T4 AMERICA URGES CO-SPONSORSHIP OF H.R.2724
THE “NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION OBJECTIVES ACT OF 2009”
SPONSORS:
Representatives’ Rush Holt (D-NJ), Jay Inslee (D-WA) and Russ Carnahan (D-MO)
WHAT IT DOES:
Over the years, the federal surface transportation program has presented the equivalent of a blank check to the states, with guaranteed funding despite past performance outcomes. With so much money at stake, the next bill must articulate a clear and compelling national vision with specific goals that build and maintain the National Transportation System.
H.R. 2724 establishes national objectives to ensure that federal transportation investments are wisely invested and advance national purposes tied to economic development, energy efficiency, health, improved access and mobility, improved air and water quality, and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and foreign oil dependence. The following performance targets in H.R. 2724 would measure and advance these objectives:
• Reduce per capita vehicle miles traveled by 16 percent.
• Triple walking, biking, and public transportation usage.
• Reduce transportation-generated carbon dioxide level by 40 percent.
• Reduce delay per capita by 10 percent.
• Increase proportion of freight transportation provided by railroad and intermodal services by 20 percent.
• Achieve 0 percent population exposure to at-risk levels of air pollution.
• Improve public safety and lower congestion costs by reducing traffic crashes by 50 percent.
• Increase share of major highways, regional transit fleets and facilities, and bicycling/pedestrian infrastructure in good state of repair condition by 20 percent.
• Reduce average household combined housing plus transportation costs by 25 percent, using 2000 as a base year.
• Increase by 50 percent the number of essential destinations (work and non-work) accessible within 30 minutes by public transportation or 15 minutes by walking, for low-income, senior, and disabled populations.
