The LOSSAN Rail Corridor: Advancing the Corridor's Capital Investment Priorities
Ted Link-Oberstar, December 2023
This report analyzes challenges faced by the Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) rail corridor in securing funding to deliver critical capital investments. It examines the corridor’s complex governance structure, relationships among key stakeholders, and the budgetary and strategic priorities of the major passenger operators and suggests several options to advance development of a robust corridor-wide capital development program. These include adoption of a framework for a common corridor vision, incentives for stakeholder collaboration and accountability, an expanded leadership role for the state, and changes to the local governance structure. This report was prepared at the request of the Senate Transportation Subcommittee on LOSSAN Corridor Resiliency for presentation at its December 11, 2023, hearing.
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act: Transportation Investment Opportunities
Ted Link-Oberstar, March 2023
The 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) substantially increased available federal funding for transportation and other infrastructure priorities. This document, prepared as background for a March 14, 2023, joint informational hearing by the Senate Transportation Committee and Budget Subcommittee #5, summarizes California’s share of annual transportation funding and available competitive funding opportunities. In addition, it briefly discusses several federal initiatives, including some codified through IIJA to address equity among disadvantaged populations.
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act: Transportation Overview
Ted Link-Oberstar, November 2021
This report summarizes major transportation provisions of the broad federal infrastructure bill enacted in November 2021, which includes a five-year reauthorization of surface transportation programs. It outlines major funding increases included in the bill, describes many new competitive grant programs, and highlights changes to federal policy and grant funding criteria intended to prioritize issues such as climate, equity, and sustainability.
The Active Transportation Program: An Analysis of Program Implementation and Project Selection
Ted Link-Oberstar, April 2019
This report provides an analysis of the Active Transportation Program, focused on the processes for project selection and allocation of funding, and offers suggestions for improvement.
State Investments in Clean Energy and Transportation Technology
Paul Jacobs and John Thompson, March 2019
This report describes the state’s investments in clean energy and transportation technology development through 40 existing financial incentive programs and presents what we believe are important considerations for the Legislature.
CEQA: Impacts on Delivering State Highway Transportation Projects
Paul Jacobs, March 2018
Following a request to assess CEQA impacts on transportation project delivery, we reviewed data provided by Caltrans that suggests CEQA did not have significant adverse impacts overall.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Unveils Policy Guidance for Automated Vehicles
Ted Link-Oberstar, October 2016
This federal update highlights major elements of NHTSA’s first-ever policy guidance to guide the development and implementation of autonomous vehicle technology. It is aimed at industry stakeholders as well as state and local governments and is intended to promote safety while providing flexibility in order to encourage innovation.
Congress Delivers Long-Awaited Transportation Act
Ted Link-Oberstar, January 2016
This federal update summarizes major provisions of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, the multi-year transportation authorization bill enacted in 2012 and the first five-year authorization enacted since 2005.
The Federal Highway Trust Fund—Its Solvency Is Preserved through October 2015
Ted Link-Obestar, August 2015
This federal update provides background regarding the short-term extension of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) transportation authorization legislation signed by President Obama on July 31, 2015.
Federal Highway Trust Fund Solvency Preserved (Temporarily): President Obama Signs Bill Authorizing Federal Transportation Spending/Funding Through May 2015
Ted Link-Oberstar, August 2014
On August 8, 2014, President Obama signed HR 5021, the Highway and Transportation Funding Act of 2014, which extends the federal Surface Transportation Act.
Federal Transportation Funding: How Does It Work and What Will the New Transportation Act Mean for California?
Erin Riches, January 2012
Billions of dollars are at stake for California as Congress revisits federal transportation programs and funding.
Liquefied Natural Gas: What Is LNG? And What Is Proposed for California?
Kip Wiley, September 2008
The United States, including California, uses natural gas to heat homes and offices, cook food, and, most of all, fuel power plants generating electricity.
Port Security—California's Exposed Container Ports: The Case for More Post-9/11 Protection
Max Vanzi, November 2006
Five years after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, a great concern persists that more terrorists—or their weapons—will arrive on a ship in a cargo container from a foreign port and unleash hell on American soil once again.