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Weekly Updates(PART II)
Part I appeared in the June 2009 issue of DTJ; it introduced steps for designing a framework and modal challenges that could be expected along the way.
IMPLEMENTING AND MAINTAINING A NATIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR INFRASTRUCTURE
Following the design of the National Framework, it will be necessary to establish the policies, processes, and procedures necessary to implement and maintain the framework. This will include not only establishing the appropriate funding mechanisms to implement and maintain the Framework, but also establishing the legal, statutory authority required to authorize a Federal agency, National authority, or Regional, State, and/or local authority to manage and maintain the infrastructure.
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In following the system engineering life cycle, once the design of the framework is completed, ie, the basic system architecture has been completed, many challenges remain. The institutional challenges involved and that must be overcome when designing and implementing a national framework include identifying who is in charge and who sets the priorities, what is the funding source, and what is the funding mix, ie, public versus private. In addition, there will be numerous operational and technical considerations that must be addressed, such as interoperability, criteria for use, and technology applications and requirements.
We Must Adopt a New Philosophy. In order to successfully design and deploy a national framework for infrastructure, all of the involved stakeholders must adopt a "new way of thinking:" not what's in it for me, but, what's in it for the Nation. "We must start thinking out of the box!" Imagine having a so-called SMART Transportation Card (STC) which would allow you to utilize EZ-PASS lanes and access participating highways and thruways. Such a card could also allow you to:
1. Utilize High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes and access certain participating highways and thruways;
2. Purchase tickets and travel on AMTRAK trains; or
3. Purchase airline or vessel boarding tickets.
The STC would not only provide travelers the privilege of obtaining access to travel services using any mode of transportation, it would also serve as a travelers security identification, confirming to the participating organization the presence of a trusted traveler who does not have any outstanding civil or criminal restrictions that could jeopardize the traveling public. Finally, the traveling public would have a One-Stop-Travel Card. Use of such a card is not that far off. The Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC) being tested and used at select ports around the country is a good first step.
End Note. As a first step toward the adoption of a national infrastructure framework, it is critical to gain support for the idea. Our leaders in both the public and private sectors must communicate to our Congressional leaders in both the Senate and the House the need for such a framework and how it will lead to job growth and economic expansion and facilitate trade and transportation throughout the world. In addition, state and local leaders and their constituents must express support for this idea by contacting their local representatives by phone or in writing, requesting that they provide continuing support for such a framework.
Consideration should be given to developing a public/private partnership to oversee the process. In the current economic climate, the timing is right for establishing such an entity. Such an organization would ensure that the nation's interests and requirements are addressed, while at the same time the innovation and entrepreneurial interests of the private sector are included.
If there is a time to advocate such an idea, the timing is now! Highway infrastructure funding under the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) expires October 1, 2009. Although the highway infrastructure is only a piece in the National Infrastructure puzzle, it is an important piece that will go a long way in getting our nation's transportation system moving in the right direction to be globally competitive and facilitate trade and transportation with our international trading partners.
Lee Jackson
Principal Consultant, Perot Systems
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