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Description / Abstract:
Foreword: Consensus is growing among Congressional
leadership—especially House Transportation and Infrastructure
Committee Chairman James Oberstar and Senate Environment and Public
Works Committee Chairwoman Barbara Boxer—that "freight" should be a
priority in the next Surface Transportation authorization. Two
reasons for this new emphasis stand out: the growing recognition
that an efficient freight system is important to a strong economy
and jobs here at home, and that a vibrant and integrated freight
system is a basic ingredient in keeping America competitive
abroad.
Based on AASHTO's analysis contained in this report, it is clear
that the U.S. freight system is not keeping up with the demands
being made on it. The collapse of the economy in late 2008
temporarily reduced the volumes of freight moving through our
seaports, and reduced related truck and rail freight activity. The
time it takes for the economy to recover will give the freight
system a breather before capacity deficiencies again constrain U.S.
economic growth and productivity. During the interim, we must move
aggressively to determine the system improvements needed and use
this information to develop a strategic national freight plan that
will take us there.
We have prepared this report to describe how important an
efficient freight system is to the economy, the congestion already
taking place, the growth in anticipated demand, and the challenge
of keeping America competitive in the world economy.
The country has a lot at stake. It is critically important for
our national leaders to address the challenges ahead and to fund
the freight system capacity we need.