(via Wall Street Journal)

The U.S. spending on transportation (and infrastructure in general) has flatlined (or some argue that it has declined considerably) over the decades while other countries around the globe, especially in Asia, have ramped up their investment in large-scale infrastructure projects such as building highways and railroads.  So, how does it look when we match our spending versus the other nations.  This chart from Wall Street Journal shows show you how badly we are behind in this race to stay competitive. Recommend reading the related article on WSJ that shows how funding for infrastructure projects may be coming from new sources as ‘wealth advisers are steering clients into infrastructure deals. Let’s not forget that we have already a crazy amount of things to fix and on top of that we have to spend on projects that can cater to the growing need for transportation as the population explodes.  But do we really have the money to fix the broke and embark on starting new projects? With a dwindling highway trust fund account and a political gridlock in Washington, even the basic of needs for keeping the country economically superior seems to be a bigger challenge than ever.

Related articles

• Two Charts That Make The Case For More Infrastructure Spending
• Oberhelman calls for infrastructure improvement
• Why Americans Can’t Afford The Future: Dow Jones Industrial Average 2 Minute (INDEXDJX:.DJI)
• Aging Infrastructure in America is Like Giving Cash to China
• America’s Disastrous Infrastructure; USA Is Ranked At 25th In the World

(via Mashable)

Cool stuff.. You can be assured that state & city transportation officials around the globe (at least in the US) will be clamoring to test this new self-healing asphalt on their highways and city streets.

Via King5 News

Just spotted this nice report/update on the world’s tallest (5-story-tall) tunnel boring machine (TBM), Bertha, which will begin work in Seattle’s Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement project (SR 99 Tunnel Project). Bertha’s deep-bore tunnel will replace the aging Alaskan Way Viaduct, which will eventually be torn down. She should begin digging next summer.  As reported below, Bertha’s 41 pieces – the largest weighing up to 900 tons – are being loaded on a single ship in Japan, leaving around mid-March and arrive in Seattle later this month, if all goes well in the choppy seas.

For those curious about the name Bertha, it was chosen as part of a contest for school-aged kids across Washington state. While we are at it, don’t forget to follow the live tweets from Bertha @BerthaDigsSR99, the only TBM in the world with it’s own twitter account (at least until the project finishes).  Pretty cool stuff, right? Also, you can follow the WSDOT blog to stay updated on the project’s progress.

Related articles

• Bertha, world’s largest tunneling machine, heading for Seattle
• World’s largest tunnel boring machine to be shipped from Japan to Seattle
• Tunnel boring machine in pieces for voyage to Seattle

via WUSA9

The latest transportation bill from Virginia legislature (HB2313), signed by Gov. Bob McDonnell has got a lot of Hybrid vehicle owners miffed. Under the new regulations, drivers of hybrid vehicles would have to pay a $100 annual fee.  So, the irate hybrid owners and other opponents of this measure have have started an online petition urging the governor to veto the fee now has more than 4,000 signatures (hoping to get to 10,000 by end of March) .  WUSA9’s Monika Samtani has done a nice report covering this issue. Check it out.

Critics are pointing out that :

Description:

The Department of Transportation is seeking a talented and exemplary professional to join a dynamic work group. The selected individual will need to have exceptional communication skills, be able to provide excellent customer service, and have solid technical and analytical skills. This position will review complex development applications for compliance with County policies and regulations; formulate and communicate transportation recommendations to the staff, appointed and elected officials; scope and review Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA); attend and represent the Department at Planning Commission, Board of County Supervisors, and other transportation related meetings; provide planning and technical solutions to complex problems or situations; work with other County agencies and community groups to achieve County and Departmental vision and goals. The successful candidate will need to be enthusiastic, organized, creative, team-oriented, and have a positive can-do attitude. This position will perform under the direct supervision of the Transportation Planning Manager.

TRB’s Technical Activities Division has an opening for a Senior Program Officer (SPO) to work in the areas of preservation and maintenance of transportation facilities, with an emphasis on highways. Specifically, the SPO will work in the areas of management, personnel, equipment, and materials for preservation and maintenance; preservation and maintenance of structures, bridges, pavements, roadsides, and signs/markings; corrosion; work zone traffic control; and winter maintenance.

Responsibilities include keeping abreast of issues and technical developments affecting the preservation and maintenance areas, providing staff support to TRB standing committees and the Operations and Preservation Group Executive Board; planning and delivering sessions and events for the TRB Annual Meeting program; planning and managing conferences; reviewing and processing reports and papers; traveling to state, local, and federal transportation departments, transportation-related industries, and universities to exchange information about problems and potential solutions and about current and proposed research programs; maintaining ongoing relationships with major TRB sponsors (including the state Departments of Transportation); developing new program areas; serving as liaison to TRB Cooperative Research Programs; responding to inquiries; and performing other related duties as assigned. Supervises work of support and other program staff associated with the projects.

A listing of minimum requirements, full job duties, and application information are available on the National Academies’ Office of Human Resources webpage.

TDM Specialist

Position Description
The primary function of the TDM Specialist is to serve as an advocate for alternative transportation options. The Specialist also acts as a liaison among a variety of agencies working cooperatively to promote TDM and alternative commute options. The TDM Specialist will advocate for policy directions that support alternative modes of transportation and TDM strategies while also coordinating with various agencies in the development of related programs. Additionally, the position will review development proposals and work with clients to develop and implement programs to promote alternative transportation modes, improve air quality, and reduce automobile trips. The position also entails monitoring results, verifying plan compliance, and researching other successful programs.

Duties and Responsibilities
1. Conduct highly technical transportation analyses to form basis for future recommendations.
2. Develop scopes of work and contractual documents, as project manager, and assume responsibility for managing consulting services to address long and short term regional travel issues.
3. Supervise data collection efforts and record data in a concise and functional format, and review completed data prior to dissemination.
4. Serve as spokesperson for our clients at meetings, special and media events.

5. Organize, attend, and/or participate in special events and promotions advocating transportation alternatives.
6. Establish and maintain effective relationships with local, state, and federal agencies, employers, and other parties to develop transportation programs and resolve other transportation issues.
7. Implement annual communication plans that include promotional and educational strategies.
8. Supervise the efforts of lower level staff members.
9. Perform responsible professional and administrative related duties as required.

Qualifications
Education and/or Experience Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) in Transportation, Engineering, Geography, Planning, Economics or a relevant social science.   Previous experience working in commuter transportation/TDM industry is desirable.

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
Computer proficiency and knowledge of transportation planning principles and experience with Transportation Demand Management concepts and strategies is highly preferred. Applicant should have excellent oral and written communication skills, be organized, capable of working independently on complex assignments, and manage multiple tasks.

Must possess a driver’s license and have access to a vehicle during business hours.

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————

TDM Marketing and Communication Specialist

Position Description
The primary function of the Marketing and Communication Specialist is to serve as an advocate for alternative transportation options. The Specialist also acts as a liaison among a variety of organizations working cooperatively to promote TDM and alternative commute options. The Marketing and Communication Specialist has a direct responsibility to develop marketing strategies that advertise TDM programs and promote travel behavior change. The Specialist generally assists with the following duties and reports to the Senior TDM Specialist.

Duties and Responsibilities

1.  Organize, attend, and/or participate in special events and promotions advocating transportation alternatives.
2.  Serve as spokesperson for our clients at meetings, special and media events.
3.  Develop and implement all outreach and marketing activities, campaigns, and strategies to promote alternative transportation programs. This can be done through a combination of personal contacts, brochures, mass mailings, public presentations, special events, the Internet, social media, etc.
4.  Establish and maintain effective relationships with local, state, and federal agencies, employers, and other parties to develop transportation programs and resolve other transportation issues.
5.  Develop and implement annual communication plans that include promotional and educational strategies.
6.  Performs and supervises all communication, outreach, marketing, public relations, and media duties relating to TDM projects as required.
7.  Supervise the efforts of lower level staff members.
8.  Assist the Senior TDM Specialist with the aforementioned duties and performs other related tasks as required

   Qualifications

Education and/or Experience Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing/ Advertising, Business or Public Administration. Previous experience working in commuter transportation/TDM industry is desirable.

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
Must have proficiency in MS Office Applications, desktop publishing, database and spreadsheet software. Strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills are required. Must have the ability to effectively prepare and present information to various groups. The ability to work independently or with others to manage multiple tasks with minimal supervision is essential. Knowledge of marketing principles to develop and implement strategies to promote TDM programs is critical.  A creative thinker a plus.

Must possess a driver’s license and have access to a vehicle during business hours.

Contact

If interested in applying for the TDM Specialist positions, please send a cover letter and resume to Courtney Menjivar atcjmenjivar@mjwells.com.  Learn more about WELLS + ASSOCIATES.

Today TTI had released its latest edition of the popular product – Urban Mobility Report (2012). The 2012 edition introduced for the first time,  a way to measure that degree of unreliability in planning a trip, as part of the annual Urban Mobility Report (UMR).   The press release explains it succintly:

The Planning Time Index (PTI), a measure of travel reliability, illustrates the amount of extra time needed to arrive on time for higher priority events, such as an airline departure, just-in-time shipments, medical appointments or especially important social commitments. If the PTI for a particular trip is 3.00, a traveler would allow 60 minutes for a trip that typically takes 20 minutes when few cars are on the road. Allowing for a PTI of 3.00 would ensure on-time arrival 19 out of 20 times.

Access the whole report (PDF) by clicking the cover photo of the report below.

TTI’s 2012 Urban Mobility Report

As one would expect, the reactions for the report was mixed – both positive and negative from the transportation community.  That said, here are some highlights from the 2012 UMR:

Congestion costs are increasing. The congestion “invoice” for the cost of extra time and fuel in 498 urban areas was (all values in constant 2011 dollars):

• In 2011 – $121 billion; In 2000 – $94 billion; In 1982 – $24 billion

Congestion wastes a massive amount of time, fuel and money. In 2011:

• 5.5 billion hours of extra time (equivalent to the time businesses and individuals spend a year filing their taxes).
• 2.9 billion gallons of wasted fuel (enough to fill four New Orleans Superdomes).
• $121 billion of delay and fuel cost (the negative effect of uncertain or longer delivery times, missed meetings, business relocations and other congestion-related effects are not included) ($121 billion is equivalent to the lost productivity and direct medical expenses of 12 average flu seasons).
• 56 billion pounds of additional carbon dioxide (CO2) greenhouse gas released into the atmosphere during urban congested conditions (equivalent to the liftoff weight of over 12,400 Space Shuttles with all fuel tanks full).
• 22% ($27 billion) of the delay cost was the effect of congestion on truck operations; this does not include any value for the goods being transported in the trucks.
• The cost to the average commuter was $818 in 2011 compared to an inflation-adjusted $342 in 1982.
  

  English: Traffic congestion on southbound Interstate 95 in Baltimore, Maryland, near milepost 50. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Congestion affects people who travel during the peak period. The average commuter:

• Spent an extra 38 hours traveling in 2011, up from 16 hours in 1982.
• Wasted 19 gallons of fuel in 2011 – a week’s worth of fuel for the average U.S. driver – up from 8 gallons in 1982.
• In areas with over three million persons, commuters experienced an average of 52 hours of delay in 2011.
• Suffered 6 hours of congested road conditions on the average weekday in areas over 3 million population.
• Fridays are the worst days to travel. The combination of work, school, leisure and other trips mean that urban residents earn their weekend after suffering over 20 percent more delay hours than on Mondays.
• And if all that isn’t bad enough, folks making important trips had to plan for approximately three times as much travel time as in light traffic conditions in order to account for the effects of unexpected crashes, bad weather, special events and other irregular congestion causes.

Congestion is also a problem at other hours. 

• Approximately 37 percent of total delay occurs in the midday and overnight (outside of the peak hours) times of day when travelers and shippers expect free-flow travel. Many manufacturing processes depend on a free-flow trip for efficient production and congested networks interfere with those operations.

Related articles

• Commuters’ wasted time in traffic costs $121B
• Houston makes list of top 10 most congested cities
• New Road Congestion Report
• Washington Is No.1 In Traffic Congestion
• Americans wasting billions in traffic jams

An awesome visual, courtesy of Mikael Colville-Andersen of Copenhagenize.com, that tells how our mobility models have changed over the years..  In a way it serves a testament to show how much the highway lobby has influenced our society’s transportation preferences, diminishing walking and bicycling over the generations.

A Short History of Traffic Engineering – Image Courtesy: Copenhagenize.com