U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION MODAL ADMINISTRATION PANEL

In this conference resource paper, the following U.S. Department of Transportation modal agencies offer a perspective on intermodalism: the Federal Highway Administration (G. Maring); Federal Aviation Administration (J. Rodgers); Federal Transit Administration (S.A. Diaz); and the Maritime Administration (N. Harllee). The Federal Railroad Administration perspective is presented by G.E. Carmichael in a paper on pages 73-77 of this Special Report. G. Maring discusses the following five aspects of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA): (a) the first major program restructuring since the 1956 Interstate Highway Act, (b) the new funding flexibility, (c) the changes in planning and decision making, (d) the significantly higher authorization levels and the new opportunities for public-private funding, and (e) the intermodal thrust of the act. He also discusses technical assistance activities of FHWA. J. Rodgers discusses the following four aspects of ISTEA: airport development, intermodal links and airport access, environmental compatibility and airport capacity, and joint development, use, and financing of new technology. S.A. Diaz comments on the challenge, under ISTEA, of developing a true partnership to move goods and people, to contribute to the national goals of cleaner air, fuel conservation, and energy independence, to improve U.S. competitiveness in world markets, and to relieve congestion and other inefficiencies in domestic transportation. He also points out the range of intermodal projects being funded by FTA. N. Harllee discusses the impact of ISTEA on the port industry. She points out that, while ISTEA presents a great opportunity for ports and for the entire freight industry, it is not automatic--all have to work for it.