projects or risk losing public confidence in the investment. "It is government that has the overarching view of bringing parties together."
After Shane’s keynote remarks, a mixed panel of mostly freight and passenger transportation executives swapped ideas and fielded questions from an audience of more than 200. Oberstar and moderator Robert Johns were joined by: Peter Bell, chair of the Metropolitan Council of the Twin Cities; William Berry, intermodal vice president of Canadian National Railway Company; Donald Schneider, chairman of Schneider National, Inc.; Gerry Brown, president of Cargo Marine and Terminal, Inc.; and Paul Skoutelas, CEO of the Port Authority of Alleghany County.
During his brief presentation, Bell explained that the Met Council’s most significant challenge is dealing with huge budget shortfalls.
Despite the deficit, however, Bell said that the Pawlenty administration is in favor of "smart" transit and will support any mode of transit that moves the largest number of people most efficiently. In terms of making intermodalism work, Bell supports a strong working relationship among modes, maximizing technology, and including labor in the process.
Forum speakers (from left) Jeffrey Shane, Carol Molnau, James Oberstar, and Robert Johns.
Berry’s remarks described the dilemma presented by the dramatic growth of railroad freight despite a "highway-centric policy" toward transportation funding. In addition, railroads, he said, have provided most of the funding for intermodal development in recent years. "The real issue today," he concluded, " is, What role do the American people want to see for intermodal? That vision should be reflected in the policy."
Schneider said that his firm is "mode neutral" and subscribes to the notion that in order to keep costs down and get products to their destinations on time, shippers should use the right mode for the job. For example, rail is more economical than a truck where there is density, he explained. "In those areas, we’re happy to use rail and spread out the shipments to lines that aren’t as heavily used."
Brown noted that the barge cargo carrier industry, involved intermodalism from the beginning, has done an excellent job of standardization. The resulting efficiency, he said, is vital in an industry that "moves the basic building blocks for our country." Brown added that his industry is a bit underused despite the fact that, excluding pipelines, barges offer the cleanest, safest, and most fuel efficient mode of transportation.
Skoutelas credited ISTEA and TEA-21 for playing significant roles in the growth seen across all modes throughout the last decade, especially transit, which has achieved record levels of use. Still, he said that there are many questions remaining to find the right direction: Do we build roads or invest in public transit? What levels of investment strikes the best balance? What’s the right technology? What is the objective?
A detailed report summarizing the second James L. Oberstar Forum for Transportation Policy and Technology is available here (352 KB PDF) or from CTS Library Services.