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Transit Trends in New Construction and Funding! Activity in the transit market has been growing by leaps and bounds in recent years. Two factors seem to be at work: in our developed nations, the problems created by urban sprawl and highway congestion provoke a demand for premium transit that will take the pressure off the highways; in the undeveloped nations, where the automobile never was king, the need for improved transportation is inducing massive investments in new railroads and light rail transit systems. Section 1) below gives summaries from a series of articles where the information was first found, then section 2) gives the articles themselves for complete information. Each article has an identifying letter that can lead to the complete article later. Section 1) Just previous to this, gives a "Summary Theme" of our Transportation Essay Section 2) Summaries; you are here! Section 3) Gives the complete text plus some web links of the articles from which the summaries were extracted. The links lead to a wealth of additional information! Transit Trends & Facts A link to live Traffic Incident Detail map at "Mapquest" Foreword: many locations are looking into Sky Train Pinellas County advances elevated rail. (10/13/00) From the Monorail society at: http://monorails.org/Pinellas County, Florida. The Pinellas County Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPO) has approved transportation plans as put forth in a report by consultant firms Dames & Moore and Grimail Crawford. Several options to improve transportation in the County are outlined in the Mobility Major Investment Study report. Elevated rail is favored over rail at grade in several corridors and that opens up the possibility for monorail. In fact, some officials and community leaders have been openly supportive of monorail over other rail modes. The MPO authorized its staff to move forward with tasks outlined in the report. Michael Crawford, partner in Grimail Crawford, tells us that the MPO is "extremely interested in getting a demonstration project in the ground. One of the Board members used Seattle as an example - he said that the people there built demo from downtown to the Space Needle, and recently voted an initiative to expand it because they liked it so much." A demonstration project would consist of a starter line system along a high-traffic corridor that would prove the technology and open the door for expansion. The local Fox TV affiliate ran a story showing the Walt Disney World monorail and called it the future of transportation in Pinellas County. While there is still much to be done before we see a Pinellas Monorail, this is indeed a victory in that grade level light rail has been eliminated from the mix and officials are pushing for the quick development of a system. Our thanks to Michael Crawford for keeping us up to date on the progress. Pinellas Mobility Major Investment Study information. MPO website. Resolution.htm Sky Train's involvement in the above is shown in the attached link to the MPO initiative. Fresno seeks study. (9/30/00) From the Monorail society at: http://monorails.org/ Fresno, California. Alan D. Barbour of Fresno Area Sky Train tells us that "here in Fresno we have progressed to the point of commissioning a feasibility study for a monorail-centered transportation system. We think the feasibility study may be a real pacesetter, because it will look at the overall economic impact of the system, not just operating costs and farebox revenues, as well as its ability to focus growth and bring about the highest and best uses of real estate." Polytechnic University plans to do the study, and the Cal Poly foundation has pledged $200,000 in kind for the study. Monorail supporters need to raise the remaining $50,000 needed for the six month study. To date they have raised $10,000. Donations are tax deductible. Further information is available on the Fresno Area Sky Train website. Details of the study are outlined there as well. It is hoped that the study could start this Fall. Sky Train is also being considered in the above initiative. Presently we have over 20 requests for information about the features of Sky Train within the US and an additional over 20 requests in the rest of the world. We have been working with several universities since 1995. We have been working with several universities since 1995. From APTA Passenger Transport Volume 58, No. 35 dated September 4, 2000 For the first quarter of this year, the nation’s public transportation systems have recorded a 4.8 increase in ridership over the same period in 1999, according to the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) newly released 2000 transit ridership quarterly report. The continuing increase in ridership builds on last year’s year-end total of more than 9 billion trips, the highest peak in annual ridership since 1960. Total ridership in 1999 was 4.5 percent higher than in the previous year. Link: http://www.apta.com/news/releases/rides1q2000.htm(B)
Britain Commits Massive Funds for
Transportation The British government this summer pledged support for an investment package in public and private funds to modernize the nation's transport system over the next 10 years. The package is valued at 180 billion pounds, or approximately $271 billion. According to Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, the "Transport 2010" plan aims for reduced road congestion; modern trains with better services and reduced fares, and up to 25 new light rail projects in major cities, safer roads and railways, with better air quality. "We are committed to providing the sustained investment over 10 years to deliver change, and to move away from the stop-go funding of the past." He concluded, "With sustained government investment and determination, we will get Britain moving and give people a transport system they can rely on. But let me make it absolutely clear: If we put in public money, we expect rail and bus companies and local authorities to deliver the goods: more investment and better services for the traveling public, on budget and on time." Link: From APTA Passenger Transport Volume 58, No. 35 dated September 4, 2000 (C) APTA December 13, 1999. The U.N. has launched a Business Development Website, that monitors the tenders and contract awards of the World Bank; the Inter-American Development Bank; the Caribbean, Asian, and African Development Banks; and U.N. agencies. In total, these banks and institutions have projected loans totaling $230 billion in the five-year period from 1998 to 2002. Urban and regional transport and transport-related infrastructure comprise only a fraction of this total, but the contract awards total hundreds of millions of dollars annually in sectors of concern to APTA's Business Members. Link: http://www.apta.com/intnatl/intfocus/unbusnes.htm (D) December 13, 1999 In 1998, the Trade Development Agency (TDA) invested $56 million in 419 new activities, including feasibility studies, technical assistance, conferences, and orientation visits (reverse trade missions). From Latin America to the Far East, we worked with U.S. businesses to export the very best of American technology to 62 countries around the world. http://www.apta.com/intnatl/intfocus/tda.htm also at www.tda.gov Statement by DR. RITA R. COLWELL, DIRECTOR, NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION (sent via email to Sky Train Corporation on 10/14/2000) http://www.nsf.gov/home/cns/start.htm On NSF Funding in FY2001 VA, HUD and Independent Agencies Appropriations Legislation. I am very pleased by the Fiscal Year 2001 funding levels for the National Science Foundation provided in the VA-HUD consensus agreement passed by the Senate today. It is truly an historic action, for which I am extremely grateful.The agreement passed today recommends $4.424 billion for NSF overall in Fiscal Year 2001 - $526 million over Fiscal Year 2000. This represents the largest dollar increase the Foundation has ever received, in real or constant dollars. This increase also puts us on the path towards doubling the NSF budget in five years, a goal championed by Senate VA-HUD Chairman Kit Bond, Ranking Member Barbara Mikulski, Senate majority Leader Trent Lott and more than 40 members of the Senate. (Sky Train Corporation (STC) comment: World wide governments are tuned to expand transportation, money is being freed-up to solve identified problems of high energy cost, pollution and reduced productivity because of congested areas!) (E) APTA January 18, 1999 Hong Kong--One of the world's most profitable and efficient metrorail systems, Hong Kong's Mass Transit Rail Corporation reports an 81 percent rise in net profit to HK$2.78 billion in 1997, the equivalent of $361 million in American dollars. Since introducing the "Octopus" contact less fare card system, among the most extensive in revenue service anywhere, in 1997, the system has sold more than four million cards to its passengers. In the course of the year, the system carried 812 million passengers, which works out to more than 135 trips per capita for the region's six million inhabitants. (STC comment: Profitability is not the norm in passenger transport, as most Governments are beginning to realize, they must be subsidized just as are roads and other services.) Link: http://www.apta.com/intnatl/intfocus/hkprofit.htm (F) Fatality rates 23 times higher are shown in the attached charts, per auto mile, compared to other modes of public transportation. Pollution reduction from rail travel is tremendous - when measured per actual 100 passenger miles.), see chart attached. The charts are given in "APTA information on safety and pollution" in Transportation 9/12/2000. Link: http://www.apta.com/stats/safety/natsafe.htm and http://www.apta.com/gifs/pollreduct.gif The next articles come from various
sources. (G) ON MAY 8 New Jersey Governor Christie Whitman climbed into an excavator at Camden to turn the first sod for construction of the $604m Camden - Trenton light rail line. Conversion of the former Conrail route for lightweight diesel LRVs is due to be completed by the end of 2002, with the opening in early 2003. Three weeks earlier, on April 15, Governor Whitman had officiated at the opening of the first stage of the Hudson - Bergen light rail line in Jersey City, on which she inaugurated construction in 1996. New starts and expansions are being instituted all over the United States. Link: Railway Gazette International, June 2000(H) On June 9, 1998, President Clinton signed the TEA-21, the Transportation Efficiency Act
for the 21st Century. It is the largest highway and mass transit bill in history,
coming to a total of $217.573 billion over six years. In the act are provisions
which encourage employers to subsidize transit and vanpooling. Vans in the attached chart
as pollution reducers. As reported by Bay Area Commuter Services (BACS), employers in the
Tampa Bay area now have an added tax-free benefit that they can offer their employees. (I) Under a Clinton plan funding is boosted for 11 US cities. Funding is at record levels of $6.3 billion out of a 7.3 billion authorized as shown in the March 2000. Announcing the proposals, Vice President Al Gore said 'investing in important mass transit projects like these is the key to rebuilding our cities and creating livable communities.' The public transport allocation is part of the 'Livable Communities Initiative' which aims to ease traffic congestion and reduce pollution in cities. Its budget for 2001 has been raised by $1·1bn to $9·1bn. From this, Congress will be asked to appropriate $211m to fund start-up costs for the 12 schemes, whose total value is more than $6bn. Link: http://194.203.155.36/index.asp?sender=self (J) & (K) These references give information on funding promised by both political parties as a necessity. (L) TEA 21 legislation, a "New Starts Program" in transportation is encouraging studies first, then implementation, in many new locations serving public transportation. This recently re-authorized law projects bottom line funding in the US overall for 1998 of $26.1 billion and for 1999 of $30.6 billion, a 17% increase in the. Also the Transit totals went from $3.3 billion in '98 to $3.6 billion a 9% increase. (STC comment: We are at the best time to enter the transit market with our innovative system the helps solve not add to the problems.) (M) "The Pocket Guide to Transportation" The Transportation statistics Annual Report 1999, from the Bureau Of Transportation Statistics (BTS), copied from www.bts.gov/pg.pdf shows amongst other statistics that: In table three, fatalities it indicates that rail transit is a very save mode to travel but that those modes that conflict show that at grade crossings 419 out of 602 other rail related accidents are primary the reason to elevate the transportation mode in the future. Figure five shows that Bus riders have increased 43% and train 23% over the last 18 years. Figure seven quotes: "Transportation is a major sector of the U.S. economy. It moves people and goods, employs millions of workers, generates revenue and consumes resources and services produced by other sectors if the economy. In 1998, transportation-related goods and services contributed $950 billion to a $8.51 trillion U.S. Gross Domestic Product". This amounts to 11.2 % of total GTP. Figure eight shows that the automobile consumes an average of $6,064 of the average consumers annual expenditures of 34,819. This is 17.4% of the average expenditure. Railway Gazette Oct 2000 page 665: Portland's light rail commitment has more then paid for itself in terms of urban regeneration. In the first twelve years, the Eastside line attracted more then $1.3 billion of investment along the corridor-more then 6 times the cost of the line itself. One landmark scheme saw $800 million spent to revitalise the aging Lloyd District just across the Willamette river from the city center, now home to prestigious office and housing developments and lively shops.THE FOLLOWING ARTICLES FROM: Transit Pulse 21 PO Box 249, Fields Corner Station Boston, MA 02122 by Lawrence J. Fabian, Editor - Publisher (N) The company "Raytheon" has announced that it will exit the transit market. The transit division has been sold out of the corporation. To the extent that there is no current Public Rapid Transit (PRT) market, Raytheon's exit will have no affect on the broader Automated People Mover (APM). A 10-year forecast of all APM markets totals $24 - 64 billion on a world level. (STC comment: Sky Train offers a new combination of transit system technology, covering APM as well as full mass transit and a portion of the freight market.) (O) & (P) Each of these references concerns APM,s (Automated People Movers). Almost all APMs are elevated or grade separated. This plus modern safety systems ensures zero fatalities. Demand for these smaller systems is governed by private and airport needs where basic traffic forecasts can be made of projected ridership. (STC comment: Sky Train's system places the wheels, couplers and power supply inaccessible to the passengers, avoiding accidents, sabotage or suicide attempts.) (Q) This report is from the automated VAL metro in France. In a seven year time period we find how traffic grows as riders have the availability to use a system. It gave this impressive data on transit use: - in the VAL corridor itself, it rose 110% - on bus routes that interface with VAL +30% - on non-connecting bus routes -- +1% This experience is solid evidence of the advantages of smart metros in dense urban areas. Full automation relieves metro operators of considerable constraints that limit operations. With electronically smart infrastructure, metro managers can re-deploy staff to improve service. This demonstrates time and again as to how premium service will increase the usage of the feeder bus system. End of: Transit Pulse 21 information Special to Passenger Transport, "APTA" September 25, 2000Denver's Regional Transportation District announces record rider-ship on the 14-mile-long RTD light rail system, which now includes the new 8.7-mile Southwest Light Rail Line. Detail: Denver's Regional Transportation District announces record rider-ship on the 14-mile-long RTD light rail system, which now includes the new 8.7-mile Southwest Light Rail Line. By mid-August, light rail system boardings were 30 percent above those projections. Second articleDenver RTD Light Rail Ridership Continues To Grow According to RTD General Manager Cal Marsella, "These ridership numbers confirm that people have readily embraced light rail for their daily transportation needs. Coupled with the fact that it costs RTD substantially less to carry a passenger aboard light rail than aboard a bus in revenue service, light rail is a huge success now and will be an even bigger hit in the future." All told, RTD provides nearly 5,000 parking spaces along the entire 14-mile light rail system. Over the past six years since the original line opened, RTD has repeatedly expanded parking along the light rail line as property became available. "The demand for light rail parking is virtually insatiable. The same day We open additional spaces, they fill up completely. This is further evidence that people will choose to take light rail as opposed to having to drive," Marsella noted. This insert from: Tramways and Urban Transit October 2000 Page 387DENVER, COLORADO. The number of riders using the Southwest Corridor extension is more than six times the number who rode the express buses using the same route prior to 14 July (11 264 compared with 1870). The owners of Union Station have agreed to allow the Central Platte Valley light rail spur to terminate there. (R) This reference notes the many transit studies that are in progress. (S) Railway Gazette International March 2000 reports that the Japanese are now alone in the high speed maglev stakes. The last paragraph quotes: "At the risk of being accused of repetition, we recall a comment made by a senior engineer at a maglev "conference in 1984: 'if people all rode around on hovercraft or maglev vehicles, then the invention of the "steel wheel would be a greater step forward than we are seeing today." (STC comment: In a presentation to The High-speed Transportation Seminar, a study of the energy of movement in comparison of the "Train a Grande Vitesse" (TGV) against the Test Maglev proved mathematically that, with all factors considered, the steel wheeled model required less energy. Sky Train's OSLR runs on steel wheels and rails as does the TGV. The speed record by the French is 312 mph) Link: http://194.203.155.36/index.asp?sender=self (T) & (U) "South Florida Commuter Services" of September 1, 1999, quotes transit statistics in an article entitled "Transit Eases Traffic Congestion": Statistics gathered by the American Public Transit Association (APTA) illustrate the one full 40-foot bus is equivalent to a line of 58 moving cars stretching six city blocks (more than half a mile) if traffic is moving at 25 m.p.h., and 4.5 city blocks (just under half a mile) if traffic is moving at 15 m.p.h. One full, six-car train is equivalent to a line of 900 moving cars stretching 95 city blocks (about nine miles) if traffic is moving at 25 m.p.h., and 68 city blocks (about seven miles), if traffic is moving at 15 m.p.h. A report published in Dollars and Sense: The Economic Case for Public Transportation in America, used city-by-city calculations to illustrate transit’s effect on relieving traffic congestion. Without mass transit: o The New York Metropolitan area would have 1,961,575 more cars on the road and traffic would increase 47.2%. o The Chicago and northwest Indiana region would have 457,384 more cars on the road and traffic would increase 20.1%. o The San Francisco-Oakland area would have 235,357 more cars on the road and traffic would increase 18.4%. Without public transit another 5 million cars and 27,000 new lane miles of roads would be jammed into America's cities, and Americans would spend another 367 million hours each year sitting in traffic jams. (STC comment: Our communities could not absorb this much traffic. They would choke up to a standstill.) The American Automobile Association, located at http://www.commuterservices.com/sf/pr_trytransit.htm in 1998 estimated, the annual commuting costs to a single-occupant driver to be $4,660 for a compact car, and up to $9,441 for a sport utility vehicle, Depending on the mileage driven. Every $1.00 invested in public transit results in a $3.00 - $3.50 increase in nationwide business revenue. (V) This reference shows that monorail has twice the draw on riders (Chart) Mode Ridership Measures: copied from the Klages Report for the Pinellas Metropolitan Planning Organization around 1994. "Present and previous studies indicate the attractiveness of one mode over the other to gain rider increases. Monorail has twice the draw compared to elevated Busway, elevated rail LRT is in the middle." This data is included in Sky Train's presentation, "Quantifying", comparing the different modes of transportation as to number of vehicles, pollution, costs and features of automobile, buses, light rail and monorail. The chart shows a ten year projection of these technologies. Activity in the transit market has been growing by leaps and bounds in recent years. Two factors seem to be at work in our developed nations, the problems created by urban sprawl and highway congestion provoke a demand for premium transit that will take the pressure off the highways The need for improved transportation is inducing massive investments in new railroads and light rail transit systems. Polls show a distinct desire for monorails showing 30% more ridership than elevated light rail and 60% greater than elevated bus ways. However, rail, with lower implementation cost because of land valued at grade at a low cost, available rail spurs, also many more competitive suppliers, costs less and has been the leading purchased item. Sky Trains monorail system using rearranged light rail components will be a high ridership monorail system while still being price competitive. (W) Formal conclusions: Transportation's Perennial Problems: ": "The World Speeds up"
(A) Public Transportation Ridership
Continues To Soar contact: Amy Coggin (202) 898-4116 acoggin@apta.com U.S. Transit Ridership Shows 4.8
Percent Increase In First Quarter WASHINGTON, D.C., July 17, 2000. For the first quarter of this year, the nation’s public transportation systems have recorded a 4.8 increase in ridership over the same period in 1999, according to the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) newly released 2000 transit ridership quarterly report. The continuing increase in ridership builds on last year’s year-end total of more than 9 billion trips, the highest peak in annual ridership since 1960. Total ridership in 1999 was 4.5 percent higher than in the previous year. This year’s Leap Day, February 29, accounted for 1.4 percent of the total quarterly increase. "The positive trend continues. The strong economy and the public transportation industry’s ongoing efforts to listen to our customers and invest in new services have helped keep ridership growing," said William W. Millar, President of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). The increase was broad-based, with every mode of transportation and every population group showing a positive trend. Among the transit modes, bus systems serving populations from 50,000 to 100,000 in population showed the largest increase with 12.1 percent, followed by rail transit systems with 7.4 percent; bus systems serving areas from 250,000 to 500,000 in population at 6.6 percent; 5.5 percent for trolley bus systems; 5.4 percent for commuter rail, and 4.8 percent for light rail. Seen throughout the U.S., first quarter growth continues to cut across small towns, suburban regions, and large cities. Smaller bus systems with quarterly increases exceeding 10 percent included: Fort Myers, FL (20.4 percent), Grand Rapids, MI (11.5 percent), Phoenix, AZ (10.6 percent) and Salt Lake City, UT (20.9 percent). The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which opened a major extension of its Metro Red Line subway during the quarter, led the heavy rail sector with a 62.3 percent jump in ridership. Other heavy rail systems showing increases included the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District, 15.6 percent; MTA New York City Transit, 8.8 percent; the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), 8.5 percent; Philadelphia’s Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, 7.5 percent; and the Chicago Transit Authority, 7.2 percent. Among bus systems serving populations of more than one million, WMATA in Washington, D.C., 13 percent; MTA New York City Transit, 6.8 percent; and Tri-Met in Portland, OR, (6.5 percent) also accounted for significant gains in ridership. The Altamont Commuter Express in San Jose, CA showed a 50 percent ridership increase during the first quarter, the highest among commuter rail systems. Other leaders in the sector were Virginia Railway Express (20.4 percent), CALTRAIN in San Francisco-San Jose CA (18.1 percent), and Dallas (15.5 percent). Leaders in the light rail sector included San Diego Trolley (33.5 percent), Memphis (29.9 percent), Santa Clara VTA in San Jose CA (23.9 percent), and Denver’s Regional Transportation District (19.1 percent). APTA is a nonprofit international association of over1,300 member organizations including transit systems; planning, design, construction and finance firms; product and service providers; academic institutions, and state associations and departments of transportation. APTA members serve the public interest by providing safe, efficient and economical transit services and products. Over ninety percent of persons using public transportation in the United States and Canada are served by APTA members.
(B) INTERNATIONAL
From APTA
Passenger Transport Volume 58, No. 35 dated September 4, 2000 Britain Commits
Massive Funds for Transportation The British
government this summer pledged support for an investment package in public and
private funds to modernize the nation's transport system over the next 10 years. The
package is valued at 180 billion pounds, or approximately $271 billion. The "Transport 2010" plan unveiled by Deputy Prime
Minister John Prescott is designed, in his words, to "tackle the legacy of
under-investment, fragmentation, and short-termism which has come from 30 years of
neglect." Prescott defined the plan as "government working with business to
deliver the long-term investment needed to rebuild our infrastructure, cut congestion,
improve public transport, and give people choice." According to Prescott, the plan aims for reduced road
congestion; modern trains with better services and reduced fares; a 50 percent increase in
passenger use of the railways; resources to reduce overcrowding on the Underground and
congestion in London; a 133.2 billion ($4.8 billion) investment in the first three years;
360 miles of trunk road and motorway widening for major improvements in rural transport;
better bus services and a 10 percent growth in passenger use; and up to 25 new light
rail projects in major cities, safer roads and railways, with better air quality. The investment program sets out goals equivalent to about
$90 billion each for local transport including London, railways, and roads. Almost
three-quarters of the total, equivalent to $199 billion, will come from the public purse. "We are
committed to providing the sustained investment over 10 years to deliver change, and to
move away from the stop-go funding of the past." Deputy Prime
Minister John Prescott Speaking on behalf of the government at a London press
conference, Prescott said, "We are committed to providing the sustained investment
over 10 years to deliver change, and to move away from the stop-go funding of the past. We
will secure that investment through long-term partnership with the private sector: new
rail franchises lasting up to 20 years, 30-year contracts for roads, and a 30-year
public/private partnership for the London Underground." He concluded, "With sustained government investment and determination, we will get Britain moving and give people a transport system they can rely on. But let me make it absolutely clear: If we put in public money, we expect rail and bus companies and local authorities to deliver the goods: more investment and better services for the traveling public, on budget and on time." White paper and connection to site at http://www.detr.gov.uk/itwp/paper/foreword.htm
(C) U.N. Launches Business
Development Website The United Nations has launched an electronic publication that can help APTA Business Members interested in bidding on projects financed by international lending institutions. The online U.N. Development Business site, www.devbusiness.com, was cited during the APTA Annual Meeting in October, at the session on Latin American urban transit projects sponsored by the World Bank. UNDB appears twice a month in both print and online versions. It monitors the tenders and contract awards of the World Bank; the Inter-American Development Bank; the Caribbean, Asian, and African Development Banks; and U.N. agencies. In total, these banks and institutions have projected loans totaling $230 billion in the five-year period from 1998 to 2002. Urban and regional transport and transport-related infrastructure comprise only a fraction of this total, but the contract awards total hundreds of millions of dollars annually in sectors of concern to APTA's Business Members. A sophisticated search function available with the online version allows users to review a list of the most recently posted information, such as procurement notices, approvals, and contract awards, along with project summaries. The online version costs $445 a year, the combined print and online versions $695. The U.N.-sponsored periodical has an exclusive arrangement with all of the international lending institutions for comprehensive access to their procurement information and does not allow the reproduction and dissemination of its copyrighted materials. However, UNDB offers subscribers a full refund if a subscription is canceled within the first 30 days. Subscribers to the online service receive a personal ID number and a password for accessing the current version, as well as the database on ongoing and past projects going back to 1996. Of the standard 32 pages in each issue, only a few on average contain transport-specific notices; however, these can be extremely valuable to consulting and manufacturing firms in responding to time-critical requests for proposals more quickly and effectively.
(D) Trade Devolopment
Agency (TDA) Works To Pave the Way for U.S.
Exports J. Joseph Grandmaison leads a
38-person federal agency that helps promote export opportunities for American industry in
developing and middle-income countries. Described as the "most lean and
efficient" agency in government by the Coalition for Employment through Exports, TDA
has been concentrating on transportation and energy, which now make up nearly one half of
its investments. APTA Business Members
have benefited from TDA-supported projects and will continue to do so.
Grandmaison encourages them to stay in touch with the latest developments
through the agency’s Internet web site, www.tda.gov By J. Joseph Grandmaison The U.S. Trade and Development Agency, an independent federal government agency, helps American companies develop export opportunities associated with major infrastructure projects in developing and middle-income countries. In 1998, the agency invested $56 million in 419 new activities, including feasibility studies, technical assistance, conferences, and orientation visits (reverse trade missions). From Latin America to the Far East, we worked with U.S. businesses to export the very best of American technology to 62 countries around the world. Investing in feasibility studies is the primary tool the agency uses to work with American businesses—including small companies—to promote U.S. goods and services. When a U.S. firm conducts a feasibility study, writing the recommendations and specifications for a project, the company has a unique opportunity to position U.S. suppliers for procurement opportunities when the project is implemented. In short, we believe that helping in the beginning stages of project development produces the desired results: U.S. exports and U.S. jobs. TDA uses several of the tools available to the agency to help U.S. businesses export overseas. An example of our comprehensive assistance is a recent railway success story in Thailand. In 1987, the Mass Transit Authority in Bangkok requested TDA assistance on a feasibility study to evaluate the potential for a mass transit system in the major commercial center of the country. TDA provided funding for DeLeuw Cather International Inc. of Pasadena, Calif., to conduct the study, which was successfully completed in 1988. U.S. technology for transit systems and railroads is known for being the most innovative and reliable in the world. TDA knew that if the Thai officials could see American systems in action, that would perhaps be the final push to ensure U.S. involvement in the project. In the summer of 1988, TDA followed through and sponsored an orientation visit for six members of Bangkok’s Mass Transit Authority. The group toured metro systems across the United States and met with American companies to discuss the pending rail opportunities. TDA’s combined efforts have paid off over the last two years for DeLeuw Cather. In 1997, the company won a $4.45 million contract for consulting services on the project, and in 1998, it received a $12.8 million contract to serve as a project manager for the initiative. In this capacity, the company will oversee the procurement of rolling stock and related equipment for the mass transit system. Given the current Asian financial situation, the project is currently on hold, but as the situation improves, U.S. companies interested in serving as suppliers for this $500 million project should closely monitor its progress. As a market-driven agency, TDA targets the sectors that represent the best opportunities for U.S. companies. Any infrastructure or industrial project in an eligible country may be considered for TDA assistance. Over the years, our major investment sectors have remained fairly consistent. Energy/ power and transportation projects have generally accounted for between one-third and one-half of all TDA’s investments. Water/environment and mining/natural resources projects combined usually account for approximately one-fifth of total agency investments. Manufacturing, services, and telecommunications round out TDA’s core sectors. Among the most vivid characteristics of today’s society are massive international trade flows and great mobility of the world’s citizens. Transportation links have made this possible. Because concern for our environment is intimately connected to development, mass public transit is growing increasingly more important. In 1998, TDA provided more than $19 million for 90 transportation projects in every region of the world. From helping to promote U.S. technology in aviation safety projects to ensuring that American companies maintain a competitive edge in the wave of rail privatizations sweeping the global marketplace, TDA stood alongside U.S. companies as they built lasting, mutually beneficial partnerships with developing nations. One highlight of these efforts was a conference focusing on rail infrastructure opportunities from more than 40 different countries. The Railroad Express Conference was TDA’s first event to focus on projects from every region of the world. More than 125 U.S. executives convened in Chicago to meet with 44 foreign project sponsors to learn about opportunities representing over $5 billion in potential U.S. exports. Project Resource Guides detailing the opportunities presented at this event are still available on CD-ROM or in hard copy format in the TDA Library by calling (703) 875-4357. These guides include contact information, implementation timelines, procurement needs, and export potential for each project. In addition to participating in TDA’s deal-making conferences, U.S. companies can take advantage of TDA’s export assistance in several other ways. Contracts for definitional missions and desk studies are reserved exclusively for small businesses. These are the technical advisory services TDA uses to guide its investment decision-making process. Companies can also take part in the orientation visits that TDA sponsors around the United States. From hosting site visits of manufacturing facilities to attending business briefings with the delegates, these reverse trade missions are an effective way to showcase U.S. technology in operation. Feasibility study contracts are routinely competitively bid through the Commerce Business Daily. In addition to serving as the prime contractor for these awards, American businesses interested in supplying goods for the projects advertised should follow the progress of these important opportunities. To stay informed on the latest developments at TDA, we recommend reading the TDA Pipeline, which details ongoing developments at the agency. This bi-weekly publication is available on the agency’s website at www.tda.gov or in hard copy by subscription. For a complimentary copy, please call the TDA Information Resource Center at (703) 875-4357. Investing in the international market can be a risky—though profitable—business. TDA is here to help. Grandmaison has headed TDA since August 1993. He was the Democratic nominee for governor of New Hampshire in 1990 and has taught at Boston University’s School of Public Communication. Statement by DR. RITA R. COLWELL, DIRECTOR, NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION (sent via email to Sky Train Corporation on 10/14/2000) http://www.nsf.gov/home/cns/start.htmOn NSF Funding in FY2001 VA, HUD and Independent Agencies Appropriations Legislation
(E) Hong Kong's Metrorail Shows 81% Net Profit
Rise Hong Kong--One of the world's most profitable and efficient metrorail systems, Hong Kong's Mass Transit Rail Corporation reports an 81 percent rise in net profit to HK$2.78 billion in 1997, the equivalent of $361 million in American dollars. Since introducing the "Octopus" contactless farecard system, among the most extensive in revenue service anywhere, in 1997, the system has sold more than four million cards to its passengers. In the course of the year, the system carried 812 million passengers, which works out to more than 135 trips per capita for the region's six million inhabitants. MTRC Chairman Jack So attributed the jump in profit to a sharp drop in its debt service and finance expenses, due to increasing revenues. Returns from the company's real estate operations also contributed to its healthy balance sheet. So told a recent press conference that the completion of the redevelopment of the corporation's headquarters site at Telford Gardens resulted in property development profits of $276 million. During the year, three packages of Airport Railway-related property developments were successfully tendered, bringing the total area under development to 27 million square feet. Passenger numbers declined slightly to 812 million for 1997, while fare revenue increased 2.2 percent over 1996 to $5.19 billion. The MTRC, which borrowed HK$10 billion (US$1.3 billion) in 1998 to finance network expansion programs, has also set a borrowing target of $10 billion for this year, and says this target does not take into account fundraising from a possible listing of its shares on the stock exchange. The company enjoys a triple A rating on world bond markets. So said whether or not to list the corporation's shares on the exchange would be determined by its shareholder, the government. Earlier, Hong Kong Secretary of the Treasury Denise Yue said the government would give "careful and serious consideration" to the possibility of privatization--either in whole or part--of some of the company's assets through sale or a stock exchange listing. Recently, the company raised over HK$4 billion (US$529 million), which brought its yearly total for 1998 to HK$10 billion, despite the economic downturn. Speaking for the syndicate, Jeff Mitchell of National Australia Bank hailed the MTRC as one of the world's most successful and profitable railway operators. ·
To register with TDA's Consultant Database as a new user, click here ·
To Register with PRO-Net go to www.pronet.sba.gov.
PRO-Net is an internet-based database of information on small businesses. It was
developed by the Small Business Administration for use by federal and state
government agencies as well as by prime and other contractors seeking small
business contractors, subcontractors and/or partnership opportunities. It is
open to all small firms seeking federal, state and private contracts.
Registration is free. (F) Comment: APTA information on safety and pollution in Transportation chart 9/12/2000 at: http://www.apta.com/stats/safety/natsafe.htm and http://www.apta.com/gifs/pollreduct.gif (G) June 2000 Railway Gazette International: South Jersey LRT started ON MAY 8 New Jersey Governor Christie
Whitman climbed into an excavator at Camden to turn the first sod for construction of the
$604m Camden - Trenton light rail line. Conversion of the former Conrail route for
lightweight diesel LRVs is due to be completed by the end of 2002, with the opening in
early 2003. The 55 km line is being built by the
Southern New Jersey LRT consortium of Bechtel Infrastructure Corp and Adtranz under a
13-year DBOM concession awarded by NJ Transit. Around 120 trains a day will carry 4,500
passengers between the 20 stations. State Transportation Commissioner James Weinstein says
the line is 'an engine for positive change' which will help to revitalise run-down
waterfront areas. Three weeks earlier, on April 15, Governor Whitman had officiated at the opening of the first stage of the Hudson - Bergen light rail line in Jersey City, on which she inaugurated construction in 1996.
(H) About BACS (I) March 2000:
News Railway Gazette International Clinton funding plan boost for 11 US
cities FUNDING approval is being sought for urban
rail projects in 11 US cities under the federal budget for fiscal 2001. A total of $6·3bn
has been allocated to public transport, an increase of 9% on the current year but less
than the $7·3bn previously authorised under the TEA-21 legislation. The principal new start is the 18·5 km
Hiawatha Avenue light rail line in Minneapolis-St Paul, for which full funding agreement
will be sought along with approval for a further 11 extensions or upgrading projects in 10
cities. Amongst them is the long-planned Stage II of Pittsburgh's light rail
rehabilitation, reconstruction of the Douglas branch of Chicago's Blue line, and the
second stage of the Hudson - Bergen light rail line. The budget also provides a further $242m
for on-going projects in California, including $50m for completing the North Hollywood
extension of the Los Angeles Red line, $65m for the Mission Valley East LRT extension in
San Diego, $80m for continuing construction of BART's extension to San Francisco
International Airport, and $35m for light rail construction in Sacramento. Announcing the proposals, Vice President Al
Gore said 'investing in important mass transit projects like these is the key to
rebuilding our cities and creating livable communities.' The public transport allocation
is part of the 'Livable Communities Initiative' which aims to ease traffic congestion and
reduce pollution in cities. Its budget for 2001 has been raised by $1·1bn to $9·1bn.
From this, Congress will be asked to appropriate $211m to fund start-up costs for the 12
schemes, whose total value is more than $6bn (below).
Reed
Business Information 2000. (J) Candidate
Gore Proposes Transportation Initiative In June 29, Democratic Presidential candidate and
incumbent Vice President AI Gore announced a $25 billon initiative to invest in new
transportation technologies The "Keep America Moving Initiative" would include
such transportation alternatives as light rail, high speed rail, magnetic levitation,
and cleaner buses The Gore proposal also includes financial incentives to
encourage transit-oriented development; community grants to meet rural transport at km
needs; renovation of inter city rail stations; and expansion and improvement of existing
passenger rail routes APTA President William W. Millar offered his support for
the Gore proposal *'Increased investment in our nation's surface transportation
infrastructure is key to providing travel choices aimed at decreasing reliance on foreign
oil and ensuring our continued economic prosperity," he said, addling that the
proposal builds upon the strong support of public transportation found in TEA 2I. Components of the Gore plan include:
Converting to modern, cleaner, and safer buses. Gore supports new federal
investments to convert municipal and school bus fleets to clean-burning fuels
These funds would also be used to make buses safer for passengers by installing
emergency radios, antilock brakes, and other common-sense safety measures Spurring rail
new starts. The growing interest in rail
transportation systems-- light tail, subways, and other mass transit systems tar exceeds
available resources, Gore said Additional federal grants would be made available for the
construction of new rail systems or the building of extensions to existing systems Modernizing existing rail systems. Increased federal grants would allow
existing rail systems, including subways and light rail, to upgrade and
modernize their systems to ensure a high quality of service. Encouraging
transit-oriented development. Federal
financial incentives would be offered to encourage the revitalization of neighborhoods
around transit stations. Meeting rural transportation needs such as connecting people to work and
ensuring mobility for the elderly and persons with disabilities, through
federal grants to communities. Building high
speed rail. As congestion increases on
America's highways and at its airports, Gore noted that high speed rail is needed to give
the American people a fast and efficient alternative for traveling in major transportation
corridors across the nation. Expanding and
improving the existing rail network. New
grants to Amtrak and the states for the improvement of existing passenger rail routes and
the expansion of new routes. Renovating rail
stations. New grants to Amtrak and
communities to allow rail stations to return to their traditional role as vital economic
centers in cities and small towns across America. (K) Comment:
The republican platform on
transportation naturally had the voting majority in the allocation of
funds to the transportation initiatives. The web site of the senate lists as
transportation accomplishments at; http://www.rnc.org/2000/senate.htm#20 The following copied at 9/12/2000
they quote: Transportation Funding · Republicans worked to make roads and highways better and safer, improve aviation equipment, expand federal transit programs and promote highway safety programs designed to protect children. · America's roads and highways are an integral part of our society. · Republicans believe it is a top priority to make our roads and highways as safe as they can be for our children and our families. · Republicans provided funding for child passenger protection education grants and national motor carrier safety programs. ·
Federal transit programs were also funded, providing more and more
transportation options and helping working Americans with their daily commutes. · Republicans worked to make our airports and skies safer by increasing funding for aviation infrastructure improvements
The Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21), P.L. 105-178, was passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives on May 22, 1998, and signed into law by President Clinton on June 9, 1998. This month marks the one year anniversary of this landmark legislation, and the following pages highlight the progress that has been achieved during that year in delivering TEA-21 to the public. TEA-21 embodies President Clinton's vision of an integrated transportation system helping to ensure Americans' prosperity and quality of life into the new century - it will be an important contributor to virtually every transportation project in the country in the next decade and perhaps beyond. TEA-21 reflects the commitment of the Congress and the Administration to rebuild America's infrastructure in a fiscally responsible manner, while increasing safety, providing for a cleaner environment, and expanding opportunity. Led by Secretary Rodney E. Slater, the Department of Transportation (DOT) is working with others, including state, local, and tribal governments; industry, labor, safety and environmental protection groups; and the public to implement TEA-21 consistent with the intent of Congress. Found at: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/tea21/t21anniv.htm#9899fund
copied 9/6/00 Record Level Investment - Release of Fiscal Year 1998 and
1999 Funding Apportionments
Program Purpose The Light Density Rail Line Pilot Project program is designed to allow the Secretary to fund pilot projects that demonstrate the relationship of light density railroad services to the statutory responsibilities of the Secretary related to rail and highway transportation.
(M) The Pocket Guide to Transportation At www.bts.gov/pg.pdf Transportation statistics Annual Report 1999 available 9/12/2000 from the Bureau Of Transportation Statistics (BTS): Table three, fatalities indicates that rail transit is a very save mode to travel but that those modes that conflict show that at grade crossings 419 out of 602 other rail related accidents are primary the reason to elevate the transportation mode. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
