1. U.S. Maritime Administration
Roger Bohnert
Office of Intermodal System Development

2. Growing Congestion
Between 1983 and 2003, total vehicle miles traveled in the US has increased almost 90%.
The Interstate System, which comprises just over 1% of the Nation's total miles of roadway, carries almost 25% of all traffic.
Highway congestion increased dramatically between 1983 and 2003, in both extent and duration. In the 10 most congested urban areas of the country, each rush hour traveler “pays” an annual virtual “congestion tax” of between $850 and $1,600 in lost time and fuel.
Congestion in Atlanta

3. Growth in Wasted Hours
Congestion has increased dramatically over the past 2 decades
In the 13 largest cities, drivers spend the equivalent of almost eight work days each year stuck in traffic
Annual Hours Lost to Congestion Per Peak Hour Driver
Very Large Metro Areas, 1983 v. 2003
Philadelphia
Hours
100 80 60 40 20
1983
2003
Atlanta
Washington
Dallas
LA/Long Beach
Chicago
San Francisco
Detroit
Miami
Boston
New York
Phoenix
Houston
City
Average
Source: Texas Transportation Institute, 2005 Urban Mobility Report

4. Annual Cost Of Congestion
Source: Texas Transportation Institute, Annual Urban Mobility Report, 2005

5. North American Rail Network (Bottlenecks & Congestion Areas)
Source: DOT – Federal Railroad Administration Office of Policy

6. Major Freight Truck Bottlenecks
Source: Cambridge Systematics, Inc., “An Initial Assessment of Freight Bottlenecks on Highways,” for FHWA, October 2005

8. Trade Growth, 1860 to 2005
Atlantic Coast
Canadian Border
Pacific Coast
Gulf Coast
Mexican Border
Source: Cambridge Systematics
The value of U.S. trade—measured in constant dollars by coast and land border—has grown rapidly over the last 30 years

9. Projected Port Freight Demand
Volume of trade 2004 (actual) v (unconstrained)*
LA/LB
59,420
13,101
2,557
NY/NJ
15,835
1,776
Seattle
4,478
Source: DOT Office of Transportation Policy
4,396
1,798
Tacoma
1,809
5,566
Virginia
3,382
2,043
Oakland
1,860
6,639
Charleston
(TEUs in thousands)
2020
2004
1,662
9,420
Savannah
6,165
1,437
2,152
1,010
Houston
Miami
* Forecast figures are based on an unconstrained 10-year linear regression, and do not reflect the expected capacity of each port in 2020.

10. National Strategy to Reduce Congestion
Urban Partnership Agreements
Public-Private Partnerships
Corridors of the Future
Reducing Border Congestion
Reducing Southern California Freight Congestion
Increasing Aviation Capacity

11. America’s Marine Highway: A Solution

12. Congestion and Savings
MARINE HWY
1 Barge = ’ Containers
ENERGY
228 Railcars DBL Stacked = ’ Containers
RAIL
Date sources: Gulf Intercoastal Canal Association
TRUCK
456 Trucks = ’ Containers
= 15 Barrels

13. Barriers to Success Competitive disadvantage posed by:
Harbor Maintenance Tax (HMT)
24-Hour Advance Notice Rule
Multiple Lift Fees for Marine Transport
Lack of Awareness of Marine Highway benefits
Availability of Financing and Investment
State/Local Authorities and Shippers
Inadequate Port Infrastructure
Shortage of Assets (i.e., cranes, chassis, barges, etc.)
Environmental/Emissions

14. Current Administration Support
February 2007 – Testified before Congress in support of
America’s Marine Highway Initiative
April Maritime Administration Reorganization
Established Office of Marine Highways and Passenger Services
Established 10 Gateway Offices nationwide that will support America’s Marine Highways at the local and regional level
Ongoing - Provide Incentives and Remove Disincentives
Focus on areas where operations already exist or industry/local support is present.
Consideration of Legislative and Regulatory Initiatives.

15. Current Administration Support Cont.
November 2006 – October Carrier/ Shipper Workshops
November 2006 – New York, NY - Large Shippers
February 2007 – Tampa, FL – Hazmat Shippers
June 2007 – Oakland, CA – Inter-port movements
October 2007 – Little Rock, AR –Metropolitan Planning Organizations
May 2006 – U. S./Canada/Mexico Trilateral Agreement
Established Steering Group to address issues and impediments
Developing an “Information Clearing House” trilateral website
Developing Shipper information
October 2007 –Administrator to Meet with Mexican Counterpart
Identify solutions that mitigate border crossing congestion
Seek opportunities for marine highway operations between the U.S. and Mexico
October Release Marine Highway Informational Video

16. Building the Marine Highway
Industry Solutions for the expansion of
America’s Marine Highway…
Contribute and participate in expanding America’s Marine Highway network.
Seek job growth opportunities for Americans.
Seek increased opportunities for Public-Private Partnerships.
Get the Word Out – This is a Solution.
Get State and Local Support.
Get Shipper and Carrier Support.
Focus on projects that can work in near-term to show success.

17. America’s Marine Highway Initiative Website