Transportation: –
The transportation industry has long been the keystone of America’s security, military strength, and economic prowess. Today, challenges besiege this vital industry, directly impacting its ability to meet national resourcing requirements and continued economic expansion. The most significant challenges are labor shortages, inadequate infrastructure, and barriers to automation (to include cyber security threats), each of which is impacted by burdensome regulation. The government, in coordination with industry stakeholders, must address these challenges by making strategic investments in infrastructure, reviewing, revising or rescinding current regulations, and implementing new policies to incentivize growth and industry efficiency.
Our unity as a nation is sustained…by easy transportation of people and goods - President Dwight D. Eisenhower
The movement of people and materials has been the hallmark of strong and vibrant societies since the dawn of modern civilization. From mobilizing large armies, to moving people across vast distances, transportation has served as the core of societal strength and security. Today, the transportation industry continues to be the instrument through which the U.S. achieves security, drives global prosperity, espouses national values, and underscores international order. Moving forward, the government and key stakeholders must synchronize efforts to address critical challenges facing this vital industry.
Plagued by growing personnel shortages, deteriorating infrastructure, barriers to automation (to include cyber security threats), and burdensome regulation, the transportation industry requires action by the government and key stakeholders in order to remain a preeminent industry in the global marketplace, supporting a strong national defense. Current corporate strategies and government initiatives have been designed to confront these impediments; however, there are no comprehensive strategies to address the spectrum of industry challenges.
The focus of this report is to highlight the importance of the transportation industry to U.S. national security. It begins by clearly defining the transportation industry and outlining its current condition. This provides the basic framework for the research and analysis of challenges facing the industry across each of the primary sectors (maritime, air, rail, and trucking). It concludes with individual essays expounding on those core issues and offering recommendations for the government and key stakeholders to grow this critical infrastructure, and a thriving economy.
The methodology used in developing this report consisted of extensive research through a variety of mediums, to include literature review, foreign and domestic industry visits, and engagements with leaders from across government and industry. Further, each seminar member completed individual research projects that are reflected as essays on major issues in this report. In order to secure a sufficient level of understanding of the depth and breadth of transportation as an industry, it is essential to have a common understanding of the industry.
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