Transportation Data News

The Federal Maritime Commission met in both open and closed session today to be briefed on efforts to address detention and demurrage, improve supply chain data transparency, and an ongoing investigation of Canadian government regulations that affect U.S. flag Great Lakes shipping. The Commission was also advised of the work its Area Representatives are doing at locations key to shipping around the Nation.Lucille Marvin, the Commission’s Managing Director is leading both the Vessel-Operating Common Carrier (VOCC) Audit Program and VOCC Audit Team…

A divided Senate Commerce Committee on Thursday approved legislation requiring the government to report on the performance of major U.S. port operations, including during labor contract talks. The voice vote, which follows a nine-month slowdown at 29 West Coast ports, sent the measure on to possible floor action, over the objections of Democrats and unions who warned that it could lead to improper federal intervention in contract talks. Titled the Port Performance Act, the bill is intended to help Congress analyze supply trends and identify freight bottlenecks by requiring U.S. Department of Transportation data on capacity levels and cargo volumes at major U.S. ports.

BTS’ National Transportation Statistics Updated - The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA), has updated National Transportation Statistics (NTS) – a web-only reference guide to national-level transportation data.   NTS, updated quarterly, includes a wide range of national transportation information. NTS consists of more than 260 tables of national data on the transportation system, safety, the economy and energy and the environment, of which 37 were updated today. The next quarterly update is scheduled for April. NTS  can be viewed on the BTS website.  Contact: Dave Smallen (202) 366-5568.

The Port of Pittsburgh Commission (PPC) is building an innovative wireless broadband network along the rivers in Pittsburgh and is seeking partners to explore new applications for transportation, safety, security and environmental monitoring, according to James R. McCarville, Executive Director of the Port of Pittsburgh Commission. The project, called Wireless Waterways, consists of both the Network System Infrastructure (NSI), which will be scalable and expandable, and an Interoperability Test Bed (ITB). The project has been under construction for nearly a year by the PPC’s contractor, CONXX, Inc., from Johnstown, PA. The PPC will begin to conduct experiments within the Test Bed in June.

The U.S. The paradigm for global transportation security underwent a dramatic shift in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks. In the years that followed, industry and government worked together to add layers of security to mitigate risk while maintaining the flow of commerce. The Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Maritime Administration (MARAD) has since developed security initiatives which ensure safety and efficiency in America’s Marine Transportation System (MTS) by focusing on three crucial improvement categories: transparency, accountability and resiliency.

Information on the condition and performance of the Marine Transportation System – including ports, vessels, waterways and intermodal connections – will be available on a Web-based, data-driven set of tools developed by the MarAd. The information system, called MarView, provides access to more than 2500 links to transportation data sources, giving statistics on intermodal freight transportation and on trained and licensed mariners. It provides real-time tracking of vessels, plus physical attributes information on national and international ports, vessels, and related facilities. MarView provides real time information on waterways and facilities and background facts about domestic and foreign shipbuilding and repair yards. Access to MarView is granted through a free subscription only.