RECORD OF MEETING

FREIGHT TASK FORCE

 

DATE/TIME/PLACE: Monday, May 5, 1997; 2 PM; Latham UPS Facility, 24 Avis Drive, Colonie

ATTENDANCE:  Ted Thompson (NYSDOT Region 1), Jack Earl (NYSDOT Freight and Economic Development Division), Roger Bergeron (Boston & Maine), Larry Arnold (UPS), Dick Corp (NYSTA), John Newman, Kristina Younger (CDTC)

 

DISCUSSION SUMMARY: Welcome and introductions started the meeting.  There was concurrence with the minutes of the previous meeting.  The retirement of Tom Magglioca from his position as Port Business Manager was noted.  Kristina Younger was requested to write a letter of appreciation for his Task Force service.

 

Status Reports: NYSDOT Region: Ted Thompson reported on recent activities, including a Syracuse Rail meeting regarding the break-up/consolidation of Conrail.  NYSDOT Main Office: Jack Earl gave a status report on HR1135 -- the $350 M Economic Development Program.  The project list is now being "finalized".  The Industrial Access Program is receiving a significant number of applications and an increase from the current budget level of $5M/year may be considered.  THRUWAY:  EZ Pass is fully operational for commercial accounts, with 435 companies currently enrolled using 15,000 tags.  Targeted marketing to the remaining 2800 commercial account holders not yet enrolled is planned for the spring/summer.  Thruway Authority sales of EZ Pass are being dwarfed by MTA sales by a greater than 2 to 1 margin.  Safety concerns regarding EZ Pass operation are being addressed through an aggressive enforcement effort with commercial carriers, including 24-hour notice to offenders on speed violations.  The Thruway Authority is working together with major trucking companies, such as UPS on the ability of short double (28') trailers to use dedicated EZ Pass lanes.  The recent improvement in the Thruway's bond rating was also noted.  UPS:  Larry Arnold welcomed us to the Latham facility and expressed satisfaction with the EZ Pass system.

 

Addition of Port and Airport to CDTC: Recent addition of the Albany County Airport Authority and the Albany Port District Commission to CDTC's Policy Board and Planning Committee were noted.  The transition from task force to CDTC Advisory Committee was briefly discussed.  Current thinking would have Advisory Committees report to the Planning Committee quarterly.

 

Status of CDTC TIP Update, New Visions Plan: The New Visions Plan was adopted in March and a final document is now in preparation.  Only minor changes from the public review draft were included.  The status of the update to the capital program, known as the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) was provided, with a highlight on projects of importance to goods movement.  In general, the task force was pleased with the degree to which their concerns on merit evaluation had been incorporated.

 

Tour of UPS Facility: Larry Arnold gave us a tour of the UPS distribution facility, both for local deliveries and the regional hub operation.  With an emphasis on the use of technology, importance of teamwork, and recent efficiency improvements, the tour provided a good overview of UPS regional operations.

 

ACTION ITEMS: CDTC staff will continue to monitor the Conrail merger proceedings.  It was suggested the impact of the merger might be a good topic for the Fall Roundtable, with shipper and railroad panels.

*    NEXT MEETING: Monday, July 21 or 28, 1997, 2 - 4 PM.  Place to be determined.  Agenda to include: Member updates, Fall Roundtable planning, status of the TIP update relevant to freight projects.