Viewpoints

Driving to replace the gas tax

jillblack — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 16:36:03 +0000

There is a perfect storm brewing in surface transportation. Our infrastructure is eroding at an alarming rate, and the revenue to replace it isn’t keeping pace.

Highways alone will require nearly $5 trillion for preservation and congestion relief during the next decade, at a time when traffic congestion already has reached record levels. Even with recent declines in the U.S. motor vehicle fatality rate, traffic deaths still claim more than 33,000 lives each year.

Ignoring this Category 5 crisis isn’t an option.

Author:

Jim Barbaresso, Director Intelligent Transportation Systems

Market:

Highways

Service:

Technology

Driving to replace the gas tax

THINK: Infrastructure forum transcript - January 2012

rdeshazo — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 22:48:35 +0000

"Responding to the change in how infrastructure is developed"

THINK: Infrastructure forum was held on Jan. 24, 2012 in Tucson, Ariz. This edited transcript and Q&A captures highlights from the two-hour discussion.

THINK: Infrastructure forums focus on major industry issues that are priorities for all participants and therefore will enable them, individually and as a group, to advocate for change.

Responding to the change in how infrastructure is developed

Make transportation a priority

jillblack — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 16:47:15 +0000

It is often said that one of America’s greatest strengths is finding the will to come together and take action when faced with a national crisis. We face such a time now. The challenge is all around us in our aging and underfunded highways, transit systems, bridges, airports and other transportation infrastructure.

For too long we’ve short-changed transportation as we worked to address the nation’s other needs and priorities. Our transportation system has not received the attention or funds it needs in our national discussion or agenda.

Author:

Paul Yarossi, President HNTB Holdings Ltd

Market:

Highways

Make transportation a priority

Digging deep: tunnel solutions for a city-centric America

rdeshazo — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 19:44:00 +0000

America’s cities are exploding. Throughout the country, citizens by the tens of thousands are migrating from rural towns to large metropolitan areas. The most recent data show that 82 percent of America’s population resides in cities and their suburbs, up from about 75 percent in the 1990s. This phenomenon is observed worldwide.

Author:

Nasri Munfah, Chairman Tunnel Services

Market:

Tunnels

Digging deep: tunnel solutions for a city-centric America

Trains and the city

jillblack — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 16:52:12 +0000

One exciting ripple effect of President Barack Obama’s commitment to high-speed rail, which he demonstrated with an $8 billion pledge in federal stimulus money in 2009, is the promise of economic development in the areas surrounding transit hubs.

The promise is real and has been demonstrated around the world in countries where high-speed rail is established. High-speed rail draws people from all walks of life.

Author:

Peter Gertler, Chair High-Speed Rail Services

Market:

High-speed rail

Public transportation

Trains and the city

THINK: Infrastructure forum L.A. transcript - January 2012

joconnell — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 18:47:10 +0000

"Advancing transit: the 'it' factor of successful cities"

This THINK: Infrastructure forum was held on Jan. 31, 2012 in Los Angeles. This edited transcript and Q&A captures highlights from the two-hour discussion.

THINK: Infrastructure forums focus on major industry issues that are priorities for all participants and therefore will enable them, individually and as a group, to advocate for change.

Date:

01/31/2012

Market:

Public transportation

THINK_LAforum_Transcript_0112_final.pdf

THINK: Infrastructure forum transcript - May 2011

rdeshazo — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 21:03:35 +0000

"Generating revenue for transportation infrastructure"

THINK: Infrastructure forum was held on May 4, 2011 at The Yale Club of New York City.
This edited transcript and Q&A captures highlights from the two-hour discussion.

THINK: Infrastructure forums focus on major industry issues that are priorities for all participants and therefore will enable them, individually and as a group, to advocate for change.

Think_InfrastructureForum_511.pdf

Making this TIFIA's time

joconnell — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 21:16:05 +0000

By expanding a popular credit assistance program, Congress and the president can encourage infrastructure investment and enhance effectiveness of available federal funding

Without the federal credit assistance provided by the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act program, some of the most significant transportation projects the last 14 years would have been delayed or deferred.

Simply put, today’s largest mega projects are so complex that individual states working alone may struggle with their sheer size, complexity or the uncertainty over the timing of forecasted revenues.

First enacted in 1998, TIFIA most often provides loans to help states pay for large, partially funded projects of regional

Author:

Brad Guilmino, Chief Financial Consultant

Date:

03/14/2012

Market:

Bridges

High-speed rail

Highways

Public transportation

Tolls

Tunnels

Service:

Financial Resources

Making this TIFIA's time

America needs to remain bullish on high-speed rail

jillblack — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 18:04:08 +0000

As a nation, we have lost sight of why we need high-speed rail. We are viewing high-speed rail as an isolated, discreet and expensive product when we should be looking at it as a critical element of a balanced, efficient multi-modal transportation system.

Opponents cite a number of points against a high-speed rail system that are valid and worthy of investigation, for example:

Can high-speed rail be built and operated without subsidies? Some believe that high-speed rail will not be self-sustaining and therefore, we should not invest in it.

Author:

Peter Gertler, Chair Rail and Transit Services

Market:

High-speed rail

AmericaRemainBullHSR_PGertler_2012.pdf

THINK: Infrastructure forum NY transcript - April 2012

joconnell — Tue, 15 May 2012 22:07:50 +0000

"Bridges: Constructability and sustainability - finding ways to maximize infrastructure dollars"

This THINK: Infrastructure forum was held on April 12, 2012 at the Yale Club of New York City. This edited transcript and Q&A captures highlights from the two-hour discussion.

THINK: Infrastructure forums focus on major industry issues that are priorities for all participants and therefore will enable them, individually and as a group, to advocate for change.

Date:

05/15/2012

Market:

Bridges

THINK: Infrastructure forum NY transcript