OPENING GENERAL SESSION REMARKS OF SAMUEL K. SKINNER

The Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) espouses partnership among State, local and federal government as well as among the modal departments within the U.S. DOT as a key to improving transportation in the United States and keeping the U.S. competitive in the ever-changing global marketplace. He feels that not only must the funding levels be maintained or increased at the State and local levels, but also at the federal level. He applauds those States which are making use of user fees and agrees that the Highway Trust Fund and gasoline taxes must be devoted to transportation and not be raided for the overall budget deficti. He saw the need for a national transportation policy when he assumed his current position because there was no strategic plan for transportation at the national level. In addition to funding, the following areas must be pursued in order for the U.S. to maintain its status in the world: technology--not only develop technology such as the smart highway system, but implement it. If we do not, someone else will as in the case of high speed rail; airport capacity--increased capacity is needed as no new airports have been built in the U.S. in recent years despite the increasing demand for air travel; highway safety--too many lives are being lost on the nation's highways and rural roads especially to drunk drivers and speeders; and joint ventures--as the world changes, we must be ready to merge resources and technology with other countries to better compete in the world.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Selected Committee Meeting Papers Presented at the Seventy-fifth Annual Meeting of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials in Atlanta, Georgia, October 9-10, 1989.
• Corporate Authors:

  American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)

  444 North Capitol Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Authors:
  • Skinner, S K
• Conference:
  • American Assn of State Hwy & Transp Official Proc
• Publication Date: 1989

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 7-14

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Airports; Competition; Federal government; Finance; Financing; Gasoline; Highway safety; Joint development; Local government; State government; Taxation; Transportation policy
• Uncontrolled Terms: Capacity
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Finance; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Policy; Safety and Human Factors; Terminals and Facilities; I10: Economics and Administration; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00495422
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 31 1990 12:00AM