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U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded US Airways the right to begin a new daily round trip between Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Akron/Canton, Ohio that will provide the state's communities with their only nonstop service to Washington. "Travelers from Akron and Canton now will enjoy convenient nonstop air service to Washington, D.C.," Secretary Peters said. DOT awarded US Airways exemptions to the slot limits which govern takeoffs and landings at Reagan National and said the carrier must begin the new service by Jan. 25. The re-allocated slots were made available when AirTran Airways ceased service between Milwaukee and Reagan National on Sept. 3. In addition to US Airways, the Department also received an application from Midwest Airlines to use the authority as part of its existing Washington-Milwaukee service. To promote airline competition and enhance air service to the nation's capital, Congress, through the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR-21) and the Vision 100 - Century of Flight Aviation Authorization Act, created exemptions to the slot limitations at Reagan National. One slot exemption permits one daily takeoff or landing; thus, two slot exemptions are required for a single daily round trip. Based on governing statutes, these slot exemptions could be used only for service within the 1,250-mile perimeter at Reagan National. In order to increase competition at Reagan National in the future, the term of the award will be up for review before the Department in two years at which point DOT could decide to reallocate US Airways' authority upon 120 days' notice. The Department's decision, carrier applications and other documents regarding the proceeding may be obtained on the Internet at www.regulations.gov, docket number DOT-OST-2000-7182.
              
posted by transport blogs
@ 1:31 AM
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WASHINGTON - The nation's 3.5 million truck drivers will be limited to driving for only 11 hours and working for no more than 14 hours each day under a new rule issued today by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The final rule is based on an exhaustive scientific review and designed to ensure truck drivers get the necessary rest to perform safe operations and the quality of life they deserve, the agency's Administrator, John Hill, noted.
"This rule was designed to continue the downward trend in truck fatalities and maintain motor carrier operational efficiencies," said Administrator Hill. "Our science is meticulous and our analysis exhaustive so that we can deliver definitive results: more alert and efficient drivers, safer roads, and even fewer fatalities."
The agency consulted with scientific and medial researchers, reviewed existing fatigue research and worked with organizations like the Transportation Research Board of the National Academies and the National Institute for Occupational Safety in setting the final "Hours of Service" rules, Administrator Hill noted.
He added that the new federal rule requires all truck drivers to spend at least 10 hours resting between shifts before being allowed back on the road. Drivers also cannot operate a truck if they have worked more than 60 hours in a given week. Under the new rules, drivers that rest for at least 34 hours can also reset their weekly work schedule.
"These rules are crafted to match what we know about drivers' circadian rhythms and the real world work environment truckers face every day," said Administrator Hill.
Hill said the rule would build on safety improvements already under way among the nation's truck operators. He noted, for example, that the number of large truck fatalities declined for the third year in a row in 2007 with 4,808 fatalities, down from 5,240 in 2005. Meanwhile, safety data show that between 2004 and 2006, there was only one fatigue-related fatality that occurred during a truck driver's eleventh hour behind the wheel.
Hill also noted that in 2006 the Agency proposed a rule that would require drivers and trucking companies with serious or repeat hours-of-service violations to track their hours-of-service using electronic on-board recorders (EOBRs). The final rule for EOBRs is pending.
The Final Rule is available at: http://www.federalregister.gov./OFRUpload/OFRData/2008-27437_PI.pdf
posted by transport blogs
@ 4:19 AM
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U.S. DOT Announces Partnership with I-95 Corridor Coalition It will soon be a lot easier for I-95 travelers to get information about traffic backups, construction information and other delays thanks to a new $6.4 million partnership announced by Paul R. Brubaker, Administrator of the U.S. Department of Transportation's Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA). "The goal is to make it easier to learn about traffic backups on I-95 than it is to find the next gas station," said Administrator Brubaker. "Since 1993, the members of the I-95 Corridor Coalition have maintained a strong relationship with the U.S. Department of Transportation. We look forward to working with the Department to test and evaluate the public benefit of innovative travel information services," said George Schoener, executive director of the I-95 Corridor Coalition. The program will help the Coalition continue testing vehicle probes to provide travel time information along the East Coast. After this information has been verified, commuters in selected areas of the I-95 corridor will have the potential - through a variety of information resources - to make more informed travel decisions. For example, the North Carolina Department of Transportation will be able to better monitor travel through work zone areas so it can advise approaching motorists of queues and speed limits to achieve safer and more efficient operation. In June, the Department launched the first SafeTrip-21 partnership in the San Francisco Bay area. Advanced technologies developed as part of this initiative are currently on display at the 15th ITS World Congress in New York City. The award to I-95 Corridor Coalition, through the University of Maryland, is part of the Department's new SafeTrip-21 initiative, which supports the use of advanced technology to improve safety, improve public transportation services, and reduce gridlock on America's roadways.
posted by transport blogs
@ 9:44 PM
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Suffolk and Norfolk residents and commuters could benefit from better, more reliable and safer journeys 18 months earlier than expected, after the planned start date for dualling of the A11 was brought forward to 2010 by Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon.
Following discussions with local MPs, councils and the Regional Assembly, Mr Hoon has confirmed crucial improvement work to the A11 between Fiveways and Thetford can be brought forward from 2012/13, subject to consideration of any objections to the scheme and the outcome of statutory processes. This would enable this important scheme to open to traffic in early 2013, 18 months ahead of the previous timetable.
Geoff Hoon said:
"The Government is committed to bringing forward infrastructure investment wherever possible, so I am pleased to confirm that today I have asked the Highways Agency to work towards delivering this much needed scheme to dual the last single carriageway stretch of the A11 at the earliest opportunity - subject to the outcome of statutory planning and order making processes.
"The region has confirmed improvement work to this heavily used road which connects the East of England with London and the Midlands via the motorway network is a top priority which will bring increased capacity, improved journey times and safety, and provide a big boost to the region's economy.
"Bringing start of works forward to Autumn 2010 would mean road users would benefit from the improvements around 18 months earlier than originally planned. It will also provide better value for money, costing around £8 million less than it would to start work in 2012/13. This scheme confirms the Government's commitment to delivering transport improvements to the East of England."
Barbara Follett, Regional Minister for the East of England, said:
"Today's announcement of a planned earlier start on an upgrade to the A11 is great news for the East of England and will boost the economy during these difficult times.
"This is the Government's commitment to support key infrastructure projects despite the downturn in the economy in action and is, I believe, the result of effective partnership working locally, regionally and nationally.
"As Chair of the East of England Regional Economic Forum I will continue to work with all stakeholders to ensure that we can help support the region's economy."
Roger Hawkins, project manager for the Highways Agency, said:
"Completing the dualling of the A11 between the M11 and Norwich will significantly contribute to improving journey time reliability and ease congestion. The scheme includes a bypass that will take traffic away from Elveden, bringing substantial benefits to the village which has Conservation Area status."
Draft Orders for the scheme will be published shortly by the Highways Agency.
Depending on the nature and weight of any objections to the proposals, a Public Inquiry may be held.
posted by transport blogs
@ 11:40 PM
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posted by transport blogs
@ 9:07 PM
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Flights operated by the nation's largest airlines arrived on time at a higher rate this past September than in either September of last year or in August 2008, according to the Air Travel Consumer Report released today by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). According to information filed with the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), a part of DOT's Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA), the 19 carriers reporting on-time performance recorded an overall on-time arrival rate of 84.9 percent in September, higher than both September 2007's 81.7 percent and August 2008's 78.4 percent. The monthly report also includes data on flight cancellations and the causes of flight delays, as well as information on reports of mishandled baggage filed with the carriers, airline bumping and consumer service, disability and discrimination complaints received by DOT's Aviation Consumer Protection Division. This report also includes reports of incidents involving pets traveling by air, as required to be filed by U.S. carriers. Cancellations The consumer report includes BTS data on the number of domestic flights canceled by the reporting carriers. In September, the carriers canceled 1.8 percent of their scheduled domestic flights, a higher rate than both the 1.1 percent cancellation rate of September 2008 and the 1.6 percent rate posted in August 2008. Causes of Flight Delays In September, the carriers filing on-time performance data reported that 5.10 percent of their flights were delayed by aviation system delays, compared to 6.68 percent in August; 3.62 percent by late-arriving aircraft, compared to 6.32 percent in August; 4.02 percent by factors within the airline’s control, such as maintenance or crew problems, compared to 5.82 percent in August; 0.40 percent by extreme weather, compared to 0.82 percent in August; and 0.02 percent for security reasons, compared to 0.04 percent in August. Weather is a factor in both the extreme-weather category and the aviation-system category. This includes delays due to the re-routing of flights by DOT's Federal Aviation Administration in consultation with the carriers involved. Weather is also a factor in delays attributed to late-arriving aircraft, although airlines do not report specific causes in that category. Data collected by BTS also shows the percentage of late flights delayed by weather, including those reported in either the category of extreme weather or included in National Aviation System delays. In September, 37.07 percent of late flights were delayed by weather, up 8.52 percent from September 2007, when 34.16 percent of late flights were delayed by weather, and down 5.82 percent from August when 39.36 percent of late flights were delayed by weather. Detailed information on flight delays and their causes is available on the BTS site on the World Wide Web at http://www.bts.gov. Mishandled Baggage The U.S. carriers reporting flight delays and mishandled baggage data posted a mishandled baggage rate of 3.86 reports per 1,000 passengers in September, an improvement over both September 2007's rate of 5.36 and August 2008's 4.98 rate. For the first nine months of this year, the carriers posted a mishandled baggage rate of 5.41 per 1,000 passengers, down from the 7.26 rate posted during January-September 2007. Bumping The report also includes reports of involuntary denied boarding, or bumping, for the third quarter and first nine months of this year from U.S. carriers who also report flight delay information. These carriers posted a bumping rate of 1.03 per 10,000 passengers for the quarter, up from the 0.99 rate for the third quarter of 2007. For the first nine months of this year, the carriers had a bumping rate of 1.11 per 10,000 passengers, down from the rate of 1.22 rate posted during the first nine months of 2007. Incidents Involving Pets In September, carriers reported no incidents involving pets while traveling by air, down from four incidents in August. Complaints About Airline Service In September, the Department received 684 complaints about airline service from consumers, down 23.8 percent from the 898 complaints filed in September 2007 and 32.0 percent fewer than the total of 1,006 received in August 2008. For the first nine months of this year the Department received 8,786 complaints, 15.7 percent fewer than the 10,420 complaints filed during January-September 2007. Complaints About Treatment of Disabled Passengers The report also contains a tabulation of complaints filed with DOT in September against specific airlines regarding the treatment of passengers with disabilities. The Department received a total of 40 disability-related complaints in September, down 18.4 percent from the 49 filed in September 2007 and 2.4 percent fewer than the 41 complaints received in August 2008. For the first nine months of this year the Department received 372 disability-related complaints, up one-half of one percent from the 370 disability complaints filed during January-September 2007. Complaints About Discrimination In September, the Department received 10 complaints alleging discrimination by airlines due to factors other than disability – such as race, religion, national origin or sex – the same number recorded in September 2007 and down from the total of 17 received in August 2008. For the first nine months of this year the Department received 91 discrimination complaints, up 9.6 percent from the total of 83 filed during January-September 2007. Consumers may file their complaints in writing with the Aviation Consumer Protection Division, U.S. Department of Transportation, C-75, W96-432, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20590; by voice mail at (202) 366-2220 or by TTY at (202) 366-0511; or on the web at http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov. Consumers who want on-time performance data for specific flights should call their airline's reservation number or their travel agent. This information is available on the computerized reservation systems used by these agents. The Air Travel Consumer Report can be found on DOT's World Wide Web site at http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov. It is available in "pdf" and Microsoft Word format.
posted by transport blogs
@ 11:40 PM
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WASHINGTON - Minimum 21-year-old drinking age laws prevented an estimated 4,441 drunken driving deaths in the last five years alone, according to a new report released today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
NHTSA Acting Administrator David Kelly, who today presented the report at a symposium on the subject led by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) said, "Turning our back on these laws would be a deadly mistake. Minimum drinking age laws are among the most effective measures ever used to reduce drunken driving deaths among America's young people."
In addition to estimating lives saved due to 21-year-old minimum drinking age laws, the new NHTSA study shows the number of lives saved by motorcycle helmets has risen sharply in recent years, paralleling an increase in motorcycle use. Agency estimates indicate that lives saved by helmets rose from 1,173 in 2003 to 1,784 in 2007. For the five-year period ending last year, fully 7,502 lives were spared because motorcyclists used helmets.
The new statistical report examined a series of additional safety issues, and showed that in 2007 alone: frontal air bags saved 2,788 passengers age 13 and older; child safety seats saved 358 lives of children age 4 and under; seat belts saved 15,147 and could have saved another 5,024 lives had they been worn by all vehicle occupants involved in fatal crashes.
To view the new NHTSA report, please
posted by transport blogs
@ 9:09 PM
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CHICAGO - In an effort to improve public transportation services in downstate Illinois, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today announced a total of $5.88 million in federal grants to 16 downstate transit agencies and local governments. The funding will go towards the purchase of new buses and the construction of new facilities to make local public transportation more safe and reliable.
"Many of these agencies are the sole providers of public transportation in their communities. These grants will help our downstate transit agencies continue to provide safe and reliable service to their customers and the riding public in Illinois," said Governor Blagojevich.
The grants, from the Illinois Department of Transportation's (IDOT) Division of Public and Intermodal Transportation or the Federal Transit Administration, will provide federal funding from the Discretionary Bus and Bus Facility Program. This program is made possible by federal funding that was requested and received by the State of Illinois earlier this year.
"Public transportation ridership is on the rise across the state," said IDOT Secretary Milton R. Sees. "This funding will give downstate transit agencies and local governments the opportunity to upgrade the service they provide to the general public."
IDOT's Division of Public and Intermodal Transportation provides technical assistance and administers state and federal operating and capital funds to public transportation systems throughout the state. Together, these agencies serve an average of 600 million passengers a year. Operating funds from IDOT assist public transportation systems in providing necessary day-to-day public transportation service within their community.
Capital funds are used to purchase new buses and rail transit cars, the rehabilitation and new construction of transit maintenance and garage facilities and stations, and the upgrading of rail track. The Division of Public and Intermodal Transportation also assists non-profit agencies throughout the state in the purchase of special vehicles and equipment to serve the needs of the elderly and individuals with disabilities.
"Annually, we see an ever demanding need to replace older vehicles, provide vehicles for new or expanded service and as more and more Illinois residents are utilizing public transportation, the need for transit funding will continue to increase in the upcoming years," said Linda Podeschi, Executive Director, Illinois Public Transportation Association. "This awards announcement could not come at a more opportune time for these 16 downstate systems."
posted by transport blogs
@ 8:54 PM
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Crossrail took a significant step forward today thanks to the agreement of a £230 million funding package from BAA, Transport Minister Andrew Adonis and BAA's Strategy Director Mike Forster have announced.
In return, Crossrail will guarantee a fast train service four times an hour for the majority of the day. This will provide direct services from Heathrow airport through central London, the City and Canary Wharf and out to Shenfield and Abbey Wood.
The construction and implementation of Crossrail will also provide a boost of at least £20 billion to the UK economy and generate an extra 30,000 jobs.
Transport Minister Andrew Adonis said:
"Crossrail is the largest addition to the transport network in 50 years, and today's announcement that BAA have confirmed a £230 million funding package for the project represents a major step towards its delivery. Business has long been a strong advocate for Crossrail and this is borne out today.
"Trains will run four times an hour for most of the day - cutting journey times across London and the South East and significantly improving rail access to Heathrow for thousands of passengers and airport workers every day.
"This is a hugely important scheme for the country. Its implementation will help to generate new jobs, and so support the economy, as well as assist the revitalisation of some of London's most deprived areas by offering them a fast and reliable connection to the rest of the city."
Mike Forster, BAA's Strategy Director, added:
"We are delighted to support the Crossrail scheme, which demonstrates our commitment to improving public transport access to Heathrow. This vital new link will directly connect the City and Canary Wharf to the airport, complementing our existing Heathrow Express service and taking thousands of cars off the roads. Crossrail will be crucial in keeping London and the UK globally competitive."
Mayor of London Boris Johnson said:
"The agreement with BAA is very welcome news and underlines the commitment that businesses, as well as TfL and the Government, are showing towards delivering the funding package for Crossrail.
"This is another significant step forward in preparing for the construction of this landmark new railway. Works have already begun at Tottenham Court Road station and the contracts to design and build the multi-billion pound project are all on track to be awarded by spring 2009. All parties are committed to Crossrail's success, and together we will deliver it on time and on budget."
The new line will run from Maidenhead and Heathrow in the west through new tunnels under central London to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east. New stations will be created at Paddington, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Liverpool Street, Whitechapel and the Isle of Dogs (Canary Wharf). Passengers will benefit from reduced journey times to Heathrow as Crossrail will provide direct rail services for the first time from the key business centres across central London.
Crossrail is on track to be operational in 2017, providing a 10% rail-based increase in public transport capacity across London and faster services for passengers. In a ground-breaking deal the £15.9 billion project will be funded by both Government and the businesses that are set to benefit from it. BAA's funding announcement today demonstrates the commitment of the business community to this unique project.
The legislation that allows Crossrail to progress was given Royal Assent in July this year, with work to begin in earnest in 2010.
posted by transport blogs
@ 3:01 AM
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