Senate Research Forum
On March 15, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee held a forum on transportation research needs in the reauthorization of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21). Scott Bernstein, an STPP Board member and president of the Center for Neighborhood Technology, called for a shift away from narrow mode-based research in order to give more attention to answering questions about how the transportation system as a whole is serving its users. He also called for transparency in data collection, particularly in how states are using their transportation funds.

The forum also featured panelists from the FHWA, the National Asphalt Paving Association, American Concrete Paving Association, AASHTO, ITS America, and ITE, as well as several academic researchers. Much of the discussion centered around research pertaining to highway maintenance and operations. Several participants called for funding of the Future Strategic Highway Research Program (F-SHRP), a proposal to reestablish highway research funding cut under TEA-21. You can read Mr. Bernstein’s full testimony at http://www.tea3.org/.

Senate EPW Hearing on Congestion
As this issue of Transfer goes to press, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee is holding a hearing on "Mobility, Congestion, and Intermodalism". Be sure to watch http://www.tea3.org/ for updates and transcripts from this event as they become available.

Strong Support for Transit at Senate Banking Hearing 
The Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee convened its first hearing on TEA-21 reauthorization on March 13. Opening testimony by members of the committee, which will oversee the reauthorization of the federal transit program in 2003, indicated widespread support for transit in states as diverse as Colorado, Michigan, Kentucky, Idaho, New York, and Utah. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta expressed before the committee that preserving flexibility should allow decision makers to satisfy states and local priorities, although more innovative sources of funding from the private sector, alternative fuel taxes, and "smart growth" development fees may be needed as well.

Secretary Mineta also noted that the Department is developing its legislative proposal with the following principles: building on ISTEA and TEA-21's intermodal emphasis; focusing on the management and performance of the surface transportation system as a whole rather than individual stages (i.e. planning, construction, operation); developing better data and analysis to inform transportation decisions; and providing efficient infrastructure without compromising environmental protections or quality of life.

The Administration's reauthorization proposal is expected in February 2003, after input from the USDOT policy team, key Congress committees, and other stakeholders. To read the testimonies from this hearing, click here.

Senate Rejects Increased Auto Efficiency Standards 

On March 13, the Senate rejected a proposal to increase automobile fuel economy requirements (Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency - or CAFE - standards) that would have required automakers to increase their fleet-wide gasoline economy to 36 miles per gallon by 2015. Instead, senators approved by a 62-38 vote a more industry-friendly proposal that would direct the Department of Transportation to develop new fuel economy rules. The measure, written by Senators Carl Levin, a Michigan Democrat, and Kit Bond, a Missouri Republican, does not specify what the new rules should entail. In addition, the Senate voted 56-44 to exempt pickup trucks from any future increases in CAFE standards.

The current federal efficiency requirements require a minimum of 27.5 miles per gallon for cars and 20.7 mpg for light trucks, SUV’s and minivans.

A new study from the Great American Station Foundation demonstrates that restoring historic train stations as transportation centers for rail, intercity bus and transit is a powerful tool for downtown revitalization in both big cities and small towns. The study, Economic Impact of Station Revitalization, was conducted by the firm of Transportation Economics and Management Systems, Inc. for the Great American Station Foundation.

“This study should help people understand how important intercity passenger rail and bus service are to local economies and how vital it is to keep these long distance services healthy,” said Hank Dittmar, the Station Foundation¹s president. “The study shows that the benefits of station revitalization projects can be substantial, depending on community size, the population density of the transportation corridor, and the types of transportation available. The final section of the study provides a step-by-step guide that communities can use to gauge the economic impact of their own potential station projects.

The complete study, including methodology and anecdotal examples, may be downloaded from the Station Foundation website, in the News/Publications section.

Additionally, the Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations (AMPO) is currently holding its 2002 policy conference in Washington, DC. TEA-21 renewal is a central component of this year’s gathering, and the event features a keynote address by Jennifer Dorn, Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration. For more information, click here.

The administrator went on to praise recent increases in federal spending on bicycle and pedestrian facilities made possible by ISTEA and TEA-21, from $7 million in 1990 to $339 million in 2000. She also emphasized the importance of keeping transportation decision-making close to citizens.

The luncheon was one of several events organized by the League for the Summit. Attendees held over 225 meetings with their representatives on Capitol Hill, and attended sessions on improving local bicycle programs as well as on the interests of the bicycle community in the upcoming TEA-21 reauthorization.

For more information on the Bike Summit and bicycle policies, click here. To view Administrator Peters’ remarks, click here.