RECORD OF MEETING

FREIGHT TASK FORCE

 

Wednesday, May 24, 2006, CDTC Office, Colonie, NY

 

Attendance: 

 

Michael Franchini (Albany County)                      Joe Tario (NYSERDA)

Lee French (NYSTA)                               Ted Thompson (NYSDOT Region1)

Catherine Lawson (UALBANY)                           Teresa La Salle (CDTC)                    


Susan Olsen (NYSDOT Region1)                         Jason Purvis

 

An update of the planning and logistics of CDTC’s 2006 Goods Movement Symposium were discussed.

 

At this time the details are as follows:

 

The symposium will be held on Thursday, October 5th from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm at the RPI Alumni House.

 

CDTC is creating a brochure in-house.

 

A draft agenda was shared with task force members.  Nine speakers have been invited and eight have confirmed.  The Speakers and the topics they will be discussing are as follows:

 

John Eagan – High Speed Rail

Sue Matton – US/Canada Border Crossing

William Wallace, PhD – Dynamic Travel Information Systems

Richard Mudge – Dynamic Travel Information Systems

Paula Dowell – Keynote Speaker

Catherine Lawson, PhD – New Technology in Freight

Unconfirmed Speaker – New Technology in Freight

Tony Vasil – Regional Trade Initiatives

Bill Hooten – Regional Trade Initiatives

 

The format of the presentations will be informal in order to include dialogue with attendees.

 

There will be a $25 registration fee and lunch will be included.

 

CDTC is accepting ideas and suggestions for vendors.

 

Member Updates:

 

Joe Tario distributed a handout highlighting NYSERDA’s Programs for Transportation Research and Development.  He also noted that they are currently soliciting proposals for POND 1028, due on July 19th.

 

Catherine Lawson noted that she continues to work with Nate Erlbaum of NYSDOT Main Office and that Phase 3 of the Firm Level Data is underway. The next step is safety weight enforcement data.  She is also involved in a NYS funding project involving TRANSIM.

 

Lee French noted that the NYS Thruway Authority is now allowing triple saddle mounts 97 feet in length as en exemption to the current state law that limited them to 85 feet plus rear vehicle escort.  June 30th is the deadline for comments and responses regarding this issue.

 

Ted Thompson reported that RailEx is progressing with their special freight building at the Rotterdam Industrial Park and the train and truck produce operation is planned to begin in August.  At a recent Capital District Industrial Site and Warehousing Meeting at the RPI Alumni House, presentations were given on Target and how they control their whole shipping and logistics process form the vendors shipping docks to Target stores.

Also noted was an increase in multi-modal shipping. 

 

Ted noted that the Adirondack Beverage Tandems are progressing through the legal process and that the operation has been running smoothly with no complaints.

 

NYSDOT is considering adding 2 or 3 permanent weigh and motion sites in Region 1.

 

Ted also announced that he will be retiring in July and at the present time there is no permission to fill his position.

 

An update of the 2006 Goods Movement Symposium planning and logistics will be sent out in August.