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FRA 08-09
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Contact:  Mark Paustenbach
Tel.:  (202) 493-6024

New Study Shows Freight Rail Fuel Efficiency Up More Than 20 Percent Since 1999

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) today released a study showing vast improvements in freight rail fuel efficiency over the last two decades, approximately 22 percent between 1990 and 2006. 

“While all types of transportation are vital to the distribution of goods across the country, this study shows that utilizing America’s freight rail system can lead to significant fuel savings,” said FRA Administrator Joseph Szabo.  “The environmental benefits of these positive changes over the last two decades are enormous.  We look forward to working with the freight rail industry to make sure these gains continue.”

Several factors point to the reasons for rail’s fuel efficiency, including the improvement in diesel-electric locomotives, the increased use of double stack trains, track and signal improvements, and longer trains. 

The complete study can be found at:  http://www.fra.dot.gov/Downloads/Comparative_Evaluation_Rail_Truck_Fuel_Efficiency.pdf.

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FRA 07-09
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Contact:  Mark Paustenbach
Tel.:  (202) 493-6024

New Jersey Transit Joins FRA “Close Call” Pilot Program
 Rail Workers May Confidentially Report Incidents

The U.S. Department of Transportation announced today that New Jersey Transit (NJ TRANSIT) has started its participation in the Close Call Project, a safety pilot program designed to give rail employees the ability to voluntarily and anonymously report “close call” incidents that could have resulted in an accident but did not. 

“We are excited that New Jersey Transit is taking part in this valuable safety program that has already proven to reduce injuries and save lives,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.  “We hope that others will follow suit and strengthen our efforts.”

NJ TRANSIT is the third railroad – and the first passenger railroad – to join the program along with the Canadian Pacific Railway and Union Pacific Railroad.  In this program, employees can report “close call” incidents without fear of sanction or penalty from the railroad or the federal government.

The cumulative results of close call reports are being analyzed to determine areas of potential risk and to develop solutions to prevent and minimize their occurrence in the future.  Preliminary analysis from the Union Pacific close call reporting project at its rail yard in North Platte, NE already shows a significant reduction in human factor-related incidents. 

“The Close Call project is critical to our efforts to reduce on-the-job incidents and injuries,” said Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Administrator Joseph Szabo. 

FRA currently requires railroads to routinely report a wide range of accidents and incidents.  “Close calls” are not required to be routinely reported but are potentially very serious. 

In order to participate, NJ TRANSIT, the United Transportation Union, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, and the American Train Dispatchers Association each ratified an agreement with the FRA to allow employees to make confidential reports of close calls.

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics is assisting FRA on this ground-breaking research effort using its unique authority to protect the confidentiality of the data.

For more information, visit http://www.fra.dot.gov/us/content/1913.

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DOT 181-09

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Contact:  202-366-4570

 

 

Secretary LaHood Reminds Mariners of Best Practices Following Recent Attacks on the Maersk Alabama and M/V Harriett

 

Washington, DC – U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today reminded mariners about the importance of taking necessary precautions and implementing best practices in the wake of recent attacks on the M/V Harriett and Maersk Alabama off the coast of Somalia.

 

“These ships’ successful defense against pirates should serve as a reminder to the maritime industry of the best practices that can keep crews safe on the seas,” said Secretary LaHood. “Mariners should heed the lessons learned from past attacks and review defensive measures so that they are prepared when traveling through high-threat areas. The U.S. government will continue to work with ship operators to protect U.S. citizens in regions where piracy still poses a serious threat.”

 

Last week, the M/V Harriett thwarted a pirate attack by outrunning the pirate ship. Yesterday, guards aboard the Maersk Alabama repelled a pirate attack using small arms fire. No casualties were reported in the incident, which took place 350 nautical miles east of the Somali coast. 

 

This was the second attack by pirates against the Maersk Alabama this year.  In April, pirates hijacked the ship and took Captain Richard Phillips hostage, holding him at gunpoint in a lifeboat for five days until he was freed by Navy SEALs.

 

A maritime advisory issued in September by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration warned vessels to avoid routes where attacks have taken place while also recommending that mariners demonstrate a willingness to defend themselves. Additional information can be found in the press release.

 

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BTS 54-09
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Contact: Dave Smallen
Tel: 202-366-5568                 

BTS Releases September Passenger Airline Employment Data;
September 2009 Employment Down 4.4 Percent from September 2008

U.S. scheduled passenger airlines employed 4.4 percent fewer workers in September 2009 than in September 2008, the 15th consecutive decrease in full-time equivalent employee (FTE) levels for the scheduled passenger carriers from the same month of the previous year, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) reported today.  FTE calculations count two part-time employees as one full-time employee.

BTS, a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, reported that the September FTE total of 380,014 for the scheduled passenger carriers was 17,380 below September 2008 and the lowest total for any month since 1993. Historical employment data can be found on the BTS web site at http://www.bts.gov/airline_employment/src/index.xml.

All the network airlines decreased employment from September 2008 to September 2009 as did low-cost carriers Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines. Regional carriers American Eagle Airlines, SkyWest Airlines, ExpressJet Airlines, Comair, Atlantic Southeast Airlines, Pinnacle Airlines, Horizon Air, Mesa Airlines, Air Wisconsin Airlines, and Colgan Airlines also reported reduced employment levels compared to last year. 

Scheduled passenger airline categories include network, low-cost, regional and other airlines. 

The seven network airlines employed 254,866 FTEs in September, 67.1 percent of the passenger airline total, while low-cost carriers employed 16.4 percent and regional carriers employed 14.7 percent. 

            See BTS Passenger Airline Employment press release for summary tables and additional data.

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DOT 178-09
Monday, November 16, 2009
Contact:  Karen Aldana
Tel:  (202) 366-9550 

U.S. Department of Transportation Releases New Action Plan to Address Motorcoach Safety Issues

 The U.S. Department of Transportation today released its Motorcoach Safety Action Plan which lays out concrete steps for improving motorcoach safety across the board.  The action plan addresses major safety issues such as driver fatigue and inattention, vehicle rollover, occupant ejections and oversight of unsafe carriers.

 “We are committed to making sure that bus travelers reach their destinations safely,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “These improvements will not only help reduce the number of motorcoach crashes, it will also help save lives and reduce injuries.”

      While motorcoach travel is a very safe mode of highway transportation in the United States, carrying 750 million passengers annually, an average of 19 motorcoach occupants are killed in crashes each year according to data collected by DOT’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Additional fatalities result among pedestrians, and occupants of other vehicles involved in these crashes.
 
 To address this issue, Secretary LaHood directed DOT’s agencies to take a fresh look at motorcoach safety issues, identify actions to address outstanding safety problems, and develop an aggressive schedule to implement those actions. 

      The comprehensive action plan announced today proposes enhanced regulatory oversight of new and high risk motorcoach operators, as well as the increased use of new technologies.  To address driver distraction, it proposes to initiate rulemaking to prohibit texting and limit the use of cellular telephones and other devices by motorcoach drivers.  .  It also discusses requiring electronic on-board recording devices on all motorcoaches to better monitor drivers’ duty hours to address fatigue, and enhanced oversight of unsafe carriers.
     
      In addition, the action plan proposes to better protect motorcoach occupants by requiring the installation of seat belts and discusses additional measures such as the establishment of performance requirements for enhanced roof strength, fire safety, and emergency egress.  It also calls for safety improvements using technologies such as electronic stability control to prevent rollovers.  To view the plan click here.

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BTS 53-09

Friday, November 13, 2009

Contact: Dave Smallen

Tel: 202-366-5568

 

BTS Releases August 2009 Airline Traffic Data; System Traffic Down 4.1 Percent from August 2008

 

The number of scheduled domestic and international passengers on <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />U.S. airlines in August 2009 declined by 4.1 percent from August 2008, dropping by 2.8 million to 65.0 million, the Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) today reported.  August was the 17th consecutive month with a decrease in passengers from the prior year.

 

BTS, a part of DOT’s Research and Innovative Technology Administration, in a release of preliminary data, reported that U.S. airlines carried 4.1 percent fewer domestic passengers than in August 2008. International passengers on U.S. carriers decreased 4.5 percent.

 

For the first eight months of 2009, the number of scheduled domestic and international passengers on U.S. airlines declined by 7.6 percent from the same period in 2008, dropping to 478.6 million, 39.3 million fewer than a year earlier, and the lowest January-to-August total since 2004. For historic numbers, see Traffic.

 

U.S. airlines carried 7.5 percent fewer domestic passengers and 8.2 percent fewer international passengers in the first eight months of 2009 than during the same period in 2008. 

 

            See BTS Air Traffic Release for summary tables and additional data.

 

 

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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Vice President

______________________________________________________________________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                   

November 12, 2009

 

Recovery Act Reaches 10,000 Transportation Projects Nationwide

Washington, DC – Vice President Joe Biden and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced that the Department of Transportation has jumpstarted more than 10,000 transportation projects across America thanks to its swift allocation of Recovery Act dollars.  As of this week, state agencies reported a total of 10,041 approved.

“Just nine months in, tens of thousands of people are on the job at highway, bridge, rail and airport improvement projects across the country thanks to the quick action by the Department of Transportation putting Recovery Act dollars to work,” said Vice President Biden.  “These projects are not only providing new opportunities for hard-hit workers and businesses during tough economic times, but helping lay a strong foundation to support our 21st century economy.  This is a significant milestone on the road to recovery, but we continue to work every day to create more jobs and drive economic growth.”

“From the beginning of the Recovery Act, it has been our top priority to get money out the door quickly to create jobs and boost the economy,” said Secretary LaHood. “In less than ten months, we have spurred construction of 10,000 transportation projects across the country – many of which would have been stalled or shelved altogether without Recovery Act dollars. In addition to being economically crucial, these projects are critical investments in our national infrastructure.”

In the last week, the DOT has approved hundreds of additional transportation projects across the country, topping 10,000 projects. In Florida, a $71.2 million Recovery Act funded project will construct a new four-lane highway to relieve traffic congestion in the Jacksonville area. In Kentucky, a $25.5 million project will reconstruct approximately 5 miles of US 150 through Rockcastle County. A $37.6 million project in Lee County, North Carolina will widen the 1.8 mile Sanford Bypass to ease congestion on one of the state’s most critical highway corridors. In Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, a $22.9 million project will repair and replace pavement along I-81.

To date, the U.S. Department of Transportation has made $48.1 billion available for highway, road, transit, bridge and airport construction and repairs nationwide.  Of that, $30.6 billion already has been obligated to fund 10,041 approved projects in 53 U.S. States and Territories, with 6,547 transportation projects underway.

 

DOT agencies have been doing their part to make Recovery Act funds available to states as quickly as possible for local shovel-ready transportation projects. The FAA has awarded 99 percent of its funding, $1.2 billion, for 355 airport improvement projects; FHWA has approved $20.2 billion for more than 8,500 road, bridge and highway projects; FTA has awarded $7.4 billion to state and local transit agencies for new vehicles, facility renovations and maintenance; FRA has approved 93 percent of funding available under the Amtrak Capital Grants program; and MARAD has spent 96 million, or 100 percent of its ARRA program funds, for capital improvements to small shipyards. This winter, DOT will also announce $8 billion in grants to launch high speed rail in America, and another $1.5 billion in TIGER Discretionary Grants.

 

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DOT 178-09
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Contact:   Bill Mosley
Tel.: (202) 366-4570

DOT Administrative Law Judge Approves Ultimate Fares Settlement

            The internet travel agency Ultimate Fares has been fined $600,000 and its owner $30,000 for violations of advertising regulations under a settlement approved by a U.S. Department of Transportation Administrative Law Judge (ALJ).

            The fine, which would be the largest ever assessed for advertising violations, will become final in 30 days unless the Department decides to review the action or a petition for review is filed.

            An investigation by the Department’s Aviation Enforcement Office found that Ultimate Fares failed to include the federal excise tax and the service fee it charged to consumers in fares published on its website between March 2008 and September 2009.  This violated the Department’s requirement that published airfares must state the full price to be paid including service fees and any ad valorem tax, such as the Federal excise tax, which is assessed as a percentage of the fare.  Ultimate Fares continued to omit the tax from its stated fares even after the Enforcement Office began its investigation, according to the consent order issued by ALJ Richard C. Goodwin.  Ultimate Fares also failed to disclose which flights were being operated on a code-share basis as required by the Department’s rules.

            In addition to the $30,000 penalty assessed against Ultimate Fares’ owner Roni Herskovitz, he also will be barred from any involvement in the online air travel agency business for 12 months.

            The consent order and other documents in the case are available on the Internet at www.regulations.gov, docket DOT-OST-2009-0002.

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BTS 52-09
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Contact: Dave Smallen, Tel: 202-366-5568                                                                               

BTS Releases Freight Transportation Services Index (TSI);

Freight Index Fell 0.5% in September from August

 

The Freight Transportation Services Index (TSI) fell 0.5 percent in September from its August level, declining after three consecutive monthly increases, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) reported today.

 

BTS, a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, reported that the Freight TSI has now declined in 10 of the past 14 months and in five of the nine months in 2009 despite the three consecutive monthly increases that began in June. It had increased 2.8 percent in between May and August. For additional historical data, go to http://www.bts.gov/xml/tsi/src/index.xml

 

The Freight TSI measures the month-to-month changes in freight shipments in ton-miles, which are then combined into one index.  The index measures the output of the for-hire freight transportation industry and consists of data from for-hire trucking, rail, inland waterways, pipelines and air freight.

 

The September Freight TSI of 95.7 is a 2.3 percent increase from the recent low of 93.5 reached in May.  In May, the index was at its lowest level in more than a decade since June 1997. The Freight TSI is down 15.2 percent from its historic peak of 112.9 reached in May 2006.

            See Freight TSI Press Release for summary tables and additional data. See Transportation Services Index for historic data and methodology.

 

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DOT 176-09
Contact:  Bill Mosley
Monday, November 9, 2009
Tel.: (202) 366-4570

Airline On-Time Performance Improves in September

      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 2009, 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 86.2 percent in September, higher than both September 2008’s 84.9 percent and August 2009’s 79.7 percent. 

      The monthly report also includes data on lengthy tarmac delays, flight cancellations and the causes of flight delays by the reporting carriers, 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 0.6 percent of their scheduled domestic flights, a lower rate than both the 1.8 percent cancellation rate of September 2008 and the 1.0 percent rate posted in August 2009.

      Tarmac Delays

      In September, the carriers filing on-time performance data reported that .0001 percent of their scheduled flights had tarmac delays of three hours or more, down from .012 percent in August.  There were two flights with tarmac delays of four hours or more in September. 
 
      Causes of Flight Delays
     
      In September, the carriers filing on-time performance data reported that 4.92 percent of their flights were delayed by aviation system delays, compared to 6.43 percent in August; 3.88 percent by late-arriving aircraft, compared to 6.45 percent in August; 3.89 percent by factors within the airline’s control, such as maintenance or crew problems, compared to 5.46 percent in July; 0.37 percent by extreme weather, compared to 0.69 percent in August; and 0.02 percent for security reasons, compared to 0.05 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, 34.59 percent of late flights were delayed by weather, down 6.69 percent from September 2008, when 37.07 percent of late flights were delayed by weather, and down 11.92 percent from August when 39.27 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 3.01 reports per 1,000 passengers in September, an improvement over both September 2008’s rate of 3.86 and August 2009’s 4.04 rate.  For the first nine months of this year, the carriers posted a mishandled baggage rate of 3.94 per 1,000 passengers, down from the 5.42 rate posted during January-September 2008. 
     
      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 0.98 per 10,000 passengers for the quarter, down from the 1.03 rate for the third quarter of 2008.  For the first nine months of this year, the carriers had a bumping rate of 1.22 per 10,000 passengers, up from the rate of 1.12 rate posted during the first nine months of 2008.    

      Incidents Involving Pets
     
      In September, carriers reported four incidents involving the loss, death or injury of pets while traveling by air, up from both the zero reports filed in September 2008 and three in August 2009.  All of September’s incidents involved pet deaths. 
     
      Complaints About Airline Service
     
      In September, the Department received 604 complaints about airline service from consumers, down 11.6 percent from the 683 complaints filed in September 2008 and 32.0 percent fewer than the total of 888 received in August 2009.  For the first nine months of this year the Department received 6,675 complaints, 24.0 percent fewer than the 8,784 complaints filed during January-September 2008.  
      
      Complaints About Treatment of Disabled Passengers

      The report also contains a tabulation of complaints filed with DOT in September against airlines regarding the treatment of passengers with disabilities.  The Department received a total of 28 disability-related complaints in September, down from both the 40 complaints filed in September 2008 and the total of 47 received in August 2009.  For the first nine months of this year the Department received 386 disability-related complaints, up 3.5 percent from the 373 disability complaints filed during January-September 2008. 

      Complaints About Discrimination

      In September, the Department received 11 complaints alleging discrimination by airlines due to factors other than disability – such as race, religion, national origin or sex – up from the 10 complaints recorded in September 2008 but down from the total of 16 received in August 2009.  For the first nine months of this year the Department received 100 discrimination complaints, up 9.9 percent from the total of 91 filed during January-September 2008. 

      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.


Facts

AIR TRAVEL CONSUMER REPORT
September 2009

KEY ON-TIME PERFORMANCE AND FLIGHT CANCELLATION STATISTICS
Based on Data Filed with the Bureau of Transportation Statistics
by the 19 Reporting Carriers

Overall

86.2 percent on-time arrivals

Highest On-Time Arrival Rates

1. Hawaiian Airlines – 94.1 percent
2. Alaska Airlines – 90.0 percent
3. Southwest Airlines – 89.1 percent

Lowest On-Time Arrival Rates 

1. Atlantic Southeast Airlines – 72.2 percent
2. Comair – 80.5 percent
3. Delta Air Lines – 82.2 percent 
     
Most Frequently Delayed Flights

1. SkyWest Airlines flight 4547 from Atlanta to Oklahoma City – late 88.00 percent of the time
2. AirTran Airways flight 455 from New Orleans to Atlanta – late 85.71 percent of the time
3. Atlantic Southeast Airlines flight 5220 from Columbia, SC to Atlanta – late 84.00 percent of the time
4.  Atlantic Southeast Airlines flight 5349 from Columbia, SC to Atlanta – late 83.33 percent of the time
5.  Atlantic Southeast Airlines flight 5228 from Asheville, NC to Atlanta – late 83.33 percent of the time

Flights with Longest Tarmac Delays

1. Delta Air Lines flight 1015 from Philadelphia to Atlanta, 9/21/09 – delayed on tarmac 275 minutes
2. American Airlines flight 1672 from Dallas/Fort Worth to Tulsa, Ok, 9/21/09 – delayed on tarmac 267 minutes
(There were only two flights with tarmac delays of four hours or more in September)

Highest Rates of Canceled Flights
     
1. American Eagle Airlines – 1.2 percent
2. Atlantic Southeast Airlines – 1.0 percent
3. Mesa Airlines – 0.9 percent

Lowest Rates of Canceled Flights

1. JetBlue Airways – 0.1 percent
2. Continental Airlines – 0.1 percent
3. Hawaiian Airlines – 0.1 percent  

 
                                                                   -END-

DOT 175-09
DOT News Media Contact: Sasha Johnson, Tel:  (202) 366-4570
FCC News Media Contact: Jen Howard, Tel:  (202) 418-0506
Wednesday, November 4, 2009

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION JOIN FORCES
TO COMBAT DISTRACTED DRIVING

      Washington DC – U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski announced Wednesday that they are launching a joint effort to evaluate technologies that may help curb the dangerous epidemic of distracted driving.

The DOT-FCC partnership will also include outreach efforts to educate the public about the dangers of texting while driving, talking on cell phones while driving, and other distracting behavior that can lead to deadly accidents.

“We must put an end to distracted driving, which is costing lives and inflicting injuries across the nation's roads and railways," Secretary LaHood told the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection. "I look forward to working with Chairman Genachowski and ensuring that FCC's and DOT's technology experts can join forces on this critical issue.”

Chairman Genachowski said, “I welcome this collaborative effort to eliminate the increasingly deadly practice of distracted driving.  Changing this ingrained behavior will require us to develop creative solutions using both technology and education.  By combining the resources and expertise of the DOT and the FCC, I am confident that we can have a major impact on this problem.”   

Officials from the DOT and FCC will establish a working group to evaluate technology-based solutions to the problem of distracted driving and will coordinate consumer outreach and education.

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FHWA 34-09
Contact: Doug Hecox, Tel.: (202) 366-0660
Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009

Highway Investment Hits $20 Billion
Recovery Putting People to Work on Investments with Long-Term Benefit

WASHINGTON – The Federal Highway Administration crossed the $20 billion mark in approved obligations for highway, road and bridge projects this week, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced today. Of the $26.6 billion available for federal highway and bridge projects under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, more than 75 percent has now been obligated.

“Even though winter is right around the corner, highway and bridge projects are still getting underway, creating thousands of jobs and saving thousands more,” said Secretary LaHood. “The Recovery Act is helping repair America’s roads and bridges while putting people back to work.”

The $36 million replacement of the I-25/Alameda bridge in Denver, CO, pushed the FHWA past the milestone. The project’s approval capped one of the busiest months of highway spending, with nearly $760 million approved.

Other substantial progress made recently includes:

• In August, construction began on the $26.2 million I-279/Fort Duquesne Bridge preservation project in Pittsburgh, PA, designed to improve the safety of the bridge that serves an estimated 81,000 drivers each day

• In September, work got underway in San Bernardino, CA, on a massive billion-dollar project, using $128 million in ARRA funds for additional lanes on I-215 to reduce traffic congestion that had been crippling the local economy; 

• Also in September, work began on the three-mile extension of Minneapolis’ Trunk Highway 610 to I-94. When completed, this project will reduce traffic congestion and improve area residents’ quality of life with sound walls and a pedestrian bridge

• Last month in Nelsonville, OH, construction started on the 8.5-mile, four-lane highway to divert interstate traffic from local streets. The project is using $138 million in ARRA funds and is the largest Recovery Act underway in Ohio to date.

“By addressing many long-overdue repairs to America’s roads and bridges,” said Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez, “projects like these are improving the economy and local quality of life while strengthening the nation’s infrastructure.”

To date, nearly 8,500 highway projects have been approved and nearly 5,000 are underway.

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BTS 51-09
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Contact: Dave Smallen
Tel: 202-366-5568        

BTS Releases North American Surface Trade Numbers for August:
August 2009 Surface Trade with Canada and Mexico Fell 24.9 Percent from August 2008

            Trade using surface transportation between the United States and its North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners Canada and Mexico was 24.9 percent lower in August 2009 than in August 2008, dropping to $54.3 billion, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) of the U.S. Department of Transportation. 

BTS, a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, reported that the value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico rose 5.3 percent in August 2009 from July 2009.  Month-to-month changes can be affected by seasonal variations and other factors.

            Surface transportation consists largely of freight movements by truck, rail and pipeline.  About 88 percent of U.S. trade by value with Canada and Mexico moves on land.

            See BTS Transborder Data Release for summary tables and additional data. See North American Transborder Freight Data  for historic data.

 

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DOT 173-09
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Contact:  Patricia Klinger
      Damon A. Hill 
Tel:  (202) 366-4831

DOT Proposes Fine for Enterprise Products Following Investigation into Kansas Pipeline Failure

      The U.S. Department of Transportation today proposed to fine Enterprise Products Operating, LLC for alleged violations of federal pipeline safety regulations.  The proposed $466,200 fine follows the Department’s investigation into the pipeline company’s September 2007 failure near Englewood, KS.
     
      “Today’s action reinforces a message the Department has communicated for years to owners and operators of pipeline systems and other freight and commodity transporters - - Safety First,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.
     
      The proposed fine and finding of probable violation are a result of an accident investigation recently completed by the Department’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).  During the investigation, PHMSA investigators discovered possible failures by Enterprise to ensure pipeline workers were adequately trained to perform necessary system repairs as required by federal operator qualification regulations.  Proper implementation of operator qualification programs by pipeline companies is vital to preventing system failures, injury to people, property damage, and other serious consequences.  Other probable violations include failures to conduct required drug testing of maintenance personnel following the accident. 
     
      “America expects pipeline operators to use highly skilled and qualified people to construct, maintain, and operate its energy pipeline networks,” Secretary LaHood added.  “The goal is not to punish operators, but to hold them accountable for protecting the health, welfare and safety of American communities.”
      
      On Sept. 11, 2007, PHMSA inspectors responded to an Enterprise Products pipeline rupture and release of approximately 14,700 barrels of natural gas liquid (a highly volatile product).  Post-accident failure analysis determined the failure was due to the improper installation of pipeline system components following recently conducted maintenance activities.  Although the release did not result in any deaths or injuries to the public, the event closed State Highway 283 for five days, seriously affecting daily commuters as crews worked to secure and clean-up spilled product. 
     
      Enterprise Products operates approximately 35,000 miles of pipelines in 19 states.  PHMSA inspectors and their state pipeline safety partners are committed to ensuring the safety of America’s pipeline transportation system and will continue to carefully monitor Enterprise Products’ activities.
     
      Operators may request an administrative hearing to contest proposed violations identified by PHMSA investigators before any findings and fines from an investigation are deemed final.
     

                                                      END
 

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BTS 50-09
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Contact: Dave Smallen
Tel: 202-366-5568

BTS Releases 2nd-Quarter 2009 Air Fare Data;
Average 2nd-Quarter Domestic Air Fares Drop 13% from 2nd Quarter 2008
Top 100 Airports: Highest Fare in Grand Rapids, Lowest Fare at Atlantic City

      Average domestic air fares in the second quarter of 2009 fell to their lowest April-to-June level since 1998, dropping 13.0 percent from the second quarter of 2008 in the largest year-to-year decline on record, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) reported today. 

      BTS, a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, reports average fares based on domestic itinerary fares, round-trip or one-way for which no return is purchased. Fares are based on the total ticket value which consists of the price charged by the airlines plus any additional taxes and fees levied by an outside entity at the time of purchase. Fares include only the price paid at the time of the ticket purchase and do not include other fees, such as baggage fees, paid at the airport or onboard the aircraft. Averages do not include frequent-flyer or “zero fares” or a few abnormally high reported fares.

      The 13.0 percent year-to-year drop exceeded the previous largest decline of 11.8 percent from the fourth quarter of 2000 to the fourth quarter of 2001, which took place following the 9/11 attacks. The $301 average second-quarter fares were almost equal to the second quarter 1998 average fare.  BTS air fare records reach back to 1995.

      Second quarter average fares were down 3.8 percent from the first quarter of 2009, the largest first quarter to second quarter decline since 2001. Quarter-to-quarter changes may be affected by seasonal factors.
     
      See BTS October Air Fare Release for summary tables and additional data. See BTS Air Fare web page for historic data.

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DOT 172-09
Monday, October 26, 2009
Contact:  Sasha Johnson
Tel.:  (202) 366-4570

Newly Formed Safety Council to Take Safety Commitment to Next Level

Secretary Ray LaHood today convened the first meeting of a newly created U.S. Department of Transportation Safety Council formed to tackle critical transportation safety issues facing the department’s 10 operating administrations.

“Now is the time to identify and address the top safety issues that cut across our agencies,” said Secretary LaHood. “The Council will take our commitment to safety, which is our highest priority, to the next level.” 

Before taking office, Secretary LaHood saw that many important safety initiatives were being pursued in the department’s agencies without a formal process for sharing data, best practices and strategies.  Secretary LaHood created the Safety Council to serve that broad-based safety leadership role and help break down organizational stovepipes, enabling an even stronger safety culture. 

The goals of the Safety Council are to further enhance the safety focus throughout all agencies of the department and improve the impact of the department’s safety programs.

The Council, chaired by Transportation Deputy Secretary John Porcari, is comprised of the heads of the Department’s 10 agencies: the Federal Aviation Administration, the Federal Highway Administration, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the Federal Railroad Administration, the Federal Transit Administration, the Maritime Administration, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, the Research and Innovative Technology Administration and the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation. 

Deputy Secretary Porcari said the Council will be action oriented, data driven, emphasize open dialogue about common issues and provide a forum for fresh ideas and new perspectives. 

“The Council will enhance the department’s safety culture which should then resonate out into industry,” said Deputy Secretary Porcari.

# # #

 

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FMCSA 04-09                                                                             
Friday, October 23, 2009  
Contact: Candice Tolliver     
Tel: (202) 366.2309 or (202) 306.4580                                                                              

FMCSA Conducts First National Drug and Alcohol Strike Force
Commercial Drivers Found in Violation Taken Off the Road

WASHINGTON – The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) today announced 77 commercial bus and truck drivers are off the road and over 80 carriers face enforcement action as a result of FMCSA’s first national drug and alcohol strike force.

From September 8 to September 18, 2009 FMCSA safety investigators examined the drug and alcohol safety records of commercial drivers employed by bus companies, including school bus drivers, interstate passenger carriers, hazardous material transporters and general freight long-haul trucking companies.

“Safety is the number one priority for the Department of Transportation.  Parents need to know when they put their child on a school bus that the driver will get them there safely and that they are drug and alcohol free,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.  “Violators of our drug and alcohol policies have no business driving a commercial vehicle.  Programs like the drug and alcohol strike force are helping remove the most dangerous offenders from our roadways.”

The 77 commercial drivers who face the prospect of civil penalties for failing to adhere to federal drug and alcohol regulations can no longer operate a commercial motor vehicle and will likely face a monetary fine.  Additionally, 84 commercial carriers face pending enforcement action for violations such as using a driver that has tested positive for illegal drugs and for not instituting a drug and alcohol testing program.

The goals of the strike force were to identify motor carriers in violation of federal drug and alcohol testing requirements and to remove from the road commercial truck and bus drivers who jump from carrier to carrier to try and evade federal drug and alcohol testing and reporting requirements.

Both drivers and carriers will have an opportunity to contest the alleged violations and the amount of the civil penalties. 

###

BTS 49-09
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Contact: Dave Smallen
Tel: 202-366-5568                 

BTS Releases August Passenger Airline Employment Data;
August 2009 Employment Down 5.5 Percent from August 2008

U.S. scheduled passenger airlines employed 5.5 percent fewer workers in August 2009 than in August 2008, the 14th consecutive decrease in full-time equivalent employee (FTE) levels for the scheduled passenger carriers from the same month of the previous year, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) reported today.  FTE calculations count two part-time employees as one full-time employee.

BTS, a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, reported that the August FTE total of 384,396 for the scheduled passenger carriers was 22,429 below August 2008 and the lowest total for any month since 1993. Historical employment data can be found on the BTS web site at http://www.bts.gov/airline_employment/src/index.xml.

All the network airlines decreased employment from August 2008 to August 2009 as did low-cost carriers Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines. Regional carriers American Eagle Airlines, SkyWest Airlines, ExpressJet Airlines, Comair, Atlantic Southeast Airlines, Pinnacle Airlines, Horizon Air, Mesa Airlines, Air Wisconsin Airlines, Colgan Airlines and PSA Airlines also reported reduced employment levels compared to last year. 

Scheduled passenger airline categories include network, low-cost, regional and other airlines.

The seven network airlines employed 258,569 FTEs in August, 67.3 percent of the passenger airline total, while low-cost carriers employed 16.3 percent and regional carriers employed 14.6 percent. 

            See BTS Passenger Airline Employment press release for summary tables and additional data.

###

 

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DOT 166-09
Monday, October 19, 2009
Contact:  Patricia Klinger
                 Joe Delcambre
Tel:  (202) 366-4831

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Announces $20.9 Million for First Responders
Funds Will Be Used to Improve Hazardous Materials Planning and Training

Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Transportation today announced that it is awarding $20.9 million to states, territories and Native American tribes to improve the nation’s response to transportation incidents involving hazardous materials.  The grants will help train first responders to react to incidents involving hazardous materials and to meet the safety challenges posed by new chemicals and alternative energy products such as ethanol.  

“This program strengthens local emergency response capabilities and serves a vital role in a comprehensive hazmat safety program,” said Secretary LaHood.  “Although prevention is our first priority, preparing communities to respond effectively to incidents that do occur is essential to protecting the safety of all Americans.”

The grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) are funded by user fees paid by shippers and carriers of certain hazardous materials.

Since 1993, over 2.4 million emergency responders and others have received training assistance nationwide using Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP) grants.  Assistance was also given to approximately 1,700 local emergency planning committees each year in preparing and exercising hazardous materials emergency response plans, and in conducting commodity flow studies that identify transportation hazards. Effective in 2008, transportation legislation more than doubled the funding of the HMEP grants program. 

All 50 states, one territory, and seven North American tribes received HMEP grant funding this year.

More information on the HMEP grants program can be found at: http://hazmat.dot.gov/training/state/hmep/hmep.htm.

 

FY 2009 HMEP GRANTS

 

GRANTEE

                  GRANT

 

 

Alabama

$401,287.00

Alaska

$139,696.00

Arizona

$313,472.00

Arkansas

$272,518.00

California

$1,642,592.00

Colorado

$311,566.00

Connecticut

$247,214.00

Delaware

$154,110.00

Florida

$774,750.00

Georgia

$514,736.00

Guam

$113,550.00

Hawaii

$150,450.00

Idaho

$192,760.00

Illinois

$1,033,415.00

Indiana

$512,532.00

Iowa

$348,679.00

Kansas

$391,846.00

Kentucky

$311,324.00

Louisiana

$347,801.00

Maine

$181,732.00

Maryland

$318,230.00

Massachusetts

$366,402.00

Michigan

$567,223.00

Minnesota

$446,495.00

Mississippi

$302,226.00

Missouri

$455,470.00

Montana

$202,548.00

Nebraska

$310,372.00

Nevada

$210,193.00

New Hampshire

$179,328.00

New Jersey 

            $496,286.00

New Mexico

$254,219.00

New York

$807,514.00

North Carolina

$538,901.00

North Dakota

$233,004.00

Ohio

$863,963.00

Oklahoma

$321,755.00

Oregon

$298,676.00

Pennsylvania

$691,476.00

Rhode Island

  $156,680.00

South Carolina

$325,439.00

South Dakota

$216,267.00

Tennessee

$425,870.00

Texas

$1,146,929.00

Utah

$247,772.00

Vermont

$142,514.00

Virginia

$414,279.00

Washington

$353,784.00

West Virginia

$237,696.00

Wisconsin

$443,390.00

Wyoming

$159,505.00

 

=============

 

$20,490,436.00

 

 

 

 

TRIBES

                  GRANT

 

                 

San Manuel (CA)

$34,400.00

Washoe (NV)

$33,000.00

Inter Tribal Council of Arizona

$216,000.00

Reno Sparks (NV)

$13,432.00

Saint Regis (NY)

$27,065.00

Poarch (AL)

$13,760.00

Fallon (NV)

$41,182.00

 

=============

 

$378,839.00

 

 

TOTAL GRANTS

 

       $20,869.275.00

#  #  #

 

 

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BTS 48-09
Friday, October 16, 2009
Contact: Dave Smallen
Tel: 202-366-5568

BTS Releases July 2009 Airline Traffic Data;
System Traffic Down 3.4 Percent from July 2008

      The number of scheduled domestic and international passengers on U.S. airlines in July 2009 declined by 3.4 percent from July 2008, dropping by 2.4 million to 68.1 million, the Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) today reported.  July was the 16th consecutive month with a decrease in passengers from the prior year.
     
      BTS, a part of DOT’s Research and Innovative Technology Administration, in a release of preliminary data, reported that U.S. airlines carried 3.2 percent fewer domestic passengers than in July 2008. International passengers on U.S. carriers decreased 4.8 percent.

      For the first seven months of 2009, the number of scheduled domestic and international passengers on U.S. airlines declined by 8.1 percent from the same period in 2008, dropping to 413.6 million, 36.5 million fewer than a year earlier, and the lowest January-to-July total since 2004.
     
      U.S. airlines carried 8.0 percent fewer domestic passengers and 8.8 percent fewer international passengers in the first seven months of 2009 than during the same period in 2008. 

      See BTS Air Traffic Release for summary tables and additional data.

                                                                                     ###