Topic Lecture

1. Topic Lecture CODI 2012 Kurt Fifelski

2. Resolution Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its transportation infrastructure investment in the United States.

3. Transportation Infrastructure Report Card for America’s Infrastructure: • Aviation • Bridges • Inland Waterways • Rail • Roads • Transit

4. Transportation Infrastructure Cont… Department of Energy: An end-use sector that consists of all vehicles whose primary purpose is transporting people and/or goods from one physical location to another. Included are automobiles; trucks; buses; motorcycles; trains, subways, and other rail vehicles; aircraft; and ships, barges, and other waterborne vehicles. Vehicles whose primary purpose is not transportation (e.g., construction cranes and bulldozers, farming vehicles, and warehouse tractors and forklifts) are classified in the sector of their primary use.

5. The Status Quo “The Congressional Budget Office estimates that America needs to spend $20 billion more a year just to maintain its infrastructure at the present, inadequate, levels. Up to $80 billion a year in additional spending could be spent on projects which would show positive economic returns. Other reports go further. In 2005 Congress established the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission. In 2008 the commission reckoned that America needed at least $255 billion per year in transport spending over the next half-century to keep the system in good repair and make the needed upgrades. Current spending falls 60% short of that amount.”- The Economist

6. Problems with Trains • European HSR average 140mph, Americas fasted train goes 70mph • America’s trains are only on time 77% of the time

7. Problems with Air • We rely on ground based tracking systems from the 1950s, causing planes to fly less efficient because they have to stay in contact with towers • Overbooked airports frequently result in airport congestion

8. Problems with Roads • Dependent on cars due to a lack of alternatives • Don’t maintain roads nearly enough

9. The current state of infrastructure • America is ranked 23rd in infrastructure quality- mediocre in comparison to other modernized countries • American traffic congestion is worse than western Europe • Americans spend more time commuting than the average Europeans (only in Hungary and Romania does it take longer to get to work)

10. Investment • Investment: “This would include the building of roads, ports, schools, hospitals etc. This corresponds to the definition of public investment in national accounts data, namely, capital expenditure.“- Anderson • This means grants, loan and technical assistance with public funds

11. How federal investment occurs • The highway trust fund is funded through the gas tax (18.4 cents per gallon on gasoline, 24.4 cpg on diesel) • Three accounts: Highway Account, Mass Transit Account, and the Leaking Undergound Tank Trust Fund • Currently a $14 billion dollar shortfall

12. Grants • Formula grants- grants given based on population • Discretionary grants- competitive grants

13. Who is this guy?

14. Who is this guy? Ray LaHood is the Sec. of Transportation- previously was a republican congressional member from the Prairie State.

15. Other forms of investment • State • Local • Private

16. Possible Affirmatives • High Speed Rail • Airport Improvement • Bike Lanes • Port Dredging • Railroad Improvement • National Infrastructure Bank

17. High Speed Rail

20. Advantages of HSR • Climate Change • Oil Dependence • Economy

21. Negative Consequences • $$$ • $$$ • $$$

22. Disads • Spending DA • Freight DA • Elections DA • Federalism

23. Counterplans • States • Public Private Partnerships

24. Critiques • Managerialism • Capitalism