2nd Annual National Transportation Week Conference and Expo: wrap-up and photo album
NDTA and the US Department of Transportation presented the 2nd Annual National Transportation Week Conference and Exposition in Washington, DC on May 18th and 19th at the Washington DC Convention Center. The following is a summarized version of some of the keynote speeches/roundtable sessions from the program.
These presentations do not necessarily reflect the views of the NDTA.
DOT and NDTA, along with an alliance of other transportation organizations, hosted the 2nd Annual National Transportation Week Conference and Expo at the Washington DC Convention Center on May 18 and 19, 2004. LTG Kenneth Wykle, USA (Ret.) opened the Tuesday morning sessions with a thank you to the National Transportation Week Founding Benefactors. Representatives from Maersk Line Limited, OAG, Choice Hotels, Northrop Grumman, Excel, DHL, Intercontinental Hotels, CorTrans Logistics, Yellow Corporation, US Airways, Landstar, Menlo Worldwide, Hertz, FedEx, Panther Transportation and UPS were present at the morning kickoff. Members of the National Transportation Week Alliance include ATA, Airports Council International, ENO Transportation Foundation, Institute of Transportation Engineers, National Association of County Engineers, TRIP, NAPA, American Road and Transportation Builders Association, Association of American Railroads and General Contractors of America. NDTA thanks all sponsors and exhibitors who participated and helped to make this event possible.
THE IMPORTANCE OF TRANSPORTATION TO SECURITY AND THE ECONOMY
by Mr. Kirk Van Tine
Acting Deputy Secretary of Transportation, Mr. Kirk Van Tine, spoke on behalf of Secretary Norman Mineta who could not attend.
This two-day event is available to spread the message and create awareness of the transportation industry and its impact on the nation. A safe and modern transportation network is crucial to our nation. The transportation network is woven so deeply into our everyday lives and our security depends on it.
9/11 produced a fundamental shift in the way we view transportation. We had to not only secure the aviation industry, but all modes of transportation. The events of 9/11 started us thinking about how we could improve processes and security measures for all modes. Since 9/11, security has been acknowledged as a top priority and is still number one. People from all of the modes formed task forces to increase security efforts for transportation operations and activities. The establishment of the Transportation Security Agency (TSA) is one of the most notable key initiatives. New security procedures have placed some burdens on our transportation system. Computerized tracking systems, e.g., barcodes, have helped to alleviate lost luggage problems. The use of RFID systems is increasing and proven valuable. The help of industry partnerships has helped the transportation system rebound.
The US is one nation on the move. America is on its way to having stronger economic growth. Home ownership is on the rise. In February 2004, Secretary Mineta established the Transportation Service Index (TSI). The TSI covers freight and passenger activities. The TSI has placed transportation in the economic mix and measures its impact on the economy. Analysis has produced a new transportation agenda for our economy.
The status of the Safe Accountable Transportation Act (SAFETEA) TEA-21 continues to delay the transportation agenda for the nation. The bill is delayed and we are operating under a second temporary extension. The lack of authorization frustrates planning and slows construction with impacts that are felt across the economy. The administration continues to press Congress to craft a fiscally responsible plan. SAFETEA strikes the appropriate balance between the need for a substantial federal infrastructure investment and the need to maintain fiscal discipline. In SAFETEA, we target investment on the critical "last-mile" road connections from the National Highway System to important intermodal freight facilities. Too often, the connections between trucks and trains and merchant ships are neglected, which causes needless congestion and slows the efficiency of the entire freight system.
Transportation brings America's people together and we are working to provide a more seamless and secure system. To build a more efficient system with 21st century technology will help make these enhancements invisible to the customer.
NTW POSTER CONTEST WINNER
DoT holds a poster contest among fifth graders from across the nation. The program, started four years ago, gives students an opportunity to express their ideas on a given transportation theme. The goal of the contest is to get young people thinking about transportation and how it is involved in our everyday life. Deputy Secretary Van Tine presented an award to this year's winner, Ms. Taylor Morgan Cunningham of Freedhold, NJ. 1st prize was a $200 savings bond to the student along with a $200 savings bond to their school. The Yellow Corporation, which exhibited at the NTW conference, provided a large reproduction of the poster on the side of one of their trucks and displayed it at the event.
For more information, visit the Web site at National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
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