DOT 11-10
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Contact:　 Olivia Alair
Tel.:　　 202-366-4570

FAA Sends Temporary Air Traffic Control Tower to Haiti
Additional Assistance Includes Ferry Service and Exemptions that Expand the Pool of Aircraft Available to Help in Relief Efforts

At the request of the Haitian government, the Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) dispatched a portable, temporary control tower to Haiti today to help assist with aircraft operations at Port-au-Prince International Airport. The tower is being transported aboard a large, chartered cargo aircraft and FAA technicians will install and prepare it for service which will take about 48 hours once it arrives in Port-au-Prince.

“This tower is a visible representation of the Department’s contribution to our government’s swift and considerable efforts to help Haiti deal with this terrible tragedy,” said DOT Secretary Ray LaHood.　 “We had great support from the military in arranging for the transport of this critical equipment.”

“We are all grateful for the incredible effort put in by FAA employees who have worked around the clock in Haiti and the Dominican Republic to help relief supplies and emergency responders arrive quickly and efficiently,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt.

The portable tower is 44 feet long, 13 feet high and eight feet wide, and weighs about 25,000 pounds.　 It comes with two diesel-powered generators and supporting fuel tanks, plus tools and other support equipment for installation and maintenance. The FAA uses this tower and others like it to support airports where existing towers are out of service after a disaster, like a major hurricane.

Controllers providing terminal air traffic control services have worked outside at a folding table, using military radios to handle about 160 flights a day.　 The airport’s control tower was rendered unusable by the devastating earthquake on January 12.　 Tower controllers provide service to arriving and departing flights in the immediate area of the airport and serve as ground controllers for movements on the airport surface.
　
Besides air traffic employees, the FAA has an airports division team on the ground to inspect and evaluate the physical condition of the runway as it handles a high volume of heavy military transport and cargo aircraft.　

Immediately following the earthquake, the Department granted two exemptions from current aviation restrictions, expanding the pool of available aircraft by making them easier to charter. The first exemption helps streamline the ability of the U.S. Government to procure charter air services on short notice.　　 The second granted authority to a class of carriers that operate large aircraft in private carriage, allowing them to evacuate persons from and bring personnel and supplies to the disaster area.　 Without this exemption, such conduct could violate the Department’s economic licensing requirement for airlines.

In addition to the FAA assistance, Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff granted an emergency petition to the principal public ferry service in Puerto Rico to use the Federally-funded vessel the "Cayo Largo" to transport 65 rescuers, rescue vehicles, and medicine to the port of Baraona, Dominican Republic to help in the Haiti relief effort.　 The ship sailed Monday from San Juan.

Also over the past week, the Department’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) mobilized six ships to assist with relief efforts in Haiti.　 Gopher State, Petersburg, Huakai, Alakai, Cornhusker State and Cape May are all either being prepared or currently loading.　 All are owned or controlled by MARAD, and will be crewed by civilian U.S. merchant mariners.

ENCLICKTAGENCLICKTAGENCLICKTAGENCLICKTAGENCLICKTAGENOPENTAG

Secretar LaHood Announces Additional Fast-Ferry Mobilized for Haiti
Hawaii Superferry Alakai Becomes Sixth Merchant Ship Activated

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood announced today that the Department’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) has started preparing the Alakai, a combined cargo and passenger ship built for ferry service in the Hawaiian Islands, for relief duty in Haiti.　 The ship will be crewed with U.S. civilian mariners.

“This ship will help our relief workers on the ground by allowing quick movements of people in and out of Haiti from various staging points,” said Secretary LaHood　　 “It is another example of why our country’s merchant marine is so important.”

The Alakai is a high-speed passenger and vehicle ferry, originally built for a specific service in the Hawaiian Islands. 　It is capable of carrying up to 866 passengers, as well as relief cargo at a top speed of nearly 40 knots in the open ocean. 　The catamaran hull gives the ship great stability in the water.　 It is currently undergoing preparations to leave its current location in Norfolk, VA.

　“We are coordinating with our fellow agencies to make sure the merchant marine is giving them everything they need,” Acting Maritime Administrator David T. Matsuda stated.　 “I am pleased that we can aid in this important effort while putting U.S. mariners to work on this distinctive ship.”

The Alakai joins five other MARAD ships activated over the past week: the Gopher State and the Cornhusker State, based in Newport News, VA; Cape May and Huakai, which are sailing from Norfolk, VA, and Petersburg, which is based in Alameda, CA.　 Details can be found on MARAD’s website:　 http://www.marad.dot.gov/　

MARAD is unique in its worldwide capabilities, maintaining fleets and expertise in support of the US military and emergency operations. Its mission is to promote the development of the American maritime industry, including its workforce. The agency also operates the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York.

Secretar LaHood Announces Additional Fast-Ferry Mobilized for Haiti
Hawaii Superferry Alakai Becomes Sixth Merchant Ship Activated

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood announced today that the Department’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) has started preparing the Alakai, a combined cargo and passenger ship built for ferry service in the Hawaiian Islands, for relief duty in Haiti.　 The ship will be crewed with U.S. civilian mariners.

“This ship will help our relief workers on the ground by allowing quick movements of people in and out of Haiti from various staging points,” said Secretary LaHood　　 “It is another example of why our country’s merchant marine is so important.”

The Alakai is a high-speed passenger and vehicle ferry, originally built for a specific service in the Hawaiian Islands. 　It is capable of carrying up to 866 passengers, as well as relief cargo at a top speed of nearly 40 knots in the open ocean. 　The catamaran hull gives the ship great stability in the water.　 It is currently undergoing preparations to leave its current location in Norfolk, VA.

　“We are coordinating with our fellow agencies to make sure the merchant marine is giving them everything they need,” Acting Maritime Administrator David T. Matsuda stated.　 “I am pleased that we can aid in this important effort while putting U.S. mariners to work on this distinctive ship.”

The Alakai joins five other MARAD ships activated over the past week: the Gopher State and the Cornhusker State, based in Newport News, VA; Cape May and Huakai, which are sailing from Norfolk, VA, and Petersburg, which is based in Alameda, CA.　 Details can be found on MARAD’s website:　 http://www.marad.dot.gov/　

MARAD is unique in its worldwide capabilities, maintaining fleets and expertise in support of the US military and emergency operations. Its mission is to promote the development of the American maritime industry, including its workforce. The agency also operates the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Encourages Small Businesses to Give Back to Their Communities
Secretary LaHood Joined by Actress, Activist Phylicia Rashad in
Calling on Small Businesses to Serve

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today challenged small and minority business leaders to build on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by answering President Obama’s call to use their unique skills to serve others on a sustained basis.　 The Secretary spoke with nearly 1,000 small and minority businesses leaders in a telephone conference call.

“President Obama, like Dr. King before him, is calling on us to once again embrace the spirit of public service,” said Secretary LaHood.　 “Each of us can make a difference, and each of us must.”

Secretary LaHood was joined by actress and long-time activist Phylicia Rashad, Director of the White House Office of Social Innovation Sonal Shah, U.S. Transportation Deputy Secretary John Porcari, and the DOT Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization Director Brandon Neal.

Phylicia Rashad spoke of “acts of selfless kindness that uplift life and reaffirm life and make life worth living.　 Service is a way of life.　 It isn’t just that you impart it to complete a project.　 It really does instill a sense of personal power from the people who benefit.”

“The small and minority business community offers a unique resource for building on Dr. King’s legacy,” said Brandon Neal, Director of the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization.　 “Together we can harness our energies to make our communities better places in which to live.”

Sonal Shah said that President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama believe the “solutions to our problems are in the communities,” and urged small business owners to visit www.serve.gov, a new site created to identify service opportunities in their communities.　

In 1994, Congress designated the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday as a national day of service. Taking place each year on the third Monday in January, the King Day of Service is the only federal holiday observed as a national day of service – a “day on, not a day off.” The King Day of Service empowers individuals, strengthens communities, bridges barriers, addresses social problems, and moves us closer to Dr. King’s vision of a “Beloved Community.”

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Volunteers in D.C. Community for MLK Day of Service
Secretary LaHood, DOT Leadership, Employees and Community Volunteers Mark Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday with Local Service Project

Washington, DC – U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood joined with senior DOT leadership, DOT employees, and community volunteers, to mark the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service by cleaning up a public space adjacent to Garfield Park in Southeast Washington, DC. Secretary LaHood and other volunteers worked to clear trash and debris, remove graffiti on the I-395 underpass and clean up the area surrounding the neighborhood park.　

“We all share a responsibility to serving our communities,” said Secretary LaHood. “Whether it’s mentoring a student, volunteering time at a shelter, visiting with an elderly neighbor, or cleaning up a local park, we can all make a difference.”

A number of local organizations and business joined in the MLK Day of Service effort in Southeast D.C., including Living Classrooms, W.C. Smith, the Capital Riverfront BID, and Friends of Garfield Park.

“Dr. King spent his life in service to others, and it's exciting to see so many Americans out doing the same today,”　said Nicola Goren, the Acting CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service. “Our hope is that people will make today the start of an ongoing commitment to service throughout the year.”　

In 1994, Congress designated the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday as a national day of service and charged the Corporation for National and Community Service with leading this effort. Taking place each year on the third Monday in January, the King Day of Service is the only federal holiday observed as a national day of service – a “day on, not a day off.” The King Day of Service empowers individuals, strengthens communities, bridges barriers, addresses social problems, and moves us closer to Dr. King’s vision of a “Beloved Community.”

The number of scheduled domestic and international passengers on U.S. airlines in October 2009 decreased by 1.4 percent from October 2008, declining by 0.9 million to 58.8 million, the Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) today reported.　 October marked the 18th month out of the last 19 months with a decrease in passengers from the previous year.

BTS, a part of DOT’s Research and Innovative Technology Administration, in a release of preliminary data, reported that U.S. airlines carried 1.3 percent fewer domestic passengers than in October 2008. International passengers on U.S. carriers decreased 2.8 percent.

For the first 10 months of 2009, the number of scheduled domestic and international passengers on U.S. airlines declined by 6.3 percent from the same period in 2008, dropping to 592.1 million, 39.8 million fewer than a year earlier, and the lowest January-to-October total since 2004. For historic numbers, see Traffic.

U.S. airlines carried 6.2 percent fewer domestic passengers and 7.2 percent fewer international passengers in the first 10 months of 2009 than during the same period in 2008.

Secretary LaHood Announces U.S. Merchant Marine Mobilizing for Haiti Relief
Maritime Administration Prepares Five Ships For Duty
　
WASHINGTON –Today U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood announced that the Department’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) is sending five ships to assist with relief efforts in Haiti.　 Gopher State, Petersburg, Huakai, Cornhusker State and Cape May are being prepared to sail to the Caribbean Ocean from different parts of the United States.　 All are owned or controlled by MARAD, and will be crewed by civilian U.S. merchant mariners.

“Sending these ships will help those on the front line of this effort save as many lives in Haiti as possible,” said Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood.　 “These ships will add crucial capabilities by supporting operations to move large volumes of people and cargo.”

　“Once again the U.S. Merchant Marine is answering the call for assistance, as it has done since our Nation began,” said Acting Maritime Administrator David T. Matsuda.　　　 “These ships and skilled crews are ideally suited to assist in Haiti by providing unique capabilities.　 One cargo ship can carry as much as 400 fully loaded cargo planes.”

M/V Huakai is a new high-speed ferry capable of speeds of nearly 40 knots in the open ocean.　 Petersburg, Cornhusker State, Cape May and Gopher State are part of MARAD’s Ready Reserve Force (RRF), which includes a total of forty-nine ships at ports around the country.　 Additional details on the RRF, and Petersburg, Cape May, Cornhusker State and Gopher State can be found at: http://www.marad.dot.gov/documents/RRF_FLEET_PAMPHLET.pdf

The Maritime Administration is unique in its worldwide capabilities, maintaining fleets and expertise in support of the US military and emergency operations. 　Its mission is to promote the development of the American maritime industry, including its workforce.　 The agency also operates the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York.

During the Haitian crisis in 1994, a total of 15 MARAD ships were activated for operation UPHOLD DEMOCRACY.　 In 2005, nine Maritime Administration ships supported support relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.　 The ships provided meals and shelter for workers, emergency response teams and longshoremen, providing about 83,000 berths and 270,000 meals over 6 months.

END

Obama Administration Proposes Major Public Transportation Policy Shift
to Highlight Livability
Changes Include Economic Development and Environmental Benefits

In a dramatic change from existing policy, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today proposed that new funding guidelines for major transit projects be based on livability issues such as economic development opportunities and environmental benefits, in addition to cost and time saved, which are currently the primary criteria.

In remarks at the Transportation Research Board annual meeting, the Secretary announced the Obama Administration’s plans to change how projects are selected to receive federal financial assistance in the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) New Starts and Small Starts programs. As part of this initiative, the FTA will immediately rescind budget restrictions issued by the Bush Administration in March of 2005 that focused primarily on how much a project shortened commute times in comparison to its cost.

“Our new policy for selecting major transit projects will work to promote livability rather than hinder it,” said Secretary LaHood. “We want to base our decisions on how much transit helps the environment, how much it improves development opportunities and how it makes our communities better places to live.”

The change will apply to how the Federal Transit Administration evaluates major transit projects going forward. In making funding decisions, the FTA will now evaluate the environmental, community and economic development benefits provided by transit projects, as well as the congestion relief benefits from such projects.

“This new approach will help us do a much better job of aligning our priorities and values with our transit investments” said FTA Administrator Peter Rogoff. “No longer will we ignore the many benefits that accrue to our environment and our communities when we build or expand rail and bus rapid transit systems.”

FTA will soon initiate a separate rulemaking process, inviting public comment on ways to appropriately measure all the benefits that result from such investments.

DOT Issues Additional Proposed Rule on Transportation of Lithium Batteries

Washington, D.C. – In its continuing effort to improve aviation safety, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) today proposed to strengthen safeguards for air shipments of lithium batteries and cells, including when they are packed with or contained in equipment.　 The proposed changes will ensure that lithium batteries are designed to withstand normal transportation conditions and that they are packaged to reduce the possibility of damage that could lead to an unsafe incident.

“Safety is our highest priority, said U.S. Transportation Secretary LaHood.　 “This rulemaking is important for the protection of the traveling public and many of those who work in the aviation industry.　 We have to make sure lithium batteries or any other hazardous materials taken on planes are carried in the safest way possible.　 This rule will help us achieve a safer aviation environment without imposing a ban on the transport of lithium batteries by air.”

Since 1991, more than 40 air transport-related incidents involving lithium batteries and devices powered by lithium batteries have been identified.　

The Department's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, in coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), developed this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on display today in the Federal Register to comprehensively address the safe transportation of lithium cells and batteries when being shipped on aircraft.　

In part, DOT proposes to:

•　Eliminate regulatory exceptions for small lithium cells and batteries when included in an air shipment; and require their transportation as Class 9 materials, meaning they could pose a hazard when transported;
•　Subject packages of small lithium batteries to well-recognized marking and labeling requirements for hazardous materials;
•　Require transport documentation to accompany a shipment of small lithium batteries, including notifying the pilot in command of the presence and location of lithium batteries being shipped on the aircraft;
•　Require manufacturers to retain results of satisfactory completion of United Nations design-type tests for each lithium cell and battery type;
•　Limit stowage of lithium cell and battery shipments aboard aircraft to cargo locations accessible to the crew or locations equipped with an FAA-approved fire suppression system, unless transported in a container approved by the FAA Administrator; and
•　Apply appropriate safety measures for the transport of lithium cells or batteries identified as being defective for safety reasons, or those that have been damaged or are otherwise being returned to the manufacturer, and limit the transportation of defective or damaged cells or batteries to highway and rail.

“Under existing regulations, a flight crew may not be made aware of a pallet containing thousands of lithium batteries on board the aircraft, yet a five-pound package of flammable paint or dry ice would be subject to the full scope of the regulations.　 That makes little sense,” said House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Jim Oberstar (D-MN).　 “This rulemaking protects the safety of the traveling public and flight crews on board passenger and cargo aircraft and in ground operations.　 It ensures that all lithium batteries will be regulated and addresses the National Transportation Safety Board’s recommendations issued more than a decade ago.　 I congratulate the department for this important step forward.”

“As our Committee has documented, there is more than enough evidence showing the need to enhance safety standards when shipping lithium batteries,” House Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Jerry Costello (D-IL) said.　 “The frequency of incidents combined with the difficulty in extinguishing lithium battery fires warrants taking strong action.　 These new regulations proposed by the Department of Transportation, will enhance safety for passengers, pilots, crews and our entire transportation system.”

For more detailed information on battery shipment requirements in the Hazardous Materials Regulations go to: http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/hazmat/regs/rulemaking/final.