 "I am very pleased that Illinois will be well-represented on this important
committee," Quinn said. "Secretary Schneider is representing Illinois and
Midwest transportation interests as this influential panel designs a national
freight policy that will serve and enhance the efficiency of regional and local
highway, rail, airport and inland waterway freight systems."
Schneider's appointment by the U.S. Department of Transportation recognizes
Illinois' central and important role as a transportation hub for the successful
movement of freight for industry, agriculture, manufacturing, labor and business
communities.
"I am honored to represent Illinois and to be a part of establishing freight
policy for the nation," Schneider said. "I will emphasize that we must view our
national and regional modes of transportation as one transportation system, a
system that must be viewed using a multi-modal, intermodal and sustainable lens
in order to achieve more efficient, seamless, effective connections."
The National Freight Advisory Committee will provide recommendations aimed at
improving the national freight transportation system. A strong freight
transportation system is critical to the nation's economy and essential for
helping meet President Obama's goal of doubling U.S. exports by 2015.
The recent transportation bill, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st
Century, or MAP-21, signed by President Obama in July 2012, established a
national freight policy and called for the creation of a National Freight
Strategic Plan. The advisory committee will provide recommendations to the U.S.
secretary of transportation on how the department can improve its freight
transportation policies and programs. The committee members will engage
stakeholders representing diverse geographic, modal and policy interests, such
as safety, labor and the environment, while developing these recommendations.
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Illinois' extensive system of highways, rail, air and inland
waterways provides a critical service for local, regional, national
and international freight systems. The northeastern Illinois region,
including Chicago, ranks first in the nation and third in the world
as the busiest intermodal transportation hub, and ranks third in the
nation in terms of freight tonnage and in trucking and rail volume.
Illinois also ranks second in rail intermodal movement and is served
by all seven major nationwide railroads, connecting a vital national
freight network spanning coast to coast and from Canada to Mexico.
As head of the Illinois Department of Transportation, Schneider
is responsible for all of the transportation systems in the state
and appreciates the critical impact of freight movement on the
economy of the state and the nation. Under her leadership, Illinois
developed its first statewide Freight Mobility Plan as well as a
State Rail Plan. These plans address not only highway and rail
transport but also air and water transport. The plans represent a
vision for transportation in Illinois that all modes be integrated,
coordinated, planned and built with the idea that present and future
travel options are user-focused, economically supportive,
ecologically sensitive and information-centered.
"I will encourage the advisory committee to identify the gaps in
our freight delivery network so we can address those problems and
provide greater efficiency with our transportation systems,"
Schneider said. "With Illinois' freight tonnage estimated to
increase by a third by 2040, we must prepare a regional and national
transportation system capable of meeting the future challenges and
opportunities of a global economy."
[Text from
Illinois Department of
Transportation file received from the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information] |
