I 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 2724 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 4, 2009 Mr. Holt (for himself, Mr. Inslee, and Mr. Carnahan) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure A BILL To amend title 49, United States Code, to establish national transportation objectives and performance targets for the purpose of assessing progress toward meeting national transportation objectives.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the National Transportation Objectives Act of 2009.

2.

Establishment of national transportation objectives and performance targets

(a)

In general

Chapter 3 of title 49, United States Code, in amended: (1)by redesignating sections 304 through 309 as sections 307 through 312; (2)by redesignating sections 303 and 303a as sections 305 and 306, respectively; and (3)by inserting after section 302, the following:

303.

National transportation objectives and performance targets

(a)

Statement of purpose

The purpose of this section is to establish national transportation objectives to provide a 21st century vision for the national surface transportation system and national transportation performance targets to ensure that transportation investments result in a national surface transportation system that meets the needs of the 21st century. (b)

National transportation objectives

The national transportation objectives are established and prioritized, as follows: (1)Promote energy efficiency and achieve energy security. (2)Ensure environmental protection, restore climate stability, and resolve persistent environmental justice issues. (3)Improve economic competitiveness, system efficiency, and workplace development opportunities. (4)Ensure safety for all transportation users and improved public health outcomes. (5)Improve transportation system conditions and connectivity. (6)Provide equal and equitable access to transportation options in urban, suburban, and rural communities. (c)

National transportation performance targets

The national transportation performance targets are established for the purpose of assessing progress in the 20-year period beginning the day after the date of enactment of the National Transportation Objectives Act of 2009 toward meeting the national transportation objectives, as follows: (1)Reduce per capita vehicle miles traveled by 16 percent. (2)Triple walking, biking, and public transportation usage. (3)Reduce transportation-generated carbon dioxide level by 40 percent. (4)Reduce delay per capita by 10 percent. (5)Increase proportion of freight transportation provided by railroad and intermodal services by 20 percent. (6)Achieve 0 percent population exposure to at-risk levels of air pollution. (7)Improve public safety and lower congestion costs by reducing traffic crashes by 50 percent. (8)Increase share of major highways, regional transit fleets and facilities, and bicycling/pedestrian infrastructure in good state of repair condition by 20 percent. (9)Reduce average household combined housing plus transportation costs by 25 percent, using 2000 as a base year. (10)Increase by 50 percent the number of essential destinations (work and non-work) accessible within 30 minutes by public transportation or 15 minutes by walking, for low-income, senior, and disabled populations. (d)

Development of baseline levels

Not later than one year after the date of enactment of the National Transportation Objectives Act of 2009, the Secretary of Transportation shall develop baseline levels for the national transportation performance targets established by this section and determine appropriate methods of data collection to assess success in meeting such performance targets. (e)

Requirements

The Secretary, consistent with the plan developed under section 304 and notwithstanding any other provision of law in effect as of the date of enactment of the National Transportation Objectives Act of 2009, shall— (1)develop appropriate data collections systems for each Federal surface transportation program in order to evaluate: (A)whether such programs are consistent with the policy, objectives, and performance targets established by this section; and (B)how effective such programs are in contributing to the achievement of the policy, objectives, and performance targets established by this section; (2)using the criteria developed under paragraph (1), annually evaluate each such program and provide the results to the public; (3)based on the evaluation performed under paragraph (2), make any necessary changes or improvements to such programs to ensure such consistency and effectiveness; (4)align the availability and award of Federal surface transportation funding to meet the policy, objectives, and performance targets established by this section, consistent with the evaluation performed under paragraph (2); (5)carry out this section in a manner that is consistent with sections 302, 5503, 10101, and 13101 of this title and section 101 of title 23 to the extent that such sections do not conflict with the policy, objectives, and performance targets established by this section; (6)review, update, and reissue all relevant surface transportation planning requirements to ensure that such requirements require that regional, State, and local surface transportation planning efforts funded with Federal funds are consistent with the policy, objectives, and performance targets established by this section; and (7)require recipients of Federal surface transportation funds to annually report on the use of such funds, including a description of— (A)which projects and priorities were funded with such funds; (B)the rationale and method employed for apportioning such funds to the projects and priorities; and (C)how the obligation of such funds is consistent with or advances the policy, objectives, and performance targets established by this section. (f)

Authority

(1)

In general

Notwithstanding any other provision of law in effect as of the date of enactment of the National Transportation Objectives Act of 2009, the Secretary may, through a process of public notice and comment and with reasonable prior notice to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure preceding any significant change, consistent with the public interest, amend the performance targets under subsection (c) or develop additional performance targets to effectively meet the policy and objectives set forth in this section. (2)

Recommendations

The Secretary may also make recommendations to those Committees for reorganizing the Department of Transportation, as necessary and consistent with the requirements of section 304(b)(6), in order to achieve the policy, objectives, and performance targets established by this section.

304.

National surface transportation performance plan

(a)

Development

Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of the National Transportation Objectives Act of 2009, the Secretary of Transportation shall develop and implement a National Surface Transportation Performance Plan to achieve the policy, objectives, and performance targets set forth in section 303. (b)

Contents

The plan shall include— (1)an assessment of the current performance of the national surface transportation system and an analysis of the system's ability to achieve the policy, objectives, and performance targets set forth in section 303; (2)an analysis of emerging and long-term projected trends that will impact the performance, needs, and uses of the national surface transportation system; (3)a description of the major impediments to effectively meeting the policy, objectives, and performance targets set forth in section 303 and recommended actions to address such impediments; (4)a comprehensive strategy and investment plan to meet the policy, objectives, and performance targets set forth in section 303; (5)initiatives to improve transportation modeling, research, data collection, and analysis; and (6)a plan for any reorganization of the Department of Transportation or its agencies necessary to meet the policy, objectives, and performance targets set forth in section 303. (c)

Consultation

In developing the plan required by subsection (a), the Secretary shall— (1)consult with local, State, and tribal governments, public and private transportation providers and carriers, non-profit organizations representing transportation employees, appropriate foreign governments, and other interested parties; and (2)provide public notice and hearings and solicit public comments on the plan. (d)

Submittal

The Secretary shall submit the completed plan to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. (e)

Progress reports

The Secretary shall submit biennial progress reports on the implementation of the plan beginning 2 years after the date of submittal of the plan under subsection (d) to the Committees. The progress report shall— (1)describe progress made toward fully implementing the plan and achieving the policies, objectives, and performance targets established under section 303; (2)describe challenges and obstacles to full implementation; (3)describe updates to the plan necessary to reflect changed circumstances or new developments; and (4)make policy and legislative recommendations the Secretary believes are necessary and appropriate to fully implement the plan. (f)

Data

The Secretary shall have the authority to conduct studies, gather information, and require the production of data necessary to develop or update this plan, consistent with Federal privacy standards. (g)

Funding

The Secretary may use such sums as may be necessary from any funds provided to the Department of Transportation for surface transportation programs for the purpose of completing and updating the plan and developing and issuing the progress reports pursuant to this section.

. (b)

Conforming amendments

(1)Section 302(a) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking 10101 and 13101 and inserting 303, 10101, and 13101. (2)Section 308, as redesignated, of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking sections 301–09304 and inserting sections 301 through 307. (3)The table of contents for chapter 3 of title 49, United States Code, is amended— (A)by redesignating the items relating to sections 303 through 309 as relating to sections 305 through 312; and (B)by inserting after the item relating to section 302 the following: 303. National surface transportation policy. 304. National surface transportation performance plan. .