From Tech Transfer Newsletter, Spring 2007 » printer-friendly

Blueprint for an Efficient and Technologically Advanced Surface Transportation System

By The American Road and Transportation Builders Association,
Research, Education, and Training Policy Division

One of the most important contributors to a nation's economy and quality of life is transportation and the mobility of freight and people that it provides. Any advanced society must be able to move people and goods with efficiency and effectiveness. Transportation is key to the specialization of labor, globalization of trade, urbanization and the resulting concentration of labor, networking of organizations, lean manufacturing, efficient management of procurement and inventory, and a host of other business functions critical to a developed economy. Mobility is also critical to achieving a high quality of life whose attributes include socialization, recreation, entertainment, worship, shopping and more.

Transportation, as an economic sector, contributes significantly to the economy in its own right. It constitutes 10.5% of U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) accounting for $1.15 trillion annually. There are 9,594,920 people employed in transportation related industries. Further, it is the second largest household expenditure by major category, accounting for 19% of total expenditures, exceeded only by housing.

Given transportation's pre-eminent importance it is critical that the state-of-the-art of technology, planning, engineering, construction, and management be continually advanced. Research and implementation of developing technologies and a well educated and trained workforce are crucial to that advancement. It is the feedstock for the much-needed continuous improvement of transportation vital to the United States socioeconomic system. In fact, U.S. global and domestic competitiveness depends on continuous improvement of mobility.

The United States surface transportation system must continue to develop for the country to maintain its economic and political leadership role. The goal of this evolution should be a more efficient and technologically advanced surface transportation system to better serve the business and social interests of the citizens of the country. An enhanced surface transportation system will improve domestic competition, increase the country's ability to compete globally, and provide for an improved social environment.

These potential improvements, however, are dependent on a research and corresponding technology deployment program that addresses the major concerns and issues of the U.S. surface transportation system. Improvements are also dependent on a workforce that can implement those new technologies and continue to maintain, repair and rebuild the infrastructure system. Thus, it is imperative that a relevant program of advanced and applied research be further developed that focuses on the pragmatic issues of planning, programming, managing, building, reconstructing, maintaining and operating a long-lasting surface transportation system in a safe and environmentally sound manner. Such a program should also include a basic research component that allows technological breakthroughs to provide the foundation for further advances. At the same time, all stakeholders in the transportation industry have a vested interest in cultivating and maintaining a strong workforce.

I. Research, Innovation, and Technology Transfer: Critical Elements for Enhancing Mobility and Competitiveness through Improved Transportation Infrastructure & System Performance

• Integrate transportation research through a single national strategic research plan

Given the importance of research to the continued development of transportation and the limited nature of the scarce resources to conduct research, a national integrated strategic plan for transportation research should be developed by stakeholders (federal, state, private sector, and universities) based on on-going efforts of the Transportation Research Board's Research and Technology Coordinating Committee (RTCC), the Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP-II), and the U.S. Department of Transportation strategic plan that provides the necessary guidance for maximizing the contribution that research can make to transportation.

• Expand federal funding for research

Increased federal investment in research is essential to an integrated and standardized national transportation system. Research adds value to the field of transportation by improving the overall cost-effectiveness, durability, safety and environmental soundness of highway and bridge projects to meet national mobility requirements. Yet public-sector R&D funding has declined from 0.07 percent of GDP in 1970 to only 0.02 percent of GDP in 2003.

Federal surface transportation research activities should include projects that address construction materials, innovative technologies, intelligent processes and methods, mitigating traffic congestion during construction and maintenance, improving motorist and highway worker safety during construction and maintenance, inventive contracting and financing, and promote the testing and experimental use of innovative technologies and materials. Federally funded policy research is also needed to inform future decision making on national transportation policy, as is research on the many institutional, social, and environmental issues that have an important bearing on mobility. The longstanding federal-state partnership in highway research has been highly successful and should be sustained.

Roadway safety should continue as a priority for federal research activities. Safety research should seek to apply new technologies and other innovative approaches to help advance new safety initiatives.

• Ensure federal research funds are based on merit

To maximize the benefit of limited federal research dollars, investments in research should be merit based and used consistently with the strategic research plan. Wherever appropriate, research dollars should be awarded on a competitive basis to ensure that the maximum efficiency, effectiveness and value can be derived from the available funding. Merit review and evaluation should include panels of external stakeholders and technical experts, including individuals from federal and state organizations, educational institutions, and the private sector.

• Use new technologies to help meet system and mobility needs

U.S. mobility can be improved through breakthrough advances in adapting and integrating existing and new technologies into transportation by continued federal investment in transportation technology through the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS), Vehicle Infrastructure Integration (VII), and other advanced research and technology deployment programs.

• Adequately fund university research

Higher educational institutions are uniquely positioned to provide solutions to complex problems, to contribute to the development of human capital, and to give states opportunities to develop a university research program that will focus on each state's individual transportation challenges. Substantial federal investment in the University Transportation Centers Program with an 80/20 matching requirement will capitalize on this critical role and allow each state to participate in resolving regional and national issues through partnerships with other universities.

• Invest in federal technology transfer initiatives

Significant investment should be made in technology transfer and in information-sharing and dissemination activities that support the innovation process across the full range of research topic areas. Such initiatives play a vital role in ensuring that the latest knowledge and information are available to accelerate the development of needed transportation improvement projects. These initiatives should also seek to enhance the safety, quality, and durability of the nation's transportation infrastructure. Federal agencies need flexible funds to finance activities in support of research and innovation, including outreach to stakeholders, technology transfer, conferences and workshops, exhibits, and publications.

• Financing the federal surface transportation program in the future

To address the long-term needs of the nation's transportation infrastructure system and the inevitable evolution of motor vehicle propulsion systems, federal policy should be explored concerning the utilization of technology (such as a universal computer chip, global positioning system or other alternatives) to develop an architecture or mechanism that charges for the amount of vehicular travel, while respecting individual motorists' privacy. It should also evaluate how the system would be capable of interfacing with the electronic highway.

The objective of this evaluation would be to ensure motorists contribute to surface transportation infrastructure improvements commensurate with their respective travel volume.

II. Education & Training: Critical Elements for Addressing Workforce Development Issues in the Transportation Industry

• Sustained federal and stakeholder investment are needed for education and training

All stakeholders play a role in workforce development. Investment in education and training makes business sense. A better workforce improves safety, quality, efficiency and effectiveness. A substantial, sustained federal funding stream is needed to facilitate dedicated partnerships among public and private stakeholders and to implement specific programs to address workforce needs. One key issue is to avoid duplication of efforts.

• Establish a pipeline for workforce development

The industry needs to establish a seamless “pipeline” to prepare, engage and attract new workers to the transportation industry. It is also necessary to develop and train the entire transportation workforce at all levels, not just the professional side of the industry. Key to this initiative is improving the image of the transportation industry and showing the future opportunities and career paths available to workers.

• Develop partnerships to address education and training

Industry stakeholders must partner with the academic, education and government communities to meet the challenges of transportation workforce development. Partnerships will allow groups to leverage resources and avoid duplication. In particular, community colleges are an underutilized resource for preparing for jobs in the transportation industry.

• Education, continued training and life-long learning

The industry must provide effective education and needs-based training to address immediate challenges in workforce development. Education and training should address three major areas: effective education for tomorrow's transportation professionals, training programs for construction trades, and continuing education and training for both working transportation professionals and those in the construction trades. These programs should be developed with industry and agency partners, recognizing that a well educated and trained workforce improves safety and increases efficiency and effectiveness.

The Local Technical Assistance Program

The American Road and Transportation Builders Association recently won a contract to provide Clearinghouse services for the national network of Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) Centers. In 1982, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) created this network of LTAP Centers (one in each state plus Puerto Rico and seven regional centers for tribal entities) to provide local agencies and tribes with information and training programs that address the issues that arise as roadways and bridges age. The Tech Transfer Program is the LTAP Center for California and we are pleased to provide you with affordable professional training opportunities and programs that meet your needs. To learn more about the national LTAP Center network, visit www.ltapt2.org.

Congratulations to Tech Transfer Program Director Linda Howe-Steiger, who was recently elected to serve as LTAP's representative on the ARTBA Research and Education Division Executive Board.

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