TDA Newsletter
10/28/2019
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2019 TDA Annual Meeting
November 7
Sheraton Madison
From the buses in Racine to the Port of Green Bay to the rail lines in Superior to the Waukesha County Airport to the roads we use every day, Wisconsin's transportation network is the key to connecting goods to market and people to jobs.
TDA and partners have had success in the last several years, raising the awareness of the transportation funding issue and securing significant new, ongoing revenue in the 2019-2021 budget. But we are not done yet.
Join us at this year's annual meeting to acknowledge our accomplishments, celebrate some exciting things happening in Wisconsin that would not be possible without the state's transportation system, and to hear what's next.
Because at TDA, we know… It's About TIME.
Please register by this Friday, November 1.
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TDA's Latest "On the Go" Podcast: The Importance of Transportation in Agri-Business Success
TDA's newest On the Go podcast features Tom Bressner,
executive director of the Wisconsin Agri-Business Association
.
Bressner details how transportation infrastructure is an essential element in his members’ economic success.
"When we talk about rural roads, the issue is the deterioration. We see so many cases now to where you have to avoid certain bridges or certain roads," Bressner said. "If that feed truck, or the milk truck, or that load of grain can’t cross that first bridge on a road in the middle of nowhere, you just took the efficiency out of the entire food chain."
But Bressner said his members understand the importance of maintaining the complete transportation system so that goods can get to market and service providers can help clients across the state.
Listen to the latest episode (and all previous episodes)
here
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In Wisconsin, Taking the Road Less Traveled is Worth It
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In the latest
In Business
blog, TDA Executive Director Debby Jackson highlights the beauty of Wisconsin and the state’s Rustic Road program.
"This program, which has been around for over 40 years, provides motorists, bicyclists, and hikers an opportunity to leisurely tour the state's scenic countryside. There are 120 designated rustic roads covering more than 724 miles. Fifty-nine of Wisconsin’s 72 counties have at least one rustic road...
"While we usually think of our transportation system as a way to get places, taking the detour on R-96 reminds me our transportation system is also a way to experience places."
More
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TDA Making the Case
From Hudson to New London, TDA has made connections around the state over the last month.
TDA continues to reach out to civic and business organizations to talk about the state of transportation in Wisconsin.
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Wisconsin Transportation News
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Transportation in the News
Fox 11 News
October 17, 2019
The Dunn County News
October 17, 2019
Milwaukee Business Journal
October 16, 2019
Wisconsin State Journal
September 29, 2019
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Michigan Road Funding at a Standstill
The Michigan fiscal year 2020 budget signed September 30 by Governor Whitmer (D) after $947 million in line-item vetoes increased overall spending 3% from 2019. However, seven departments – including transportation – experienced small cuts.
Whitmer vetoed $375 million of the $400 million the legislature trimmed from other departments to fund additional transportation spending. If the veto was expected to force lawmakers back to the negotiating table, it hasn’t worked yet. Road funding talks ended in early September and have not resumed.
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Washington State Transportation Commission to Weigh in on Pay-by-Mile User Fee
The Washington Transportation Commission is expected to vote on a report from the panel that studied a pay-by-mile funding system. A switch from the gas tax is
being considered because the rise of more fuel-efficient and electric cars has eroded the state's ability to rely on the gas tax long term.
The committee's recommendations will be passed on to the governor and legislature to consider during its next session in January.
Washington began looking at a pay-by-mile fee, also known as Road User Chargers (RUCs), in 2012.
More
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Other Transportation News
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National Freight Report Highlights Growing Capacity Challenges
TRIP - October 3, 2019
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Each year, the U.S. freight system moves approximately 17.7 billion tons of freight, valued at $16.8 trillion. Trucks carried 72 percent of freight by value in 2016 and 66 percent by weight. From 2016 to 2045, freight moved annually in the U.S. by trucks is expected to increase 91 percent in value (inflation-adjusted dollars) and 44 percent by weight.
According to the report, Wisconsin freight (all modes) is expected to grow 81% by value and 34% by weight between 2016 and 2045.
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USDOT Secretary Chao Announces New Rural Infrastructure Focus
USDOT - October 8, 2019
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao announced the creation of a major new initiative to support transportation needs in rural America. The initiative, known as the Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success (ROUTES) Initiative, will analyze the Department’s discretionary funding and financing opportunities to ensure nationwide outcomes for rural communities’ transportation infrastructure.
Read more
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Number of Licensed Teen Drivers on the Rise
AAA Newsroom - October 21, 2019
More than 60% of teens got their driver’s license before the age of 18, according to new research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. An 11% increase since 2012.
The new report reveals a changing trend in teen licensure from when the Foundation first evaluated the issue in 2012. At the time, the country was just emerging from a recession and many young people cited their family’s inability to afford the high cost of driving as a reason why they did not obtain their license sooner.
Read more
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UPS Wins Drone Delivery Race, Becomes First Nationwide Drone Airline
UPS - October 1, 2019
On October 1, UPS announced it was granted the first full Part 135 certification for a drone airline from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). The shipping company beat out major competitors to be the first company certified to develop a drone airline, including tech-forward giants like Amazon and Google.
Read more
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Madison Area Bus Advocates
engages in research, education, partnership, and advocacy with the goals of increasing bus ridership, expanding bus service, and improving the bus system in the greater Madison area.
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Sam Johnston has joined the team at TDA. With majors in Operations Management and Marketing from Indiana University and a background in warehousing, he hopes to bring fresh ideas to TDA and the role of member relations and operations management.
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Transportation Development Association of Wisconsin
10 East Doty Street, Suite 201 | Madison, WI 53703
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