[ABJ30] FW: Update on NPTS 2008

Ed C. wanted this forwarded to the group as FYI... ********* ALL INTERESTED IN AN NPTS ADD-ON/ Previous Add-ONs I wanted to give you some background about the funding of the NPTS, and update you as of the status of funding today (2/23/06). As you may know, the recently passed re-authorizing legislation, SAFETEA-LU, did not include any of the usual money for FHWA Office of Policy research projects (these moneys were allocated in earmarks). One of the research projects usually conducted by the FHWA Office of Policy is the National Personal Travel Survey (NPTS). Just last month DOT announced that the 2007 CFS would be funded at the same sample size as the previous series. That's terrific news. The funding was found by shifting some projects out of the Bureau of Transportation Statistics and into other agencies. Recently, letters of support (from MPOs and States, Academia, NARC, etc.) have been coming into Secretary Mineta's office, which helps build the case for funding the NPTS as part of DOT's 'critical' needs. As a result, there has been movement in the Office of the Secretary and the Office of Policy to identify sources of funding for the NPTS. Traditionally, such sources have included other DOT agencies, such as NHTSA and FTA, but we also have identified outside Federal agencies who are willing to help by allocating funds to the NPTS, such as the Energy Information Agency, the Center for Disease Control, and EPA. So as of today we are optimistic that the 2008 NPTS will go forward as scheduled and with the same sample size as previous surveys. But I do have to caution our add-on partners that things may look worse before they look better again. Historically, our funding has been like the waves on the ocean, first up then down. This is just the nature of research funding at the national level. You may like to know that Florida has committed to 12,000 samples, New York State to 11,000, and Virginia is likely to have more than 12,000 samples which also helps us get the attention of decision-makers. We are also investigating alternate pooled fund resources to conduct Add-Ons. We will continue to update you on our plans and progress. I hope that this update answers your questions, and please don't hesitate to send me an e-mail, or give me a call at anytime if you need more information. Also, attached is a recent brief on congestion we will soon be releasing. Best Regards, The NPTS Team (Susan Liss, Nancy McGuckin, and Nanda Srinivasan) Susan Liss (202-366-5060) Nancy McGuckin (202-366-8750) Nanda Srinivasan (202-366-5021)