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Positions and Views on Other Issues where Information is Available: |
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| Transportation |
Positions and Views |
| Transportation, a General Statement |
Biden: No Response |
| Federal Transportation Funding |
Biden: No Response |
| Highways |
Biden: No Response |
| Traffic Congestion |
Biden: No Response |
| Telecommuting |
Biden: No Response |
| Highway Safety |
Biden: No Response |
| Drunk Driving |
Biden: No Response |
| Rail |
Biden: Protecting Rail Systems: Our rail systems are also vulnerable to terrorist attack. Rail systems are the most widely targeted systems in the world, and our intelligence communities have found evidence that terrorists have targeted our rail systems. While we can’t protect every inch of track, we can protect the critical infrastructure – stations, tunnels, bridges, hazardous shipments – most likely to be targeted.
The Rail Security Act: Recognizing the vulnerability of our nation’s rail systems, Senator Biden introduced legislation to dramatically increase rail security just one week after September 11th. Senator Biden’s rail security proposals became law as a part of the “Implementing the Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007.”
Re-routing hazardous materials: The Naval Research Laboratory has estimated that a 90-ton rail tanker carrying hazardous materials such as deadly chlorine could kill or injure up to 100,000 citizens if targeted by a terrorist in an urban area. Senator Biden led the effort to pass legislation requiring the federal government to work with the rail industry to route those shipments along the safest routes available where they are less vulnerable to terrorist attack.
Establishing a Federal Rail Police Department: Each rail company employs a private rail police agency. These agencies have varying authorities under federal and state law and, many times, function as a security force to protect against vandalism rather than focus on counter-terrorism efforts. The Amtrak Police Department has made great strides since September 11th, however, it is limited by funding and authority. Because security efforts must be coordinated across state lines, Senator Biden has proposed the establishment of a National Rail Police to ensure that rail passengers are safe and hazardous shipments are protected.
Supporting Amtrak, its commuters, and its workers.
Source: biden.senate.gov/issues Date: 04/22/2008 |
| Amtrak |
Biden: Delaware is home to major Amtrak facilities in Bear and Wilmington, providing over 1,000 jobs for hard-working Delawareans dedicated to keeping Amtrak a viable national rail system. Nationally, Amtrak carries 25 million passengers a year. It deserves the type of federal commitment we have already given to the highway and aviation systems. In every other advanced industrial economy, and in most developing nations as well, passenger rail receives more funding and support than in the United States. Senator Biden believes that we should give Amtrak the support it deserves.
Source: biden.senate.gov/issues Date: 04/22/2008 |
| Air |
Biden: No Response |
| Public Transportation |
Biden: No Response |
| Bikes and Pedestrians |
Biden: No Response |
| Seaports |
Biden: No Response |