The sun was just breaking through the morning mist when 20 members of the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) Advisory Council boarded the M/V Sam Houston in May for its annual meeting.
The Houston Ship Channel was the setting for the 2005 meeting, courtesy of Thomas Kornegay, executive director of the Port of Houston Authority. As the second-largest port in the United States, the Port of Houston provided a stunning backdrop for council discussions ranging from new transportation research to updates on legislative activities.
TTI draws on the expertise and guidance of the council in the development and conduct of its programs. The council is comprised of distinguished, high-level transportation professionals from across Texas and the nation. As the ship got underway, TTI Director Herb Richardson brought the meeting to order and introduced David Cain, long-time supporter of transportation issues in the Texas legislature, as the TTI Council’s new chairman. Arnold Oliver, retired Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) executive director, stepped down as chairman after leading the council for several years.
Following an update by Richardson on recent TTI activities, Mike Behrens, TxDOT’s executive director, updated the council on the recent activities in Austin in both the legislature and at TxDOT. “All eyes are on Texas for transportation,” he remarked as he explained that all states are trying to keep programs moving with limited funding, but that Texas is in a relatively better position than most. The morning session was rounded out with updates from TTI Deputy Director Dennis Christiansen on TTI’s Southwest Center for Transportation Research and Testing in Pecos and the proposed use of TTI’s facilities to establish a traffic management center for the Bryan-College Station area.
The highlight of the morning was a presentation of a check from Mark Stiles, senior vice president of Trinity Industries for the Research Champions Program. Stiles presented a check for $50,000 to TTI and pledged the company’s continuing support of the Research Champions Program. “Trinity Industries is proud to consider our company a partner with TTI in recognizing excellence in transportation research,” says Stiles.
The Research Champions Program consists of a National Reporter of the Year award presented at the TRB meetings in Washington D.C., a distinguished lecture series and other activities aimed at recognizing transportation research leadership.
“TTI gratefully accepts this generous check from Trinity Industries and would like to thank them for their support of the Research Champions Program,” says TTI Director Herb Richardson.
As the M/V Sam Houston docked at the San Jacinto Monument and lunch was brought onboard, Thomas Kornegay provided an in-depth briefing on the Port Authority of Houston. His update included a description of new funding methods used by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the handling of port security in the wake of the September 11th terrorist attacks. In addition, a very significant 12-18 percent increase in container traffic over the last decade has created new logistics and security concerns for the port.
As the ship made its way back to its berth after lunch, each member of the council was invited to the podium to reflect on major, current issues and topics. Workforce development, funding, public relations and communication, safety, planning, and numerous other issues were addressed. “The background and experience these council members bring to the table is invaluable to TTI,” notes TTI Deputy Director Dennis Christiansen. “In forums like this one, we receive the benefit of their vast knowledge and experience that helps guide the institute in effectively planning our research program.”