Page 54 - ATR 2 2015 web

THE laST word

nostalgic investment

by steve Williams falling, from about 3 percent of GDP in infrastructure right in this country, the
Guest Writer 1962 to only 1.4 percent today...down hundreds of millions of dollars already
over 50 percent . spent on fuel economy and cutting
Nostalgic? Perhaps. I remember Estimates to meet current needs are emissions is blown out the tailpipe.”
my Dad and grandfather’s 160 horse- that the current tax (24.4¢/gallon) needs Congestion is costing American families,
power KB 6 Internationals roaring to be increased by an additional 40¢ to American businesses and transportation
across Missouri on US 40. I remember around 65 cents. The Federal diesel tax providers hundreds of billions of dollars
when the Interstate System didn’t exist, has not changed since 1993. Adjusted simply due to our apparent inability to
watched it get built and used up during for inflation, that number would have invest in highway infrastructure, money
my lifetime. I remember the time when already been 42¢/gallon. Over the last that would be better spent building high-
we dreamed big dreams and then made six years alone, diesel fuel prices have ways and bridges.
them a reality. We built things. fluctuated from a high of $4.16/gallon to The US Congress needs to get the
In 1955, in President Eisenhower’s a low of $2.19/gallon. With fuel now on political backbone to do what many at
State of the Union address he said, “A low end of that range, wouldn’t now be a the state level are being forced to do...
modern, efficient highway system is great time to start phasing in 8¢/gallon? raise our fuel taxes so we can start
essential to meet the needs of our grow- Over the next 50 years, the popula- building back before it is too late.
ing population, our expanding economy tion of the US will grow by some 120 Is my hope for infrastructure
and our national security.” He was also million people with most of that growth investment in the United States simply
told that if he went through with this being in metropolitan areas. As the nostalgic, idealistic or realistic? Well,
idea that he would not be re-elected. He world economy grows and becomes more there is hope but make no mistake, it is
was, by the way. globally integrated during the next half time to lead or get out of the way.
All of America’s roads, bridges century, the US will experience higher
and highways, freight rail facilities trade volumes and greater pressures on note: This fall watch for a documen-
and inland waterways are deteriorat- its international gateways and domes- tary whose title is Be Prepared to Stop
ing. We have fallen well behind other tic freight networks. Freight volume is produced by award-winning producer,
advanced countries when it comes to expected to be 70 percent higher in 2020 Jennifer Clymer. It will highlight the
total transportation investment. In the than in 1998. consequences of further inaction.
World Economic Forum’s latest Global Travel on the nation’s highways
th
Competitive Index, the US ranked 10 is far too dangerous and poised to get Williams is a three time Chairman of
the Arkansas Trucking Association, Past
th
for transportation, 18 for roads, and worse. In 2013, there were more than Chairman of the American Trucking
19 for quality of overall infrastructure. 33,000 traffic fatalities and “roadway Associations, Past Chairman of the
th
We are well behind countries including conditions” are a significant factor in American Transportation Research
Poland, Estonia, Hungary, Spain and approximately one-third of those traffic Institute, and has served on the Executive
Greece. fatalities. We can and must do better. Committee of the Transportation Research
Institute.
Transportation infrastructure Martin Daum, President of Daimler
spending as a share of GDP has been Trucks, recently said, “If we don’t get our

opinions expressed on this page may not reflect official policies or opinions of the
Arkansas Trucking Association or the American Trucking Associations.

54 aRkansas TRuCking RepoRT | issue 2 2015