Tuesday, August 16

Tour of Washington State Ferry System

Ride a ferry from Seattle to Bremerton, while hearing of the challenges faced by the state ferry system.  At Bremerton, a briefing on intermodal transportation will occur.  Meet at the Convention Center at 11:45 or the Colman Dock for a 12:10pm briefing and a 12:50 departure.  Food for purchase is available on the ferry.  (Space is limited so please e-mail jim.reed@ncsl.org if you plan to attend.)

Steering Committee (Committee Officers)
Room 616-617

6:00 pm

Welcome Reception

Event-Sports Carnival and Seattle Mariners game

Wednesday, August 17

Continental Breakfast
East Lobby

8:30 am - 10:00 am

Opening Plenary

Bill Gates, Microsoft Corp.

10:15 am - 12:00 pm

Transportation Standing Committee Convenes
(All sessions in Room 617, unless otherwise noted.)

• Welcome and Introductions  
• Update on TEA-21 Reauthorization
• Consideration of Committee Policies on Aviation and Surface Transportation

Committee Working Lunch
(A buffet lunch will be available)

Transportation Funding:

The Transportation Funding Partnership Committee will hear a presentation on Washington's Transportation Initiative. 

Presiding:  Senator Bruce Starr, Oregon

Opening Remarks: Senator Mary Margaret Haugen and Representative Ed Murray, Washington      

Speakers:
Mike Groesch, Senate Transportation Committee, Washington
Gary Lebow, House Transportation Committee, Washington

Speaker: Susan Perry, American Public Transportation Association

Break

Solving Traffic Congestion

Learn how intelligent transportation systems, particularly improvements in transportation operations can cut traffic congestion in your state.

Presiding:  Delegate Carol Petzold, Maryland

Speaker:  David Schrank, Texas Transportation Institute, Texas
Gummada Murthy P.E., Washington State DOT, Olympia, Washington

3:15 pm - 4:15 pm

Easing Freight Logjams and Improving Security at Our Nations' Ports

Ports face increasing strains due to security concerns and freight congestion.  What is being done to address these issues? 

Moderator: Senator Mary Margaret Haugen, Washington

Speaker: Captain Stephen Metruck, Captain of the Seattle Port, U.S Coast Guard, Washington

4:15 pm - 5:15 pm 

Speed and Traffic Safety

Speed-related crashes cost society an estimated $40 billion per year and cause more than 30 percent of all fatal car crashes. Many states have turned to increased penalties and fines as well as photo-radar cameras in an effort to keep roads safe. Can speed limit laws, increased penalties and stepped-up enforcement help stop speedy drivers?

Presiding: Delegate Carol Petzold, Maryland

Speakers: Richard Retting, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Virginia
Lowell Porter , Washington Traffic Safety Commission, Washington

Steering Committee (Committee Officers)
Room 613

6:00 pm

States' Night

Thursday, August 18

7:30 am - 8:30 pm

8:00 am - 9:45 am

Transportation Committee Reconvenes
Room 617

9:45 am - 10:00 am

Break

10:00 am - 11:00 am

Hazardous Materials Transportation

Hear the latest regarding federal efforts on hazardous materials transportation safety and state inspections of radioactive materials shipments.

Presiding:  Hal Greer, NCSL Transportation Committee Staff Chair, Virginia

Speakers:  
James Simmons, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.
Larry Stern, Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, Washington, D.C.

Speaker:  Jim Reed, NCSL, Denver

11:45 am - 1:15 pm

Legislator's Lunch

Staff Section Lunches

1:30 pm - 3:15 pm

Concurrent Sessions

3:30 pm - 5:00 pm

Transportation Concurrent Session
Room 611

Driver Distraction – How Much is Too Much?

Driver distraction is blamed for almost one third of vehicle crashes and up to 10,000 deaths a year.  Many things distract, but new communications, information and entertainment technologies in cars over the last decade are getting increased notice. This session looks at recent findings and state, federal and local initiatives to deal with them.

Moderator:  Representative Sherman Packard, New Hampshire

Speakers: 
Tom Dingus, Virginia Tech University, Virginia
Jane Stutz, University of North Carolina, North Carolina
Matt Sundeen, NCSL, Colorado
Doug Johnson, Consumer Electronics Association, Virginia

6:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Washington Social Event--Seattle Center (Space Needle)

Friday, August 19

8:30 am - 10:30 am

Plenary

Ewe Reinhardt, Health Care Issues
Room 6 A/B/C

10:15 am - 11:45 am 

Business Meeting
Room 6 E

12:30 pm - 2:00 pm 

Legislative Staff Luncheon

Democrats' Lunch

Republicans' Lunch

2:15 pm - 4:00 pm

Concurrent Sessions

6:00 pm

States' Night