Oberstar opposes new transport technology

Along with Shelly Silver.

Oberstar's problem is that he wants to be the Bullet Train hero from central planning and thus will not support advance traffic technology, like congestion pricing.

Chairman Oberstar also objected to so-called “congestion pricing”, which basically charges people for driving at certain times.

Shelly Silver has his own reasons for holding back progress.

The point is that if we suffer energy shortages, then we suffer them because of this lack of knowledge.

Here is Oberstar's main point:

Oberstar isn't about to quietly accept Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood's admonition that the 18-month extension is necessary to "face reality." In fact, the committee's outline of its bill warns that an extension could be devastating to state DOTs that have "been unwilling to invest in large, long-term projects until enactment of the reauthorization act."

The problem here is that LaHood has figured out that Bullet Trains might not compete against the new E Traffic, and that localities are starting to adopt the E Traffic approach because it solves so many problems right away. But politicians have made commitments to Bullet Trains, and they have a stack of fanatics supporting them.

But there is some hope with Oberstar as the next quote shows:

Oberstar's bill would establish the National Infrastructure Bank proposed by Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and other senior lawmakers, making the bank part of a broader metropolitan access program that would support urban areas in achieving "improved transit operations, congestion pricing, and expanded highway and transit capacity."

Oberstar is forced to accept words about congestion pricing, he has evidently been hearing about rapid returns on investments from DeFazio and the Oregon reps who can point to the Portland trials.

What is going on is that Brad Templeton, myself, Randall O'Toole of CATO and Ford motor executives, DARPA and so on are starting to win this battle. The central planners are backing off.

Here is a three point plan:

1) The next step is to move the GM driverless car project up from ten years to five.
2) See if Oregon can float a transportation bond based on E Traffic income
3) Get more technologists and engineers and venture capital folks up to Oregon or Utah to agglomorate a new Silicon Valley.

The income from E Traffic can be split between vendors, the local governments, and the consumers. There is no need for central planning. LaHood's best shot is to delay, delay, and delay until more and more localities awake to the opportunity.

This is a case of a negative stimulus has the greatest multiplier! That is, in Mark Thoma's case, the lack of spending by Congress will likely make Oregon rich beyond his imagination, just the opposite advice he gives to Oregon voters.