San Francisco Bay Area commuter will have access to cutting-edge real-time traffics, transit and road safety information as results of a $12.4 millions partnership announced today by the U.S. Department of Transportations (DOT) and California Department of Transportations (Caltrans).

"America has the ability-right now-to radically change our driving experiences using innovations that exist today," said Administrator Paul Brubaker of the U.S. DOT Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA). "As one of the communities selected last August to participate in the Department's Urban Partnerships program, San Francisco already has shown its commitment to using innovative approaches to reduce traffic congestions. Now, the Bay Area will become the sites of one of the world's largest field tests of Intelligent Transportation Systems technology (ITS).

The award to Caltrans is part of the Department's new SafeTrip-21 initiative, which will test various ITS technology applications. It designed to reduce gridlock and traffic related fatalities and injuries on America's roadways, and improve public transportation services.

Randy Iwasaki, Chief Deputy Director of Caltrans added, "SafeTrip-21 is one of many ways that the public and private sectors can collaborate to create cost-effective transportation solutions focused on improving the traveler's commuting convenience and overall safety."

The SafeTrip-21 partnership will field-test GPS equipped cellular phones from up to 10,000 volunteers' commuters and transit vehicles transmitting data from roads in a 200 miles radius to traffic management centers. The additional traffic information's gathered by these "probes" will help all Bay Area commuters make intelligent travels choices and avoid congestion while driving to work or using local transit systems.

SafeTrip-21 is working to develop a consumer friendly platforms that brings together existing technologies including trip planning and traveler's information; safety advisories; on-board displays of commuter rail and bus transit connections; electronic toll collection, and parking reservations and payment services.

The partnerships also will establish a national "test bed" to advance the development of a Vehicle Infrastructure Integration systems, which uses Wi-Fi and Dedicated Short Range Communication to alert drivers to unsafe conditions so they can avoid crashes before they happen.

Multiple consumer electronic devices will be used including personal navigation devices, mobile phones, and a diverse set of communication technologies. In addition, an in-vehicle transport "cradle" will provide a wireless interface to the Internet for virtually any mobile electronic device.

Other SafeTrip-21 partners include the University of California-Partners for Advanced Transit and Highways (PATH), California Center for Innovative Transportation (CCIT), Nokia, NAVTEQ, Metropolitan Transportation Commission, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, and Nissan.

The Rudd Labor Government will provide $10 millions to fix another notorious section of the Princes Highway Transport - the vital roads linking the regional economies of southern Illawarra, Sapphire Coast and Eurobodalla.

This section in question takes motorists along a winding road over Conjola Mountain in southern NSW and was the scenes of 35 reported crashes in the 5 years to September 2006.

In this case, it appear poor road design is costing lives.

That is why we will upgrade this 3.5 km section of highway transportation, eliminating many of the dangers motorists and truckers have to navigate as they travels along this popular tourist and freight route.

The upgrade will:

• Eliminate the dips, crests and tight curves between Bendalong Road & the new Conjola Creek Bridge;
• Separate the opposing lanes of traffics with a wire rope median;
• Constructs an overtaking lane along one of the steeper parts; and
• Build 4 reinforces earth walls and a 120 meters bridge.
  

Each day, more than 6,000 vehicle transports use this section of the Princes Highway.

Work commenced on Stage 1 of the project in January 2008, with Stage 2 tenders called in late May 2008. It's expected the project will be completed by the end of December of next year.

In addition to Federal funding, the NSW Government will spend $35 millions on this essential roadwork. Once completed, it will complement the new Pambula Bridge and then upgrades immediately south of Nowra.

Together, these on-going investments in this Princess Highway by both the Rudd and Iemma Labor governments are reducing congestion, cutting travelling times and most importantly improving safety.

See the map.Source: NSW RTA

As well as saving lives, well-designed and maintained roads can lower business cost, improve the daily lives of working people and reduces harmful carbon emissions.

Over the next few years, the Rudd Labor Governments will be spending more than $5 billion modernizing the major roads and highways of NSW.

Issued on behalf of the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC)

Lord Bassam of Brighton, the House of Lord Spokesperson on transport, will deliver the Key Note speech to launches DPTAC's Disability Equality and Awareness Training Framework for Transport Staffs on 25th June to delegates from the transport industry and disability organizations.

The training framework is a free resource & has been designed for use across all modes of transport.

Despite improvements to the accessibility of transport infrastructure, disabled travelers continue to face daily obstacles. A key element is poor or inadequate disability awareness trainings and transport staffs are often unable to give disabled travelers the support they would like to provide.

DPTAC's commissioned the Centre for Employment & Disadvantage Studies to carry out research with disabled people and the transport industry in order to identify the key issues to address in disability equality awareness training.

Carol Thomas, Chair of DPTAC's Education and Training Working Group says "We have developed training frameworks that will help identify the needs of disabled passengers and the training staffs require assisting them properly. In essence, it focuses on good customers care for disabled people. Just as improving accessibility for disabled peoples improve accessibility for all; our frameworks should help transport providers deliver a better services to all passengers."

Brimbank Gardens residents can now get on boards newly improved bus route 400, Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky announced today.

Ms Kosky said from today, Route 400, which runs from Sunshine to Laverton, will be varied to provide services to the Brimbank Gardens area in Derrimut.

"The Brumby Government is taking action to increases public transport options and the improvements to Route 400 means more travel option for people living in the growing area of Brimbank Gardens," Ms Kosky said.

The completion of traffic signals at the intersections of Windsor Boulevard and Robinsons Road has enabled the bus to use these intersections. The services will now operates from Sunshine via Tilburn Road then via Mt Derrimut Road and Windsor Boulevard to Robinsons Road, providing public transport access to these developing areas of Derrimut.

Ms Kosky said the new service variations to Brimbank Gardens were a significant boost for the area.

"Buses are a vital parts of our transport network as they provides strong cross-town links that complement our train and tram network," Ms Kosky said.

"Route 400 links Sunshine and Laverton Railway Station, meaning residents of Brimbank Gardens will now have easy access to two rail corridors.

"The improved services will give people greater flexibility to attend appointments, shop and socialise."

Ms Kosky said that the improvements were parts of the Brumby Government's commitment to make local public transport more accessible and flexible for passengers.

"As part of the Meeting Our Transport Challenges action plans, we have committed $650 million over 10 years to boost metropolitan local bus services," Ms Kosky said.

Route 400 operates seven days/week with services about every 30 minutes between 6.30am to 7.00pm Monday to Friday, and between 6.30am to 6.00pm on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays.

Beginning January 1, 2009 all new cars sold in California will carry a label which clearly informs consumer of the state's assessment of the vehicle transport environmental impact.

The new regulation signed into law this week by the Secretary of State, creates a simple ranking systems that will provide consumer with practical information that can be used to choose the most environmentally friendly vehicles that meet their transportation needs. Showroom model could start showing these labels as early as July 2008.

"This label will arm consumers with the information they need to choose a vehicle that saved gas, reduces greenhouse gas emissions and helps fight smog all at once," said Mary Nichols. "Consumer choice is an especially powerful tool in our fight against climate changes. We look forward to seeing these stickers on 2009 model cars as they start hitting the showroom in the coming months."

The environmental performance label will provide two scores on scales of 1-10, a Smog Score and a Global Warming Score. The average new car will score five on both scales. The higher the score the less impact the car has on the environment. The California Air Resources Board also hosts a consumer web site, DriveClean.ca.gov, which provides information on the cleanest, most efficient cars on the market.

United States Attorney Michael W. Mosman and Tom Sansonetti, Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resource Division, today announced that Pyeong Gab Jung pled guilty in U.S. District Court in Portland, Ore., to making false statements in the oil record book of the Cygnus, a carrier car shipping which transported automobiles between Japan and the United States. Jung was immediately sentenced to serve three months in prison, following which he will be deported to Korea.

As chief engineer of the Cygnus, Jung was responsible for maintaining the oil record book, a document which ocean-going auto shipping are required to carry and to present on demand. In the oil record book, Jung was required to record all transfer, disposal and discharge of oil aboard the vessel. The United States Coast Guard routinely inspects oil record books of ships operating in U.S. water. Jung's entries in the books reflected that waste oil aboard the Cygnus was incinerated, when in fact it was discharged overboard on the high seas using a bypass hose.

"The Justice Department will not turn a blind eye to those who dump waste oil into our oceans or who falsify records relied upon by the Coast Guard to monitor vessel compliance with our environmental law," said Sansonetti.

The violations aboard the Cygnus were discovered when federal government authorities, acting on a tips from a former crew member, executed a search warrant aboard the Cygnus on April 10, 2002. During the search, they found the flexible hose which the Cygnus' crew used to bypass the oil/water separator, a devices designed to prevent the discharge of oil into the ocean. In addition, they found fresh paint on the ship's overboard valve intended to conceal the facts that the bypass hose had been disconnected and hidden before the Cygnus arrived in Portland. When the overboard valve was dismantled during the search, it was found to be contaminated with oils. Further, a diver inspecting Cygnus' hull found a long streak of oil on the side of the ships behind the discharge hole.

The Cygnus is a 623-foot car carrier owned by Feng Li Maritime Corporation and operated by Fujitrans Corporations. The vessel was under charter to ToyoFuji Shipping, Co., Ltd., a company jointly owned by Toyota Motor Co., Toyota Shipping Co., Ltd., and Fujitrans Corporation. It is used to transporters Toyota and Lexus automobiles from Japan to the United States.

The investigation was conducted by the United States Coast Guard, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Washington States Department of Ecology. The prosecution was conducted by the United State Attorney's Office in Portland and the Environmental Crimes Section of the United State Departments of Justice.

A co-defendant, First Assistant Engineer Duk Jo Jeong, is scheduled to go to trials on August 13, 2002. In that case, Jeong is alleged to have participated in similar violation."

The date and time at ALDOT is Thursday, June 19, 2008 12:35 AM CDT. ALDOT provides this information as a public service. The information on this website reflects ALDOT's best information at the time of preparation and actual conditions may vary. Severe weather, sudden temperature changes, snow, rainfall or other events can cause road conditions to change rapidly.For this reason, the information provided on this site might not reflect changes that have taken place since the last scheduled update. Therefore, no warranty of accuracy or completeness is expressed or implied. Normal commute traffic, ramp closures, county and city roads are not included on this list. Drivers are reminded to exercise caution at all times.

Those relying on the foregoing information do so at their own risk and neither the State of Alabama, the ALDOT nor any of their employees or agents shall be liable for either the accuracy of this information nor any actions taken in reliance thereon. A route or route segment on which the flow of traffic is impacted due to an emergency/storm condition may be classified as follows: Advisory: Exercise extreme caution when travelling. Closed: No traffic permitted on this roadway except for emergency response and law enforcement. Impassable: Vehicular travel is prohibited on this roadway due to unsafe roadway conditions. Emergency response personnel are engaged in other response activities and are unable to install road closure devices at this time.

New research from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has found June through August to be the deadliest time of year for 15-passenger van occupants, due to rollover crashes. Statistics show that 31 percent of fatal rollovers involving 15-passenger vans occur during the busy summer travel months.

NHTSA Administrator Nicole R. Nason is urging all 15-passenger van users to take appropriate safety precautions when taking to the road during this busy travel season.

"The last thing we want is a summer outing to turn into a tragic memory," Nason said.

NHTSA data shows a significant increase in rollover risk when the van is fully loaded with drivers and passengers. In 2006, 50 percent of occupant fatalities that occurred were in vans that were fully loaded. Fifty-nine percent of those killed were unbelted.

Other factors that contribute to rollover incidents include improperly inflated tires, poor tire condition and inexperienced drivers. Owners should follow manufacturers' recommendations for replacing old tires because tires may become less safe after a certain period of time, even if they have adequate tread and proper inflation.

"For a safe trip buckle up, check the tire pressure and make sure an experienced driver is behind the wheel before heading out on the roads this summer," said Nason.

Overall statistics show the number of deaths in 15-passenger van rollover crashes has been declining steadily since 2001. However, these vehicles still pose a safety risk to occupants, claiming the lives of 58 people in accidents in 2006.

BTS Releases Special Report on Trade Growth and Transportation. The Bureau of Transportation Statistics has released U.S.-China Trade Growth and America's Transportation System, a special report about the increase of traffic at air cargo hubs and seaports due to increased U.S.-China trade over the last two decades. In particular, growing air trade with China in the Southwest and Great Lakes regions and the increase in water trade at West Coast ports have put an even greater demand on the transportation infrastructure serving these areas.

FRA Awards Grant to Alaska Railroad to Install Positive Train Control on 68 Locomotives. The Federal Railroad Administration has awarded a $735,000 grant to the Alaska Railroad to install and test its positive train control system, the Collision Avoidance System (CAS), on 68 locomotives. Positive train control systems are capable of automatically controlling train speed and movements to prevent certain accidents, including train collisions. The grant is the final step to implement the CAS throughout Alaska Railroad's network, and will fund the installation of locomotive on-board computers which interface with the office safety servers, the computer aided dispatch system, and the radio communication network. The development of the CAS was initiated in 2005. Previous work included the installation of a new generation computer-aided dispatch system, the deployment of a communications network and locomotive tracking system, and the engineering and design of the onboard system.

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. - Faster commutes, more parking and better transit soon will be a reality for the Twin Cities area, U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters announced today during a visit with Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty to award the region $133.3 million in federal funds to help cut congestion along the vital I-35W corridor.

"Our economic vitality and prosperity as a nation are increasingly becoming dependent on our willingness to embrace new transportation strategies," Secretary Peters said. "Thanks to the tremendous political courage of state and local leaders, the Twin Cities' future is looking promising and prosperous."

Secretary Peters noted that the funding is being made available through an innovative program called Urban Partnerships, designed to encourage communities to embrace new approaches to cutting congestion. She added that the funding commitment was made possible because state legislators recently provided transportation officials with the authority they need to implement their traffic fighting plan.

That plan includes converting existing car pool lanes on I-35W to allow single occupant drivers to also use them if they pay a fee, and extending the new lanes, known as High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes. The federal funds also will be used to purchase 26 new buses, speed wait times for buses at stoplights and construct new park and ride facilities along the corridor. The Secretary said the plan also will finance new dynamic signs and real-time communications systems so drivers will be able to better avoid traffic or know when to choose transit.

"Over the past several years, we've tackled traffic congestion by adding capacity in key corridors and implementing new technologies, like MnPASS on I-394," Governor Pawlenty said. "We're using every tool available to help get commuters to work and home faster and make sure our transportation system helps support our vibrant economy. The agreement signed today will provide significant additional resources to battle congestion along I-35W from Minneapolis through the southern Twin Cities suburbs so people and goods can get around our region faster."

The Urban Partnership Program is part of the Department's comprehensive initiative to address congestion throughout the nation's transportation system. In addition to the Twin Cities region, the Department has entered into partnerships with Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, San Francisco and Seattle.

The California Air Resources Board has released a proposed regulation that would require ocean-going vessels within 24 nautical miles off California's coastline to use cleaner fuel in their main and auxiliary engines, and boilers.

The measure to be considered by the Air Resources Board at its July 24 and 25 meeting would annually affect about 2,000 ocean-going vessels visiting California. The vessels would be required to use lower-sulfur marine distillates rather than the highly polluting heavy-fuel oil often called bunker fuel.

"The gains made by this regulation will save lives all along the coast and provide significant health benefits for those living near heavily used California seaports." explained ARB Deputy Director, Michael Scheible. "We're requiring very large reductions that will greatly lessen air pollution from ships."

The proposed regulation requiring ships to use more refined fuel with lower sulfur content would be implemented in two steps - first in 2009 and final in 2012 - and would be the most stringent and comprehensive requirement for marine fuel-use in the world. Both U.S.-flagged and foreign-flagged vessels would be to subject to the statewide regulation.

The draft regulation would reduce emissions of toxic particulate matter from the vessels' diesel engines by 15 tons per day, an 80 percent reduction of the uncontrolled emissions now. Emissions of oxides of sulfur and nitrogen, major contributors to California's air pollution problems, would also be reduced by 90 and six percent, respectively.

The proposed regulation would have large health benefits for Californians. An estimated 2,000 premature deaths between 2009 and 2015 would be avoided, and the cancer risk caused by emissions from these vessels would be reduced by over 80 percent. In addition, the emission reductions would aid the South Coast Air Quality Management District meet federal clean air requirements for fine particulate matter by 2014. The regulation is also needed for ARB to achieve its targeted 85 percent reduction of diesel PM by 2020.

Diesel exhaust contains a variety of harmful gases and over 40 other known cancer-causing substances. Currently, diesel PM emissions from ocean-going vessels expose over seven million people in California to high cancer risk levels - in excess of 100 in a million for lifetime exposures.

To reach its goal of reducing diesel PM throughout California, over the past eight years ARB has adopted regulations affecting cargo-handling equipment, transport refrigeration units, truck idling, off-road equipment, harbor craft, port drayage trucks, onboard incineration, and ships at-berth. ARB's cleaner fuel requirements for railroad and ship engines have reduced pollution around rail yards and ports. And this fall ARB will consider measures to reduce emissions from heavy duty diesel trucks.

According to the statement made by the Chairman of Government of Adjara, there is great demand on small mechanic tractors and thus it is intended to continue the programme in the future.

"Sum was transferred from the budget to purchase 80 small mechanic vehicles. The project is very successful. It shifted our expectations. We ordered 80 units, but have already got orders for over 300 ones. Thus, we intend to continue the programme and purchase more tractors for our population.

Development of agriculture is prior for the Government of Adjara like Government of Georgia. You know we together with the national government have purchased tractors specially useful for highland regions of Adjara. Those vehicles will be used for roads reconstruction and population service. This is one example of what we intend to do for our rural and highland areas", said Mr Varshalomidze.

The Prime Minister expressed his satisfaction and wish to launch similar programme in other regions of Georgia.

Farmers selected by local municipalities and Ministry of Economy will buy the tractors just for 50 per cent of their total price. All small mechanic vehicles were bought in St. Petersburg and cost 200 thousand Gel.

Proposals to ensure historically significant artefacts are protected to tell the story of the British railway have been published in a consultation by Rail Minister Tom Harris MP today.

The consultation asks for views on proposals to extend the scope of the Railway Heritage Committee (RHC), the body responsible for safeguarding Britain's railway legacy.

The RHC has previously designated a memorial board of Henry West who lost his life to a whirlwind at Reading station in 1840, as well as train nameplates to honour the famous engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel and the comedian and traveller Michael Palin. A selection of these artefacts can now be seen by members of the public at the National Railway Museum in York.

It would mean that the RHC would in future, work with all railway organisations to ensure historically significant records and artefacts are secured. At present British Transport Police, Transport for London and Rail Safety and Standards Board are among those excluded from the activities of the RHC. It would also mean that an archivist can be recruited to help the RHC protect the past, so that the history of rail can be told for years to come.

Rail Minister Tom Harris said:

"Last year saw record numbers of journeys on the rail network. We are focussing on how we can meet growing demand in the years to come but it is important that we carry on protecting the past so that future generations can see how far the industry has come.

"I encourage everyone with an interest in rail heritage to respond to the consultation so that we can better secure the artefacts and records of rail history."

The lasting impact of drink driving is highlighted in a new THINK! campaign launched today by Road Safety Minister Jim Fitzpatrick.

The £1.6m summer campaign with new radio adverts emphasises that a drink drive conviction stays on your licence for 11 years - affecting your job prospects and serving as a constant reminder of the 12-month driving ban you received for driving while over the limit.

Jim Fitzpatrick said:

"Drink drivers put themselves and others in serious danger, but getting behind the wheel after drinking can have a devastating impact on your life even if you avoid a crash. You'll get a minimum 12-month driving ban and a large fine - and the record will stay on your licence for 11 years.

"As the weather gets warmer we all want to be out enjoying ourselves and might end up drinking when we hadn't planned to, but that doesn't mean we have to drive home. If you've had a drink use public transport or take a taxi - otherwise that quick pint might end up lasting 11 long years."

The new THINK! adverts highlight just how long a drink drive conviction stays on your licence by pointing out what else you will do in the 11 years. For example:
* Your heart will beat 400,000,000 times
* You'll breathe enough air to fill 20 hot air balloons
* You'll eat enough potatoes to fill 6 phone boxes
* You'll drink 36 bathtubs full of water
* You'll climb enough stairs to ascend Mt Everest twice
* You'll sweat enough to fill 1,612 fish tanks.

As well as the new radio adverts and in-pub advertising the summer drink drive campaign features TV and cinema advertising and a partnership marketing campaign. It runs from June 2 to August 10.

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Department of Transportation seeks innovative ways to fight congestion at some of the nation's busiest border crossings, U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters announced today.

"It's time to put an end to the kind of delays that keep families and businesses at a standstill at our borders," Secretary Peters said.

The Secretary said that the Department is requesting proposals for innovative new approaches to ending traffic tie ups at some of the nation's most congested border crossings. She added that the Department would select at least two projects each along the Canadian and Mexican borders.

Peter's said the effort was needed because, over the last two decades, the value of freight shipments among the US, Canada and Mexico has risen by 170 percent, growing an average of eight percent annually.

She cautioned though that this increasing demand was leading to longer delays at the crossings. In 2007, Secretary Peters noted, US-bound traffic from Canada experienced delays up to three hours at many crossings, costing businesses more than $14 billion annually. On the Mexico side, San Diego County alone loses $271 million in annual revenue due to delays at the border, she added.

"We're looking for solutions to the congestion at our borders that is frustrating individuals and stifling commerce," Acting Federal Highway Administrator Jim Ray said.

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters today announced that the United States and Kenya have negotiated an Open-Skies agreement between the two countries. The agreement, the first aviation accord between the two countries, was reached after two days of negotiations in Washington.

The agreement, whose terms will be observed immediately, is the 20th U.S. Open-Skies agreement with an African nation, and Kenya is the 92nd U.S. Open-Skies partner worldwide.

"This agreement with Kenya is part of our continuing effort to improve transportation and trade ties with nations around the world," said Secretary Peters. "Today's agreement lays the groundwork for future air service between the United States and Kenya that will provide new options for travelers as well as economic benefits to both countries."

Under the new agreement, airlines from both countries will be allowed to select routes and destinations based on consumer demand, without limitations on the number of U.S. or Kenyan carriers that can fly between the two countries or the number of flights they can operate. The agreement also contains no restrictions on capacity and pricing, and provides opportunities for cooperative marketing arrangements. After three years, U.S. carriers also will be able to fly beyond Kenya to any other African country.

Maritime Administration Signs Memorandum of Understanding for Port Project in Guam. Maritime Administrator Sean T. Connaughton has signed an agreement with the Government of Guam and the Port Authority of Guam for the Maritime Administration to facilitate the modernization, expansion, and transformation of the Jose D. Leon Guerrero Commercial Port in Guam. The Maritime Administration has facilitated a similar project for the Port of Anchorage, and is beginning a similar project with the Hawaii Harbors. Contact Shannon Russell: (202) 366-5807.

DOT to Hold Second Aviation Consumer Forum on June 24 in Chicago. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) will host its second aviation consumer forum on Tuesday, June 24 in Chicago to help educate air travelers about their rights and responsibilities and discuss problems facing the air travel industry. Members of the public will be able to share their air travel experiences with DOT officials as well as with airline and airport representatives. Topics to be discussed include flight delays and cancellations, baggage problems, oversales, reservations, and ticketing. The forum, which is free to the public, will be held at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile Hotel, 540 N. Michigan Ave., and run from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The first airline consumer forum was held April 17 in Miami, and the third forum will take place in San Francisco in September at a date to be determined.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) today said it will grant antitrust immunity to Delta Air Lines, Northwest Airlines, and four of their international partners to combine their transatlantic operations in an expanded SkyTeam alliance.

The Department's grant of antitrust immunity allows the two U.S. carriers, along with Air France, Alitalia, Czech Airlines and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, to coordinate their transatlantic fares, services and capacity as if they were a single carrier in these markets, subject to certain conditions. Northwest has an existing alliance with KLM, while Delta has an existing alliance with Air France, Alitalia and Czech Airlines.

Today's action, which makes final the tentative decision issued April 9, does not affect Delta's and Northwest's ongoing plans to merge. The merger plans are subject to a separate antitrust review by the Department of Justice.

In approving antitrust immunity, the Department concluded that the proposed alliance is in the public interest because it features a proposed new and highly integrated joint venture that will likely produce efficiencies and provide consumers with additional price and service options. The United States has negotiated an Open-Skies Plus aviation agreement with the European Union (EU). The U.S.-EU agreement provides that transatlantic markets remain open to other competitors because U.S. and European airlines are now able to serve any route between the United States and Europe.

The Department noted that the carriers have not yet put into place the joint venture upon which many of the public benefits of antitrust immunity would depend. For this reason, the Department required the carriers to fully implement the proposed alliance within 18 months as a condition of retaining immunity. The Department also stressed that the carriers would remain subject to antitrust laws for domestic service and for international flights that are not covered by the alliance agreement.

Beginning with the Northwest-KLM alliance, which was approved in 1993, the DOT has granted antitrust immunity to a number of international airline alliances where it found that the alliance benefited the public and did not substantially reduce competition.

Delta and Northwest first petitioned the Department to allow the alliance in 2004. After an initial tentative denial, they reapplied in June of last year with a substantially revised agreement.

Eleven Billion Fewer Vehicle Miles Traveled in March 2008 Over Previous March

WASHINGTON -- Americans drove less in March 2008, continuing a trend that began last November, according to estimates released today from the Federal Highway Administration.

"That Americans are driving less underscores the challenges facing the Highway Trust Fund and its reliance on the federal gasoline excise tax," said Acting Federal Highway Administrator Jim Ray.

The FHWA's "Traffic Volume Trends" report, produced monthly since 1942, shows that estimated vehicle miles traveled (VMT) on all U.S. public roads for March 2008 fell 4.3 percent as compared with March 2007 travel. This is the first time estimated March travel on public roads fell since 1979. At 11 billion miles less in March 2008 than in the previous March, this is the sharpest yearly drop for any month in FHWA history.

Though February 2008 showed a modest 1 billion mile increase over February 2007, cumulative VMT has fallen by 17.3 billion miles since November 2006. Total VMT in the United States for 2006, the most recent year for which such data are available, topped 3 trillion miles.

Additionally, the U.S. Department of Transportation estimated that greenhouse gas emissions fell by an estimated 9 million metric tons for the first quarter of 2008.

The estimated data show that VMT on all U.S. public roads have dropped since 2006. The FHWA's Traffic Monitoring Analysis System (TMAS) computes VMT for all types of motor vehicles (motorcycles, cars, buses and trucks) on the nation's public roads. These data are collected through over 4,000 automatic traffic recorders operated round-the-clock by state highway agencies. More comprehensive data are published in the FHWA's "Highway Statistics" at the end of each year