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Registration is now available for the March 18th Talking Freight Seminar. Topic: An Overview of MARAD'S StrongPorts Program Date/Time: March 18, 2015 1:00 - 2:30 pm ET Registration: http://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/webconference/web_conf_learner_reg.aspx?webconfid=29061 Description: Marine ports and terminals play a key role within the U.S. freight transportation system, functioning as the primary gateway for international export and import shipments and for domestic, inland shipments of bulk materials and other containerized goods. Demands on ports are likely going to continue to grow, particularly as U.S. trade increases and/or the cost of other, higher cost freight transportation modes go up. Helping U.S. ports improve and modernize their facilities to meet their future needs benefits the national freight transportation system. Because of U.S. ports' importance to the local, regional, state, and national economies, it is critical that public sector transportation planners, particularly with state Departments of Transportation, Metropolitan Planning Organizations, and municipalities where ports are located, be strongly engaged in port planning efforts. To address the need to increase port capacity, the U.S. DOT Maritime Administration (MARAD) has created the StrongPorts Program. This new program is focused on improving ports' freight efficiencies, promoting critical port infrastructure projects, and more broadly enhancing U.S. global economic competitiveness. To achieve these goals, the program concentrates on three core areas: planning and engagement, financing, and project support. The StrongPorts Program goals are achieved in part by strengthening planning coordination efforts between ports and state DOT, MPO, and municipal transportation agencies. This webinar will provide various, real-world perspectives of the MARAD StrongPorts Program, presenting examples of how states, MPOs, and ports are working together to establish and support an on-going, cooperative, and comprehensive planning process that fully integrates maritime port freight needs into the transportation planning process. Topics and Presenters: Overview of the MARAD StrongPorts Program This presentation will provide a synopsis of the current status and future vision for MARAD's StrongPorts Program. SPEAKER: * Roger Bohnert, U.S. DOT Maritime Administration (MARAD), Deputy Associate Administrator MARAD StrongPorts Program - Port Benefits and Perspectives This presentation will provide insights into how the StrongPorts Program can benefit ports, both in terms of identifying port infrastructure, funding port improvements and strengthening the relationship between ports and state, regional, and local transportation-focused agencies. SPEAKER: * John Young, American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) MARAD StrongPorts Program - State DOT Perspective This presentation will discuss how the StrongPorts Program initiatives fit into a state's overall freight transportation planning efforts. SPEAKER: * Ben De Alba, California State Transportation Agency, Assistant Secretary for Rail and Ports MARAD Strong Ports Program - Regional/MPO Perspective This presentation will examine how an MPO and a port authority have been able to work together to enhance a metropolitan area's transportation planning efforts and implement the initiatives of the StrongPorts Program. SPEAKERS: * Rob Case, Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization and Jeff Florin, Virginia Port Authority If you have not yet participated in Talking Freight, I encourage you to do so. These monthly seminars, sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration, are held via web conference, which means that you view the PowerPoint presentations over the Internet while listening to the presenters over your computer or the telephone. There is no cost involved and you do not have to leave your desk to participate. More information about Talking Freight is available at http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freight/fpd/talking_freight/index.htm Links to past presentations and recordings are available on http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/freightplanning/talking.htm. Talking Freight seminars are eligible for 1.5 AICP Certification Maintenance Credits (for AICP members). In order to receive credit, you must attend the full seminar and login to the seminar with your full name or type your full name into the chat area during the seminar if you are in a room with a group of people. Visit the AICP web site<http://wwwcf.fhwa.dot.gov/exit.cfm?link=http://www.planning.org/cm/> for more information about AICP Certification Maintenance Credits. If you have any questions about the webinar content, please contact Chip Millard, FHWA Freight Office, at 202-366-4415 or [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>. If you have any questions about the technology aspects of the webinar, please contact Nicole Coene, Leidos, at 703-318-4267 or [log in to unmask] Nicole Coene | Leidos Task Manager | Transportation Solutions and Technology Applications Division phone: 703.318.4267 [log in to unmask] leidos.com [cid:[log in to unmask]]