TRB Committee Sponsors:

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1 ANNOUNCEMENT Transportation Research Board s 27th Annual Summer Ports, Waterways, Freight & International Trade Conference and Mid-Year Meetings of TRB Sponsoring Committees June 23-26, 2002 Photo Credit: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sheraton Station Square Hotel 7 Station Square Drive -- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania TRB Committee Sponsors: A1B01 Inland Water Transportation A1B08 Ports and Channels A1B09 Freight Transportation Data* A1B11 Military Transportation A1B14 Transportation of Hazardous Materials* A1B55 Agricultural Transportation A1E15 Ferry Transportation A2M03 Intermodal Freight Terminal Design & Operations A5006 International Trade & Transportation A5021 Critical Transportation Infrastructure Protection For additional information, call 202/ or send an to jcambrid@nas.edu For conference updates, visit the Calendar on TRB s website at

2 TRB's 27th Annual Summer Ports, Waterways, Freight & International Trade Conference Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania June 23-26, 2002 Purpose Each year, the Transportation Research Board (TRB) sponsors a summer conference focused on ports, waterways, freight, ferry transportation, and international trade and transportation. The Summer 2002 conference will be held at the Sheraton Station Square Hotel in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on June 23-26, The Pittsburgh region offers an exciting venue for the 2002 Conference, offering participants an opportunity to experience inland waterway operations at the Port of Pittsburgh, located along the Ohio, Allegheny, and Monongahela Rivers. Among the broad range of topics and issues to be addressed at the conference are: Recent developments in port services and operations, with a particular focus on inland waterways, as well as the Great Lakes and other coastal regions. Transportation infrastructure protection and border security, including harbor and waterway security, vulnerability and risk assessments, hardening of assets, container screening, and response/recovery plans. Coastal port, inland waterway and corridor developments, including critical channel and infrastructure projects. A mid-day tour to one of the major Lock & Dam structures in the Pittsburgh region is being planned. Ferry developments, including water taxi services in the Pittsburgh Region and passenger vessel security and terminal projects. Trends and outlook for agricultural and energy transportation, an important market for the inland waterways, in both domestic and international trade. Military transportation needs and operations, across all modes and including security considerations. Legislative and research updates on issues such as the Marine Transportation System, the prospects for SEA-21, the National Dredging Program, the Water Resources Development Act, TEA-21 Reauthorization, and navigation/charting initiatives.

3 In addition to the plenary sessions, the conference will include: Mid-year Meetings of several TRB standing committees*. All conference attendees are invited to participate in the committee meetings. Exhibits and Demonstrations related to the session topics available throughout the conference. The exhibits will officially open to participants at the Welcoming Reception on Sunday, June 23 and will remain available for viewing and hands-on access through Tuesday afternoon, June 25. Proposals for exhibits/demonstrations must be submitted via to no later than May 24, Optional Activities and Tours are also being organized, including a field trip to one of the major lock and dam structures in the Pittsburgh area and an evening of baseball at the new home of the Pittsburgh Pirates the new stadium is accessible via water shuttle from the dock near the conference hotel. (NOTE: A block of tickets will be purchased if there is sufficient interest in the Tuesday night game see registration form). A preliminary schedule of events follows. Details and periodic updates of the conference program, tours, and schedule will be posted on the TRB website at: (click on Calendar) beginning in April. * NOTE: The official mid-year business meeting of the A1B14 Transportation of Hazardous Materials Committee will be held at another time, and the A1B09 Freight Transportation Data Committee will hold its official meeting May 12, 2002 in Orlando, Florida; however, all members and friends of these committees are encouraged to also participate in the Summer Conference in Pittsburgh.

4 Cooperating Organizations TRB and the participating committees are pleased that the Standing Committee on Water Transportation (SCOWT) of the American Association of Highway & Transportation Officials (AASHTO) will be holding a meeting in conjunction with the TRB Conference.

5 TRB's 27th Annual Summer Ports, Waterways, Freight & International Trade Conference Registration Information Conference registration and hotel reservation forms are provided on the TRB website. The registration fee for the conference is $250 (before May 31) and $350 (on-site and after May 31). The fee covers all sessions and committee meetings, luncheons, receptions, and conference materials. Please note the cancellation policy on the conference registration form. (NOTE: Invited program speakers and presenters will be charged a reduced conference registration fee of $175.) Conference Site and Hotel Information The Summer 2002 Conference will be held at the Sheraton Station Square Hotel, Pittsburgh s only riverfront hotel. Located in Station Square, the Sheraton is adjacent to over 30 shops, restaurants and nightclubs. The Station Square Dock of the Gateway Clipper Fleet - offering sightseeing, dining and dancing cruises along Pittsburgh's three rivers - is also only a short walk from the hotel. The hotel has reserved a block of rooms for the conference at a rate of $79/night (single or double) plus applicable taxes. This rate will be available until the block is sold out or until May 31, Attendees are encouraged to make their reservations early (and no later than May 31), using the attached reservation form. This is a busy time in Pittsburgh and rooms will sell out quickly. After May 31 and/or once the room block is sold out, reservations will be accepted based on availability and may be at a higher rate. Please note the hotel cancellation policy. June is a great time to visit Pittsbugh and offers many great attractions for conference participants and family or friends!!! For more information on Pittsburgh and things to do in the area, visit the following website: