The Immediate Solution

Growing Congestion

• Between 1983 and 2003, total vehicle miles traveled in the US has increased almost 90%.

• Today, the Interstate System, which comprises just over 1% of the Nation's total miles of roadway, carries almost 25% of all traffic.

• Highway congestion increased dramatically between 1983 and 2003, in both extent and duration. In the 10 most congested urban areas of the country, each rush hour traveler “pays” an annual virtual “congestion tax” of between $850 and $1,600 in lost time and fuel and spends the equivalent of almost 8 work days each year stuck in traffic.

Congestion in Atlanta

North American Rail Network (Bottlenecks & Congestion Areas)

Major Freight Truck Bottlenecks

Annual Cost of Congestion (In billions of ’05 dollars, per population groups)

2005

Emissions - Particulates

0

0.005

0.01

0.015

0.02

Inland Towing Railroads Truck

Particulate Matter Emissions(Grams/Ton-Mile)

Emissions – Nitrogen Oxide

0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

Inland Towing Railraoads Truck

Nitrogen Oxide Emissions(Grams/Ton-Mile)

Emissions - Hydrocarbons

0

0.005

0.01

0.015

0.02

0.025

Inland Towing Railroads Truck

Hydrocarbon EmissionsGrams/Ton-Mile

Emissions – Carbon Monoxide

0

0.05

0.1

0.15

Inland Towing Railroads Truck

Carbon Monoxide Emissions(Grams/Ton-Mile)

All the modes work hard to prevent accidents, human errors and other causes of spills, including groundings in the case of barge transportation.  Spill rates are very low, as shown in gallons per 1 Million ton-miles. 

HazMat Safety

CRUDE OIL PRICE

Fuel Efficiency

Container Capacity Comparison – 456 Containers

1 Barge Tow

228 Rail Cars

456 Trucks

Relationship Between Trade and Prosperity

The Capacity Solution

International trade will at least double by the year 2030, further stressing our already congested landside transportation system.

Existing landside infrastructure can not support growth projections. Landside expansion is costly, protracted, and can be controversial.

The Nation’s Marine Highway system offers unlimited growth potential.

The U.S. moves approximately 2% of our domestic freight by water:• Europe - 44% • China - 61%

The Maritime Administration is developing initiatives to increase the marine domestic freight market share.

Water Transportation Network

2008 Marine Highways Program

Designate Marine Highway Corridors * Focus efforts and resources of multiple state, Transportation planners, local entities

Designate Marine Highway Projects* Identify projects that would offer best public benefit (congestion, emissions, energy and infrastructure savings)* Provide support to expand or start new operations (promote, coordinate, research, and identify federal cargos. Remove impediments)

Identify Incentives, Impediments and Solutions – Report to Congress December

• Establish Marine Highway Advisory Board • Identify & propose short term incentives

Conduct Research* Identify environmental and transportation benefits* Vessel design, technology, emissions, fuel economy & increase efficiency* Studies to identify and implement solutions for specific projects

Capital Construction Funds are available for vessels in Marine Highway trade.

Interim Final Rule

• Published October 9, 2008• Solicits comments on program structure• Solicits recommendations for MH corridors• Comments due by February 6, 2009• Project applications will be accepted after

Final Rule is published in 2009

America’s Marine Highways

Jim PughJim PughDirector, Marine Highways & Passenger ServicesDirector, Marine Highways & Passenger Services

Intermodal System DevelopmentIntermodal System DevelopmentU.S. Maritime AdministrationU.S. Maritime Administration

As we seek solutions to congestion, air quality, and infrastructure capacity, we must As we seek solutions to congestion, air quality, and infrastructure capacity, we must view the Marine Highways as a vital part of the surface transportation system.view the Marine Highways as a vital part of the surface transportation system.

America’s Marine Highways offer immediate benefits to everyone:America’s Marine Highways offer immediate benefits to everyone:

Reduced CongestionReduced CongestionBetter Air QualityBetter Air QualityFuel ConservationFuel Conservation

Infrastructure Cost AvoidanceInfrastructure Cost AvoidanceSafer HazMat TransportationSafer HazMat Transportation

Improved Highway SafetyImproved Highway Safety

America’s Marine HighwaysGateway Office Contacts

North Atlantic Gateway: Bob McKeon212-668-3330Mid Atlantic Gateway:Frank Mach757-441-3712South Atlantic Gateway:Lauren Brand305-890-6016Eastern Gulf Gateway:Jim Murphy504-589-2000

Southern California Gateway:Alan Hicks562-628-0246Pacific Northwest Gateway:Randy Rogers206-220-7717Great Lakes Gateway:Doris Bautch847-995-0122Upper Mississippi Gateway:Bob Goodwin314-539-6783