Success requires hard work and thoughtful, targeted investment. For the United States to remain economically competitive on the global stage, it will need to compete hard, not just in business but also in its investments in first rank infrastructure — both physical and human.
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Freight Advisory Committee has offered 81 suggestions to the secretary, which if adopted as part of the department’s National Freight Strategic Plan and funded by Congress, would begin to provide the foundation needed to assure a freight network that supports an economically efficient and environmentally sustainable freight transportation system. It could also promote improved partnerships between private companies, investors and public agencies through improved collaboration in freight planning, safety and data and research. All critical steps if we expect to double our capacity to meet the flow of trade and growth expected by 2050.
With the relatively free global flow of ideas, information and money, almost half of the world’s population is expected to join the free enterprise system by 2050. To be competitive, the U.S. needs a well-trained and educated workforce, a willing corporate and public sector able to invest in research and development, and an environment that encourages innovation.
To get there, the broader transportation community now needs to deal with the current growing and forecast severe shortages of front-line workers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects significant shortfalls in the transportation workforce, with trucking leading the way with more than 1.9 million job openings expected for commercial operators, dispatchers and laborers by 2022. The transit industry has the second most openings with 978,000 over the same time period. The majority of openings — about 90 percent — will be the result of openings because of retirements of Baby Boomers. Investing in community colleges, technical training and apprenticeships are needed to bring younger generations into the transportation workforce. Only then will our nation be prepared to compete in a global economy.
Lillian Borrone, Chairman, Eno Center for Transportation