94911mvp_Cov 4/2/04 11:48 AM Page 1 Special Report 279 Measuring Performance, Targeting Improvement M Also of interest A Concept for a National Freight Data Program Special Report 276, ISBN 0-309-08570-5, 114 pages, 6 x 9, paperbound (2003) Shipboard Automatic Identification System Displays: Meeting the Needs of Mariners Special Report 273, ISBN 0-309-08550-0, 197 pages, 6 x 9, paperbound (2003) Freight Capacity for the 21st Century Special Report 271, ISBN 0-309-07746-X, 155 pages, 6 x 9, paperbound (2003) Financing and Improving Land Access to U.S. Intermodal Cargo Hubs NCHRP Report 497, ISBN 0-309-08771-6, 150 pages, 8.5 x 11, paperbound (2003) Integrating Freight Facilities and Operations with Community Goals NCHRP Synthesis 320, ISBN 0-309-06967-X, 58 pages, 8.5 x 11, paperbound (2003) Water Transportation, Ports, and International Trade Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, No. 1820, ISBN 0-309-08552-7, 81 pages, 8.5 x 11, paperbound (2003) The Marine Transportation System and the Federal Role any public and private entities share responsibility for providing the critical infrastructure and services of the nation’s marine transportation system (MTS), which comprises hundreds of ports, thousands of waterway terminals, and tens of thousands of shippers and carriers. This report calls on the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to take the lead in measuring and monitoring the performance of the MTS, to inform public and private decision making about initiatives for improvements. In particular, the study committee recommends that DOT develop reports on the condition and performance of the MTS and seek a mandate from Congress to produce regular reports similar to those for the nation’s highway and transit systems. SPECIAL REPORT 279 The Marine Transportation System and the Federal Role The Marine Transportation System and the Federal Role Measuring Performance, Targeting Improvement TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH BOARD ISBN 0-309-09452-6 OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES 94911mvp_1_ 4/2/04 10:27 AM Page i SPECIAL REPORT 279 The Marine Transportation System and the Federal Role Measuring Performance, Targeting Improvement Committee for a Study of the Federal Role in the Marine Transportation System TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH BOARD OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES Transportation Research Board Washington, D.C. 2004 www.TRB.org 94911mvp_1_ 4/2/04 10:27 AM Page ii Transportation Research Board Special Report 279 Subscriber Category IX marine transportation Transportation Research Board publications are available by ordering individual publications directly from the TRB Business Office, through the Internet at www.TRB.org or nationalacademies.org/trb, or by annual subscription through organizational or individual affiliation with TRB. Affiliates and library subscribers are eligible for substantial discounts. For further information, contact the Transportation Research Board Business Office, 500 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001 (telephone 202-334-3213; fax 202-334-2519; or e-mail