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The Development of Federal Surface Transportation

AuthorizationLegislation

Jim KolbCommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure

U.S. House of RepresentativesNovember 30, 2009

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Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

• Largest Committee in Congress

• Primary Jurisdiction Over Authorizing Public Works Programs

• Subcommittee on Highways and Transit one of six subcommittees

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Federal Surface Transportation Programs

• Establishes All Requirements, Authorities, Conditions, Eligibilities for: – Federal Highway Administration– Federal Transit Administration– National Highway Safety Administration – Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration– Research, Innovation and Technology Administration

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Current Number of Programs: 108

Operation LifesaverRail-Highway X-ing Hazard Elim. in High Speed Rail CorridorsEquity Bonus ProgramRevenue Aligned Budget AuthorityTransportation, Community, and System Preservation ProgramIndian Reservation Road BridgesTruck Parking Facilities Freight Intermodal Distribution Pilot Grant ProgramDelta Region Transportation Development ProgramWork Zone Safety Grants

Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act AmendmentsValue Pricing Pilot ProgramNational Historic Covered Bridge Preservation

Additional Authorization of Contract Authority for States with Indian Reservations (Sec. 1214(d)(5)(A) of TEA-21)Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot ProgramGrant Program to Prohibit Racial ProfilingTransportation ProjectsDenali Access System ProgramSurface Transportation Research ProgramTraining and EducationBureau of Transportation StatisticsUniversity Transportation ResearchIntelligent Transportation Systems ResearchMetropolitan Planning (FTA)Statewide Planning (FTA)Urbanized Area Formula GrantsClean Fuels Grant ProgramMajor Capital Investments (New Starts)

Major Capital Investments (Small Starts)Fixed Guideway ModernizationBus and Bus Facilities

Formula Grants for Special Needs for Elderly Individuals and Individuals with DisabilitiesNonrurbanized Area Formula GrantsRural Transit Assistance ProgramPublic Transportation on Indian ReservationsTransit Cooperative Research Program

Alternative Transportation in Parks and Public Lands

Alternatives Analysis

University Transportation Centers Program (FTA)

Over the Road Bus Program/Over the Road Bus Accessibility

National Fuel Cell Technology Development Program

Motor Carrier Safety Grants

Motor Carrier Administrative Expenses

Commercial Driver's License Program Improvement Grants

Border Enforcement Grants

Performance and Registration InformationSystem Management Grant Program

Commercial Vehicle Information Systems and Networks Deployment

Safety Data Improvement Grants

Commercial Driver's License Information System Modernization

Chapter 55 of 49 USC, Intermodal Transportation

State and Community Highway Safety Grants

Highway Safety Research and Development

Occupant Protection Incentive Grants

Safety Belt Performance Grants

State Traffic Safety Information System Improvements

Alcohol-Impaired Driving Countermeasures Incentive Grant Program

National Driver Register

High Visibility Enforcement

Motorcyclist Safety

Child Safety and Child Booster Seat Safety Incentive Grants

Administrative Expenses for Programs under Chapter 4 of 23 USC)

National Research & Technology ProgramJob Access and Reverse Commute Program

New Freedom Program

AmtrakHigh Speed Ground TransportationRailroad RelocationRailroad Research and Development

Railroad Safety RRIF

Interstate Maintenance ProgramInterstate Maintenance Discretionary Program

National Highway System

Alaska HighwayTerritorial Highway ProgramBridge ProgramBridge Setaside for Designated ProjectsOff-system BridgesSurface Transportation ProgramOn-the-Job Training/Supportive ServicesDBE TrainingTransportation EnhancementsCongestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement ProgramHighway Safety Improvement ProgramElimination of Hazards & Installation of Protective

Devices at RR X-ingsProtective DevicesHigh Risk Rural RoadsAppalachian Development Highway SystemRecreational Trails ProgramMetropolitan PlanningEmergency ReliefIndian Reservation RoadsPark Roads and ParkwaysRefuge RoadsPublic Lands HighwaysPublic Lands DiscretionaryForest HighwaysNational Corridor Infrastructure Improvement Program

Coordinated Border Infrastructure ProgramNational Scenic Byways ProgramConstruction of Ferry Boats and Ferry Terminal FacilitiesPuerto Rico Highway ProgramProjects of National and Regional SignificanceHigh Priority Projects ProgramSafe Routes to School ProgramDeployment of Magnetic Levitation Transportation ProjectsHighways for LIFEHighway Use Tax Evasion Projects

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Why Should You Care?

• Surface Transportation Legislation Establishes: – Transportation Infrastructure Market

• Funding - $52 billion in fiscal year 2009• Types of Projects and Activities Funded

– Program Requirements• Quality Based Selection

– Design and Inspection Standards and Regulations

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Current Authorization

• Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU)– $286.5 billion – Expired September 30, 2009– Status Quo Bill – Primary Themes – Equity and Earmarks

• State Rate of Return• Explosion of Earmarks

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Underinvestment in Highway, Bridge and Transit Infrastructure

• National Surface Transportation Revenue and Policy Commission – $225 billion needed annually over the next 50 years.

• American Society of Civil Engineers – Highway and Bridges - $930 billion needed over the

next 5 years. – Transit - $265 billion needed over the next 5 years.

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End of “TEA” Era

• Most Important – Most Difficult• Re-establish National Vision and Sense of

Purpose for the Program. • New Challenges

– Highway Safety– Freight and Goods Movement– Traffic Congestion– Asset Preservation– Sustainability and Livability– Performance and Accountability – Future Financing and Revenue

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Surface Transportation Authorization Act

• $500 Billion Multimodal Authorization

• Move from Prescriptive Stovepipes to Performance-based Programs Focused on Outcomes– Asset Preservation – Safety– Congestion – Mobility and Access for People and Freight– Livability and Sustainability

• Expedite Project Delivery

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Challenges to Completing Bill

• Perfect Storm: – Need for programmatic change– New Administration– Political Environment– The Senate– Revenue!!

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How Does Bill Come Together?

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Role of Outside Groups

• Two National Commission Report

• Think Tanks

• Public Sector

• Universities

• Trade Associations and Coalitions

• Lobbyist

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Questions?