NO PHONE ZONE

No Phone Zone is a programme developed by Oprah Winfrey and released on March 6, 2010, about how to teach people not to talk or text on their cell phone while they are driving. The program was shown at the beginning and end of The Oprah Winfrey Show and was sponsored by Liberty Mutual and Sprint.

Winfrey released No Phone Zone on March 6, 2010, in an episode where teenagers were taught not to do any form of electronic communication in any vehicle. They should make any vehicle a “No Phone Zone”. Winfrey also made viewers’ comments about No Phone Zone via Skype, an Internet sharing video provider.No Phone Zone day

Winfrey declared the first national “No Phone Zone day” on April 30, 2010. Ray LaHood partnered with Winfrey to end distracted driving for anyone who resides in Chicago.

Research Funding for Planning and Environment, FY2003-2010 (STEP, TELUS, TRANSIMS, earmarks,minus obligation limitations, rescissions)

FHWA Research Funding for Planning and Environment by Source, FY2003-FY2010 (minus obligation limitations, rescission’s)

* TELUS is the Transportation, Economic and Land Use System. Funding was included in Technology Deployment for FY03-FY05

** The proposed FY2011 STEP funding levels are subject to the completion of the FY2011 Department of Transportation (DOT) appropriations process.

In FY 2011, STEP is likely to address national research priorities that include:

1. (1) Conducting research to develop climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies;
2. (2) Improving state of the practice regarding livability and the impact of transportation on the environment;
3. (3) Developing and/or supporting accurate models and tools for evaluating transportation measures and developing indicators of economic, social, and environmental performance of transportation systems;
4. (4) Developing and deploying research to address congestion reduction efforts;
5. (5) Developing transportation safety planning strategies for surface transportation systems and improvements;
6. (6) Improving planning, operation, and management of surface transportation systems and rights of way;
7. (7) Enhancing knowledge of strategies to improve transportation in rural areas and small communities;
8. (8) Strengthening and advancing State/local and tribal capabilities regarding surface transportation and the environment;
9. (9) Improving transportation decision-making and coordination across borders;
10. (10) Conducting research to promote environmental streamlining/stewardship;
11. (11) Disseminating research results and advances in state of the practice through peer exchanges, workshops, conferences, etc;
12. (12) Meeting additional priorities as determined by the Secretary; and
13. (13) Refining the scope and research emphases through active outreach and in consultation with stakeholders

Stakeholders with an interest in environment and planning research is enormous and diverse, including these three tiers:

Tier 1 – Federal Agencies and Tribes: There are at least a score of Federal agencies with strong interest in transportation planning and environmental programs including: the Departments of Commerce, Defense, Homeland Security, Agriculture, Energy, Interior (DOI) and Housing and Urban Development, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Within each of these agencies, there are many discrete organizations/programs with an interest – e.g., National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Bureau of Land Management within the DOI. Within the US Department of Transportation (USDOT), FHWA partners with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) on virtually all planning and environmental work, including research. The FHWA also coordinates with the Federal Railroad, Aviation, Research and Innovative Technology, National Highway Traffic Safety and Maritime Administrations, and with the Office of the Secretary of Transportation on Global Climate Change as well as other issues. There are over 500 federally recognized Native American Tribes, which have a major interest in research affecting their planning and environmental needs.

Tier II – State and Local Government: State Departments of Transportation (State DOTs), Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), local governments, state/local environmental and natural resource agencies and State Historic Preservation Officers all have a major interest in environment and planning research, as the research affects national policy and can also provide important tools, information, and training to meet short term and long term needs of these agencies. Universities also play a key role in conducting research that addresses emerging environment and planning issues.

Tier III – Nongovernmental Transportation and Environmental Stakeholders: Within the transportation and environment sector, there are hundreds and perhaps thousands of nongovernmental stakeholders such as: the American Automobile Association, American Road & Transportation Builders Association, American Highway Users Alliance, Surface Transportation Policy Project, Defenders of Wildlife, American Association of Retired Persons, Sierra Club, Conservation Law Foundation, American Council of Engineering Companies, American Planning Association, League of American Bicyclists, National Trust for Historic Preservation, International Right of Way Association, National Alliance of Highway Beautification Agencies and others too numerous to specify here.

The FHWA faces a great challenge to involve all of the above stakeholders in STEP, considering the large number of interested organizations and the dramatic differences in their views and interests. Nonetheless, FHWA will make a strong effort to seek out and consider the views of all of the above interests in shaping STEP and carrying out the STEP.

The Federal Highway Administration has announced the award of over $9.4 million in grants to rehabilitate and preserve 14 historic covered bridges in 10 states under the fiscal year 2009 National Historic Covered Bridge Preservation (NHCBP) program. The project grant selections included the Blair Covered Bridge in Grafton County, N.H, one of the earliest examples of the “pre-stressing” construction technique, which allows a bridge to carry a greater load or span a greater distance. Another project grant recipient is the Layng Covered Bridge, one of the oldest covered bridges in Lane County, Oregon. The awards program also includes funding for research on improving load testing and treatment for preserving and restoring historic bridges. To receive funding bridges must be eligible for listing under the National Register of Historic Places.

Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) was created by the Department of Transportation Act of 1966 (49 U.S.C. 103, Section 3(e)(1)). The purpose of FRA is to: promulgate and enforce rail safety regulations; administer railroad assistance programs; conduct research and development in support of improved railroad safety and national rail transportation policy; provide for the rehabilitation of Northeast Corridor rail passenger service; and consolidate government support of rail transportation activities. Today, the FRA is one of ten agencies within the U.S. Department of Transportation concerned with intermodal transportation. It operates through seven divisions under the offices of the Administrator and Deputy Administrator.

Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation is a wholly owned government corporation created by statute May 13, 1954, to construct, operate and maintain that part of the St. Lawrence Seaway between the Port of Montreal and Lake Erie, within the territorial limits of the United States. Trade development functions aim to enhance Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Seaway System utilization without respect to territorial or geographic limits.

The mission of the Corporation is to serve the U.S. inter-modal and international transportation system by improving the operation and maintenance of a safe, reliable, efficient, and environmentally responsible deep-draft waterway, in cooperation with its Canadian counterpart. The SLSDC also encourages the development of trade through the Great Lakes Seaway System, which contributes to the comprehensive economic and environmental development of the entire Great Lakes region.

The SLSDC headquarters staff offices are located in Washington, D.C. Operations are located at the two U.S. Seaway locks (Eisenhower and Snell) in Massena, N.Y

RITA coordinates the U.S. Department of Transportation’s research and education programs, and is working to bring advanced technologies into the transportation system. RITA also offers vital transportation statistics and analysis, and supports national efforts to improve education and training in transportation-related fields. RITA works to ensure that the nation’s transportation research investments produce results for the American people.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is an agency of the United States Department of Transportation with authority to regulate and oversee all aspects of civil aviation in the U.S. (National Airworthiness Authority). The Federal Aviation Act of 1958United States Department of Transportation. created the group under the name “Federal Aviation Agency”, and adopted its current name in 1967 when it became a part of the

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is an agency of the Executive Branch of the U.S. Government, part of the Department of Transportation.  “Save lives, prevent injuries, reduce vehicle-related crashes.”

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) was created under the Norman Y. Mineta Research and Special Programs Improvement Act (P.L. 108-426) of 2004. United States president George Bush signed the legislation into law on November 30, 2004. The purpose of the Act was to provide the Department a more focused research organization and establish a separate operating administration for pipeline safety and hazardous materials transportation safety operations.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) was established as a separate administration within the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) on January 1, 2000, pursuant to the Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act of 1999. FMCSA is headquartered in Washington, DC and employs more than 1,000 people in all 50 States and the District of Columbia, all assigned to improving the safety of commercial motor vehicles.

United States Maritime Administration or MARAD, is an agency of the United States Department of Transportation that maintains the National Defense Reserve Fleet (NDRF) as a ready source of ships for use during national emergencies, and assists the NDRF in fulfilling its role as the nation’s fourth arm of defense, logistically supporting the military when needed.

Surface Transportation Board of the United States is a bipartisan, decision-independent adjudicatory body organizationally housed within the U.S. Department of Transportation. The STB was established in 1996 to assume some of the regulatory functions that had been administered by the Interstate Commerce Commission when the ICC was abolished. Other ICC regulatory functions were either eliminated or transferred to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration or to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics within DOT.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) coordinates highway transportation programs in cooperation with states and other partners to enhance the country’s safety, economic vitality, quality of life, and the environment. Major program areas include the Federal-Aid Highway Program, which provides federal financial assistance to the States to construct and improve the National Highway System, urban and rural roads, and bridges. This program provides funds for general improvements and development of safe highways and roads. The Federal Lands Highway Program provides access to and within national forests, national parks, Indian reservations and other public lands by preparing plans and contracts, supervising construction facilities, and conducting bridge inspections and surveys. The FHWA also manages a comprehensive research, development, and technology program.

Before any project can move forward to construction, the FHWA must address and comply with numerous laws related to the environment. These laws cover social, economic, and environmental concerns ranging from community cohesion to threatened and endangered species

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) assists in developing improved mass transportation system for cities and communities nationwide. Through its grant programs, FTA helps plan, build, and operate transit systems with convenience, cost and accessibility in mind. While buses and rail vehicles are the most common type of public transportation, other kinds include commuter ferryboats, trolleys, inclined railways, subways, and people movers. In providing financial, technical and planning assistance, the agency provides leadership and resources for safe and technologically advanced local transit systems while assisting in the development of local and regional traffic reduction.

Along with Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the FTA Office of Planning administers a national program of planning assistance that provides funding, guidance, and technical support to state and local transportation agencies. The ten regional offices of FTA and the 52 division offices of FHWA help to convey the program to the states, local governments, and their transportation agencies. These responsibilities include compliance with environmental review requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and transportation planning and conformity requirements under the Clean Air Act.