U.S. - BRAZIL TRANSPORTATION PARTNERSHIP
The United States Department of Transportation and the Federative Republic of Brazil’s Ministry of Transport formed the U.S.-Brazil Transportation Partnership to address a range of mutual priorities to improve our transportation safety and connectivity, and to facilitate trade.
Four working groups have been initially formed under the Partnership to facilitate the exchange of technical knowledge and best practices in surface and maritime transportation:
1) Road and Highway
The Road and Highway Transportation Partnership Working Group recognizes that the sharing of information and new developments can result in important contributions to safe and efficient transportation systems in the U.S. and Brazil. This working group collaborates on key transportation issues, coordinates information exchange opportunities with transportation agencies and experts in the U.S. and Brazil, and develops program activities and projects in areas that are of mutual interest. Under the 2015 work plan, the working group has conducted video meetings and webinars on performance based contracts, hours of service and enforcement for commercial vehicle drivers, public private partnerships, and load capacity for freight and trucks.
2) Railways
The Railways Working Group was formed to meet four major objectives:
- Promote sustainable growth and operation of railways and intermodal centers, which contribute to more efficient and effective national freight transportation systems;
- Promote foreign and domestic commerce, economic development, and job creation by leveraging railway systems and intermodal centers;
- Inform policymakers and the general public on the environmental and economic advantages of railway systems and intermodal centers; and
- Effectively market the advantages of railway systems and intermodal centers to encourage new and existing business opportunities.
The 2015 Work Plan incorporates several topics of mutual interest which are the subject of a series of video teleconferences for joint information and technical exchanges.
3) Ports and Inland Waterways
The U.S.-Brazil Ports & Waterways Working Group is engaged in a collaborative effort that delivers practical and long-lasting policy and business solutions to common challenges faced by the Brazil and the United States.
Primary topics of this Working Group include dredging, locks, information systems/aids to navigation, Infrastructure financing, and best practices in marine highways and inland waterways. Both the U.S. and Brazil are engaged in a technical information exchange via a series of video teleconferences and are exploring avenues for future collaboration, including possible training and workshops to enhance capacity in Working Group topic areas. This Working Group is also identifying opportunities for the U.S. private sector engagement in the Brazilian maritime industry.
4) Disaster Preparedness and Response
The United States and Brazil both have their share of natural disasters, ranging from floods and mudslides to forest fires. Transportation is a central component of disaster prevention, response, and recovery. Through this Working Group, the countries share information on transportation related issues in preventing, and responding to, these occurrences. Topics of technical and other information exchange in the 2015 Work Plan include methodologies and technological innovations in a number of areas in disaster preparedness, logistical rescue planning, and reconstruction.
In advancing the Partnership objectives, the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) ePrimer offers Portuguese speaking transportation professionals and students a resource for fundamental concepts and practices related to ITS technologies. This online resource on how ITS is integrated into the planning, design, deployment, and operations of surface transportation systems is a valuable tool for understanding the ITS technology.