AMT Letter To Chairman Shuster Before Committee Hearing

February 1, 2017

The Honorable Bill Shuster
United States House of Representatives
2079 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Chairman Shuster,

Our new 115th Congress has a unique opportunity this year to lay the foundation for a modern American infrastructure system. As our country’s roads, highways, bridges, ports, and airports continue to deteriorate, bipartisan collaboration has become critical. With both Trump Administration and Senate Democratic proposals to secure a comprehensive infrastructure package already public, we urge you to lead your committee in support of investments and common-sense policies that will spur economic growth and job creation.

Underinvestment and a lack of attention to the nation’s infrastructure has left American families in harm’s way, spurred economic inefficiencies, and put undue stress on our environment. We need to do more than maintain our existing roads, bridges, and waterways. To fully deliver results for the long-term, reforms should also leverage technologies and efficiencies developed by the private sector. Let’s not invest in the infrastructure system of the past but lay the foundation for one of the future.

Thankfully, many of our policymakers, including yourself, have acknowledged these facts and are actively working to rectify the situation. The Americans For Modern Transportation coalition has identified three policy opportunities to guide the creation of a modern infrastructure system:

• Sustainability Improvements: The reduction of emissions and improved fuel efficiency will improve overall environmental quality while strengthening our economic and national security. Advanced trucking equipment like Twin 33 trailers are low-hanging fruit for rapidly increasing fuel efficiency, cutting emissions, and making our highways safer. Fully utilized on the national highway network, Twin 33s in particular can reduce carbon emissions by 4.4 billion pounds, save 204 million gallons of fuel, and eliminate 912 crashes over the course of a year – all without compromising the condition or safety of our nation’s highways.

• Technology Upgrades: The exploration of smart and adaptive vehicle technologies should be supported and incorporated in new advanced trucking equipment. Once implemented on a national level, advanced transportation systems, or Smart Road Systems, promise incredible improvements to road safety, fuel efficiency, and travel times as a result of reduced congestion.

• Enhanced Driver Safeguards: Improved road and bridge infrastructure means a safer environment for all drivers and their passengers to navigate. All new roadways should be constructed with features, including rumble strips, widened shoulders, and well-engineered asphalt, that promote longevity and a safe, high-quality driving experience for all vehicles.

The private sector continues to make investments in our workforce, new technologies, and existing equipment to ensure our fleets are as efficient, as sustainable, and as safe as possible. We need the same forward-looking effort from our partners in federal and state governments so all Americans have access to the full promise enabled by a modern transportation system.

We look forward to working with the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and seizing this opportunity to usher the country into a new era of infrastructure investment.

Sincerely,
The Americans For Modern Transportation Coalition