A 2040 Vision for the I-95 Coalition Region: Supporting Economic Growth in a Carbon-Constrained Environment

The I-95 Corridor Coalition's Long Range Strategic Vision project (view) formulated and analyzed a transportation vision for the entire region – one which accommodates key values and issues related to a global economy, climate change, energy, and quality of life, while re-examining the traditional modal mix and service options available for passenger and freight movement in the corridor.

The Vision report shows the implications of continuing with "Business as Usual" and, alternatively, the impact of bold strategies for accommodating mobility and economic development, with an emphasis on reducing energy usage and the carbon footprint. With the implementation of the bold strategies outlined in the report, economic growth will be supported by improved system performance. Major highway and rail bottlenecks will be removed, and delay on urban Interstates will be reduced by 46 percent. The region will also be on path to achieve GHG emissions reductions of 60 to 80 percent by 2050 (as compared to 2005 levels).

The I-95 Coalition 2040 Vision was developed based on long-term trends and, even with the recent short-term fluctuations in the economy, the Vision's projections are still valid assumptions for the longer term 2040 vision period.  The Vision study assumed that the region's long term growth would rebound following the current severe economic downturn, albeit at a lower rate of growth than previously forecast.  Importantly, the region's more modest economic and travel growth assumptions were developed in the context of significantly reduced fossil fuel use and dramatic reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

2040 Vision for I-95 Region Executive Summary: View
2040 Vision for I-95 Region Full Report: View

Financing Commission Webcast hosted by I-95 Corridor Coalition

The I-95 Corridor Coalition hosted a webcast to discuss the recommendations of the National Surface Transportation Infrastructure Commission. The bipartisan Congressionally-created Commission, in its report released February 26, offers specific recommendations for addressing the significant and widening gap between federal investment and the nation's transportation infrastructure needs, while at the same time moving the federal government away from reliance on motor fuel taxes toward more direct fees charged to transportation infrastructure users.  Following is a link to the website of the National Surface Transportation Commission; both the full report and executive summary can be viewed from this page: http://financecommission.dot.gov/

Bryan Grote, a member of the Commission, participated in the webcast and presented the Commission's report and recommendations.  In addition to his work on the Commission, Bryan recently completed a white paper for the I-95 Corridor Coalition addressing Federal Support for Freight Infrastructure: Policy Issues & Program Design.

Bryan Grote's Financing Commission presentation can be found by clicking here
Bryan Grote's White Paper for the I-95 Corridor Coalition entitled Federal Support for Freight Infrastructure: Policy Issues & Program Design

Vehicle Probe Project Information

The I-95 Corridor Coalition’s Vehicle Probe project is a groundbreaking initiative and collaborative effort among the Coalition, University of Maryland and INRIX providing comprehensive and continuous real-time travel information to members. Data for a core area from New Jersey through North Carolina has been provided since July 1, 2008. The objective of this project is to acquire travel times and speeds using probe technology for freeways and arterials, fusing data from various sources to present a comprehensive picture of traffic flow.

Quick Links:

• Go to Project Page
• View Data Validation - Executive Summary - January 2009
• View Data Validation - Full Report - January 2009

The I-95 Corridor Coalition conducts a number of projects of importance to the member agencies and to the region.  Following are highlighted projects:

 Federal Support for Freight Infrastructure: Policy Issues & Program Design
 2040 Strategic Vision for the I-95 Coalition Region
Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, and Southeast Rail Operations Studies
Vehicle Probe Project
Truck Parking Initiative
Commercial Vehicle Infrastructure Integration
StreetSmart Program for Teen Drivers

Bipartisan Policy Center's National Transportation Policy Project Issues Groundbreaking Plan to Reform Transportation Policy

Recommendations Call for Accountability: Links Funding to Performance for the First Time

Calling its recommendations a "framework for comprehensive reform," the Bipartisan Policy Center's National Transportation Policy Project (NTPP) released its plan for transforming federal surface transportation policy.  If adopted by the Administration and Congress in this year's authorization bill, the plan would constitute the first major overhaul of transportation policy in more than 50 years.  It proposes restructuring federal programs, updating the criteria for formulas, and creating a performance-based system that directly ties transportation spending to broader national goals, including economic growth, connectivity, accessibility, safety, energy security and environmental protection.  Currently, transportation funding is distributed on a politically-driven basis with little analysis of benefits and no accountability for results.

"The I-95 Corridor Coalition applauds the NTPP's contribution to the national dialogue of needed reform of the federal transportation program to focus more directly on freight corridors." - George Schoener, Executive Director, I-95 Corridor Coalition.  What others are saying about the report can be viewed here.

View Press Release or download the Executive Summary or Full Report. 

I-95 Corridor Coalition's Position on Authorization

The I-95 Corridor Coalition has developed a set of principles to support a sustainable transportation vision for the region. The principles cover economic, environmental, energy, and transportation sustainability. The complexity and scale of these issues suggests need for a program structure and funding source that transcends what individual states, acting alone, could accomplish. The members of the Coalition recognize that achievement of our future transportation vision requires the coordinated action of numerous public and private organizations.

Our state departments of transportation, our public and private transportation authorities, and our transportation carrier companies exist to move people and goods and to ensure our region's and our nation's social, economic, and environmental well being. Therefore, we support initiatives that will enable us to regain a strong regional and national vision and purpose for our national transportation programs. We believe there is a clear role for the Federal government in supporting interstate commerce and facilitating and funding multi-state coalitions.

Read the entire document.

Chairman Pedersen Testifies at Congressional Hearing

Neil Pedersen, Maryland State Highway Administrator and I-95 Corridor Coalition Executive Board Chair, appeared before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Highways and Transit hearing on September 18.  Mr. Pedersen was representing the I-95 Corridor Coalition and provided a written statement in advance of the hearing. Following the hearing, Mr. Pedersen received a request, from Subcommittee Chairman Congressman Peter DeFazio, for additional information.  A written response to that request was provided to the Subcommittee on October 16.

Testimony of Astrid C. Glynn Regarding National Strategies for Efficient Freight Movement

Commissioner Glynn, New York State Department of Transportation, gave testimony to the US Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on June 10, 2008.  As Chair of AASHTO's Standing Committee on Rail and a member of AASHTO's Freight Transportation Authorization Policy Team, Commissioner Glynn is well aware of the challenges and opportunities in freight movement throughout the region and the nation.  View more info

Senate EPW Testimony Mentions Coalition's Efforts

A testimony of Mr. Lance Grenzeback before the United States Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works recognizes I-95 Corridor Coalition activities.

Read Testimony.