Category: News

News

Rayman to Lead FHWA Freight Management and Operations

News

Caitlin Hughes Rayman–currently the Maryland Department of Transportation’s Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy and Freight–has been selected to be the Director of the FHWA Office of Freight Management and Operations. Rayman will replace former Director of the Office of Freight Management and Operations Tony Furst, who now serves as FHWA’s Associate Administrator for Safety. For more […]

AASHTO Comments on State Freight Plan Provisions

News

The AASHTO Freight Working Group has recently submitted comments to the US Department of Transportation on the MAP-21 Interim Guidance on State Freight Plans and State Freight Advisory Committees, and the related Memorandum on Prioritization of Projects to Improve Freight Movement Guidance. These comments, which speak to the implementation of the freight provisions in MAP-21, […]

Wood Pellets in High Demand in the EU

News

Contributed by: C. Bryant Dudley, CFIRE project assistant In 2009 the European Union (EU) ratified the Renewable Energy Directive, which outlined three objectives for member states to meet by 2020: Increase renewable energy consumption to 20 percent of total energy consumption; Reduce total energy consumption by 20 percent; Reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 20 […]

August 2012 North American Trade Numbers

News

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics recently released North American surface trade numbers for August 2012. Trade using surface transportation between the United States and its North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners, Canada and Mexico, was 2.6 percent higher in August 2012 than in August 2011, totaling $82.5 billion, unadjusted for inflation, according to the […]

U.S. Coal Exportation: A New Frontier

News

Contributed by C. Bryant Dudley, CFIRE Project Assistant The demand for coal in the United States has declined sharply since 2008. Much of this decline is driven by the decreased use of coal for power generation, which has dropped from nearly half to just under a third. This trend is likely to continue: 20 percent […]

MnDOT Statewide Multimodal Transportation Plan Adopted

News

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) recently announced the adoption of the Statewide Multimodal Transportation Plan 2012-2031. The updated plan is the result of extensive collaboration between MnDOT, partners, citizens, and stakeholders like you. Thank you for engaging in the process to craft a plan reflective of statewide interests. The adopted Plan can be found […]

US DOT Launches a Freight Policy Council

News

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced the launch of the Freight Policy Council which will focus on improving the condition and performance of the national freight network to better ensure the ability of the United States to compete in today’s global economy.  The council will develop a national, intermodal plan for improving the efficiency […]

Iowa Freight Advisory Council Established

News

The Iowa DOT has recently led the creation of a Freight Advisory Council (FAC) to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and to better understand the complexities associated with freight movements. The Iowa DOT will use this information to more effectively guide public investment in the transportation infrastructure. The Iowa FAC seeks to […]

Detroit International River Crossing to Proceed

MAFC News

On June 15, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Michigan Governor Rick Snyder announced that that the United States and Canada have reached an agreement that will allow the Detroit International River Crossing project to proceed. Prime Minister Harper described the Agreement as follows: “Our Government is taking the measures necessary to facilitate trade and […]

Illinois State Transportation Plan

News

The Illinois Department of Transportation recently kicked off a state-wide long-range transportation planning effort. The results of this effort will serve as a master plan for all transportation modes in Illinois, including highways, waterways, aeronautics, mass transportation, bicyclists, pedestrians, and railroad systems. The plan sets forth policies and goals that will guide the development of […]