RECORD OF MEETING

FREIGHT TASK FORCE

 

Friday, August 19, 2005, CDTC Office, Colonie, NY

 

Attendance: 

 


Joe Tario (NYSERDA)

Ted Thompson (NYSDOT)

Teresa La Salle (CDTC)

Jason Purvis (CDTC)


 

 

Discussion Items

 

A. Port of Albany PIDN – J. Purvis noted that Tony Vasil reported that numbers are down due to the season.  Logs will be beginning soon and things are expected to pick up in the fall.  An activity level graph was provided showing PIDN Activity Levels from April 15, 2003 – July 31, 2005.

 

B. NYSDOT Projects- T. Thompson noted that a project is in the works to ship produce on trains from the Pacific Northwest to Albany, possibly using warehouse space in the North East Industrial Park in Guilderland.  Handouts were provided.

 

 NYSDOT has reviewed a draft document on expansion of the North East Industrial Park in Guilderland and Ted reports that there is little impact expected on traffic and transportation infrastructure.

 

T. Thompson reported that the Adirondack Beverage Tandem Trials concluded on June 30th and are awaiting final approval.  Ted expects a recommendation from NYSDOT to approve. 

 

T. Thompson also reported that the system to notify trucking companies of road closures is working well.

 

T. Thompson noted that Canadian Pacific is using the Kenwood Yard for intermodal movement of goods, mostly by JB Hunt. 

 

T. Thompson attended a recent Airport Authority Meeting in which he learned that the airport is experiencing a shift in the size of planes servicing the airport.  Smaller commuter planes are making more frequent flights and therefore there is a decline in belly freight, since the smaller planes do not have as much belly capacity.  UPS, FEDEX, and DHL are still maintaining a steady fleet.

 

C. SAFETEA-LU – J. Purvis provided a handout of Freight related programs fact sheets.

 

D. Status of Technical Memo to CDTC - J. Purvis noted that he is waiting on comments from the NYS Thruway.

Member Updates/Current Events

 

 

NYSERDA – J. Tario reported that under the first round of Program Opportunity Notice (PON), NYSERDA has approved $1.6M of funding for twelve projects:

 

Aluminum 3rd Rail Testing

Applications of Ground Penetrating Radar for Bridges

Automatic Switch and 3rd Rail Heater Development

Congestion Pricing in NYC: Concept to Reality

EGR and Non-Thermal Plasma for Diesel Emissions

Electromagnetic Non-Contact Density Measurement

eTRU-Shorepower Tractor Trailer Demonstration – Phase II

GUI Software for IMPOST Commercialization

Marketing Incentives for Metroking Taxis

Miniature Electronic Wheel Gauge for Railroad Cars

NYC Refuse Fleet Hydraulic Hybrid Demonstration

Universal Real-Time Highway Information Systems

 

The second round of proposals are due on October 5th 2005.  For further information please visit the NYSERDA Website at: www.nyserda.org

 

 

Upcoming Events

 

CDTC Freight Task Force Meeting:

Please note that the November meeting will be held on Thursday, November 3rd at

1:30 p.m. at the CDTC Office.

 

The change in day of the week is intended to increase participation.