We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.
  • INDUSTRY PRESS ROOM
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • MEDIA FILE
  • Create Account
  • Sign In
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Free Newsletters
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • TRANSPORTATION
  • MATERIAL HANDLING
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • LIFT TRUCKS
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • Webcasts
    • Blogs
      • One-Off Sound Off
      • Global Logistics and Risk
      • Empowering Your Performance Edge
      • Analytics & Big Data
      • Submit your blog post
    • Events
    • White Papers
    • Industry Press Room
      • Upload Your News
    • New Products
      • Upload Your Product News
    • Conference Guides
    • Conference Reports
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • DCV-TV
    • DCV-TV 1: News
    • DCV-TV 2: Case Studies
    • DCV-TV 3: Webcasts
    • DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
    • DCV-TV 5: Solution Profiles
    • Parcel Forum 2022
    • MODEX 2022
    • Upload Your Video
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • TRANSPORTATION
  • MATERIAL HANDLING
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • LIFT TRUCKS
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • Webcasts
    • Blogs
      • One-Off Sound Off
      • Global Logistics and Risk
      • Empowering Your Performance Edge
      • Analytics & Big Data
      • Submit your blog post
    • Events
    • White Papers
    • Industry Press Room
      • Upload Your News
    • New Products
      • Upload Your Product News
    • Conference Guides
    • Conference Reports
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • DCV-TV
    • DCV-TV 1: News
    • DCV-TV 2: Case Studies
    • DCV-TV 3: Webcasts
    • DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
    • DCV-TV 5: Solution Profiles
    • Parcel Forum 2022
    • MODEX 2022
    • Upload Your Video
Home » give freight a voice
big picture

give freight a voice

August 1, 2009
Peter Bradley
No Comments

We are still in the early days of discussion over just how big the next surface transportation bill will be, what it will pay for, and how it will be funded. But it is not too early for anyone interested in how freight moves on U.S. highways to start paying close attention to the debate.

The current bill expires at the end of September, yet it seems highly unlikely that Congress will enact a comprehensive bill by that time. The Obama administration intends to ask Congress for an 18-month extension of the current law, which would give it time to develop a comprehensive transportation infrastructure strategy. Nonetheless, we can get at least some idea of what the next bill will look like from bipartisan legislation filed in June by Rep. James Oberstar and others. Oberstar is the chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and thus will have enormous influence over whatever bill does emerge from Congress.

Oberstar's proposal calls for spending $500 billion over six years, including $337 billion over that time for highways. That's a big jump over current spending levels, although it's far short of what the American Society of Civil Engineers, in its latest Report Card for America's Infrastructure, says is needed. The 2009 report card gives U.S. highways a grade of D-, and the group says that we would need to spend $186 billion a year to improve the nation's highway system. As Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood told The New York Times Magazine recently, "The way I characterize it is America is one big pothole, and Americans are ready for their streets and roads and bridges to be fixed up."

Spending of that scale, whether it is approved now or later, will attract the attention of states, municipalities, labor unions, construction interests, businesses of all stripes, environmental and safety organizations, automotive groups, and others. It is imperative that freight have a seat at the table and a voice in the outcome. Many business groups have recognized as much. Last month, for example, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce orchestrated a fly-in of executives from around the country to Washington, D.C., where they delivered a letter to Congress urging it to increase infrastructure spending and reform the allocation process. The letter said what anyone involved in moving freight—as a shipper, carrier, or receiver—already knows: "Adequate transportation infrastructure capacity and reliable and cost-effective transportation services are essential to improving economic growth, increasing productivity, and maintaining the competitiveness of American businesses across all economic sectors."

Those who own and operate distribution centers can make that argument persuasively. You just have to do so early and often. I urge you to do so today.

Transportation Trucking Regulation/Government
KEYWORDS American Society of Civil Engineers U.S. Chamber of Commerce U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
  • Related Articles

    Bill would give freight voice in infrastructure planning

    Passenger rail initiative could give boost to freight

    NEXT Trucking Announces New Portal to Give Shippers Full Control Over Their Freight

Peterbradley
Peter Bradley is an award-winning career journalist with more than three decades of experience in both newspapers and national business magazines. His credentials include seven years as the transportation and supply chain editor at Purchasing Magazine and six years as the chief editor of Logistics Management.

Recent Articles by Peter Bradley

From temp to management: interview with Diane Garforth

Watching over intermodal's interests: interview with Joni Casey

Building resilience into the supply chain: interview with Yossi Sheffi

You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Most Popular Articles

  • Schneider welcomes first battery-electric truck

  • Fred Smith is not worried about Amazon

  • RJW LOGISTICS GROUP EXPANDS RETAIL LOGISTICS OPERATION TO DALLAS

  • Maersk deploys indoor drones for warehouse inventory counts

  • Outlook 2023: What’s in store for logistics/supply chain?

Now Playing on DCV-TV

5afe63a5 7125 4318 b851 1e5738df1c91

Patterson Fan Co. | HVLS V-Series Ceiling Fan | Staging Area Air Movement

DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
The Patterson V-Series is a high-volume, low-speed industrial ceiling fan that is designed to circulate a lot of air at a very low speed. These fans, ranging in diameters of 8’ all the way to 24’, are perfect for large, open spaces such as staging and shipping areas. One 24’ fan can generate a cooling effect of 6 –...

FEATURED WHITE PAPERS

  • The five best applications for robotic lift trucks in warehouse environments

  • Fulfillment Facility Improved Efficiencies by 4x

  • 3PLs: Complete Orders Faster with Flexible Automation

  • Reusable Packaging for the New Wave of Supply Chain Automation

View More

Subscribe to DC Velocity Magazine

GET YOUR FREE SUBSCRIPTION
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • NEWSLETTERS
  • ADVERTISING
  • CUSTOMER CARE
  • CONTACT
  • ABOUT
  • STAFF
  • PRIVACY POLICY

Copyright ©2023. All Rights ReservedDesign, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing