[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 106 (Friday, June 2, 1995)] [Notices] [Page 28827] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 95-13518] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Office of the Secretary Solicitation of Public Comment on Proposed Western Hemisphere Transportation Initiative; Notice of Meeting SUMMARY: The Office of International Transportation and Trade, U.S. Department of Transportation, invites comments on a proposed Western Hemisphere Transportation Initiative. The public is invited to a meeting on June 20, 1995, at the Transportation Department, 400 7th Street, SW, Washington, DC, in Room 2230, to discuss concerns and key issues regarding transportation in the Western Hemisphere for use in developing the agenda for a conference of transport ministers from the region. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department of Transportation organized a Conference on Transportation in the Americas in October 1994 as a precursor to the Summit of the Americas in December. Transport ministers from twelve countries met to discuss the critical transportation issues that confront each country in the region and the hemisphere as a whole. The conference was designed to serve as a platform from which to launch additional cooperative efforts to build an efficient and integrated transportation network throughout the hemisphere. The ministers' discussions touched on a wide range of key transportation issues, including ways to improve planning and financing of critical transportation projects; economic regulation of transport operations and facilitation of transportation and trade procedures; developing and deploying new technologies to improve the efficiency and environmental friendliness of transport systems; and, harmonizing construction, safety, and operating regulations. The Summit of the Americas specifically endorsed future cooperation among transport ministers throughout the region. Recognizing the critical role that transportation plays in a nation's trade, tourism, and economic and social development, the Department of Transportation proposes to cooperate with all the countries in the hemisphere to launch a hemispheric transportation initiative. The initiative should promote sustainable and environmentally sound transport infrastructure development, encourage open investment and operating regimes, ensure that technologies are shared so that every nation will benefit from improvements in the efficiency and harmonization of transportation systems and services, and it should provide for the development of common approaches to problems in transport systems. The Department of Transportation would like to solicit the transportation industry's (service providers and users, equipment manufacturers, construction and engineering firms, and labor) thoughts and ideas to assist in identifying key issues and areas for cooperation among the countries of the Western Hemisphere. The Department is interested in hearing what, in the industry's experience, are the areas that could benefit from the focused attention of the hemisphere's transport ministers. For those who wish to comment but cannot attend the meeting, written comments may be submitted to the individuals named below. The fax number for the Office of International Transportation and Trade is (202) 366-7417. To advise of attendance and for further information contact LeeAnn Moore, International Transportation Specialist, at (202) 366-1219. Dated: May 26, 1995. Bernestine Allen, Chief, International Cooperation and Trade Division, Office of International Transportation and Trade, U.S. Department of Transportation. [FR Doc. 95-13518 Filed 6-1-95; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-62-P