Analysis of Policy Issues Relating to Public Investment in Private Freight Infrastructure

008998471999PDFTech ReportIISTPS Report 99-3FHWA/CA/OR-99/20Freight transportationInfrastructureLegislationRegulationShipmentsPolicyPolicy analysisPublic policyTransportation policyEconomic developmentFuel taxesGasolineGuidelinesInvestmentsLegal factorsPublic private partnershipsState highwaysStrategic planningCaliforniaNorth AmericaUnited States. Dept. of Transportation. Research and Special Programs AdministrationEvans, D. M.Evans, DanKelley, NormanCalifornia. Dept. of Transportation. Office of ResearchNorman Y. Mineta International Institute for Surface Transportation Policy StudiesUnited States. Dept. of Transportation. Research and Special Programs AdministrationNTL-ECONOMICS AND FINANCE-ECONOMICS AND FINANCENTL-FREIGHT-FREIGHTNTL-HIGHWAY/ROAD TRANSPORTATION-HIGHWAY/ROAD TRANSPORTATIONNTL-PLANNING AND POLICY-PLANNING AND POLICYUS Transportation CollectionThe Norman Y. Mineta International Institute for Surface Transportation Policy Studies (IISTPS) at San Josi State University conducted this study to review the issues and implications involved in the investment of public funds in private freight infrastructure. After thorough legal research, the project team reached the following conclusions: LEGAL ANALYSIS: 1) The California legislature has the legal power to invest public funds in privately-owned freight infrastructure projects; 2) State Highway funds, excepting gas tax revenues, may be used for investment in freight infrastructure projects; 3) Gas tax revenues are restricted to highway use by current interpretations of the California Constitution. A challenge to this interpretation is not recommended; 4)Gas tax revenues may be invested in roadway segments of freight infrastructure projects. RECOMMENDATIONS: 1) An analytical system of guidelines should be developed to score and evaluate any proposed freight infrastructure project; 2)Economic development must be included in these scoring guidelines; 3) Public agencies should maintain political contacts in order to control the political short-circuits of the planning process; 4) The California Department of Transportation should develop a Freight Improvement Priority System for the purpose of prioritizing all freight improvement projects