T E a -21 & R Eauthorization

Volume VI No. 1 Fall 2002 www.nyu.edu/wagner/rudincenter T EA-21 & REAUTHORIZATION Letter from the Editor The expiration of federal authorizations for air, transit, highway, national rail, and Amtrak funding programs during the next year and increased security as a consequence of 9/11 are We are pleased to be presenting two issues of great interest to the transportation industry. Emil Frankel, Assistant Secretary this edition of the Rudin Center’s for Transportation Policy at the U.S. Department of Transportation, has been influential in New York Transportation Journal the Department’s security initiatives and will have a substantial role in developing the new after a brief interruption. After authorization proposals for the Bush Administration. We asked Janette Sadik-Khan, Senior Vice the devastating attacks of Sep- President of Parsons Brinkerhoff and President of Company39, the e-business subsidiary of the tember 11, we felt our efforts firm, to interview Mr. Frankel on these and other important transportation matters. needed to be concentrated on the recovery of Lower Manhattan. JSK: You come to this job with a solid DOT one. This will be influenced by my experience With this edition, we are back on background at the state level. Did you bring at the state level. Frankly, we have looked any strong views of changes needed within hard at the planning programs and how well track and rolling out a new format the DOT or its agencies? they are working in terms of ultimate imple- the reflects the energy of the EF: Well, I think my experience at the state mentation. Sometimes policy decisions are Journal and the transportation level is a plus. In the immediate Office of the made somewhat in a vacuum here in Washing- Secretary I am the only person who has had ton without real knowledge of how a program (Continued on page 7) substantial experience at the state and local really works. I think what I’ve tried to do is level. It is, however, a team that does bring a ask the right questions though I can’t guaran- Inside NYTJ wealth of experience from various governmen- tee what the results will be. We are also look- tal levels and the private sector. The experi- ing at the opportunities for and the limitations Lower Manhattan and the ence I’ve had is as a grantee, dealing directly and constraints on implementation of invest- Region: Where We Are and with the ultimate consumers or users of the ment programs at the state and local level. Where We Must Go transportation system and because of that, I By Elliot G. Sander think I bring a particular perspective to the JSK: When Secretary Mineta talked about development of policies. I also had an oppor- his vision for TEA-21 Reauthorization, his Ferries Since 9/11 & Into the only point on security was to “address the tunity between my public positions to teach Future security of the nation’s surface transporta- and do research and write in areas of trans- By Roberta Weisbrod tion system.” What does this really mean, portation policy which really kept me aware particularly with respect to the President’s Trans-Hudson River Railroad of developments. This permitted me remain priorities and reorganization for Homeland Security? Tunnels: Looking to the at the cutting edge of new policy develop- Past and Future ments relating to the transportation field. I EF: Well, some of it relates to the Reau- By Jack M. Kanarek think all of that, particularly my background thorization bill and we are looking at the obvi- ous questions, such as hardening critical as- Congestion Charging in in policy, reinforced my state transportation sets or critical infrastructure facilities. What London management experience. does it mean to “harden”? Obviously one can By Jay Walder JSK: Do you see any changes based on your make such projects eligible for funding. How- On-Street Parking: A Study in experience at the state level that you’d like ever, where the money is going to come from, to see implemented nationally? Progress for what could be a very expensive retrofit By Allison L. C. de Cerreño EF: We have a lot of interest in simplifying program, is not yet clear but we are grappling ITS Plays a Role in Homeland programs, particularly where there are oppor- with those issues. There are a range of issues th Security tunities for consolidation, to make the whole in the aftermath of September 11 dealing By Henry Peyrebrune process of federal assistance easier for every- (Continued on page 2) 1 2 NEW YORK TRANSPORTATION JOURNAL T EA-21 & REAUTHORIZATION CONT. (Continued from page 1) with the vulnerabilities of the transportation that is identifying what research activities are going on in the department and system, such as our aviation system, and the what are we getting for our money. And what should the nature of the de- movement of containers to, through and from partment’s research program be and where should the responsibilities rest. At our major ports or other facilities. What do this point, we don’t have sufficient knowledge on what research is in progress we do to enhance security in these modes for elsewhere in the government or in the private or academic sectors. example? A group at DOT has been working since September 11th on issues of container JSK: I think this is something that every Administration grapples with. security, including how we learn more about EF: Relevant data is another area we are not satisfied with — I’m certainly what is in the container. Also there have been not satisfied that I know enough to be able to make thoughtful recommenda- significant steps taken by the Federal Motor tions but the collection of pertinent, measurable data ought to be defined in Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). In fact the Reauthorization bill. Going back to the point you mentioned, the RSPA I have on my desk a proposed rulemaking by Request for Proposals (RFP) is something that we have looked at and it is a FMCSA dealing with the implementation of the model to the extent we are trying to stimulate new ideas. As you know, I have Patriot Act. So there are many, many things, a particular interest in the whole question of how public policy can stimulate including concurrent actions in the public and private sectors, which have influenced admin- istrative activities and proposed legislation in the areas of surface and maritime legislation. JSK: A month after September 11th, Re- search & Special Programs Administration (RSPA) issued a call for white papers on a broad range of security topics. Will this lead to expanded research efforts in the Reau- thorization? EF: Research is a critical area but we really have not yet internally reached any conclu- sions. We have made very few recommenda- tions. We’re at the point of teeing up recom- mendations on the Reauthorization bills to both the Secretary and Deputy Secretary but these do not address research. We’re really From Surface Transportation Policy Project, “Decoding Policy & Practice #1,” Posted trying to get a better handle on something 19 March 2002, http://www.transact.org/library/decoder/raba.pdf. that you addressed when you were here — The New York Transportation Journal is published by the Rudin Center for Transporta- New York Transportation Journal tion Policy and Management in conjunction with the Rudin Center advisory board and Elliot G. Sander, Publisher the Council on Transportation. Allison L. C. de Cerreño, Editor The Rudin Center gratefully acknowledges the foundation, corporate, and individual sponsors that make possible our efforts to promote progressive transportation policy, including the New York Transportation Journal. Editorial Board The views expressed in the New York Transportation Journal are those of the authors John Falcocchio Janette Sadik-Khan and not necessarily those of New York University, the Rudin Center, or any of its affili- José Holguín-Veras Bruce Schaller ated organizations and funders. Robert Paaswell Sam Schwartz Henry Peyrebrune Roy Sparrow Letters to the Editor and other inquiries may be addressed to Allison C. de Cerreño at: Gene Russianoff Robert Yaro Rudin Center for Transportation Policy and Management NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service Design and Layout 4 Washington Square North Meredith Hennessy New York, NY 10003 phone: (212) 998-7545; fax: (212) 995-3890 Email: [email protected] www.nyu.edu/wagner/rudincenter VOLUME VI NO. 1 FALL 2002 innovation. Particularly in the area of invited individuals to respond and give us transportation, we are looking at techno- their ideas. So there has been a whole logical innovations — whether we are talk- process that’s has been in place I would ing about Intelligent Transportation Sys- say for about five or six months and now tems or just the automobile and mitigating we are at the stage where we’re really impacts on the environment. Is there a trying to make some decisions. We’re not better way to run our research programs? there yet fully but to a significant degree Can we more thoughtfully stimulate inno- we are ready to make some decisions vation in the private sector or at the state about what the elements of the Reauthori- and local levels? The RSPA RFP which was zation bill should be. very much the personal initiative of the Administrator is very interesting and we JSK: Secretary Mineta’s vision proposes are looking at whether it is a good model greater private sector investment in transportation. Does the track record for us to use in other areas of research in really support this? Given the state of the department.

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