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. 

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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.

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DOT 163-09
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Contact:  Bill Mosley
Tel.:  (202) 366-4570 

Statement of U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood on the August Freight Transportation Services Index

“The continued rise of the freight transportation service index is evidence that America is moving towards economic recovery. The impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and other actions taken by this Administration are only beginning to be felt around the nation, but economic data like this should give us hope that our worst days are behind us,” said Secretary LaHood.  “However, there is still a long road ahead and we will not let this positive sign lull us into complacency. This Administration remains committed to investing in transportation in order to insure a prosperous future.”

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BTS 47-09
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Contact: Dave Smallen
Tel: 202-366-5568                                                                                                                        

BTS Releases Freight Transportation Services Index (TSI);

Freight Index Rose 0.7 Percent in August from July

The Freight Transportation Services Index (TSI) rose 0.7 percent in August from its July level, the second consecutive monthly increase, 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 gone four consecutive months without a decline after dropping in 9 of the previous 12 months. 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 August Freight TSI of 96.2 is a 2.7 percent increase from the recent low of 93.6 reached in April.  In April, the index was at its lowest level since June 1997. The Freight TSI is down 14.8 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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Thursday, October 15, 2009
Contact: Kim Riddle
Tel:         202-366-5128                     

MEDIA ADVISORY

BTS Releases August Airline Full-Time and Part-Time Employment Data

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), a part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA), has updated its airline employment web page with August full-time and part-time employment data.  Among the data reported are the following:

Total employment (full-time + part-time) by U.S. airlines:

August 2008:                606,095
July 2009:                     573,592
August 2009:                569,391

Individual airline data are available on the BTS airline employment web page. The web page provides full-time and part-time employment data by carrier by month from 1990 through August 2009.

Airlines that operate at least one aircraft with the capacity to carry combined passengers, cargo and fuel of 18,000 pounds – the payload factor – must report monthly employment statistics.

The next web update for full-time and part-time employment is scheduled for Nov. 11.  The BTS press release on full-time equivalent employment for scheduled passenger airlines, including historic comparisons and summary tables, will be issued on Tuesday, Oct. 20.

-END-

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Thursday, October 15, 2009
Contact: Kim Riddle
Tel:         202-366-5128                     

MEDIA ADVISORY

BTS Releases August Airline Fuel Cost and Consumption Data

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), a part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA), has updated its Airline Fuel Cost and Consumption  web page with preliminary August data.  Among the data included are the following:

Cost per gallon for U.S. airlines’ scheduled services:

August 2008:                $3.54
July 2009:                     $1.90
August 2009:                $2.02

The page provides preliminary data for July and August on individual tables for each month.  The preliminary numbers are also available on the 2000-present table with comparisons to previous fuel cost and consumption numbers.  This table provides scheduled service cost and consumption numbers.  Use the “Select a Service” dropdown to see data for all services or non-scheduled services.

The Fuel Cost and Consumption page can be found at: http://www.bts.gov/programs/airline_information/fuel_cost_and_consumption/

Preliminary fuel cost and consumption numbers are industry summaries only.  Airline fuel costs may be affected by hedging. The next web update is scheduled for Nov. 10.

Individual airline data are available through June on the BTS website.  Individual airline data for July and August will be available with the BTS quarterly financial release scheduled for Dec. 14.

-END-

 

 

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DOT 161-09
October 14, 2009
Contact:  Cathy St. Denis
Tel:  202-366-0660

President Obama And U.S. Transportation Secretary LaHood Visit Virginia’s Largest Recovery Act Project
More than 8,000 ARRA Projects Planned, Nearly 5,000 Under Construction

FAIRFAX, Va. – President Barack Obama joined U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today at the site of the Fairfax County Parkway Extension in Virginia to announce more than 8,000 highway projects have been funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) since its passage in February.

“What makes these kinds of projects so important isn’t just that we’re creating so many jobs. It’s that we’re putting Americans to work doing the work that America needs done. We are rebuilding our crumbling roads, bridges, and waterways,” said President Obama. “We are strengthening our nation’s infrastructure in ways that will leave lasting benefits in our communities, making them stronger, making them safer, and making them better places to live.”

“We have come a long way in a very short time,” said Secretary LaHood. “Projects like this one are not only improving safety and convenience for motorists, they are also helping to put the economy back on track by creating tens of thousands of jobs each month.”

Of the nearly $27 billion available for highway projects through the Recovery Act, $19.5 billion has been obligated for 8,050 projects nationwide. As of Oct. 9, 2009, 4,760 highway projects were under construction.

The Fairfax County Parkway Extension project is adding much needed capacity to a route that, by 2011, will serve nearly 66,900 daily drivers – an increase of nearly 10 percent over current levels.  At an estimated $140 million, it is Virginia’s largest ARRA-funded project.

The project’s first two phases – valued at $80 million – began construction last year, supporting 114 workers. Phase 4, which will begin construction this week, received $22.8 million in Recovery Act funding and will support an estimated 57 workers. Phase 3, anticipated to begin construction later this year, is expected to rely on $37.1 million in Recovery dollars and will support an estimated 50 workers.

While at the site, the President and Secretary LaHood met with workers of Cherry Hill Construction, Inc., the primary contractor on the project’s Phases 1, 2 and 4.

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DOT 160-09
Friday, October 9, 2009
Contact:  Bill Mosley
Tel.:  (202) 366-4570

DOT Warns Airlines on Improperly Limiting Reimbursements for Mishandled Baggage

            Airlines may not arbitrarily limit compensation for passengers who purchase necessities because their baggage is lost or delayed, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) said in a notice issued today.

            In its notice, the Department’s Aviation Enforcement Office said that a number of carriers have policies stating that they will reimburse passengers only for buying necessities purchased more than 24 hours after arrival and limiting such reimbursements to the outbound legs of trips.  This is in violation of DOT regulations which require that airlines cover all expenses caused by lost or delayed baggage up to $3,300 per passenger on domestic flights, DOT said.

            “Travelers should not have to pay for toiletries or other necessities while they wait for baggage misplaced by airlines,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.  “We expect airlines to comply with all of our regulations and will take enforcement action if they do not.”

            The Department said airlines should review their passenger handouts and contracts of carriage to make sure they comply with DOT rules.  The Aviation Enforcement Office will monitor carriers’ compliance and take enforcement action if necessary after 90 days from the issuance of this notice.

            Last month the Department fined an airline for providing compensation for delayed baggage only for the outbound leg of round-trip flights and only for purchases made more than 24 hours after arrival, among other violations.

            The notice is available on the Internet at http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/rules/guidance.htm.

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DOT 158-09
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Contact:  Patricia Klinger
                 Joe Delcambre
Tel:  (202) 366-4831

DOT Issues Lithium Battery Safety Advisory to Increase Aviation Industry Awareness

Washington, D.C. – In its continuing effort to promote the safe transportation of lithium batteries, the Department of Transportation today issued a safety advisory in the Federal Register targeting shippers and carriers responsible for compliance with hazardous materials regulations covering both passenger and cargo aircraft. 

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, in coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration, published the advisory to highlight recent aviation incidents involving lithium batteries, outline the current regulatory requirements for the safe transportation of lithium batteries, and announce that the two agencies are stepping up enforcement of the safety standards.  The agencies are particularly concerned with undeclared shipments of lithium batteries and in bringing enforcement action against those responsible for offering them in transportation. 

“This advisory puts all shippers on notice that non-compliance with the safety regulations is not acceptable,” said Secretary Ray LaHood. “I have asked the department’s enforcement personnel to increase their inspections and step up enforcement where necessary.”

Since 1991, more than 40 air transport-related incidents involving lithium batteries and devices powered by lithium batteries have been identified.  Many of these incidents were directly related to the lack of awareness of the regulations, risks and required safety measures applicable to the shipment of lithium batteries. 

Recommended battery safety practices and guidance are available at http://safetravel.dot.gov. For more detailed information on battery shipment requirements in the Hazardous Materials Regulations go to: http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/hazmat.

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DOT 157-09
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Contact:  Bill Mosley
Tel:  (202) 366-4570

Airline On-Time Performance Improved in August

          The nation’s largest airlines had a higher on-time performance rate in August 2009 than both July 2009 and 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 79.7 percent in August, better than both the 78.4 percent on-time rate of August 2008 and July 2009’s 77.6 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 reports of mishandled baggage filed with the carriers, 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 August, the carriers canceled one percent of their scheduled domestic flights, lower than both the 1.6 percent cancellation rate of August 2008 and the 1.2 percent rate posted in July 2009.

Tarmac Delays

In August, the carriers filing on-time performance data reported that .012 percent of their scheduled flights had tarmac delays of three hours or more, down from .028 percent in July.  There were six flights with tarmac delays of four hours or more in August. 

Causes of Flight Delays

            In August, the carriers filing on-time performance data reported that 6.43 percent of their flights were delayed by aviation system delays, compared to 6.89 percent in July; 6.45 percent by late-arriving aircraft, compared to 7.33 percent in July; 5.46 percent by factors within the airline’s control, such as maintenance or crew problems, compared to 5.93 percent in July; 0.69 percent by extreme weather, compared to 0.74 percent in July; and 0.05 percent for security reasons, compared to 0.04 percent in July.  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 show 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 August, 39.27 percent of late flights were delayed by weather, down 0.23 percent from August 2008, when 39.36 percent of late flights were delayed by weather, and down 0.38 percent from July when 39.42 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 4.04 reports per 1,000 passengers in August, an improvement over August 2008’s rate of 4.98 but up from July 2009’s 3.98 rate. 

Incidents Involving Pets

In August, carriers reported three incidents involving the loss, death or injury of pets while traveling by air, down from both the four reports filed in August 2008 and six in July 2009.  All of August’s incidents involved pet deaths. 

Complaints About Airline Service

In August, the Department received 888 complaints about airline service from consumers, down 11.7 percent from the 1,006 complaints filed in August 2008 but up 7.4 percent from the 827 received in July 2009.

Complaints About Treatment of Disabled Passengers

The report also contains a tabulation of complaints filed with DOT in August against airlines regarding the treatment of passengers with disabilities.  The Department received a total of 47 disability-related complaints in August, up from the total of 41 filed in August 2008 but fewer than the 53 complaints received in July 2009. 

Complaints About Discrimination

In August, the Department received 16 complaints alleging discrimination by airlines due to factors other than disability – such as race, religion, national origin or sex – down from the totals of 17 recorded in both August 2008 and July 2009. 
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.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.dot.gov.   It is available in “pdf” and Microsoft Word format.

Facts

___________________________________________________________________________

AIR TRAVEL CONSUMER REPORT
August 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

      79.7 percent on-time arrivals

Highest On-Time Arrival Rates

1. Hawaiian Airlines – 94.7 percent
2. Alaska Airlines – 85.8 percent
3. SkyWest Airlines - 84.4 percent

Lowest On-Time Arrival Rates 

1. Comair – 65.9 percent
2. Atlantic Southeast Airlines – 69.5 percent
3. AirTran Airways – 74.2 percent 

Most Frequently Delayed Flights

1.   Pinnacle Airlines flight 896 from Knoxville, TN to Atlanta – late 94.12 percent of the time
2.   Pinnacle Airlines flight 2923 from Detroit to La Crosse, WI/Winona, MN – late 88.24 percent of the time
3.   Comair flight 6332 from New York JFK to Boston – late 87.50 percent of the time
4.   AirTran Airways flight 333 from Philadelphia to Atlanta – late 87.10 percent of the time
5.   Comair flight 6511 from Omaha, NE to Atlanta – late 85.00 percent of the time

Flights with Longest Tarmac Delays

1. ExpressJet Airlines flight 2816 from Houston to Minneapolis/St. Paul, 8/7/09 – delayed on tarmac 337 minutes
2. AirTran Airways flight 782 from Atlanta to St. Louis, 8/12/09 – delayed on tarmac 253 minutes
3. US Airways flight 2135 from Boston to New York LaGuardia, 8/21/09 – delayed on tarmac 252 minutes
4. US Airways flight 2131 from Boston to New York LaGuardia, 8/21/09 – delayed on tarmac 244 minutes
5. JetBlue Airways flight 1258 from Washington Dulles to Boston, 8/21/09 – delayed on tarmac 241 minutes

Highest Rates of Canceled Flights

1.   Comair – 4.3 percent
2.   Pinnacle Airlines – 1.8 percent
3.   Atlantic Southeast Airlines – 1.8 percent

Lowest Rates of Canceled Flights

1. Continental Airlines – 0.2 percent
2. Frontier Airlines – 0.3 percent
3. Hawaiian Airlines – 0.3 percent   

-END-

 

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FHWA 28-09
Monday, October 5, 2009
Contact:  Doug Hecox
Tel:  202-366-0660

Federal Highway Administration Launches Major Study Into Causes of Motorcycle Crashes
FHWA, Oklahoma State University to Partner on Critical Research Endeavor

WASHINGTON, D.C. – FHWA will conduct an ambitious new study to better understand and prevent motorcycle crashes, Administrator Victor Mendez announced today.

Despite years of steadily improving highway safety and roadway fatalities at historic lows, motorcycle riders remain one of the highest-risk groups on America’s roads. Nearly 5,300 motorcycle riders died in roadway crashes in 2008, accounting for 14 percent of all traffic fatalities, and 96,000 were injured.

“Having a better understanding of what causes these crashes will help us improve roadway safety for everyone,” said Administrator Mendez. “Keeping people safe on America’s roads is Secretary LaHood’s top priority at the Department of Transportation.”

The motorcycle crash causation study will be the federal government’s first major in-depth analysis of motorcycle safety in nearly three decades. A provision in the “Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users” (SAFETEA-LU) requires the study, which will be conducted by the FHWA in partnership with the Oklahoma State University. 

The university’s Oklahoma Transportation Center is one of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s 10 National University Transportation Centers, and it receives federal grants to conduct transportation research.

“OSU is delighted to be the lead research institution for this important study,” said Dr. Alan Tree, associate dean for research in OSU’s College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology. “We expect very significant, scientifically valid results to emerge from this work and look forward to a very positive final outcome.”

Researchers will evaluate data from hundreds of motorcycle crashes to help identify common factors – including road configurations, environmental conditions and rider experience. The study’s focus is to look at how these factors may be affected by countermeasures that, if effectively implemented, will prevent motorcycle crashes or lessen the harm when they occur.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration conducted a pilot study to develop the protocols for the full-scale causation research. NHTSA also was responsible for the earlier motorcycle causation study, which was completed in 1981.

Between 1997 and 2008, motorcycle rider fatalities increased from 2,116 to 5,290 – a 150 percent jump, according to U.S. Department of Transportation’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System. In 2008 alone, deaths due to motorcycle crashes rose by an estimated 2.2 percent while all other vehicle classes saw reductions in fatalities.
 
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DOT 156-09
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Contact: USDOT Public Affairs
Tel: 202-366-4570                                                                             

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Announces Administration Wide Effort to Combat Distracted Driving

WASHINGTON – At the conclusion of a two-day summit on distracted driving in Washington, D.C. today, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced a series of concrete actions the Obama Administration and the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) are taking to help put an end to distracted driving.

Last night, President Obama signed an Executive Order directing federal employees not to engage in text messaging while driving government-owned vehicles; when using electronic equipment supplied by the government while driving; or while driving privately owned vehicles when they’re on official government business.  The order also encourages federal contractors and others doing business with the government to adopt and enforce their own policies banning texting while driving on the job. 

“This order sends a very clear signal to the American public that distracted driving is dangerous and unacceptable. It shows that the federal government is leading by example,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “I fully expect that all 58,000 DOT employees and contractors will take this order seriously. Let’s show our friends and families that we can resist the temptation to answer the phone, send a message, or allow some other distraction to interfere with our driving.”

Secretary LaHood pledged to work with Congress to ensure that the issue of distracted driving is appropriately addressed.  He also announced a number of immediate actions the Department is taking to combat distracted driving, including the Department’s plan to create three separate rulemakings that would consider:

• Making permanent restrictions on the use of cell phones and other electronic devices in rail operations.

• Banning text messaging altogether, and restrict the use of cell phones by truck and interstate bus operators.

• Disqualifying school bus drivers convicted of texting while driving, from maintaining their commercial driver’s licenses.

The Secretary also called on state and local governments to work with USDOT to reduce fatalities and crashes by making distracted driving part of their state highway plans, and by continuing to pass state and local laws against distracted driving in all types of vehicles, especially school buses.  He asked states and local governments to back up public awareness campaigns with high-visibility enforcement actions.  And he said the Department is establishing an on-line clearinghouse on the risks of distracted driving, aimed especially at young people, which will give them information to help encourage good decisions. 

Secretary LaHood also pledged to continue the Department’s research on how to best combat distracted driving.  As part of this pledge, the Department will launch a new demonstration program this year to evaluate techniques that states can use to get the most out of their efforts to end this destructive behavior.

“Keeping Americans safe is without question the federal government’s highest priority – and that includes safety on the road, as well as on mass transit and rail,” said Secretary LaHood.  “I’m greatly encouraged by the work accomplished at this summit. Working together, we’re going to make sure that traveling in America is as safe as it can possibly be and I strongly encourage the public to take personal responsibility for their behavior and show a healthy respect for the rules of the road.” 

The two-day summit brought together safety experts, researchers, industry representatives, elected officials and members of the public who shared their expertise, experiences and ideas for reducing distracted driving behavior and addressed the safety risk posed by this growing problem across all modes of transportation.  Authoritative speakers from around the nation led interactive sessions on a number of key topics including the extent and impact of distracted driving, current research, regulations and best practices.  Individuals from 49 states participated in the summit via the web.

The summit also featured a discussion with Seventeen Editor-in-Chief Ann Shoket and three young adults that explored the dangers of texting and driving.  High school classrooms across the country tuned into the youth geared program and heard insights from Reggie Shaw, 22, and Nicole Meredith, 18, both of whom caused car crashes because they were texting while behind the wheel.  Reggie and Nicole were joined by Natalie Hayford, 17, a teen advocate with the Anoka, Minnesota chapter of Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD).  Natalie works with her school and community to try and educate people her age about the dangers of distracted driving. 

Together with the National Organizations for Youth Safety (NOYS) and the National Road Safety Foundation (NRSF), the group announced the Drive for Life PSA contest.  The contest challenges kids and teens to submit a PSA concept on combating distracted or impaired driving and the winner will be sent to New York City to help producers actually put their PSA together.  Additional information on the challenge can be found at www.noys.org or www.nrsf.org.

To watch Secretary LaHood’s video blog on distracted driving visit www.dot.gov.  The full webcast of the summit will be available later this week on www.dot.gov.

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