Search Results

open access

"Duck Boat" Accident Highlights Gap in Regulation

Description: This report discusses recent accidents involving amphibious passenger vehicles (APVs), commonly known as "duck boats." The report highlights a gap in the regulation of APVs and provides recommendations made by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to improve safety.
Date: July 20, 2018
Creator: Canis, Bill
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Funding and Financing Highways and Public Transportation

Description: This report discusses the current federal funding structure for surface transportation and the budget shortfalls in the Highway Trust Fund (made up of funds from gas taxes). Various options for resolving the funding shortfall are discussed, including raising the gas tax, public-private partnerships, and tolls.
Date: January 11, 2018
Creator: Kirk, Robert S. & Mallett, William J.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Administration's Infrastructure Program Emphasizes Nonfederal Revenue

Description: This report discusses the Trump Administration's infrastructure plan and specifically the newly proposed Infrastructure Incentives Program. The report focuses on the potential of the program for projects submitted to the Department of Transportation (DOT), one of the agencies that would be charged with administering the program in addition to the Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency. The proposal does not break out the funds that would be directed to specific agencies or t… more
Date: February 14, 2018
Creator: Mallett, William J.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Highway Bridge Conditions: Issues for Congress

Description: This report discusses the state of highway bridges in the U.S. and federal funding programs to assist in their repair and maintenance. Statistics on the numbers of structurally deficient bridges and their locations are included.
Date: January 17, 2018
Creator: Kirk, Robert S. & Mallett, William J.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Vessel Incidental Discharge Legislation in the 115th Congress: Background and Issues

Description: This report outlines regulations for vessels discharging ballast water into U.S waters, to prevent the spread of invasive species and pollution of bodies of water. It discusses various federal, state, and Coast Guard requirements along with exempted vessel types, and recent legislative action regarding the issue.
Date: January 8, 2018
Creator: Gatz, Laura
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Public Private Partnerships (P3s) in Transportation

Description: This report discusses the benefits and limitations of public-private partnerships (P3s) that involve long-term private financing, the experience with these types of P3s in the United States, and current federal policy. The report outlines a number of issues and policy options that Congress might consider: project evaluation and transparency, asset recycling, incentive grants, infrastructure banks, tax credits for equity and debt, Interstate highway tolling, and changes to an existing federal lo… more
Date: November 2, 2017
Creator: Mallett, William J.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Presidential Permit Review for Cross-Border Pipelines and Electric Transmission

Description: This report discusses the Presidential Permit review processes for cross-border energy infrastructure as implemented by these agencies: The Department of State for pipelines and similar facilities that transport liquids such as petroleum, petroleum products, and other hazardous liquids; The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for natural gas pipelines and associated facilities; and The Department of Energy (DOE) for electricity transmission lines and associated facilities. This report c… more
Date: April 19, 2017
Creator: Luther, Linda & Parfomak, Paul W.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Revitalizing Coastal Shipping for Domestic Commerce

Description: This report examines recent trends in waterborne freight movement within the United States and offers policy options that might strengthen the competitive position of coastal and Great Lakes shipping in the face of robust demand for freight transportation.
Date: May 2, 2017
Creator: Frittelli, John
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Tolling U.S. Highways and Bridges

Description: This report explains current federal policies governing tolling and discusses issues related to increasing the use of tolls as a source of revenue for surface transportation projects.
Date: August 4, 2017
Creator: Kirk, Robert S.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Airport Privatization: Issues and Options for Congress

Description: This report discusses airport privatization under the Airport Privatization Pilot Program (APPP) and the airports that have been involved in the program on some level. Examples of airport privatization in the United Kingdom and Canada are also discussed.
Date: August 16, 2017
Creator: Tang, Rachel Y.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Amtrak: Overview

Description: This report provides an overview of the Amtrak rail service, Topics discussed are funding sources and shortfalls, current and proposed infrastructure, current ridership, on-time arrival improvements needed, service areas, and private passenger rail initiatives in Texas, Florida, and California.
Date: September 28, 2017
Creator: Peterman, David Randall
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD): Fiscal Year 2017 Appropriations

Description: This report discusses the fiscal year 2017 appropriations for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Department of Transportation (DOT), and related agencies. Comparisons between previous and current funding levels and cuts proposed by the Trump Administration are also discussed.
Date: April 5, 2017
Creator: McCarty, Maggie & Peterman, David Randall
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

The Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing (RRIF) Program

Description: This report discuses the Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing (RRIF) loan program administered by the Department of Transportation (DOT) which offers long-term low interest loans to railroad operators fro improving rail infrastructure. It was originality intended to assist small freight railroads but has been of increasing interest to passenger rail lines. Its structure, application process, approved projects, and challenges are discussed.
Date: May 15, 2017
Creator: Peterman, David Randall
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Trespassing: The Leading Cause of Rail-Related Fatalities

Description: This report discusses rail-related fatalities and the problem of trespassing by pedestrians on the railroad tracks which is the leading cause of fatalities in rail incidents. Statistics on fatalities, known causes of trespassing, and initiatives to reduce trespassing incidents such as Operation Lifesaver are discussed.
Date: August 15, 2017
Creator: Frittelli, John
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Transport Agencies Withdraw Proposed Sleep Apnea Rules

Description: This report discusses the withdrawing of a proposed rule by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) that would have required long-haul truck drivers and railroad engineers to be screened for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The risks of OSA, current regulations and safety requirements, and recent accidents involving drivers with OSA are also discussed.
Date: October 2, 2017
Creator: Peterman, David Randall
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
Back to Top of Screen