RECORD OF MEETING

FREIGHT TASK FORCE

DATE/TIME/PLACE: Monday, February 28, 1994; 3 PM; Thruway Authority Offices, Albany

ATTENDANCE: Mary Phillips (Conrail), Tom Magliocca (Port of Albany), John Lemmerman (NYSDOT Commercial Transport), Dick Corp (NYSTA), Chungchin Chen (CDRPC), Dick Carlson (NYSDOT), Gus Lapham (HVAC), Pat Garvey (NYSTA), Jennifer Boyes (CDRPC), Kristina Younger (CDTC)

DISCUSSION SUMMARY: No changes to record of last meeting.

Phase 2 Work Program, Selection of Chair: Discussion of draft work program focused on two aspects: the need for a committee chair and the proposed survey contents and distribution. It was clarified that the Task Force is concerned less with the Planning Committee oversight role than with current knowledges and awareness of what else is going on at the other Task Forces. Rather than the designation of a Task Force chair, this could be more easily achieved by increased use of status reports and the sharing of major milestones and minutes from other groups.

Survey draft outline was basically endorsed, although the issue of its distribution should be revisited once a draft distribution list is formulated. Whether we are aiming for a representative sample vs. and inclusive query will likely vary by type of business contacted. Task Force members will be heavily relied upon to help in developing the mailing list and ascertaining its inclusiveness. Response time will likely have to be greater than two weeks. In addition to return postage, providing an incentive and/or use of telephone follow-ups should be strongly considered.

Minor adjustments were made to the schedule to reflect increased survey response times. Continued flexibility in the schedule was urged.

Regional Airport Systems Plan Air Cargo Issues: Jennifer Boyes from CDRPC presented the air cargo aspects of the regional airport system. Data on "belly" cargo is more available than cargo shipped on freight-only flights. This data does not distinguish between air mail and other packages. Uncertainties in forecasting arise from assumptions on the impact of electronic mail, fax machines, home shopping networks and other factors. Surface access to both the Albany County and Schenectady County airports were cited as major constraints to current activities. There was some discussion of the pursuit of future policies that would reallocated demand -- be it general aviation or cargo -- from Albany County to Schenectady County, and the impact of heliport/vertiport and mag lev development on overall operations.

Canal System Commercial Shipping Potential: "Reinventing the canal for the intermodal era" was the theme of Pat Garvey's presentation. Barges have large cargo capacity. Size constraints are determined by the locks (42' x 300') and depth (8' average). One of the Thruway Authority's first tasks is to dredge the canal to a depth of 12-14 feet. The other major factors influencing barge traffic are the closing of the Plattsburg military base (significantly impacted POL shipments) and seasonality. Thruway is investigating the status and potential of barge terminals, focusing on those with rail or truck access. The attractiveness of rail, in terms of its efficiency, use of containers, and # of movements able to be accommodated, point to the development of a niche market for the canal system that focuses on those commodities best suited for water transport.

Highway Deficiency Mapping: Preliminary deficiency maps of the highway system were distributed and explained but not discussed. Item carried over to the next agenda for further discussion.

ACTION ITEMS:

* NEXT MEETINGS: Monday, March 28, 2 - 5 PM, Albany County Airport

* Agenda to include video on Urban Delivery Systems from UPS, Highway sufficiency data, rail deficiency mapping, survey draft and distribution, investment principles, and performance measures.

* John Lemmerman to bring Intermodal Management System inventory back to the Task Force when it is closer to completion.

* Railroad meeting with the bicycle advocates to discuss overall "Rails-to-Trails" development in the Capital District still needs to be scheduled. Kristina to follow up.