Statement: Preparing for the Future
July 21, 2004
New York has always been a key to the Northeast's ability to grow and prosper. As far back as the Dutch finding the ability to navigate the Hudson to Albany, and continuing through the Erie Canal days, and the heyday of the New York Central Railroad, New York was the trade route, and the entire region prospered. Today the New York City area is prospering, and the population is growing, but much of the rest of the state is losing population and is having difficulty attracting industry and jobs.
To ensure continuing prosperity for all New Yorkers and the entire Northeast, the state's transportation system must remain reliable and affordable while delivering critical results for our customers in a global economy. Three major factors currently threaten the reliability of our transportation infrastructure:
- Traffic, particularly the increase in truck traffic;
- Technology, as inventory systems move goods immediately at lower costs, and customers expect access to better information and better services; and
- Trade, as changing patterns in the global flow of goods can dramatically affect our future.
The future of transportation in this state depends on our success in managing all of our transportation assets to support the economy, reduce congestion and improve reliability to users across our system, and build viable, livable communities. For all those who move themselves, other people, or products to, from, through and within New York State, DOT will be accountable for meeting or exceeding transportation expectations with regard to:
- Mobility and Reliability
- Safety
- Economic Competitiveness
- Environmental Conditions
- Security
We know that statewide results in these priority areas cannot be accomplished alone, and that it requires extensive outreach and innovative partnerships to develop solutions for achieving significant system-wide results. Our next Transportation Plan, with the assistance of our Advisory Panel on Transportation Policy for 2025, will outline the issues and strategies for creating more seamless transportation services and for meeting customer expectations in a manner which will continue to build public trust.
My hope is that you will find this website useful and will continue to visit and explore the issues as we work together in the coming months to prepare New York State for the future.
