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United Fantasy Flight volunteers brighten spirits this holiday season

The holiday season is a magical time, filled with food, family, and friends.  It’s also a time for communities to come together and brighten the spirits of those in need.

On Saturday morning, I was excited to once again spread holiday cheer at United Airlines’ annual Fantasy Flight to the North Pole, which took off from Washington Dulles International Airport.

The first Fantasy Flight at Dulles began 22 years ago and helps bring a little holiday magic to seriously ill kids from Children’s Hospice International. 

After checking in at the airport and heading through security, the children and their families boarded a Boeing 777 at Gate D7, took off for a brief flight, and landed at the “North Pole” – a special gate at the airport decked out in holiday decorations and featuring carolers, a band, costumed characters such as the Nationals Presidents, holiday treats, face painting, toys, gifts, and the star of the show, Santa Claus.

It was great to meet some of the children and share a special treat from President Obama – White House M&Ms.

2011 safety numbers show decline in traffic fatalities--but DOT's work continues

This morning, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released its annual report on traffic safety in America--and the news was good.

In 2011, highway deaths fell to 32,367 in 2011--the lowest level since 1949, and a nearly 2 percent decrease from 2010. The updated Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) data shows 2011 also saw the lowest fatality rate ever recorded, with 1.10 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled in 2011, down from 1.11 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled in 2010.

These declines are even more impressive when viewed with our overall highway safety gains in recent years. Since 2005, the number of traffic fatalities has declined by 26 percent.

There are many factors behind these record-breaking declines in traffic deaths, but three in particular are worth highlighting: safer cars, safer roads, and safer drivers.  

NHTSA's Five-Star Safety Ratings Program, which measures crash worthiness and rollover safety, means that vehicles are the safest they've ever been.  Infrastructure investments in our nation's highway system are improving crash barriers, installing better signs and lights, and creating safer intersections.  And public awareness and enforcement campaigns like NHTSA's "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" and "Click It or Ticket" are reminding drivers about the importance of safe behaviors behind the wheel.

New "On the Go" tackles questions from The Atlantic Cities

I'm always ready to talk transportation.  So it's no surprise that one of my favorite ongoing projects is our "On the Go" series.  And today, I'm excited to share another episode with you.

This month, we partnered with The Atlantic Cities blog, which is dedicated to exploring innovative ideas and pressing issues facing today's global cities.  And their readers submitted a number of terrific questions about what we're working on here at DOT.

Click play below to hear my answers on high-speed rail, economically disadvantaged women-owned small businesses, and my proudest accomplishments during President Obama's first term.

Want to have your question answered? You can:

• Post on my Facebook page,
• Tweet me using the #q4ray hashtag, or
• Leave a comment here on the blog.

Thanks for tuning in, and keep sending in your feedback.  You never know when you might find yourself featured in an upcoming episode of "On the Go."

America's cities: Transportation innovators

I've wasted no opportunity in the past four years to talk about the short-term benefits--jobs--and the long-term benefits--economic competitiveness--of investing in transportation. And yesterday, I brought that message to the 2012 UIC Urban Forum at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

It was pretty clear I had the advantage of a friendly audience because most of America's cities and urban planners share my belief in the value of infrastructure investments.

What I appreciate even more than that shared belief, however, is how our cities have taken the transportation ball and run with it. From Denver's Union Station project and light rail development to DC's Capital Bikeshare, cities across the nation have proven themselves to be champion innovators--moving people faster and more reliably, creating jobs, and paving the way for future economic growth.

We need look no further than our host city's ambitious Chicago Infrastructure Trust for proof that--faced with concern about the availability of resources--cities are taking bold steps to help secure their future.

And DOT is ready to partner with these innovators through a variety of programs that reward this kind of creative planning.