[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]
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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]
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