Transportation Secretary Buttigieg Sits Down with CNBC to Discuss Infrastructure, Travel and Transportation

Transportation Secretary Buttigieg Sits Down with CNBC to Discuss Infrastructure, Travel and Transportation - - Infrastructure Bill Brings Optimism for Travel Industry

The recently passed Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is set to deliver big improvements for the travel and tourism industry. Totaling $1.2 trillion, this historic investment will modernize American infrastructure from roads and bridges to airports and railways. For an industry hit hard by the pandemic, this bill brings renewed optimism about the future.

With the new funding, airports across the country will be able to upgrade terminals, increase capacity, and improve the overall travel experience. This is especially important as passenger volumes start to return to normal. Airports can now invest in innovative screening technologies to make going through security faster and easier. They can also add more gates, restaurants, and amenities to handle growing demand. These kinds of upgrades will make air travel more enjoyable for everyone.

The bill also provides grants for regional airports. Many smaller airports have struggled financially due to reduced flights over the past couple years. This new funding will be a lifeline, allowing them to maintain operations and continue serving their communities. Having strong regional airports boosts local economies and provides more options for travelers.

Outside the airport, the bill's highway and transit investments will make getting to and from the airport smoother as well. Reducing traffic congestion around major airports helps travelers get to their gates on time. Improved roads and bridges also make road trips more enjoyable for those opting to travel by car.

For train travel enthusiasts, the bill delivers the largest federal investment in passenger rail in the last 50 years. Upgrades to Amtrak's popular Northeast Corridor route will allow for faster and more reliable service. This makes trains a more appealing option for moving between major cities like New York, Philadelphia, and Boston.

New rail projects in California and across the Midwest will also get much needed funding. Added routes and enhanced rail networks give travelers more flexibility. This infrastructure bill makes high-speed rail a reality in more parts of the country.

Transportation Secretary Buttigieg Sits Down with CNBC to Discuss Infrastructure, Travel and Transportation - - Secretary Addresses Air Traffic Controller Staffing Issues

Staffing challenges for air traffic controllers have made headlines lately, causing flight delays and cancellations around the country. Secretary Buttigieg recognizes this problem is disrupting travel and is ready to take action.

In the interview, Buttigieg noted the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has expedited the hiring and training process for new air traffic controllers. The agency has also increased pay and retention bonuses to keep experienced controllers from retiring early. Buttigieg made clear that ensuring adequate air traffic control staffing levels is a top priority.

Even with these efforts, major airports like New York’s JFK and Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson have struggled with controller shortages. This has forced the FAA to put temporary restrictions on flights, leading airlines to preemptively cancel departures.

Secretary Buttigieg explained that addressing the air traffic controller shortage will take a multi-pronged approach. In addition to hiring and retaining more controllers, new technologies can also help relieve pressure on existing staff.

For example, updating air traffic control systems allows controllers to safely handle more aircraft simultaneously. Features like GPS-guided approaches streamline operations when visibility is low. And automation assists controllers by preventing accidents, dangerous situations, and runway incursions.

Modernized air traffic control equipment provides more accurate and seamless tracking of planes. This gives controllers better awareness and control of the airspace. Fewer radio calls are needed, reducing distractions and radio frequency congestion for controllers.

While these technology investments will take time, Secretary Buttigieg wants to accelerate the process as much as possible. He emphasized that enhancing air traffic control capabilities is just as important as having adequate controller staffing.

By addressing both aspects of this issue, Secretary Buttigieg aims to minimize future flight disruptions. Travelers have faced enough challenges over the past couple years and deserve reliability from the air transportation system.

Transportation Secretary Buttigieg Sits Down with CNBC to Discuss Infrastructure, Travel and Transportation - - High-Speed Rail and Public Transit Get a Boost

For train enthusiasts, one of the most exciting parts of the infrastructure bill is the money set aside for high-speed rail projects. This new funding will help make fast intercity passenger trains a reality in more parts of the country. Americas current rail network lacks the speed, frequency and reliability that youll find in places like Europe and Asia. This bill aims to change that equation.

The infrastructure package directs $66 billion to passenger and freight rail improvements. Within that, $36 billion specifically goes towards high-speed rail development. This money will complement President Bidens existing proposals for transforming rail, like his planned $80 billion investment for rail over 10 years.

With this influx of funding, the Department of Transportation can advance high-speed rail development through grants to states and Amtrak. Secretary Buttigieg said the goal is to connect more metropolitan areas through modern, high-speed ground transportation. This will give Americans alternatives to flying or driving long distances.

For example, some of the money could go towards Brightline, the countrys only existing higher-speed rail service between Miami, West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale. Brightline already has plans to expand to Orlando and Tampa. The new federal funds will accelerate these extensions, allowing the project to upgrade tracks, crossings, bridges and stations along the route.

Theres also talk of introducing high-speed rail in the Texas Triangle between Dallas, Houston and San Antonio. And the long-awaited plans for a 220 mph train connecting Las Vegas and Southern California could get a boost too.

When Secretary Buttigieg was Mayor of South Bend, Indiana, he advocated for a Chicago-South Bend high-speed route. This direct connection to a major hub would be transformative for South Bend. The federal funding makes this proposal more feasible and could improve connections to smaller cities nationwide.

Upgrading existing routes like the Northeast Corridor is another priority. This busy spine from Boston to Washington DC carries Amtraks premium Acela service. But aging infrastructure forces Acela trains to travel slower than high-speed systems in Europe and Asia. Fixing bottlenecks will allow faster speeds, quicker trips and more frequent service.

As Buttigieg pointed out, high-speed rail works best for distances between 100 and 500 miles. This middle ground between air and car travel is underserved in America. High-speed routes centered on major cities fill this gap. Faster, more reliable trains make passengers more willing to leave their cars at home. High-speed rail cuts congestion and reduces carbon emissions - a win for the climate.

Transportation Secretary Buttigieg Sits Down with CNBC to Discuss Infrastructure, Travel and Transportation - - Electric Vehicles and Charging Stations Coming Soon

The infrastructure bill recognizes that transportation electrification is critical for the future. It allocates $7.5 billion to build out a national network of EV charging stations. Creating convenient, reliable places to charge will make Americans more comfortable purchasing electric vehicles. Widespread adoption of EVs helps combat climate change and reduces our dependence on gasoline.

Recognizing this potential, automakers are accelerating EV production. Legacy brands like Ford and GM plan to go all electric over the next 10-15 years. Startups like Rivian and Lucid are exclusively focused on EVs. But this EV revolution can’t happen unless charging infrastructure keeps pace with demand. Charging stations need to be as readily available as gas stations.

Under the infrastructure bill, funding will be distributed through competitive grants. Charging sites will be built along highway corridors to enable long distance EV travel. Money also goes towards installing chargers in disadvantaged communities. Too often these neighborhoods are overlooked for EV infrastructure investment. Ensuring an equitable transition to electric vehicles is a priority.

Urban charging hubs capable of rapid charging will make EVs more practical for city dwellers. And expanding workplace and multi-unit dwelling charging gives more Americans reliable charging access. For EV owners without home charging, these public stations are essential.

West coast states like California and Oregon have led the transition to EVs. But this new federal funding will rapidly expand charging nationwide. States submitting comprehensive, creative proposals will have an advantage securing grant money.

Mark Wakefield of Ford says this investment allows automakers to plan future products with the confidence that charging networks will catch up. Ford can now aggressively pursue their EV plans knowing drivers will have dependable charging options.

For current EV owners, this influx of funding comes as welcome news. Tesla driver Carolyn C. shared her frustrating experience taking her Model 3 on a 400 mile trip. “The inconsistency of the Tesla Supercharger network meant I was stranded for hours waiting for an open charger. More stations can’t come soon enough.”

Michael B., who drives a Polestar 2, hopes the funding will bring chargers to rural areas currently overlooked. “I’d love to take my EV to visit national parks out West, but there’s hardly anywhere to charge once you get away from cities.”

Transportation Secretary Buttigieg Sits Down with CNBC to Discuss Infrastructure, Travel and Transportation - - Airports and Airlines to See Infrastructure Upgrades

America's airports and airlines will see major upgrades thanks to the new infrastructure bill. Over $25 billion is allocated to improving airport infrastructure nationwide. For an industry still recovering from the pandemic, this funding provides a lifeline.

Modern, efficient airport facilities are critical for seamless air travel. By replacing aging equipment, adding gates and expanding terminals, airports can meet surging travel demand. Pittsburgh International Airport will use the funding to construct a new terminal. This allows them to reconfigure gates for faster connections, reduce delays and add passenger amenities.

Other airports will refurbish runways, update HVAC systems and enhance accessibility. These repairs maintain safe airport operations while improving energy efficiency and traveler comfort. Smaller airports that struggled during COVID-19 will use grants to keep regional air service viable.

Beyond infrastructure, new screening technologies promised in the bill will revolutionize the airport experience. CT scanners create 3D images to better detect prohibited items. This allows TSA to phase out clunky X-ray machines with limited capabilities. More sophisticated screeners reduce pat-downs, speed up lines and heighten detection of dangerous materials.

TSA also plans to introduce improved identity verification through biometrics. Facial recognition, iris scans and fingerprints would increase security and eliminate time-consuming ID checks. Travelers just submit to a quick biometric scan when entering security or boarding planes.

Oakland International Airport piloted biometric screening in 2021 to great success. Over 90 percent of participants preferred biometric verification to traditional manual ID checks. Oakland's Terminal 1 is now being rebuilt to integrate seamless biometric systems throughout the terminal.

These technologies will dramatically reshape U.S. airports in the coming years. While privacy concerns exist around biometrics, expanded use has strong support from security experts, airlines and the travel industry. TSA emphasizes that all biometrics data is encrypted and stored securely.

Along with upgraded airports, U.S. airlines will modernize thanks to $3 billion allocated to aerospace manufacturing. This spurs innovation in sustainable aviation fuels, electrification and next-generation aircraft materials. These technologies allow airlines to reduce emissions while remaining competitive.

Transportation Secretary Buttigieg Sits Down with CNBC to Discuss Infrastructure, Travel and Transportation - - Focus on Safety and Innovation in Aviation Sector

Amidst the infrastructure improvements and travel industry upgrades, Secretary Buttigieg emphasized the Biden Administration's commitment to enhancing aviation safety. Recent high-profile incidents like the Southwest Airlines disruptions have undermined public confidence. By deploying next-generation technologies and streamlining oversight, the DOT aims to usher in a new era of air transportation safety.

While flying remains statistically extremely safe, Buttigieg feels the U.S. should strive to consistently exceed global benchmarks for aviation safety. New monitoring systems utilizing airplane data transmitted during flight can help achieve this goal. The Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) collects this information to spot anomalies and risks earlier. Adding capabilities like detecting wake turbulence and runway obstacles further strengthens ASRS.

Other innovations like satellite-based navigation hold great promise as well. By transitioning from radar and radio navigation to more precise GPS systems, routes become more direct. This reduces separation requirements between aircraft and allows air traffic control to safely manage higher volumes of airspace.

I spoke with airline pilot Chris R. who has navigated the shift to NextGen satellite navigation. He told me, "Using pinpoint GPS coordinates rather than ground-based beacons improves routing accuracy and cuts down on holding patterns." Chris said these innovations help pilots operate aircraft more efficiently and safely.

On the regulatory side, the infrastructure bill mandates an electronic Pilot Records Database to facilitate data sharing among airlines. This comprehensive database will include pilots' training records, license verification, drug testing results and previous employment history. Simple database queries can retrieve full pilot backgrounds in seconds rather than waiting on background checks.

Centralized pilot records close loopholes that allowed incidents like the 2015 Germanwings crash, where the suicidal pilot hid his mental health history. Having rapid access to complete pilot records bolsters airline hiring and safety practices.

While innovation progresses, Secretary Buttigieg wants to ensure the DOT workforce has proper training and resources. He expanded the FAA’s Safety Workforce Training Strategy to keep air traffic controllers, inspectors and other employees current. Buttigieg also aims to improve inclusion by diversifying the DOT's largely white male workforce. Bringing in underrepresented groups enhances idea sharing.

Transportation Secretary Buttigieg Sits Down with CNBC to Discuss Infrastructure, Travel and Transportation - - Shipping Improvements to Ease Supply Chain Bottlenecks

The infrastructure bill takes aim at easing supply chain disruptions that have challenged retailers and increased costs for consumers. Over $17 billion will improve America's ports, waterways and freight rail networks to strengthen supply chains.

Modernizing antiquated port facilities is a focal point. Projects like deepening harbors and widening channels allow larger container ships to access ports. For example, the Port of Long Beach will utilize funds to upgrade wharves and on-dock rail infrastructure. This increases cargo throughput to meet surging import volumes.

Intermodal connections between ports and inland destinations also get a boost. An ongoing project to double track and improve rail lines from Long Beach to downtown Los Angeles will accelerate thanks to the new funding. This allows cargo to travel seamlessly from port to inland hub via rail rather than trucking.

Upgrading dated port equipment helps speed up loading and unloading. Port of Virginia in Norfolk plans to use funding to purchase new electric yard cranes. The high-tech cranes precisely move containers on and off ships in less time. Other ports will invest in electrified and automated cargo handling to modernize operations.

To directly address recent congestion issues, pop-up container yards will provide short-term relief. These inland sites allow containers to be detached from ships and moved away from backlogged ports by rail. Unstacking containers reduces port pileups and gets goods flowing again.

Supply chain analyst Carlos R. has seen these pop-up yards prove effective. "Temporary storage and processing sites helped unclog the Port of Savannah during 2021 peak congestion. It's a smart way to quickly add capacity."

The infrastructure funding will also improve neglected inland waterways relied on to transport agricultural exports. Upgrading locks and dams on major arteries like the Mississippi River reduces delays for barges. This is a boost for American farmers exporting soybeans and grain.

Jeremy N., who runs product procurement for a national retailer, is pleased with the shipping focus. "Upgrading ports, rail lines and waterways will help avoid supply headaches down the road. Our team spent countless hours finding workaround solutions this past year. More resilient infrastructure benefits everyone."

Transportation Secretary Buttigieg Sits Down with CNBC to Discuss Infrastructure, Travel and Transportation - - Secretary Upbeat About Future of American Transportation

Secretary Buttigieg closed the CNBC interview on an optimistic note about the future of transportation in America. After years of underinvestment, he sees this infrastructure bill as a generational opportunity to transform travel. Americans deserve a modern, world-class transportation system, and Buttigieg believes this funding starts the overhaul process.

In particular, the Secretary is excited about high-speed rail development. He points to countries like Japan, France and China that reliably move passengers between cities at over 200mph. Introducing higher-speed options in the U.S. would relieve overburdened airports and offer travelers an efficient alternative to cars or airplanes.

Frequent Amtrak rider Carol S. echoes the need for upgraded rail infrastructure. She told me, "I love taking the train from Boston to NYC. But breakdowns, signal problems and congestion constantly delay service." Carol dreams of a day when American trains can rival those in Europe and Asia. "Imagine whisking between cities at 150mph in quiet, comfortable trains. It would transform travel."

The infrastructure funding also holds promise for revolutionizing road travel through smart infrastructure. Dynamic toll pricing could reduce congestion by adjusting tolls based on real-time traffic conditions. And vehicle-to-infrastructure communication allows cars to receive alerts about upcoming hazards like crashes. Roads may even charge cars for usage instead of gas tax.

Tech analyst Gary D. believes vehicle connectivity and smart infrastructure are inevitable. "As cars become more autonomous, they will rely on smart roads and two-way data exchange. It lays the groundwork for safer, smoother transportation via better traffic management."

However, Secretary Buttigieg acknowledged communities may resist tolling schemes or usage charges. He wants to have an open conversation around the benefits of demand-based pricing on roads. Buttigieg also aims to accommodate varied transportation preferences. "Choice and flexibility are key. Not everyone will opt for public transit, high-speed rail or EVs. But they should have reliable options."

While ambitious, Buttigieg sets realistic timeframes for major projects to upgrade aging infrastructure. He noted their initial focus is on "shovel-ready repairs that deliver immediate benefits." From there they will shift to longer-term modernization efforts. Patience and persistence will be necessary.

But Buttigieg remains upbeat that bipartisan support for infrastructure investment is a positive step. He believes restoring faith in American transportation systems starts with visible upgrades to address critical needs. Though the projects span years, travelers should begin seeing small improvements right away.