• Aviation Security: TSA Has Completed Key Activities Associated with Implementing Secure Flight, but Additional Actions Are Needed to Mitigate Risks. GAO-09-292, May 13, 2009 (62 pages).
  http://www.gao.gov/docdblite/details.php?rptno=GAO-09-292
• Federal Transit Administration: Progress and Challenges in Implementing and Evaluating the Job Access and Reverse Commute Program. GAO-09-496, May 21, 2009 (52 pages).
  http://www.gao.gov/docdblite/details.php?rptno=GAO-09-496
• Freight Rail Security: Actions Have Been Taken to Enhance Security, but the Federal Strategy Can Be Strengthened and Security Efforts Better Monitored. GAO-09-243, April 21, 2009 (123 pages).
  http://www.gao.gov/docdblite/details.php?rptno=GAO-09-243
• Motor Carrier Safety: Commercial Vehicle Registration Program Has Kept Unsafe Carriers from Operating, but Effectiveness Is Difficult to Measure. GAO-09-495, May 12, 2009 (37 pages).
  http://www.gao.gov/docdblite/details.php?rptno=GAO-09-495
• Responses to Questions for the Record: March 18, 2009, Hearing on ATC Modernization: Near-Term Achievable Goals. GAO-09-718R, May 20, 2009 (14 pages).
  http://www.gao.gov/docdblite/details.php?rptno=GAO-09-718R

Share on Facebook

“MTA grants Italian rail car builder more time in contract negotiations” by Maeve Reston, Los Angeles Times, May 28, 2009

Los Angeles County’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority board delayed a decision today on whether to hire an Italian rail manufacturer to build 100 cars needed for Metro’s light rail line extensions. The delay — the second since March — would give MTA officials more time to work out the details of a new offer by the firm, AnsaldoBreda, for a $300-million financial guarantee on the potential 100-car contract. [...]

Link: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/05/mta-grants-more-time-to-controversial-italian-rail-car-builder.html

“Subsidies attracting riders to mass transit” by Sean Holstege, The Arizona Republic, June 2, 2009

When Jim Wilson took a job at Arizona Public Service Co. a year ago, he figured he’d pay $75 a week in gas and $40 a month on parking to commute from Surprise to downtown Phoenix. So, when APS offered him a transit pass for free, he was thrilled. [...]

Link: http://www.azcentral.com/news/traffic/lightrail/articles/2009/06/02/20090602subsidy0602.html

“Time For Feds To Fund Mass Transit Operating Expenses?” by Linda Caruso, The National Journal, June 1, 2009

Americans are using public transportation in record numbers — taking 10.7 billion trips last year, an increase of 4 percent over 2007 — yet because of declining state and local budgets, many mass transit systems are facing the prospect of raising fares, cutting service and laying off staff. [...]

Link: http://transportation.nationaljournal.com/2009/06/is-it-time-for-the-feds-to-fun.php

“Recession hasn’t slowed light rail traffic” by Steve Harrison, Charlotte Observer, May 28, 2009

The Lynx Blue Line averaged 15,121 weekday trips in April – surprisingly high ridership given the severe recession. Charlotte’s light-rail line had been averaging roughly 14,000 trips for much of the year, and the Charlotte Area Transit System expected it to decline because fewer people are working. [...]

Link: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/local/story/749244.html

Share on Facebook

“Rail industry urges shorter trains off-peak to cut carbon emissions”, The Guardian, May 28, 2009

The rail industry is urging the government to run shorter trains in order to meet Britain’s climate change obligations. Removing carriages outside rush hour would conserve energy and reinforce rail’s reputation as one of the greenest modes of transport, says an industry manifesto published today. Network Rail, owner of rail infrastructure, and the Association of Train Operating Companies (Atoc) argue they can help reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 20% by 2020 by running shorter trains at off-peak times. [...]

Link: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/may/28/railway-trains-climate-change-carbon-emissions

“Union Pacific CEO: Regulation Inflating Funding Costs” by Doug Cameron, Dow Jones Newswires, May 27, 2009

CHICAGO -(Dow Jones)- The head of Union Pacific Corp. (UNP) warned Wednesday railroads face inflated funding costs because of uncertainty about future industry regulation. James Young, chief executive, intensified his criticism of the planned reauthorization of the Transportation Act later this year, which he said could damage future industry investment. “It’s bad law,” said Young in remarks to a rail shippers conference in Chicago. [...]

Link: http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/200905271341DOWJONESDJONLINE000780_FORTUNE5.htm

“Italian railways says to bid for Veolia Cargo”, Reuters.com, May 18, 2009

Italian railways Ferrovie dello Stato said on Monday it would bid for Veolia Cargo (VIE.PA), which competes on freight transport with French state-owned railway company SNCF.[...]

Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssIndustryMaterialsUtilitiesNews/idUSLI51107520090518

“European Train Travel: Working on the Railroad”, by Bruce CROMLEY, Time.com, May 28, 2009

Europe’s railroad industry, for decades dominated by stodgy state-owned monopolies, is ready for a renaissance of its own. A looming round of deregulation is set to spark an industry restructuring, pitting existing state-owned railroads against smaller private upstarts.[...]

Link: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1901431,00.html?iid=tsmodule

Share on Facebook

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray Lahood inspecting a TGV in Paris

Source: AFP

Share on Facebook

This report evaluates the applicability, Federal policy implications, and possible public and private sector roles related to peak pricing strategies at ports and intermodal facilities in the U.S. and includes a detailed analysis of the PierPASS OffPeak Program, key port market characteristics, institutional issues pertinent to port peak pricing programs, and policy and program considerations.

The report is available at: http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/fhwahop09014/index.htm

For additional information please contact: Ed Strocko, FHWA Office of Freight Management and Operations,  ed.strocko@dot.gov or +1 202-366-2997

Share on Facebook

Share on Facebook

Share on Facebook

The LKW-Maut is the German global toll scheme applied to goods trucks over 12 tons since January 1, 2005. Haulers are charged for the distance they run on German motorways. The tax also depends on the number of axles and the CO2 emission category of the vehicle. Toll Collect is the organisation in charge of monitoring the whole scheme and collecting the toll.

Each driver has an on-board unit (OBU) installed in the truck. These electronic devices are paid by German Government and make possible to know the exact mileage made by every truck on German motorways.

When the system was launched, the average amount of the toll was €0.12/km. After 4 years of operation, Toll Collect deems the scheme a success since distances run by trucks with higher emissions rate had significantly decreased. Apparently, the cumulated mileage of trucks from S0, S1 and S2 pollutants rejection categories compared to total mileage has gone down from 48% in 2005 to 8% in November 2008.

A meaningful action to protest

Since January 1, 2009, toll fares have been increased. Basically, 4 axles and more vehicles will be charged between €0.155/km if they are Euro V and €0.288/km if Euro 0 and Euro I. This increase – supposed to generate about €1 billion in 2009 for the German Ministry for Transport (Bundesministerium für Verkehr, Bau und Sdadtentwiclung) -, was all the same hard to accept that it occurred as the freight sector is particularly impacted by the worldwide economic slowdown.

The BGL (Bundesverband Güterkraftverkehr Logistik und Entsorgung), an important workers organisation which is clearly against it, promotes initiatives allowing haulers to display their dissatisfaction about it. Here are pictures available on their website ! They can be found at the rear doors of some trucks in Germany and are also distributed as flyers.

Approximate translations are: “Billions for banks, euthanasia for transport companies” and “Wicked, Angela, since your toll increase, my daddy has lots of spare time for me during the day“.

Is this a glimpse of what we will see in France in a couple of years…?

As a reminder, France will implement a very similar scheme to the LKW Maut’s by 2012, and even earlier as a test in the Alsace region. Shall French politicians already prepare for this kind of actions in the future, then?

References

• website: Bundesverband Güterkraftverkehr Logistik und Entsorgung (BGL) here
• website: German Ministry for Transport (Bundesministerium für Verkehr, Bau und Sdadtentwiclung) here
• website: LKW-Maut fare structure here
• press release: Toll Collect, Quatre ans de péage poids lourds en Allemagne, 12/19/2008 here
• article: Financer aujourd’hui les infrastructures de demain, Transport Expertise, 04/07/2008 here

Share on Facebook

• Coast Guard: Observations on Changes to Management and Oversight of the Deepwater Program. GAO-09-462T, March 24, 2009 (8 pages).
  http://www.gao.gov/docdblite/details.php?rptno=GAO-09-462T
• Commuter Rail: Many Factors Influence Liability and Indemnity Provisions, and Options Exist to Facilitate Negotiations. GAO-09-282, February 24, 2009 (66 pages).
  http://www.gao.gov/docdblite/details.php?rptno=GAO-09-282
• High Speed Passenger Rail: Future Development Will Depend on Addressing Financial and Other Challenges and Establishing a Clear Federal Role. GAO-09-317, March 19, 2009 (102 pages).
  http://www.gao.gov/docdblite/details.php?rptno=GAO-09-317
• Highway Infrastructure: Federal Efforts to Strengthen Security Should Be Better Coordinated and Targeted on the Nation’s Most Critical Highway Infrastructure. GAO-09-57, January 30, 2009 (79 pages).
  http://www.gao.gov/docdblite/details.php?rptno=GAO-09-57
• Highway Trust Fund: Improved Solvency Mechanisms and Communication Needed to Help Avoid Shortfalls in the Highway Account. GAO-09-316, February 6, 2009 (23 pages).
  http://www.gao.gov/docdblite/details.php?rptno=GAO-09-316
  
• Next Generation Air Transportation System: Issues Associated with Midterm Implementation of Capabilities and Full System Transformation. GAO-09-481T, March 25, 2009 (20 pages). 
  http://www.gao.gov/docdblite/details.php?rptno=GAO-09-481T
• Next Generation Air Transportation System: Status of Transformation and Issues Associated with Midterm Implementation of Capabilities. GAO-09-479T, March 18, 2009 (21 pages).
  http://www.gao.gov/docdblite/details.php?rptno=GAO-09-479T
• Responses to Questions for the Record: February 11, 2009, Hearing on the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2009. GAO-09-467R, March 10, 2009 (8 pages).
  http://www.gao.gov/docdblite/details.php?rptno=GAO-09-467R
• Transportation Programs: Challenges Facing the Department of Transportation and Congress. GAO-09-435T, March 10, 2009 (22 pages).
  http://www.gao.gov/docdblite/details.php?rptno=GAO-09-435T
• Urban Partnership Agreements: Congestion Relief Initiative Holds Promise; Some Improvements Needed in Selection Process. GAO-09-154, March 25, 2009 (93 pages).
  http://www.gao.gov/docdblite/details.php?rptno=GAO-09-154

Share on Facebook

Dominique Bussereau, French State Secretary in charge of transport, and Magdalena Alvarez Arza, Spanish Ministry for transport infrastructure signed up a roadmap aiming at developing motorways of the sea services between both countries. They agreed on investing €30 million over a 5-years period. Nevertheless, if the maritime services to be put in place will benefit from State aids (€30 million), no financial supports will be allocated to transport providers who will use the ad hoc services. In order to be granted with European aids, operators will have to participate to the 2009 Marco Polo call for proposals which ends ont the May 8, 2009.

The services are expected to be in operation by late 2009. Following feedbacks from invitations to tender launched by the French-Spanish intergovernmental commission , two proposals were accepted: the Acciona Trasmediterránea and Grimaldi- Louis Dreyfus Armateurs services.

The Acciona Trasmediterránea service will operate two maritime lines: Nantes-Saint-Nazaire-Vigo (28 hours) and Le Havre-Vigo (36 hours). From 2010, another service will connect Le Havre, Vigo and Algeciras. On a weekly basis, the operator proposes 4 departures from French ports and will make them 7 in the mid-term. It is to note that these services are designed for trailers only.

The Grimaldi- Louis Dreyfus Armateurs service will provide a service between Nantes-Saint-Nazaire-Gijón available to accompanied transport. Four departures per week are planned (7 in the mid-term) are planned and the distance will be covered in 14 hours.

The creation of these services is expected to induce a modal shift of 100,000 trucks per annum. This objective, if so achieved, will not only address environmental issues but also significantly reduce road congestion on a corridor where international traffics are substantial. According to Magdalena Alvarez Arza, the economic impact of road congestion was 0.5% of GDP in 2001 and even reach 1% nowadays. Traffics going through the Pyrenees are however much higher than the expected modal shift. About 20,000 trucks per day cross over the Pyrenees via the two main alternatives, Perthus and Biriatou – although it decreased by roughly 5% in 2008 compared to 2007.

Even a couple of haulers deem this service pertinent, since the 14 hours long journey between Nantes-Saint-Nazaire and Gijón allow drivers to have their legal break on board. What’s more, 14 hours is also quite competitive with road’s travel times.

Why the Toulon-Civitavechia line closed down…

This announcement was made few weeks after the only Mediterranean motorways of the sea service was stopped. Reason put forward by the operator (GLD Lines, a combination of Grimaldi and Louis Dreyfus Armateurs groups) was the economic downturn that particularly affected the automotive industry. The drop in demand of vehicles to be carried led the operator to put an end to the service in February, 2009. For the first year of the maritime line (2005), 5,000 trucks were boarded. In 2006, they were 10,000 becoming 16,000 in 2007. However, with a decreasing demand and a price set to €330 per truck, GLD Lines did not manage to make profits in 4 years of operation. Overall, the service experienced a loss of €16 million. Yet, €4 million distinct financial supports from Europe and France : €2 million coming from the French State and €2 million from the Marco Polo programme (contrary to previously-made commitments, Italy apparently never paid the €100 per truck grant under the Eco-Bonus scheme intended to car-carriers).

Rolling road as a complement to motorways of the sea on western France

Besides, French Ministry recently announced the creation of a rolling road on western France. This new service is to be in operation by late 2011 and will connect Lille and Paris to Bayonne (South-West of France). Likewise the motorways of the sea schemes, this intermodal solution is expected to take trucks off the road on a corridor where international traffics are considerable. Invitation to tender will be soon released. Parameters of the service still remain to be set, but by 2020 the service is expected to propose about 10 departures per day from each end of the line.

Today’s freight transport policies definitely tend to encourage modal shift by promoting alternatives to road transport. These alternatives are all the more efficient and relevant that the transport infrastructures’ and services’ design matches the users’ needs. As a reminder two rolling roads already exist in France:

• one in the Alps, from Aiton to Orbassano; and
• one which connects Luxembourg to Perpignan

From haulers viewpoint, the existing Alps crossing-over rolling roads (not only in France, but also in Austria, Switzerland, Slovenia and Italy) have for instance proved themselves appropriate options when it is to go through the Alps where truck traffics are often both physically and legally constrained.

Contrary to most of the Alps schemes, the Luxembourg-Perpignan rolling road launched in October, 2007 which covers a 1,050 km long distance only carries trailers. In that sense, the concept is similar to combined transport, but instead of being shipped with swap bodies, the train is filled with trailers. However, one year and half after it was launched, the service is having trouble to make it profitable. The creation of a second daily departure mid-2009 is expected to draw additional traffic.

References

• Autoroute de la mer : Saint Nazaire Gijon bientot au large, l’Officiel des transporteurs n°2492, February 27, 2009
• Ligne maritime Toulon-Civitavecchia : un arrêt brutal qui fait jaser, l’Officiel des Transporteurs, N° 2493, March 6, 2009: here
• En bref : L’autoroute ferroviaire Luxembourg-Perpginan : bilan mitigé de la première année d’exploitation, February 27, 2009: here
• Press release: Lancement de 2 autoroutes de la mer entre la France et l’Espagne, February 27, 2009 : here

Share on Facebook