NATIONAL NEWS
Christian Science Monitor: Pedestrian deaths appear to be climbing: Can we reverse the trend?
Last year saw a 10 percent increase in pedestrian deaths, but the Governors Highway Safety Association report suggests several safety efforts can mitigate these fatalities.
Newser: ‘Dark day’ for pedestrians: fastest jump in death rate ever
http://www.newser.com/story/221746/dark-day-for-pedestrians-fastest-jump-in-death-rate-ever.html
Traffic fatalities increased 8.1% in 2015 from the previous year, per a National Safety Council study cited by Autoblog, but one group has been especially affected: pedestrians, who are projected to show a 10% increase in fatalities compared to 2014
STATE NEWS
OC Register: O.C. has its worst year, ever, in pedestrian deaths
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/year-707372-pedestrians-died.html
At least 71 pedestrians died in 2015 in Orange County – making it the deadliest year for pedestrians on record, said Donna Meyers, a coroner’s office research analyst.
KUTV: Pedestrian fatalities in Utah up 60% over the last year, study shows
http://kutv.com/news/local/pedestrian-fatalities-in-utah-up-60-over-the-last-year-study-shows
Pedestrian fatalities are up nationally 10 percent year over year, according to a new study released by the Governor's Highway Safety Association.
WIVB: Study: Smartphones to blame for many pedestrian traffic fatalities
http://wivb.com/2016/03/08/study-smartphones-to-blame-for-many-pedestrian-traffic-fatalities/
According to a study by the Governors Highway Safety Association, pedestrians account for 15 percent of all traffic deaths in the United States. In Indiana, the study shows a 6 percent jump in pedestrians hit and killed by cars between January to June 2015 compared to that same time in 2014.
Boston Globe: State lawmakers call on MBTA to keep late-night service
Two state lawmakers are calling on the MBTA to keep late-night service in light of a federal rebuke over the agency’s failure to complete a civil rights analysis before reducing its weekend schedule.
Cleveland.com: New zoning requires “culture shift” to make Cleveland more urban, less suburban, planners say
http://www.cleveland.com/architecture/index.ssf/2016/03/new_zoning_will_require_cultur.html
Creating a new zoning code for the city will require a "culture shift" among developers and departments at City Hall after decades of suburban-style development within city limits, planners say.
Post and Courier: Charleston city council extends moratorium on ‘gathering place’ zoning
Charleston City Council on Tuesday approved a second extension on processing applications and permits for the controversial “gathering place” zoning. Council voted unanimously to extend the moratorium for 60 days.
International Railway Journal: Light rail chosen for Ann Arbor Connector
http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/north-america/light-rail-chosen-for-ann-arbor-connector.html
A study evaluating high-capacity transit options for the city of Ann Arbor, Michigan, and the University of Michigan has concluded that light rail would be the preferred mode of transport.
Politico Morning Transportation
By Martine Powers | 03/09/2016 05:39 AM EDT
With help from Heather Caygle, Lauren Gardner and Eric Wolff
HELD UP AT THE FIVE-YARD LINE: Last-minute machinations continue to plague the Senate Commerce Committee's FAA reauthorization bill release, but here's one thing Team Transpo knows for sure: The proposed passenger facility charge increase floated last week has been dropped like a hot potato. And the U.S. Travel Association is piping mad . "The Senate was intent on advancing a balanced, bipartisan bill. As is the case in Washington, however, it's harder to do something good than to keep something good from happening," said Jonathan Grella, U.S. Travel's executive vice president of public affairs. "Travelers will now have to wait until at least the 20th anniversary of the last PFC adjustment in order to reap the benefits of updated airports and restored airline competition."
Eleventh-hour issues: Even with that issue apparently finalized, other quibbles keep preventing the committee from holding an official bill release - which they appear to have originally planned for earlier this week. One of the big sources of conflict: the length of the reauthorization. "We'd like to have a three-year bill, it's kind of our proposal, that's what we've had out there. But I think right now, we're working to get the Dems to agree to that," Senate Commerce Chairman John Thune told our Heather Caygle. "I think it may have to do with things they would like to see re-litigated sooner rather than later."
What does a Dem say to that? Lauren Gardner chatted with Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) on Tuesday to get his two cents . He said the length of the Senate's long-term FAA bill could hinge on how much it tackles issues that frustrate airline customers. "The more pro-consumer and pro-safety it is, the longer we'll accept it as the period of reauthorization," Blumenthal said, adding that he wants to see the legislation promote "clearer and more accurate disclosure" of "the plethora of charges anybody who has flown over the last two years" has seen, such as for bag fees and seat location. As for the timing, Blumenthal said Tuesday that there were multiple versions of the bill floating around. But here's one thing he's sure of: Unlike the bill House T&I passed last month, this version has absolutely no privatization.
In the meantime, the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety have sent a letter to Senate members warding off any riders in the bill that would alter trucking hours of service rules. "We urge you to stop mollycoddling this special interest overreach," the group writes, "which is conducting business and rewriting safety laws to suit themselves at the expense of public safety."
IT'S WEDNESDAY: Good morning and thanks for tuning into POLITICO's Morning Transportation, your daily tipsheet on all things trains, planes, automobiles and ports.
This was everyone in Washington yesterday: bit.ly/1CaQC10. And it looks like today will be even warmer! Reach out: mpowers@politico.com or @martinepowers.
"Yeah but everybody knows / That she just don't go / She's my no-go showboat."
USER FEES PROVE UNPOPULAR: Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson thinks travelers need to pay a little more for aviation security - but lawmakers aren't biting. "Those who use the system, as opposed to taxpayers generally, should help a little more in paying for those things," Johnson said Tuesday at a Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing on DHS's budget. "If these are not increased, we're going to have a real problem finding where to pay for aviation security." But legislators have made it clear in the past that they're not interested in raising the fees that help fund TSA, especially not during an election year.
The other perspective: After the hearing, Jean Medina of Airlines for America weighed in on the issue. "One of the reasons we believe a TSA fee increase is unnecessary is that $13 billion from the last TSA increase is being diverted to deficit reduction over the next 10 years," Medina said. "Neither airlines nor their customers need to be paying more."
CALIFORNIA TRAIN DERAILMENT: Officials with the Federal Railroad Administration are investigating Monday night's commuter train derailmentnear California's Silicon Valley, but the Los Angeles Times writes that "a preliminary investigation shows that a mudslide triggered by days of rain probably caused" the incident. Nine people were injured in the crash, which occurred after the train apparently struck a downed tree on the tracks. Alameda County Sheriff's Sgt. Ray Kelly: "This is an absolute miracle that no one was killed, no passengers or first responders."
A MAN, A PLAN, A (BIGGER) CANAL: At a Senate Commerce subcommittee hearing on the state of the U.S. maritime industry, Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) asked witnesses about the changes that are expected to affect America's ports as a result of the overhaul and expansion of the Panama Canal - and the substantially larger ships that will now be able to travel through the thoroughfare. In short, the witnesses said, it's going to be a problem. Many of these new, plus-size vessels will not be able to dock in American ports without the capacity to accommodate their size.
'The future is already here': "It's time to now really dedicate ourselves to port infrastructure ... whether it's big ports or small ports, they will play a role," said Mario Cordero, chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission, responding to the changes in global shipping trends due to the revamped Panama Canal. "It is ever critical right now. We're no longer talking about the future of these vessels. The future is already here." Paul Jaenichen, administrator of the U.S. Maritime Administration, added, "Talking with a number of shipment companies and shippers, we don't know if there's going to be an immediate change, but there will be a change eventually."
By popular demand: Booker also suggested a change to the name of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, proposing that the states in the name get swapped so New Jersey comes first. Booker's fellow members chuckled. "You hear that?" Booker said. "It's got bipartisan support! The bill will be coming shortly."
SUBMIT YO' COMMENTS: The FRA and FMCSA are seeking comments on health screening and treatment requirements for commercial drivers and rail workers with obstructive sleep apnea as they prepare to issue a notice of proposed rulemaking. As our Lauren Gardner explains , "FRA and FMCSA are looking for specific comments on how prevalent OSA is among safety-critical transportation workers in the rail and commercial truck and bus industries, as well as the possible economic impacts of subjecting those people to testing."
A growing risk: "Drivers and rail engineers with sleep apnea have caused several accidents documented by the NTSB in recent years, such as a 2000 tractor-trailer collision that killed a state trooper in Tennessee and the 2013 Metro-North derailment in the Bronx that killed four. ... Commercial highway drivers must undergo physicals conducted by DOT-approved medical examiners every two years. However, rail workers are only required to undergo vision and hearing testing every three years."
TRUCKING STATS BACK ONLINE: Remember those controversial relative percentiles that were snatched off the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's website before the FAST Act's ink was even dry? At the same time, FMCSA also removed the "absolute measures" - raw data on trucking safety assessments - to "allow time to modify the Safety Measurement System website to be compliant." Now, that information is back online, according to a notification put out by FMCSA this week. "At this time, those modifications are complete and the SMS website is fully compliant with the FAST Act," the agency said.
STUDY: COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS VEHICLES EMIT AS MUCH AS GASOLINE: Cities with fleets of compressed natural gas vehicles tout their reduced climate emissions, but when viewed throughout the fuel life cycle of natural gas, they emit just as much as gasoline buses, and more than diesel, according to a study from Rice University and published Tuesday in the International Journal of Global Warming. The study found that, from a greenhouse gas emission perspective, natural gas would be best used as a replacement for coal-fired power plants and oil-fueled heating furnaces.
** A message from Harris Corporation: Aircraft in America's skies depend on technology to arrive safely, efficiently and on time. NextGen is modernizing air traffic control to reduce delays by 35 percent or 4 million hours per year. That's less fuel and down time for more up time at your destination. Congress: Keep NextGen funded and America flying. http://bit.ly/1oJZx64 **
POPULAR AIRWAYS: MT got a sneak peek at Airlines for America's forthcoming spring travel forecast, and it's an optimistic one: The group estimates that this spring will bring air travel to "the highest level ever, with passenger volumes exceeding 2015's peak by 3 percent ... a 63,000 passengers-per-day increase."
SIGNING THEIR NAMES: There's a Daily Kos petition floating around calling on House Transportation Committee Chairman Bill Shuster to resign from his post in the wake of reports about his so-called "cozy relationship" with the airline industry. Currently, it's got just shy of 25,000 signatures.
NEXTGEN WOES: Noise at Reagan National Airport has prompted many people to write letters of complaint to airport officials, but some people are taking it too far. Or really, a single person. The Washington Post reports that "officials at the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority received 8,670 noise complaints in 2015 - but of those complaints a whopping 6,500 came from the same person. Yes, the same person. Do the math and that boils down to just over an average of 18 a day, every day, for 365 days." Is this you? The paper wants to know.
THE AUTOBAHN (SPEED READ):
- "United Board Fight Breaks Out as Activists Turn to Bethune." Bloomberg.
- "Clash between countries stymies aviation emissions talks." Reuters.
- How Lyft and Uber can improve transit agency budgets. The Brookings Institution.
- Canadian Pacific CEO on meeting with CSX: The companies "explore[d] some opportunities" but "nobody made any offers." Bloomberg.
- "U.S. Pursues New Tack in VW Emissions Probe." The Wall Street Journal.
- SEPTA worker finds bag with $15,200 cash ... and turns it in. The Philadelphia Inquirer.
THE COUNTDOWN: DOT appropriations run out in 205 days. The FAA reauthorization expires in 22 days. The 2016 presidential election is in 243 days. Highway and transit policy is up for renewal in 1,667 days.
THE DAY AHEAD:
8 a.m. - CG/LA Infrastructure hosts its annual Global Infrastructure Leadership Forum including a keynote speech from former Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater. Full agenda here: http://bit.ly/1pvQVQz. Renaissance Hotel.
9 a.m. - The FAA holds the 95th meeting of the RTCA Special Committee 159. 1150 18th NW, Suite 910.
9:30 a.m. - Waterways Council Inc. addresses the media about issues related to inland waterways transportation: the president's FY2017 budget, the Corps of Engineers' FY2016 workplan for the inland waterways, the Water Resources Development Act of 2016, and the implementation of the Water Resources Reform & Development Act of 2014. National Press Club, 529 14th Street, NW.
10 a.m. - The National League of Cities' 2016 Congressional City Conference holds a session on "City Leaders on Infrastructure: Water - Transit - Broadband - Finance." Washington Marriott Wardman Park, 2660 Woodley Road NW.
11 a.m. - Airlines for America Vice President and chief economist John Heimlich reviews full-year 2015 financial and operational results for 10 publicly traded U.S. passenger airlines and delivers A4A's forecast for spring 2016 travel. Call-in: 800-684-3419.
Did we miss an event? Let MT know at transpocalendar@politicopro.com.
** A message from Harris Corporation: Every day, thousands of aircraft flying America's skies depend on technology to arrive safely, efficiently and on time. NextGen is modernizing America's air traffic control system and is on track to reduce flight delays by 35 percent - or 4 million hours per year. That means less fuel, less down time, and more up time at your destination. It is critical that we continue investing in NextGen. Tell Congress to keep NextGen funded and to keep America flying. Harris Corporation is a leading technology innovator, solving our customers' toughest mission-critical challenges by providing solutions that connect, inform and protect. Harris supports customers in more than 125 countries, has approximately $8 billion in annual revenue and 22,000 employees worldwide. The company is organized into four business segments: Communication Systems, Space and Intelligence Systems, Electronic Systems, and Critical Networks. http://bit.ly/1oJZx64 **
Stories from POLITICO Pro
Senate Commerce drops PFC increase from FAA bill Back
By Martine Powers | 03/08/2016 05:51 PM EDT
A proposed increase to the passenger facility charge has been dropped from Senate Commerce's FAA reauthorization bill, and the U.S. Travel Association is lambasting the legislative about-face.
In a statement, the organization said it had been alerted that there would no longer be a provision included in the bill to raise the PFC cap. Last week, industry sources said that the committee appeared set to increase the cap by $2, to $6.50. U.S. Travel said the absence of an increase would have a detrimental impact on the future of airports.
"The Senate was intent on advancing a balanced, bipartisan bill. As is the case in Washington, however, it's harder to do something good than to keep something good from happening," said Jonathan Grella, U.S. Travel's executive vice president of public affairs. "Travelers will now have to wait until at least the 20th anniversary of the last PFC adjustment in order to reap the benefits of updated airports and restored airline competition."
"There exists a bipartisan recognition that adjusting the PFC cap is long overdue," Grella added. "After all, addressing the issue of airport infrastructure and airline competition are about as meaningful measures as lawmakers could hope to address in FAA renewal."
Frederick Hill, a spokesman for Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune, declined to comment.
Timing disagreement holding up Senate FAA bill Back
By Heather Caygle | 03/08/2016 03:09 PM EDT
Senate Commerce leaders can't agree on the length of their FAA reauthorization bill, a timing issue that's delaying final sign off on what is supposed to be a bipartisan bill.
"We'd like to have a three-year bill, it's kind of our proposal, that's what we've had out there. But I think right now, we're working to get the Dems to agree to that," said Sen. John Thune. "I think it may have to do with things they would like to see relitigated sooner rather than later."
Thune said he met with Sen. Bill Nelson this morning and they're trying to zero in on a final bill, which is expected to be unveiled tomorrow. While timing is a major issue, Thune said it's not the only thing holding the bill up.
"We have draft language, most of which has been signed off on. But there are a couple of outstanding issues," he said.
A spokesman for Sen. Bill Nelson said he had "nothing to add."
Blumenthal pushes consumer, safety issues ahead of FAA bill intro Back
By Lauren Gardner | 03/08/2016 05:26 PM EDT
Sen. Richard Blumenthal said today that the length of the Senate's long-term FAA bill could hinge on how much it tackles issues that frustrate airline customers.
"The more pro-consumer and pro-safety it is, the longer we'll accept it as the period of reauthorization," Sen. Richard Blumenthal told POLITICO of his fellow Democrats.
Senate Commerce Chairman John Thune said today panel members couldn't agree on how long the reauthorization should run, which could delay introduction.
Blumenthal said he wants to see the legislation promote "clearer and more accurate disclosure" of "the plethora of charges anybody who has flown over the last two years" has seen, such as for bag fees and seat location. He said he also wants to tackle "misleading" charges airlines include in ticket prices, such as fuel surcharges that have been renamed amid low oil prices.
"You name it, they're charging for it, and that really surprises a lot of passengers - sometimes when they reach the gate," he said.
Blumenthal said he has not seen the bill - noting that there are multiple versions circulating on the Hill - though he added that privatizing the air traffic control system has not come up.
Blumenthal said he hasn't decided what amendments to offer at markup, but that he and Sen. Chuck Schumer plan to push for "passenger space" issues like seat width and leg room "because it threatens not only comfort and convenience, but also health and safety."
DHS facing uphill battle on hiking aviation fee Back
By Heather Caygle | 03/08/2016 11:56 AM EDT
Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson made another push for fee hikes to fund aviation security this morning but lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have repeatedly made clear that it's little more than a pipe dream.
"Right now I believe aviation security is critical given the world situation," Johnson told the Senate Homeland Security Committee this morning at a hearing on the department's budget request. "We need help to pay for that."
The department's fiscal 2017 budget requests fee increases that Johnson estimates will gin up about $900 million in revenue for TSA programs. But lawmakers in both chambers have told Johnson and TSA Administrator Peter Neffenger that the calls for fee increases are dead on arrival, particularly during an election year.
Still, Johnson said he doesn't think it's unfair for lawmakers to ask airlines and aviation passengers to pay more for keeping the system they use safe.
"Those who use the system, as opposed to taxpayers generally, should help a little more in paying for those things," Johnson said. "If these are not increased, we're going to have a real problem finding where to pay for aviation security."
FRA to investigate California commuter rail derailment Back
By Lauren Gardner | 03/08/2016 09:12 AM EDT
FRA investigators are on the scene of a commuter train derailment that occurred late Monday near California's Silicon Valley, agency spokesman Matthew Lehner said today.
The first two cars of an Altamont Corridor Express train went off the tracks near Sunol, Calif., after hitting a fallen tree, hurting nine passengers, according to The Associated Press. Four were seriously injured, and there were 214 passengers on board.
The front car fell into Alameda Creek, and first responders had to fight currents to pull riders from it, the AP reported.
FRA, FMCSA seek input on potential sleep apnea rule Back
By Lauren Gardner | 03/08/2016 03:30 PM EDT
FRA and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking today to solicit comments as they weigh whether to propose screening and treatment requirements for commercial drivers and rail workers with obstructive sleep apnea.
The agencies launched the rulemaking effort in October. Both agencies have had committees study sleep disorders and the threat they can pose to safety within those transportation modes, but neither has moved beyond voluntary efforts until now.
FRA and FMCSA are looking for specific comments on how prevalent OSA is among safety-critical transportation workers in the rail and commercial truck and bus industries, as well as the possible economic impacts of subjecting those people to testing.
"The sooner patients with OSA are diagnosed and treated, the sooner our rail network will be safer," FRA Administrator Sarah Feinberg said in a statement.
Drivers and rail engineers with sleep apnea have caused several accidents documented by the NTSB in recent years, such as a 2000 tractor-trailer collision that killed a state trooper in Tennessee and the 2013 Metro-North derailment in the Bronx that killed four.
Commercial highway drivers must undergo physicals conducted by DOT-approved medical examiners every two years. However, rail workers are only required to undergo vision and hearing testing every three years; railroads may have their own requirements.