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Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Newly formed Safety Council takes safety commitment to next level

Secretary Ray LaHood assembled the first meeting of a newly created U.S. Department of Transportation Safety Council formed to deal with critical transportation safety issues facing the department's 10 operating administrations.

"Now is the time to identify and address the top safety issues that cut across our agencies," said Secretary LaHood. "The Council will take our commitment to safety, which is our highest priority, to the next level."

Before taking office, Secretary LaHood saw that many important safety initiatives were being followed in the department's agencies without a formal process for sharing data, best practices and strategies. Secretary LaHood created the Safety Council to serve that broad-based safety leadership role and assist break down organizational stovepipes, facilitating an even stronger safety culture.

The aim of the Safety Council is to further enhance the safety focus throughout all agencies of the department and improve the impact of the department's safety programs.

The Council, chaired by Transportation Deputy Secretary John Porcari, consists of the heads of the Department's 10 agencies: the Federal Aviation Administration, the Federal Highway Administration, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the Federal Railroad Administration, the Federal Transit Administration, the Maritime Administration, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, the Research and Innovative Technology Administration and the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation.

Deputy Secretary Porcari said the Council will be action oriented, data driven, emphasize open dialogue about common issues and grant a forum for fresh ideas and new perspectives.

"The Council will enhance the department's safety culture which should then resonate out into industry," said Deputy Secretary Porcari.


                             

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Vice President Biden, Secretary LaHood Meet with Governors on Future of U.S. High-Speed Rail

Vice President Joe Biden and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood challenged governors to think boldly when designing high-speed rail plans during a roundtable discussion at the White House today. The session was a unique opportunity for state leaders to share their ideas with the Obama Administration about the future of high-speed trains in America.

In April, President Obama released a strategic plan outlining his vision for high-speed rail. The plan identifies $13 billion in federal funds - $8 billion in the Recovery Act and $5 billion requested in the President's budget - to jump-start a potential world-class passenger rail system and sets the direction of transportation policy for the future. Detailed guidance for up to the first $8 billion in federal grant applications will be announced later this month and the first round of grants are expected to be awarded as soon as late summer 2009.

In developing the high-speed rail program, Administration officials have sought extensive input from states, Congress, labor, industry, rail experts from countries with working high-speed rail networks, and other key stakeholders. Today's roundtable follows Secretary LaHood's recent fact-finding trip to several European countries where he met with transportation officials and rail operators and witnessed first-hand the operations of working high-speed rail systems. Other senior U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) officials recently hosted a series of seven regional workshops around the country.

"Everyone knows I'm a big believer in our nation's rail system - I've devoted a big part of my career doing what I can to support it - and I'm proud that this Administration is about to transform that system fundamentally," said Vice President Biden. "Thanks to an $8 billion investment from the Recovery Act, we're going to start building a high-speed rail system that will loosen the congestion suffocating our highways and skyways, and make travel in this country leaner, meaner and a whole lot cleaner."

"America is ready to embrace a new level of passenger rail service that offers a safe, convenient, and sustainable way to travel from city to city, and region to region," said Secretary LaHood. "President Obama has handed us an extraordinary opportunity - and now it is up to all of us to seize the moment. With creative input and contributions from governors across the country, I believe we'll be able to do just that."

President Obama's vision for high-speed rail mirrors that of President Eisenhower, the father of the U.S. Interstate highway system, which revolutionized the way Americans traveled. Now, high-speed rail has the potential to reduce U.S. dependence on oil, lower harmful carbon emissions, foster new economic development and give travelers more choices when it comes to moving around the country.

In attendance for today's roundtable: Governors Pat Quinn, Illinois; Sonny Perdue, Georgia; Deval Patrick, Massachusetts; Jennifer Granholm, Michigan; Jay Nixon, Missouri; Ed Rendell, Pennsylvania; Tim Kaine, Virginia; and Jim Doyle, Wisconsin. In addition, state transportation officials from California, Delaware, Florida, Iowa, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, Rhode Island and West Virginia also attended the roundtable.

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Sunday, May 31, 2009

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Reminds Drivers and Bicyclists to Share the Road During Bicycle Safety Month

As more people take to the roads on their bikes, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood asks both drivers and cyclists to help reduce the number of cyclist fatalities. In 2007, 698 cyclists were killed in America. Everyone needs to pay attention when using America’s roads, whether they're walking, biking or driving, LaHood said.

More and more Americans are taking up cycling, including a dramatic increase in bicycling by baby boomers. Whether they're riding for fun, exercise, or to save on gas, more baby boomers are riding bicycles, according to the latest National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) statistics. Unfortunately, this aging trend can also be found in NHTSA's latest fatality statistics. For the tenth straight year, the average age of persons killed on bicycles has increased. Research shows that in 1997 the average age of a person killed in a bicycle crash was 31; in 2007 it increased to over 40.

"Our roads and communities must be built to allow people to get around safely outside of their cars, on bike or on foot," Secretary LaHood said. "These statistics show that our transportation program needs to have a much greater focus on making our roadways safe for bicyclists."

Since 1992, the Department's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has provided more than $4.5 billion in federal aid for bicycle and pedestrian safety programs. The States have used Federal-aid funds to construct shared use paths for bicyclists and pedestrians, and to provide bicycle lanes and bicycle parking, and other highway safety features to reduce fatalities and to increase bicycle use. FHWA also actively promotes bicycle safety through Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center and the National Center for Safe Routes to School. These efforts balance FHWA's commitment to easing traffic congestion with keeping roads safe for all users.

"The most important thing bicyclists and motorists need to remember is that they both share the road equally," said NHTSA's Acting Deputy Administrator Ron Medford.

Recent data shows that the 698 bicyclist deaths in 2007 accounted for two percent of all traffic fatalities with an additional 44,000 injured in traffic crashes.

To avoid the risk of becoming a fatality, motorists and cyclists are urged to take extra precaution when driving and riding.

Motorists should:

* 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

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Monday, May 25, 2009

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Announces $2 Million in Emergency Funding to Help with West Virginia Flooding

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced that West Virginia will immediately receive $2 million in emergency relief funds to help repair roads and bridges damaged by recent floods.

"This much-needed funding will help West Virginia's clean up efforts and get the Mountain State back on track," said Secretary LaHood. "Ensuring that roads and bridges are safe and accessible again must be a top priority."

Specifically, this quick release funding will help West Virginia pay for debris removal and initiate repair contracts. The U.S. Department of Transportation will continue to work with Governor Joe Manchin III and other West Virginia officials as they assess the damage to roads and bridges caused by the floods. Additional resources may become available based on those evaluations.

The Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) emergency relief program provides funds to states for the repair or reconstruction of federal-aid highways damaged by natural disasters or catastrophic events. The program typically works on a reimbursement basis.

These emergency relief funds are provided from the General Fund of the U.S. Treasury and not the Highway Trust Fund.

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Sunday, May 17, 2009

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

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Sunday, May 10, 2009

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Announces $742.5 Million in Federal Recovery Act Funds to Pay for Transit Projects in Nine States

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced that transit projects around the country will receive $742.5 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) funds.

"This money will not only put people back to work and spur the economy, it will also provide an alternative form of transportation for people around the country to get to their homes, work and school," Secretary LaHood said.

The grants will go toward projects for which the Federal Transit Administration has already entered into multi-year federal commitments known as "full funding grant agreements," in Arizona, California, Colorado, New York, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Washington State.

The ARRA grants announced today do not increase the federal commitment to the projects, but expedite funds committed under the agreement between the federal government and the transit agencies.

The arrival of federal funds will allow the transit agencies to save on financing costs while putting additional dollars into the local economy; will supplement local resources, which have declined during the economic downturn, and allow for a quicker investment in the project.

Projects receiving funding are listed below.

Projects receiving funding are listed below.

Arizona ......................Phoenix-Central Phoenix/East Valley Light Rail ...............$36 Million
California ...................Los Angeles - Metro Gold Line Eastside Extension .........$66.7 Million
Colorado ...................Denver - West Corridor Light Rail Transit .......................$40 Million
New York .................New York - Long Island Rail Road East Side Access .....$195.4 Million
...................................New York - Second Avenue Subway Phase I ................$78.9 Million
Oregon .......................Portland - South Corridor I-205/Portland Mall LRT....... $32 Million
...................................Springfield - Pioneer Parkway EmX BRT........................ $2.9 Million
Texas .........................Dallas - Northwest/Southeast Light Rail Transit................ $78.4 Million
Utah ...........................Salt Lake City - Mid Jordan Light Rail Transit .................$90.9 Million
Virginia .......................Northern Virginia - Dulles Corridor Metrorail Extension
....................................To Wiehle Aveune .........................................................$77.3 Million
Washington .................Seattle – University Link Light Rail Transit Extension .......$44 Million

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Wednesday, May 6, 2009

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.

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