In response to a request from State Senator Alan Lowenthal, CCST has begun a project
in partnership with the Research and Technology Advisory Panel (RTAP) to develop strategies
for both short- term and long-term support to California decision-makers on goods movement
policy and infrastructure investment.
"The main goal is to provide expertise and innovative thinking that will help to inform
the decision-making process," said CCST Council Chair Lawrence Papay.
The project, which will be directed by Professor Genevieve Giuliano, Senior Associate
Dean for Research and Technology at the University of Southern California and Director of
the METRANS Center, includes two short-term tasks focused on specific issues associated with
current goods movement decision-making. It also includes a third task involving development
of a plan for a longer-term research activity that addresses analytical tools and decision
processes in goods movement.
"Transportation has been identified as a top science and technology issue in California
for some time," said Papay. "We are pleased at the opportunity to contribute to the development
of a comprehensive transportation strategy that will help keep California economically competitive
in the years to come."
Globalization and the restructuring of economic activity have contributed to rapid growth of
goods movement throughout the world. California's position as gateway to Asian trade, together
with its large population and highly diversified industrial base, has resulted in rapid growth
of trade and goods movement. California's transportation infrastructure (highways, ports,
intermodal facilities) has played a key role in fostering this growth. However, growth in
transport demand has far outstripped growth in infrastructure. Increasing congestion on
these facilities is adding to transport costs and threatening the long-term competitiveness
of some segments of the California economy.
In the first task, CCST will examine opportunities and constraints associated with new technology
implementation and the transportation planning process. The second task will examine technology
alternatives for reducing emissions associated with goods movement. The main activity for this
task will be to conduct a workshop with participants drawn both from the scientific community and
the policy/planning analysis community.
The third task is to develop a plan for a longer-term study of how goods movement could be more
effectively managed. It will address two sets of questions:
- Do adequate analytical tools exist for assessing and understanding the full consequences
of goods movement policy choices?
- What is or should be the role of government in managing the goods movement system and moving
toward a more efficient and sustainable system?
"Transportation infrastructure planning in California involves a complex process that is
dictated largely by federal and state law," said Papay. "Major infrastructure projects go
through several stages of environmental review; the review process for large projects can
be a decade or more. Being able to plan effectively is essential for the state's economic well-being."
