Engineers Perspective on the State of Transportation Infrastructure in NC

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1 Engineers Perspective on the State of Transportation Infrastructure in NC Pamela B. Townsend, PE MS Civil Engineering, BSCE, NC State University Vice President, Earth Tech, Inc. David Peterson, PE Past President American Society of Civil Engineers, North Carolina Section Betsy Bailey Executive Director, Professional Engineers of North Carolina

2 Coalition of Engineers for Transportation Who we are American Society of Civil Engineers (NC) American Society of Highway Engineers (NC) Professional Engineers of North Carolina North Carolina Institute of Transportation Engineers American Council of Engineering Companies (NC)

3 What Prompted this General Assembly adjourning session without addressing transportation funding I-35W Minneapolis bridge collapse a wakeup call Felt need to communicate to the North Carolina leadership and the public the seriousness of the condition of our infrastructure, and that it needs to be a funding priority

4 Purpose As Professional Engineers, responsibility to get involved Call to action Follow the Engineers Creed "Doctors of the Infrastructure

5 Engineers Creed As a Professional Engineer, I dedicate my professional knowledge and skill to the advancement and betterment of human welfare. I pledge: To give the utmost of performance To participate in none but honest enterprise To live and work according to the laws of man and the highest standards of professional conduct To place service before profit, the honor and standing of the profession before personal advantage, and the public welfare above all other considerations In humility and with need for Divine Guidance, I make this pledge. Adopted by National Society of Professional Engineers, June 1954

6 Population Growth North Carolina is the third-fastest growing state in the United States, east of the Mississippi River 34% increase from 1990 to 2006 Vehicle travel in North Carolina increased by 61% between 1990 and 2005 Vehicle travel in North Carolina is projected to increase by another 38% by 2020

7 Safety North Carolina ranks 6 th in the nation in the average number of annual traffic fatalities Traffic fatalities in North Carolina are occurring at a rate higher than the national average Traffic accidents and fatalities in which roadway design was an important factor cost North Carolina motorists approximately $2.8 billion annually The FHWA has found that every $100 million spent on needed highway safety improvements will result in 145 fewer traffic fatalities over a 10-year period

8 Reduction in Fatal Accident Rates After Needed Roadway Improvements Type of Improvement New Traffic Signals Turning Lanes and Traffic Signalization Widen or Modify Bridge Construct Median for Traffic Separation Realign Roadway Remove Roadside Obstacles Widen or Improve Shoulder Reduction in Fatal Accident Rates after Improvements 53% 47% 49% 73% 66% 66% 22%

9 Bridges North Carolina has 2,256 structurally deficient bridges As a percentage of bridges there are 29 states better, 15 states worse and 7 the same as North Carolina Therefore, North Carolina places in the bottom half of all states for bridge ratings North Carolina has 2,650 bridges with a sufficiency rating of less than 50 Sufficiency is overall measure of bridge s condition on scale

10 Unfunded Bridges with Sufficiency Rating < 50 (2006) Legend Bridge Locations (2297 unfunded bridges)

11 Congestion North Carolina s degree of congestion ranks 3rd, trailing only California and New Jersey Charlotte and Raleigh-Durham areas suffer from severe congestion 26th and 42nd most congested regions in the U.S. By 2030, Charlotte traffic will be equivalent to present day Los Angeles, and Raleigh-Durham equivalent to Baltimore Traffic congestion in North Carolina costs licensed drivers $775 million annually in delays and wasted fuel

12 Total Annual Costs Due to Driving on North Carolina s Inadequate Roads Safety $2.8 Billion Congestion $775 Million Vehicle Operating Cost $1.7 Billion TOTAL COST $5.3 Billion Source: TRIP (nonprofit research group) analysis of FHWA data, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data and Texas Transportation Institute data

13 Economic Impacts of the Transportation System 94% of the $267 billion worth of commodities delivered annually to and from sites in North Carolina are transported on the state s highways Commercial trucking is projected to increase by 57% in North Carolina by 2020 The FHWA has found that every dollar spent on street and highway improvements results in $5.40 in benefits In the form of reduced vehicle operating costs, reduced delays as a result of congestion and improved traffic safety

14 Resource Offer as an independent, objective resource Engineers trained as problem solvers Provide information and analysis Assist in interpretation and prioritization

15 Solution Comprehensive transportation plan for movement of people and goods Multimodal Ports Freight Rail Commuter Rail Transit Airports Highways Priorities based on objective needs analysis

16 Solution What is at risk for North Carolina if we do not develop this plan Ensuring the safety of our citizens Ability to remain competitive in a global economy The quality of life which has drawn so many to North Carolina