RECORD OF MEETING

FREIGHT TASK FORCE

Friday, November 16, 2001, CDTC Office, Colonie, NY

Attendance:

Chungchin Chen (CDRPC)

Michael P. Donohue (NYSDOT)

Michael Franchini (Albany County)

Catherine Lawson (UAlbany)

John Newman (Konski Engineers)

William Sheffield (Target Distribution Center)

Ted Thompson (NYSDOT - Region 1)

Tony Vasil (Port of Albany)

Teresa La Salle (CDTC)

Jason Purvis (CDTC)

 

Record of Previous Meeting - J. Purvis noted that the Airport requested a correction to the August minutes. It was incorrectly noted that the Airport is still working on the expansion of the existing air cargo facility. The Airport actually reported that they received approval for the Pinegrove Rd project.

Presentation - Catherine Lawson, Ph.D. University at Albany - Communicating with the Freight Community: The Oregon Experience. Professor Lawson presented the findings of a current study she is working on that focuses on obtaining infrastructure data from the freight community. The study researched several survey methods. Findings concluded that phone surveys proved to be the most successful in terms of both response rates and in the detail of information gathered. The approach used obtained extremely detailed information from survey respondents. The study also boasts the highest ever response rate from the freight community. Professor Lawson presented detailed information on both survey methods and survey content. The study will be available on the web and will also be presented at the 2002 TRB Conference.

Member Updates/Current Events

J. Purvis provided attendees with the following articles:

Freight Expectations - Governing September 2001

Area's Largest Industrial Parks - The Business Review September 24-30, 2001

Port of Albany Brochures

SUNY Albany – C. Lawson noted that the University has undertaken a transportation research initiative.

Port of Albany – T. Vasil stated that the Port is focusing on big bulk items. The Port is also starting a container barge operation. The PIDN, Port Inland Distributed Networks identifies nine ports that would be saved including Buffalo, New London, Providence, and Camden. The Port is working with PANYNJ and discussing with shippers and steam shippers setting up a container pool. There is no indication of when the barge service will be set. Tony also reported that the new heavy lift crane is in operation.

Albany County – M. Franchini reported that the contractor has done a lot of the grading on Albany Shaker Road, near the Airport. The project will shut down for the winter and resume in the spring.

 

Target – B. Sheffield stated that Target is entering their busy season. The Northeast continues to be a growing market. Target is averaging 150 trailers a day. B. Sheffield also reported that they have hired several hundred people since August.

CDRPC –C. Chen reported that the planning commission is working with the Airport to conduct an economic impact analysis plan. As part of the plan they are conducting mail out and telephone surveys. The plan is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

NYSDOT – T. Thompson reported that Region 1 is working with Albany County and the Town of Bethlehem on truck access. They are looking onto fund sources to study the alternatives.

Konski Engineers - J. Newman mentioned the Future Engineers Competition. PE's are needed to monitor the 25 students that are involved. Judging will be held on January 12th, 2002 at RPI. Mr. Newman also noted that this is the first program of its kind in the Capital District.

Airport – There were no representatives present form the Airport.

NYSTA – There were no representatives present form the NYS Thruway Authority.

 

Status of CDTC Activities

Champlain-Hudson Trade Corridor - J. Purvis reported that the coalition has changed its name to Quebec-New York Corridor to promote national and international recognition.

ENO Conference - J. Purvis attended a Building Partnerships conference in Philadelphia. At the conference teams worked together to try to get different agencies and the private sector on the same page for freight issues.

2000 High Truck Volume Map - T. La Salle created a map showing recent truck volumes on Capital District roadways. The 2000 data can not be directly compared to the 1997 data, because some of the data was not included in the 2000 count, particularly data for the NYS Thruway. However the overall trends show little growth. The Selkirk Bypass continues to be one of the top locations for truck traffic. The source of the data is the 2000 Sufficiency Report from NYSDOT.

Saratoga Freight Data Conference - J. Purvis attended this conference which was held to discuss the gaps that exist in freight data and how data can be made available that would be beneficial to all levels from national to local.

Upcoming Events

Quebec-New York Corridor Coalition meeting: Friday, December 7, 2001, Lake George.

CDTC Freight Task Force Meeting: February 15, 2002, 1:30 PM