The Transportation Challenge: Moving the US Economy

Cambridge Systematics report prepared for the National Chamber Foundation examines link between good transportation and economic vitality.

pp. 77 - 79

Step 1

Freight Policies and Investment Needs - States that there is a need for greater attention to the freight transportation system.  From the investment side, a dedicated fund for freight that is separate from the highway maintenance funds.  From the planning side, the maintenance and expansion of freight oriented corridors located within states and interstates coordinated by DOT 's and MPO's. 

pp. 31

Step 3

Port congestions and delays are caused by clashing 24-hour - 7 day a week shipping schedules and 18 hour, 5 days a week port schedules.  The operating hours for ports must be extended to accommodate shipping schedules to prevent congestions and delay.

Section 4.3 -pp. 70 - 71

Underinvestment is Affecting Transportation System Performance - this section of report describes how the underfunded and underdeveloped infrastructure may degrade possible economic expansion within the United States if no changes are made to the current system.

Step 3 & 4

Section 4.2 - pp. 58 – 68

How well U.S. Transportation Systems are performing? - This section of the report outlines how each mode of transportation is holding up by using the ASCE Infrastructure Report Card for rail, roadways, waterways and air travel.  There is also an analysis of the economic impact caused by delays in transportation caused by infrastructure.

pp. 28 - 33

Step  4

Transportation and Agricultural Natural Resource Industries - Reports the highlights the importance of transportation services to the agricultural industry. Eight cents out of every dollar made from agriculture and natural resources goes toward transportation (shipment and distribution). This is an example of why railroads and multi-modal systems are important to the economic development of a region.

pp. 56

Step 7

Industry Transportation Proposals - The freight industry is proposing investment tax credits to encourage private sector investment in rail.

pp. 74 – 75

Step 8

National Surface Transportation Policy & Revenue Study Commission stated that "...the nation is at a crossroads, with its economic leadership and vitality at stake. Incremental changes to the existing federal surface transportation system are no longer acceptable." The commission new compact stated that a far greater investment from all levels of government and the private sector.