10:00 A.M., January 13, 2010
Coffee will be available at 9:30 A.M. and a light lunch will be served following the meeting.
Commission Office
The ACP Building - 8th Floor
190 N. Independence Mall West
Philadelphia, PA
For directions Call (215) 592-1800
Please Use Sixth Street Entrance
1. Call to Order
Task Force members and friends will be welcomed and recognized. Highlights from the previous freight advisory committee meeting on October 14, 2009 will be offered for approval.
2. Pennsylvania Passenger and Freight Rail Plan
Sarah Gulick, Director of the PennDOT Bureau of Rail Freight, Ports, and Waterways, will provide an overview of the Pennsylvania Passenger and Freight Rail Plan. This integrated rail plan provides a framework for federal and state rail investments and identifies a series of core principles, priority corridors, and next steps. The Plan has been widely released in draft form and the public comment period is open until January 15, 2010.
3. Construction Project Status Report
A number of significant construction projects on transportation facilities in the Delaware Valley are slated for 2010. While construction may cause temporary travel delays or even detours, these projects will ultimately provide modernized transportation facilities and prospects for increased freight and economic activity in the region. This presentation, to be made by Paul Truban, Section Chief of the Trucking Services Unit, will highlight major projects to be advanced by New Jersey DOT in 2010.
4. Modeling Vessel Traffic in the Delaware River and its Use in Risk, Dredge and Freight Planning
Dr. Tayfur Altiok of Rutgers University will describe a computer model of vessel traffic in the Delaware River that simulates all vessel classes, current vessel handling practices and performance metrics including vessel anchorage delays and port times, and all the cargo terminals. The model can be used as a decision-making tool to consider issues such as vessel traffic logistics, port expansion, safety and security risks analysis, and dredge impact analysis.
5. National Programs and Perspectives on Freight
Adrienne Gildea, Manager of the Coalition for America's Gateways and Trade Corridors, will provide an update on several federal initiatives that will impact the freight community. Mrs. Gildea will focus on the upcoming TIGER awards and the 2010 Jobs Bill, as well as provide insight on the reauthorization of the surface transportation program. She will also provide an overview of the Coalition's activities and plans for the 2010 legislative session.
6. Two-minute Reports
Task Force and Subcommittee chairs and Task Force members and friends will provide updates on the activities of their companies and agencies.
7. Old or New Business/Adjournment
Old or new items of business will be considered. The next scheduled meeting of the Delaware Valley Goods Movement Task Force is April 14, 2010.