[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 58 (Friday, March 25, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-7104]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: March 25, 1994]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

NATIONAL COMMISSION ON INTERMODAL TRANSPORTATION

 

Notice of Public Hearings and Comments

SUMMARY: The National Commission on Intermodal Transportation is 
seeking comments and recommendations from interested parties on how to 
achieve a more efficient and productive intermodal transportation 
system in the United States.
    The Commission is charged by Congress to ``make a complete 
investigation and study of intermodal transportation in the United 
States and internationally.'' Created by Section 5005 of the Intermodal 
Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991, the Commission has 
members appointed by the President and the Congressional leadership. 
The Commission is chaired by Robert D. Krebs, Chairman, President and 
CEO of Santa Fe Pacific Corporation.
    The Commission's legislation specifies three fundamental tasks: (1) 
Determine the status of, and problems related to, intermodal 
transportation today; (2) identify the resources needed to enhance 
intermodal transportation; and (3) make recommendations on how to 
achieve an efficient intermodal transportation system. The Commission 
will focus on passenger and freight traffic, public and private 
sectors, and all modes of transportation. The Commission will submit 
its findings to Congress on September 30, 1994.

DATES: Public hearings will be held in Washington D.C. on May 2, 1994, 
New Orleans, LA on May 10, 1994, and Los Angeles, CA on June 20, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Submit written, signed comments to Anne D. Aylward, 
Executive Director, NCIT, 301 N. Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. 
Those desiring notification of receipt of comments must include a self-
addressed, stamped envelope. Those interested in testifying please 
contact the Commission by telephone at (703) 603-0153 or fax (703) 603-
0159.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Please call the National Commission on 
Intermodal Transportation (703) 603-0153.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Areas of Inquiry

    The following questions illustrate the type of issues the public is 
invited to address, but they are emphatically not intended as a 
comprehensive list of issues that the Commission expects to consider. 
Respondents may focus on these issues and any other specific matters 
that would bear upon the improvement of intermodal transportation in 
the United States.
Status of the Existing System
     What is the status of intermodal transportation today? 
Where is intermodalism working?
     What are the key intermodal bottlenecks in freight 
traffic?
     What are the key intermodal bottlenecks in passenger 
traffic?
     What are the best examples of efficient intermodal 
facilities and operations--passenger and freight?
     How would the proposed National Transportation System 
(NTS) affect the development of an intermodal system? What criteria 
should be used in developing an NTS?
     How has intermodalism developed in the freight sector? Are 
there lessons transferable to the passenger sector?
Legal, Regulatory, and Institutional Questions
     Would modification of government structures enhance 
development of an efficient itnermodal transportation system? If so, 
how?
     How can institutional barriers between private (freight) 
and public (passenger) be reduced to enhance intermodal planning at the 
local, state and national levels?
     Are there specific legal impediments to increasing 
intermodal efficiency such as: outdated, inefficient, cumbersome 
regulations/laws, jursidicational issues among governments, impediments 
to sharing resources, inconsistency of regulations among states, and 
antitrust impediments to standardization?
     Are there structural or process impediments to improving 
existing infrasture capacity?
     Has ISTEA made a difference in MPO treatment of intermodal 
projects?
     Do the existing intermodal planning structures at the 
state and local levels need additional national standards and criteria 
to insure that a consistent national plan emerges from the MPO/state 
process?
     What are the barriers to promoting ``seamless borders'' 
for international intermodal movements?
Funding and Financial Questions
     Is adequate funding of intermodal transportation presently 
available? Identify specific gaps.
     What additional investment is required to meet the 
nation's needs, including access to ports, airports, and intermodal 
terminals?
     Are innovative methods and sources of financing needed to 
provide adequate funding for intermodal transportation? If so, what 
might they include?
     How can federal, state and local governments best leverage 
transportation investments to encourage intermodal transportation?
     Are there significant opportunities for investment by the 
private sector or for privatization that would advance intermodalism? 
What barriers exist?
Technology and Research Questions
     What new technology will enhance development of an 
efficient intermodal transportation system? How can the federal 
government encourage its introduction?
     How can decision-support planning tools be developed for 
use in the public resource allocation process?
     Are there essential intermodal R & D needs that cannot be 
met by the private sector alone?
     How can the concerns of publics with special needs 
(elderly, handicapped, disadvantaged, etc.) be better served by 
intermodal systems?
    Respondents may focus on these issues and any other specific 
matters that would bear upon the improvement of intermodal 
transportation in the United States.
Sandra K. Bushue,
Deputy Director.
[FR Doc. 94-7104 Filed 3-24-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-DF-P-M