RECORD OF MEETING

FREIGHT TASK FORCE

DATE/TIME/PLACE: Monday, January 9, 1995; 2 PM; CDTC Offices, Colonie

ATTENDANCE: Mary Phillips (Conrail), Steve Iachetta (Albany County Airport), John Newman, Dick Corp (NYSTA), Ted Thompson and Dick Carlson (NYSDOT Region One), Kristina Younger (CDTC)

DISCUSSION SUMMARY: Record of November meeting unchanged.

Status Reports: Analysis of data from Thruway Exit 24, re. truck travel patterns by time of day, was presented and discussed, using a handout prepared by Steve Allocco.

Vision Statement: Discussion of draft vision statement lead to affirmation of the five bullets, with elaboration needed. Elaboration on building partnerships and preserving options and opportunities, in particular, were discussed. See action items.

Supplemental Performance Measures: Draft report was reviewed and corrections and edits were offered that will be reflected in the next draft. Overall, the level of detail and comprehensiveness of the report was considered "impressive". Steve Iachetta presented new air cargo numbers, that for the first time reflect exclusive cargo operators. Comments included:

* Need to mention "intermodal" somewhere in the introduction;

* 13'6" is the maximum allowable truck height -- cite the law;

* Map of Qualifying Highways may not exist --NYSDOT to check;

* STRAHNET map will help;

* 53' trailers have the same kingpin settings as 48' trailers so turning radius is the same;

* Ray DeRocco is the NYSDOT oversize permit contact;

* It should be verified that accident data is for heavy truck only (pickups and vans excluded);

* There are a lot more rest stops than in the report;

* Source of tonnage data for rail should be cited;

* Interpower is dead -- use another example of land use/grade crossing conflict;

* Railroad structural clearance is NOT impacted by weather;

* Conrail can run double stack on all main lines EXCEPT Hudson Line;

* Conrail and CP jointly own Albany Port Railroad Corporation;

* Canal/barge should be included under Port operations;

* Albany County is only scheduled air cargo operation -- others are on demand and demand is not very much - further contact with other county airports is warranted;

* Surface access to Albany County Airport is an "opportunity for improvement", not a constraint;

* Barrier reduction, not elimination, should be the objective.

February 6 is the deadline for additional comments on the draft report.

Roundtable Planning: Draft structure reviewed. Mailing list expanded. Second part of the afternoon will not just focus on system deficiencies -- but opportunities as well. For visioning exercise, participants with different expertise will be mixed together. For the second and third exercises -- desirable actions and existing barriers -- participants of like-expertise will be grouped. Pre-registration to allow for table assignments will be necessary. Table facilitators should receive advance notice/requests. Materials should be mailed out in advance. Commitment by those present to encourage participation by "the right people" was given. Conrail offered to pay for refreshments.

ACTION ITEMS:

* NEXT MEETING: Monday, February 27, 1995, 2 - 4:30 PM, CDTC Offices. Agenda to include: Vision statement, industry roundtable final details, supplemental performance measures and objectives revisions, strategies/projects.

* Industry forum/roundtable on Wednesday, March 1, 1 PM at the Quality Inn.

* Kristina to contact NYS Motor Truck Association reasserting our desire for participation, particularly with the advent of a new Executive Director, in the metropolitan planning process.

* Kristina to elaborate Vision Statement, reflecting discussion points.

* Kristina to follow up on Canal commercial activity, and other supplemental performance measure questions.