• 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

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

If you wish to meet with one of us at that time, please contact us through our contact form so that we could schedule a meeting.

SITL Real Time 2009

For the international and national communities of transporters of freight and logistics service providers, SITL offers a unique access to innovative products and services dedicated to procurement, distribution and the supply chain of tomorrow.

SITL is THE place to get the most relevant information about the composition and evolution of markets and the development of their networks. It enables access to all the tools required to win in competitiveness and performance in both strategic and operational matters.

SITL: linking the world of logistics

Key data for SITL Real Time

• 500 exhibitors
• 27,000 sqm of exhibition space
• 25,800 professionals
• 56 countries
• 70 media
• 250 journalists
• More than 30 conferences

Source : SITL Temps Réel 2009

Share on Facebook

• National Airspace System: FAA Reauthorization Issues are Critical to System Transformation and Operations. GAO-09-377T, February 11, 2009 (13 pages).
  http://www.gao.gov/docdblite/details.php?rptno=GAO-09-377T
• Surface Transportation: Clear Federal Role and Criteria-Based Selection Process Could Improve Three National and Regional Infrastructure Programs. GAO-09-219, February 6, 2009 (47 pages).
  http://www.gao.gov/docdblite/details.php?rptno=GAO-09-219
• Transportation Research: The Department of Transportation Has Made Progress in Coordinating and Reviewing Its Research Activities. GAO-09-361T, February 12, 2009 (8 pages).
  http://www.gao.gov/docdblite/details.php?rptno=GAO-09-361T

Share on Facebook

Add it now to your iPhone!

Share on Facebook

As a supporter of the conference the Reason Foundation is able to offer its supporters and contacts a 15% discount on the published delegate fees. Full conference details can be found at http://www.cityandfinancial.com/pfiam5

Public Private Partnerships on Transport Expertise

Public Private Partnerships are developing fast in the United States, in every transportation sector: from the “privatization” of highways (Chicago Skyway, Indiana Toll Road, etc.) to urban transit operation (e.g. with Veolia Transportation), U.S. DOT and State DOTs have been implementing these financing schemes since a couple years only. In a period of financial crisis, the Federal Government approving the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, around $46 billion will be spent on infrastructure projects in the next two years, allowing private participation in public projects…

In order to prepare the 5th Annual Public Private Partnerships USA Summit, we wanted to provide you with documents that Transport Expertise published about French and European PPP practices. Also, we would like to remind you that Transport Expertise members worked in collaboration with the French Trade Office in Washington, DC to organize a two-day seminar in Lyon and Saint Etienne which welcomed a U.S. delegation led by Sherry Little (Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration), Rep. John L. Mica (R-FL) and Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-CA). The report “FIRST FRENCH-AMERICAN WORKSHOP ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION & INNOVATIVE FINANCING“ was realeased September 5, 2008 and sent to the entire delegation. You can download the Executive Summary here, or order a free copy here.

Shall you have any inquiries about Public-Private Partnership know-how and best practices, sucesses and failures, Transport Expertise team will be able to provide you with information, reports, and references. Please contact us for more information!

References

• Website: PPP taskforce, les Contrats de Partenariat (Partnership Contracts), French Department of Economy and Finance: here
• Website: Ministère de l’Écologie, du Développement et de l’Aménagement durables, Ministry for Ecology, Sustainable Development and Land Planning : here
  • PPP examples in Europe, Exemples de PPP en Europe:
    http://www.europe-international.equipement.gouv.fr/rubrique.php3?id_rubrique=231
  • Regulation framework of PPPs in France, Cadre juridique du PPP en France:
    http://www.europe-international.equipement.gouv.fr/rubrique.php3?id_rubrique=232
  • European Commission proposals, La proposition de la Commission européenne:
    http://www.europe-international.equipement.gouv.fr/rubrique.php3?id_rubrique=95
  • Promoting PPPs, La promotion du partenariat public-privé (PPP):
    http://www.europe-international.equipement.gouv.fr/rubrique.php3?id_rubrique=94
• Website: The Trans-European Transport Networks (TEN-T), Financement public-privé (Public Private Financing): here
• French documentation about PPP in Europe & France:
  • Linotte Didier, Un cadre juridique désormais sécurisé pour les contrats de partenariat, AJDA, n° 1/2005 du 10 janvier 2005.
  • Monera Frédéric, Les financements innovants de services et de projets publics, Revue de la Recherche Juridique – Droit prospectif, PUAM, 2005-1, p.337 & s.
• Web Blog: Le Moniteur Expert, BTP & PPP: here

Related articles from the Transport Information Group

• Privatisation and Regulation of Urban Transit Systems, Oct. 31, 2008
• Banks might not finance Argentinian high-speed rail project, Oct. 21, 2008
• First French-American Workshop on Public Transportation & Innovative Financing (3/3), Sep. 5, 2008
• First French-American Workshop on Public Transportation & Innovative Financing (2/3), Sep. 4, 2008
• First French-American Workshop on Public Transportation & Innovative Financing (1/3), Sep. 4, 2008
• In brief: Vinci will operate Athena-Tsakona toll road, Aug. 11, 2008
• Western extension of the HSR network toward Brittany, Jul. 30, 2008
• Public Private Partnerships, French practices and evolutions (in Spanish), Apr. 7, 2008
• Thanks to PPPs, Vinci turnover exceeds €30 billion, Feb. 29, 2008
• Public Private Partnerships, French practices and evolutions, Feb. 26, 2008
• Vinci & Eiffage win Prado Sud tunnel concession in Marseilles, Feb. 15, 2008
• In brief: More Public-Private Partnerships in France, Feb. 15; 2008
• Under investment in French infrastructures, Feb. 11, 2008
• These roads that we could sell…, Jan. 30, 2008
• Less cheese, more PPPs, Jan. 22, 2008

Share on Facebook

A message from Dr. Johannes Klühspies

Interdisciplinary experts are currently discussing which technological and sociological trends – and their underlying psychological dimensions – are likely to determine the future of mobility for business and leisure travel. While some developments seem relatively easy to identify today, others remain nothing more than vague predictions.

In view of this, the Lucerne School of Business, ITW,  has launched a research project that includes an international online survey of professional opinions as one major component.  The “Cities for Mobility” network, which is being coordinated by the city of Stuttgart, Germany, supports this worldwide survey.

The  Lucerne Univeristy of Applied Scieneces, ITW would be pleased if you would contribute to the quality of the survey results by sharing your expertise on this topic. We will gladly send you an overview of the relevant research results as a PDF file, too.

The following link will take you to the online survey:

http://www.unipark.de/uc/ITW/6c71/

You will find additional important details (e.g., on data privacy) on the start page.

Thank you for your interest.

We would be glad to answer any further questions you may have.

“Cities for Mobility”-Network Member
Lucerne School of Business,
ITW Institute, CCM
Lucerne, Switzerland
Dr. Johannes Klühspies
Email:  johannes.kluehspies@hslu.ch

Share on Facebook