STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION TO AUTHORIZE THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE TO UNDERTAKE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN HIGH-SPEED GROUND TRANSPORTATION AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES The purpose of the proposed legislation is to authorize the Secretary of Commerce to carry out activities relating to the development of high-speed ground transportation, thereby contributing to the improvement of the national transportation system. Efficient surface transportation has always been a vital force in promoting the economic growth of our Nation. The President has emphasized that we must improve ways of transporting people and goods safely, reliably and economically over relatively short distances in densely populated areas. The northeast corridor and other densely populated areas face critical intercity transportation problems which require the application of advanced technology to ground transportation systems. The proposed legislation would authorize research and development activities which could be expected to result in the development of more efficient and economical intercity transportation systems. It should be emphasized that the proposed legislation is not limited to a consideration of the transportation needs of the northeast corridor, nor should it be regarded as being for the sole benefit of one particular region of the Nation. On the contrary, the activities to be conducted would be beneficial for the Nation as a whole, and would assist during the coming years in the solution of the transportation problems of densely populated regions in the Nation. The proposed legislation is not designed to benefit or to concentrate solely on one particular type of transportation. Wholly new kinds of vehicles, guideways and operational and control systems may evolve from concentrated technological research in high-speed ground transportation. Such results can be foreseen within the scope of present and foreseeable technology. A new high-speed ground transportation system would differ radically from passenger trains and railways as we know them today. The research and development activity which would be carried out under the proposed legislation would be accomplished in cooperation with all relevant elements of our present transportation system, whether privately or publicly owned and operated. Initial demonstration projects utilizing present railroad technology would be conducted with Federal participation. Such projects would involve relatively low-cost improvements in present rail service, for the purpose of measuring market response to higher rail speeds, variation in fares, greater travel comfort and convenience, and more frequent service. This In order to determine the demand for transportation and to evaluate the relative economic efficiency of different systems, section 2 of the proposed legislation would authorize the collection of transportation data and statistics. data is essential in arriving at sound policy decisions in the future regarding highspeed ground transportation as well as other decisions on the improvement of the national transportation system. Present statistical programs do not fully meet these needs. For example, origin and destination data on travel and more complete and accurate information on travel patterns during periods of peak use are needed. Also needed are standard statistical definitions and location codes. It is anticipated that work performed during the next 3 years will be sufficient to permit decisions to be made concerning future activities in high-speed ground transportation. Clearly there will continue to be need for carrying on fundamental research and development in ground transportation systems as well as to continue collection of adequate transportation statistics. There may also be a basis for pioneering development of new ground transportation systems in the northeast corridor and in other areas of the Nation. B-139052. COMPTROLLER GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES, Hon. WARREN G. MAGNUSON, Chairman, Committee on Commerce, U.S. Senate. Washington, D.C., April 27, 1965. DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: We have your letter of March 23, 1965, asking for our comments on S. 1588. The aim of S. 1588 is the improvement of the national transportation system in the area of intercity ground transportation. To that end, the bill would vest in the Secretary of Commerce authority to undertake research and development in high-speed ground transportation. The Secretary, in carrying out this function, would be empowered to make contracts and agreements with public and private organizations and individuals, to procure the services of consultants, and to appoint necessary personnel subject to civil service laws and regulations. The bill also provides for consultation with the Administrator of the Housing and Home Finance Agency (who is charged with administration of the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964, 49 U.S.C.A. 1601 et seq.) and with other appropriate departments and agencies. In the long range, the benefits of the research and development proposed in S. 1588 would accrue to the Nation as a whole. They apparently would be felt sooner than elsewhere, however, in the so-called megalopolitan northeast corridor, stretching between Boston, Mass., and Washington, D.C., and by other heavily urbanized areas. Possibly, some responsibility in this field should be assumed by interested States and the expenditure of Federal funds as contemplated in S. 1588 might be made contingent upon the establishment of a coordinated program partially supported by those States through contributions of money and other resources. Legislation such as here proposed however, if enacted, would not directly affect the operations of our Office and we make no recommendation as to its consideration by your committee. Sincerely yours, JOSEPH CAMPBELL, Comptroller General of the United States. GENERAL COUNSEL OF THE DEPARTMENT of Commerce, Hon. WARREN G. MAGNUson, Washington, D.C., April 2, 1965. DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: This is in reply to your request for the views of this Department concerning S. 1588, a bill to authorize the Secretary of Commerce to undertake research and development in high-speed ground transportation, and for other purposes. S. 1588 is for the same purpose as the draft bill transmitted to the Congress by the President on March 4, 1965. The Department of Commerce urges early enactment of S. 1588 for the reasons set forth in the President's letter and in the statement of purpose and need for the legislation submitted with the President's letter. We have been advised by the Bureau of the Budget that enactment of S. 1588 would be in accord with the program of the President. Sincerely, ROBERT E. GILES. GENERAL COUNSEL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, Hon. WARREN G. MAGNUSON, DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: Reference is made to your request for the views of the Department of Defense with respect to S. 1588, 89th Congress, a bill "to authorize the Secretary of Commerce to undertake research and development in high-speed ground transportation, and for other purposes." The purpose of the bill is to authorize the Secretary of Commerce to carry out activities relating to the development of high-speed ground transportation thereby contributing to the improvement of the national transportation system. The Department of Defense is interested in a strong, reliable national transportation system for both freight and passengers. Accordingly, the enactment of S. 1588 is recommended. The Bureau of the Budget advises that the enactment of S. 1588 would be in accord with the President's program. Sincerely, L. NIEDERLEHNER, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, Hon. WARREN G. MAGNUSON, DEAR SENATOR: This is in response to your request for the views of the Department of Justice on S. 1588, a bill "To authorize the Secretary of Commerce to undertake research and development in high-speed ground transportation." The bill would authorize the Secretary of Commerce to undertake research and development in high-speed ground transportation for purposes of improving the national transportation system. It envisages the use of the power of science and technology to improve ways of transporting people and goods safely, reliably, and economically over relatively short distances in densely populated areas. President Johnson requested this bill be introduced. His letter to Congress stated: "It is clear that we should explore the feasibility of an improved ground transportation system for such heavily traveled corridors. The program outlined by the Secretary of Commerce calls for research on materials, aerodynamics, vehicle power and control, and guideways. Information requirements for regional studies and evaluations are to be defined and the necessary data collected. "We must learn about travel needs and preferences, in part through the use of large scale demonstration projects. New methods of analyzing the problem will be developed to give adequate consideration to the large number of regional and local characteristics which influence the performance, acceptability, and cost of all kinds of systems." The Department of Justice favors enactment of S. 1588 because of the need to carry on fundamental research and development in ground transportation in order to improve the Nation's transportation system. The Bureau of the Budget has advised that the enactment of this bill is in accord with the program of the President. Sincerely, RAMSEY CLARK, Deputy Attorney General. FEDERAL AVIATION AGENCY, Hon. WARREN G. MAGNUSON, Chairman, Committee on Commerce, U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C. DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: The following are the views of the Federal Aviation Agency on S. 1588, a bill to authorize the Secretary of Commerce to undertake research and development in high-speed ground transportation, and for other purposes. We favor the enactment of this legislation. It represents a part of a major effort on the part of the Government to see to it that a transportation system is developed which will be adequate to meet the needs of the people and the commerce of this nation. The high-speed ground transportation project will not be in competition with our efforts to foster and encourage air commerce. The contrary is true. Ground transportation supports and complements our air transportation system. In fact, the usefulness and attractiveness of air transportation is coming more and more to depend on ground transportation systems capable of moving the air passenger quickly between the airport and the city. The ground travel time for the air passenger on a given trip sometimes equals or exceeds the air travel time. Of all the modes of transportation comprising the national transportation system, high-speed ground transportation is the most undeveloped. The progress we have made in air transportation during the relatively short span of its existence has been due in large part to a heavy emphasis in our industry on research and development programs. The R&D program which these bills would authorize would begin such a program for high-speed ground transportation, and we recommend a substantial R&D program as essential to provide a basis on which to build a high-speed system. There are, of course, other research projects underway which will contribute to a solution of the problem of moving people quickly from city center to city center. We have been working on the development of vertical- and short-takeoff aircraft. A complete answer to the problem will not be found in the utilization of only one mode of transport and these research projects should proceed simultaneously. Section 2 of this bill authorizes collecting of transportation data for the improvement of the national transportation system. There has never been adequate information or data available to properly assess and evaluate the country's total transportation system. We do not know, for example, the exact volumes of people and goods moving from point to point and the characteristics of this traffic, nor the reasons why it moves, nor the costs involved. Unless we obtain answers to these and a host of other questions, we run the risk of funding, designing, and developing systems with characteristics which do not best meet the needs of our traffic. With adequate facts, we have a much better prospect of developing the most efficient and effective air, highway, rail, and water transportation systems. The Bureau of the Budget has advised that there is no objection from the standpoint of the administration's program to the submission of this report to your committee. Sincerely, N. E. HALABY, Administrator. HOUSING AND HOME FINANCE AGENCY, Washington, D.C. Hon. WARREN MAGNUSON, Chairman, Committee on Commerce, DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: This is in further reply to your request for our views on S. 1588, a bill "To authorize the Secretary of Commerce to undertake research and development in high-speed ground transportation, and for other purposes." This Agency recommends enactment of S. 1588. As the President has pointed out, the research and development authority proposed in the bill would help to bring scientific and technical talent to bear on an increasingly important problem area of our national transportation system. We are pleased to note that the bill provides for consultation and cooperation between the Secretary of Commerce and the Housing Administrator. The proposed research and development will be closely related to intraurban transportation research and development assisted by this Agency under the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964. We anticipate that the two programs would be able to provide each other considerable mutual benefit. We have been informed by the Bureau of the Budget that the enactment of this legislation would be in accord with the program of the President. Sincerely yours, ROBERT C. WEAVER, Administrator. Senator MORTON. Mr. Secretary, you may proceed. Will you first identify those with you? STATEMENT OF HON. JOHN T. CONNOR, SECRETARY OF COMMERCE, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE; ACCOMPANIED BY ALAN S. BOYD, UNDER SECRETARY OF COMMERCE FOR TRANSPORTATION; ROBERT E. GILES, GENERAL COUNSEL; AND ROBERT A. NELSON, DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH Secretary CONNOR. Yes, Mr. Chairman. I have with me Mr. Alan Boyd, Undersecretary of Commerce for Transportation; Dr. Robert Nelson, the Director of Transportation Research in the Department of Commerce; and Mr. Robert Giles, General Counsel of the Department of Commerce. Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, I appreciate this opportunity to testify before you on S. 1588. This bill is intended to carry out the President's program for developing intercity high-speed ground transportation in densely populated areas of the country. The President has pointed out that by the end of the 20th century metropolitan population will double, and we will have to build homes, highways, and other facilities equal to all those built since the country was first settled. It is our responsibility to see that the transportation needs of America are met, efficiently and economically. Modern transportation is vital to our national growth, and we must acquire knowledge and data including that of fast-developing technologies from other fields. This will enable us, and more particularly, the private operators of our transportation systems, to arrive at sound decisions, both to meet immediate transportation needs and for the long-range future. Lack of reliable information has been a major obstacle to transportation progress. The President's proposal would attack our intercity transportation problem on three basic fronts: (1) Research and development in different forms of high-speed ground transportation, including railroad; (2) Demonstration projects to measure public response to improvements in intercity rail passenger service utilizing present technology; and (3) A national program to improve the scope and availability of transportation statistics. The President's fiscal 1966 budget includes an estimate of $20 million for these programs. Let me state briefly some of the considerations which make improvement in this transportation area vitally essential, and how the proposed legislation will provide the means for improvement. There is increasing public concern over the present and prospective deficiencies in interstate transportation in densely populated areas of the country. This concern has already found expression in various bills and resolutions aimed toward improved rail service in the so-called northeast corridor extending between Maine and Virginia. I should like to point out, Mr. Chairman, that the northeast corridor problem was brought into sharp national focus by Senator Claiborne Pell, of Rhode Island, and we greatly appreciate his interest and help on this problem. It is true, however, that the transportation problems of this corridor are to be found in greater or lesser degree in other thickly populated metropolitan complexes emerging in all major regions of the country. |