2013 Kansas Transportation Summit

Transcription

1 2013 Kansas Transportation Summit Summary More than 300 Kansans participated in the Kansas Transportation Summit on Sept. 5 in Emporia. This is the first event hosted jointly by the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) and the Kansas Turnpike Authority (KTA) since their formalized partnership, passed by the 2013 Legislature, began. The Summit provided business, community and government leaders the opportunity to discuss leveraging transportation investments to generate economic growth in the State. The Summit featured remarks by Governor Sam Brownback, KDOT Secretary and Turnpike Director Mike King, Transportation Futurist Garry Golden, and a panel of business leaders. During the afternoon, attendees participated in breakout discussions on a variety of transportation topics. While each of these sessions had different topics, there were themes that emerged from multiple discussions. The first theme pertained to freight. There are expanding freight needs emerging and the State must put itself in a position to meet these demands in order to better serve the economy. This refers to both being able to support larger freight loads on our transportation infrastructure and improving connections to key freight corridors and connections among different modes of transportation. In response to these needs, a Kansas Freight Advisory Committee will be assembled to ensure that multimodal freight transportation needs are addressed in the planning, investment and operation of the Kansas transportation system. This committee will provide input on freight issues to the Secretary of Transportation. The second theme involved transportation funding. There was general consensus among participants that the current funding system for transportation that relies predominately on motor fuel taxes is not sustainable. And Kansas should be proactive in exploring innovative financing methods in order to be able to meet future transportation needs. In order to address these concerns, the State will assemble a Transportation Funding Advisory Committee. This committee will explore current funding structures and alternative financing options for the future. The committee will help establish recommendations for which future funding sources should be examined further by the State. In addition to these two themes, several other good points were made on specific transportation topics. Currently, KDOT and KTA staff are reviewing and evaluating all of the input given at the Summit and will be charged with finding ways to address any concerns that were raised and to explore any recommendations that were made. More information about what was discussed in each session can be found below.

2 Opening Comments A Welcome from President Shonrock Emporia State University President Michael Shonrock kicked off the summit by welcoming everyone to campus. Summit attendees came from a variety of backgrounds including industry stakeholders, local and state elected officials, private businesses, and economic development groups throughout the state. Update from Secretary King Secretary Mike King welcomed our guests and updated them on the current status of the formalized partnership between KDOT and KTA. He explained that currently teams of experts at both organizations are meeting to discuss best practices that will produce overall savings for all Kansas travelers on our state system or toll system. Transportation Today by Governor Brownback Governor Sam Brownback spoke with the audience about the importance of our overall transportation system to the growth and development of our state.

3 Panel Discussion The panel discussion moderated by Governor Brownback consisted of participants: Bud Wright Executive Director of the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO), Bob Honea from the University of Kansas Transportation Institute, Patrick Hessini from CHS, Inc., Robert Ciecko from AGCO North American, and Pat Cedeno from Watco. The panel discussion covered topics ranging from specific Kansas corridors, the future of transportation funding at the state and federal levels, and multi-modal travel options for those living in and traveling through our state. Panel Discussion Highlights: As equipment continues to get more efficient in the private sector it will likely equate to larger loads on the infrastructure system Funding sources for investment are stagnant and need to be re-evaluated by states The State needs to continue to be open to economic development needs of the private sector Connecting with the end users is important in an environment where cars and roads are unlikely to look the same 20 years from now

4 Keynote Speaker Garry Golden Keynote speaker Garry Golden, a futurist and transportation expert, took the stage to discuss ways in which industry changes can transform the needs on our system and ways that Kansas can uniquely position itself to respond to and be a leader in the development of transportation success in the next 30 years. Garry highlighted other industry developments that can lead to changes to the system such as the use of driver data by insurance companies, the smart car, and changes to the combustion engine. Garry suggested that Kansas continue to groom the next generation of innovative thinkers that are going to be willing and able to respond to the long-term changes coming in our system. On Funding - With regards to transportation funding, we are currently in a state of managing the decline. - The elephant in the room is the legacy that we ve inherited around a fuel-based funding system. - The necessary transition to a fee-based model will by a multi-decade transition. - We don t need to figure out how we are going to collect the fees as much as how we are going to change the culture. -Garry Golden What can Kansas do to prepare? On Connecting with Users - Businesses and organizations must realize that data sharing from the users in the form of necessary feedback is critical to their success. - Data and communication with users is the most important resource moving forward. -Garry Golden - In Kansas we want to make sure we have the talent, the policies and the regulatory understanding to move forward. - Make sure what you innovate on the farm, translates to your road system. Those two worlds must evolve parallel. - Kansas must create a talent pipeline in order to innovate and change the world. -Garry Golden

5 Break-out Session I Break-out Discussions Session I Session I break-out sessions were based on modal interest. The 45 minute sessions were designed to get attendees thinking about private industry growth and needs long-term. Transit and Passenger Rail The Transit and Passenger Rail discussion focused on private sector needs related to alternative modes of transportation such as transit and passenger rail. There was a recognition that private industry has not yet gotten engaged in Kansas on alternative transportation modes such as transit and passenger rail and perhaps KDOT could be the conduit for dialog. The attendees noted that expanded alternative transportation modes could help industries such as aviation and oil and gas. Participants noted the priority should be on preserving the existing service but keeping an open eye to potential benefits beyond return on investment for alternative transportation modes. There was a understanding that any efforts with transit and passenger rail would need to be collaborative with funding from the federal, state and local levels with investment from private industry. Local Systems -Investments in local infrastructure have lagged the rest of the system s investments -Crash rates seem higher on local roads -Bicycle and Pedestrian focused investments will continue to be important for quality of life as our population ages and for businesses looking to locate here -Private companies prefer to work with local governments because there is less bureaucracy Aviation In the Aviation discussion the importance of both air ambulance service and the Airport Weather Observation System was heavily emphasized. The changes being made by the Federal Aviation Commission including attempts to reduce the number of airports was a large part of the conversation. Recommendations for the future included shifting the State focus on pilots training and moving Kansas towards becoming America s fuel stop with around the clock self-service fueling facilities that could include credit card readers. The group also emphasized the importance of education and training regarding unmanned aerial systems in Kansas, noting that there are significant agricultural and disaster response opportunities unique to the State. The group also suggested that KDOT look to the Oklahoma model that includes a state aeronautics commission when considering future structuring of the division.

6 Freight and Rail A Freight Advisory Group is needed to discuss the following topics: -A multi-state approach would improve freight movement -Current load restrictions will not accommodate the larger freight in the future -The state should consider facilitating a conversation between shippers and railroads to create improved partnerships -Improved permitting and coordination between agencies would improve the movement of freight on our system. Highway Discussion Groups Interesting Highlights from Highway Discussions Changes in the farming equipment will result in heavier loads on highways. Kansas has a good freight connection corridors east-west but need to focus on cultivating north-south corridors. Users are likely to have different expectations for what they get out of the system in the future Four Highway Discussion Groups were held during the first session of the break -out groups. Change in need Highway discussion groups pointed out the overall change in need for the state will produce heavier loads on our state s system. Attendees noted that wind turbines, fracking, and farm equipment changes will contribute to larger loads on the system. While it was recognized that long-term solutions may be a 4- lane, it was recommended that the state study adding shoulders to routes currently seeing increases in oversized loads to assist with safety of moving freight through our state. Groups indicated this conversation should be held in tandem about how rail can fill that gap. Business Practices Participants indicated that access permits have a large impact on the ability of a business to come to and expand in our state and there is a large bureaucratic burden on the companies to get those permits. Local Partnerships Attendees noted that there is increased demand on the locals and cutting options such as the Transportation Revolving Fund was hurtful to the locals. Those discussing the current business practices of the agencies noted that they are very satisfied with the local consult process conducted by the state every two years.

7 Break-out Session II Break-out Discussions Session II Session II break-out sessions were based on different topics important to transportation in our state. Sessions were 45 minutes in length and really designed to get attendees thinking about private industry growth and needs long-term. Tolling The group discussed the possibility of using the turnpike traffic as a pilot project for incorporating alternative fuel filling stations such as CNG and LNG. Tolling was discussed in multiple break-out groups as the natural progression to a more consistent funding for new infrastructure investments. However, it was noted that innovative financing for new toll projects, which may come from the partnership of KDOT and KTA need to be explained carefully and some educational work needs to be done on tolling. When contemplating the potential impact on local infrastructure if traffic were to avoid toll usage and use alternative local routes, participants urged staff to use caution. Tolls seemed to produce a sense of equity among participants who felt that this was the fairest way to pay for capacity upgrade projects. Other ideas emerging from the discussion was interoperability with surrounding states like Oklahoma are a priority in the near-term, using the existing K-TAG system to pay for other things such as parking at airports, and the need to examine more closely the possibility of allowing businesses a discounted toll as part of an overall incentive package to locate their business in Kansas. Groups suggested that the KTA further study matching turnpike exits to facilitate business growth. It was noted that KTA was not originally built with economic development as a main focus-point but perhaps looking at additional access points could increase development along the corridor. The group expresses interest in the KTA studying the use of a transit or a bus component to commuters along the northeastern corridor. Economic Development -State needs to be responsive to businesses looking to develop by decreasing the turnaround time on Economic Development Funds -State needs to do a better job marketing the Economic Development program and getting the application information out to the public -Businesses are going to continue to rely heavily on a good transportation system in the short and long terms

8 Transportation Funding Alternative forms of funding such as a Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) system were generally supported by participants. It was felt that this is the general direction for the future and while there are concerns about the equity between urban and rural travelers the consensus that this was a more fair funding structure surfaced. Other funding options such as Public Private Partnerships (PPP) and increased permitting fees were generally supported but included limiting bureaucratic processes. Another option strongly supported in the discussion was to increase the local tax authority however it was expressed that a local fuel taxing authority would not be favorable. Future Transportation Planning -We need to plan with a new generation in mind, one that prefers urban areas and may use alternative modes of transportation like bicycles and walking paths more often than in the past -Mobility challenges of an aging population will change transit ridership demand in rural and urban areas in the future -We need to embrace technology and link it to the transportation modes of the future; telling users how long it will take them to get from point A to point B by all modes (car, bike, walking, air, public transit) -A new approach to multi-modal traffic planning is necessary. An approach that considers factors such as additional passing lanes for large loads, more highway/rail grade separations to improve safety and increase freight productivity -A need to plan for current major industries such as oil, aviation and agriculture but also potential future industries such as biofuel

9 Safety and Performance Measures Suggestions Performance Measures -Many people are not aware of the Performance Measures currently in place -The state needs to do a better job of education on why work is needed on specific corridors -Private business data sharing is important perhaps the state can share their date to increase private sector sharing Safety -The state should model private-sector risk management models -Additional signage indicating when a passing lane will happen would be helpful to drivers -Use of different colors on variable message boards to indicate the significance level of the situation for travelers Public Private Partnerships -Fiber projects are a main area where the state can partner with the private sector -There needs to be education on Public Private Partnerships and the value that they bring. This education needs to occur with the public, businesses, contractors, and consultants -Staffing changes may be necessary to have someone willing to sell the partnerships to the private sector -Create a clearinghouse that deals specifically with Public Private Partnerships

10 Next Steps Key themes emerging from the discussion at the 2013 Transportation Summit fell into two main categories: First, the need for the state to plan toward the private business growth and expanding freight needs in the future. Second, the need for a continued dialog regarding funding structures going forward including innovative financing techniques for new expansion projects. Below you can read more about the next steps being planned at this time. Kansas Freight Advisory Committee The State will convene a statewide Freight Advisory Committee to ensure that multimodal freight transportation needs are addressed in the planning, investment, and operation of Kansas system. The group will provide input to state transportation agencies regarding the importance of major freight corridors in Kansas. Transportation Funding Advisory Committee The State will convene a statewide Transportation Funding Advisory Committee that will help to explore current funding structures and items to consider for future funding planning. The group will help to establish recommendations for which future funding sources should be explored further by the state.