TRANSPORTATION
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The Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER) is the premier nonpartisan organization bringing together policy makers, non-profits, and business leaders to support the development of our regional economy. PNWER offers leadership in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, the Northwest Territories and Yukon, and at the national level in Washington DC and Ottawa. More information is here.
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The transportation working group focuses on the infrastructure of our major corridors and gateways, with a special interest on border infrastructure. 2019 overview here.
Major focus areas of this group include:
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Join us in Seattle this November for our economic leadership forum!
The Topics:
- The City of the Future
- Smart Cities
- 5G
- Edge Computing
- Machine Learning and AI
- Drones
- Resilient Infrastructure
- Autonomous and Electric Vehicles
2019 PNWER Annual Summit - Presentations
2019-2020 Actions Items & Findings
Action Items |
Write letter of support from PNWER urging the U.S. to issue a Presidential Permit for Alaska to Alberta (A2A) rail project. |
Hold legislative panel in Big Sky 2020 on ACES, 5G connected technologies, harmonizing regulations. Smart cities, includes smart communities focusing on rural development through 5G and other technologies to maintain economic prosperity. |
Support request to U.S. DOT to assist with $25 million to continue maintenance of Alaska-Canada Highway that goes through Yukon and BC. |
Findings |
It was noted that the Transportation Working Group should collaborate with the Border Working Group; Cascadia Innovation Corridor; and state, provincial, and federal agencies to promote the testing of autonomous vehicles (personal and commercial) on the I-5 and Hwy 99 corridor. |
Idaho DOT will continue to be a leader on harmonizing trucking regulations among 5 NW states and showcase similar improvements in Western Canada provinces. |
Additional Transportation Session. Click Below to see more Details
Harbour to Harbor
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PNWER has long supported “Harbour to Harbor” seaplane service between Vancouver, British Columbia and Seattle, Washington. British Columbia and Washington state share significant economic and cultural ties including the remarkably successful Two Nation Vacation initiative that has attracted international visitors and accelerated joint infrastructure and high technology investments.
“Harbour to Harbor” is an important addition to the rich mix of highway, rail, ferry, cruise ship, seaplane and fixed wing aircraft transportation operations that uniquely defines our bi-national region. Vancouver and Seattle share similar innovative, risk-taking cultures and a one hour “Harbour to Harbor” seaplane connection will accelerate the “Cascadia Innovative Corridor” initiative launched by Microsoft and others that has expanded cross-border employment and attracted world wide talent to the region. Our regional border security agency leaders also have a well-deserved reputation for cross border cooperation and effectiveness in partnering with private sector transportation providers in deploying innovative, technology based procedures for enhanced security. “Harbour to Harbor” seaplane service affords Transport Canada and the Canada Border Services Agency a new and exciting venue to continue to showcase Canada’s innovative approach. Seaplane flights connecting Seattle and Vancouver to start April 26; Microsoft cheers 'important link'
Seaplane flights connecting Seattle and Vancouver to start April; 26 Microsoft cheers 'important link' Harbor Air announces 'Nerd Bird' Takes Flight PNWER Support Letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Overview of Harbour to Harbor from Kenmore Air and Harbour Air Presentation at 2017 Economic Leadership Forum in Victoria B.C., Nov. 7, 2017 |
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Oil By Rail
Since 2012, the transportation of crude oil by freight rail has been rapidly increasing in Washington and other states in the Pacific Northwest. The spate of recent derailments in Canada and the U.S. has led to new regulations in oil train operations and tank car construction, along with an increased local desire for transparency and accountability in regards to oil train routing and scheduling. In order to address these issues, the Center for Regional Disaster Resilience has begun to explore oil freight rail transportation and safety as part of its Program Areas.
Pacific Northwest Economic Region (PNWER) and the Center for Regional Disaster Resilience (CRDR) hosted an Oil Train Safety Symposium at Clover Park Technical College in Lakewood, Washington on April 27, 2016. The Transportation Working Group, co-chaired by Sen. Chuck Winder, Idaho, and Bruce Agnew, Director, Cascadia Center for Regional Development, has addressed oil by rail concerns at recent PNWER meetings.
This symposium provided a comprehensive overview of the current and future status of oil by rail transportation and emphasize partnerships to help ensure oil transport safety is being addressed across the region. By fostering dialogue between public and private sector entities, PNWER and CRDR hope to increase mutual understanding of oil train safety issues in a broad and holistic manner by including stakeholders from all parts of the supply chain both in the U.S. and Canada. The Symposium agenda is still under development; topics will include an overview of the transportation of hazardous material by rail, the driving factors behind the rise of oil transportation by rail, potential safety hazards, incident response, and planning for future movement of other fuel products.
Event report, presentations and oil safety news here
Since 2012, the transportation of crude oil by freight rail has been rapidly increasing in Washington and other states in the Pacific Northwest. The spate of recent derailments in Canada and the U.S. has led to new regulations in oil train operations and tank car construction, along with an increased local desire for transparency and accountability in regards to oil train routing and scheduling. In order to address these issues, the Center for Regional Disaster Resilience has begun to explore oil freight rail transportation and safety as part of its Program Areas.
Pacific Northwest Economic Region (PNWER) and the Center for Regional Disaster Resilience (CRDR) hosted an Oil Train Safety Symposium at Clover Park Technical College in Lakewood, Washington on April 27, 2016. The Transportation Working Group, co-chaired by Sen. Chuck Winder, Idaho, and Bruce Agnew, Director, Cascadia Center for Regional Development, has addressed oil by rail concerns at recent PNWER meetings.
This symposium provided a comprehensive overview of the current and future status of oil by rail transportation and emphasize partnerships to help ensure oil transport safety is being addressed across the region. By fostering dialogue between public and private sector entities, PNWER and CRDR hope to increase mutual understanding of oil train safety issues in a broad and holistic manner by including stakeholders from all parts of the supply chain both in the U.S. and Canada. The Symposium agenda is still under development; topics will include an overview of the transportation of hazardous material by rail, the driving factors behind the rise of oil transportation by rail, potential safety hazards, incident response, and planning for future movement of other fuel products.
Event report, presentations and oil safety news here
Innovative Infrastructure Finance
Traditional funding mechanisms for large-scale infrastructure and transportation projects have been challenged in recent years, encouraging states/provinces and regional jurisdictions to find innovative strategies to fund projects. Partnering with private funding sources has found success in Canada and select U.S. states, but a lack of regulation harmonization and disparate financing laws between PNWER U.S. member states presents challenges in coordinating infrastructure and transportation planning efforts.
A PNWER-based Innovative Infrastructure Finance task force can play an important role in sharing best practices for public-private infrastructure financing and the public benefits of utilizing new models of infrastructure finance.
More information here
Traditional funding mechanisms for large-scale infrastructure and transportation projects have been challenged in recent years, encouraging states/provinces and regional jurisdictions to find innovative strategies to fund projects. Partnering with private funding sources has found success in Canada and select U.S. states, but a lack of regulation harmonization and disparate financing laws between PNWER U.S. member states presents challenges in coordinating infrastructure and transportation planning efforts.
A PNWER-based Innovative Infrastructure Finance task force can play an important role in sharing best practices for public-private infrastructure financing and the public benefits of utilizing new models of infrastructure finance.
More information here
Autonomous, Connected Electric Shared Vehicles
Transportation technology can deliver us from viaduct-closure gridlock - Seattle Times, Jan. 7 2019
News
TRANSPORTATION
Vancouver-Seattle-Portland high-speed rail zips closer to reality with new business case- Business in Vancouver, July 15, 2019
Harbour Air to add zero-emission electric plane; aims to convert whole fleet - Times Colonist, March 2019
Seaplane flights connecting Seattle and Vancouver to start April 26; Microsoft cheers 'important link' - GeekWire, 4/5/18
Vancouver-Seattle-Portland high-speed rail zips closer to reality with new business case- Business in Vancouver, July 15, 2019
Harbour Air to add zero-emission electric plane; aims to convert whole fleet - Times Colonist, March 2019
Seaplane flights connecting Seattle and Vancouver to start April 26; Microsoft cheers 'important link' - GeekWire, 4/5/18
RESOURCES
Banner photo by Eva Cristescu