Do you have bold ideas to meet big challenges of our transportation future?

It’s no secret that we have an uphill battle as we work towards the reauthorization of SAFETEA-LU. We’re already in the midst of an 18-month delay (a bad idea, in my opinion, I must add).

But while the reauthorization is put on pause, we still to keep our efforts on play and keep ideas and potential solutions coming.

The Transportation Research Board (TRB) is seeking papers on how to rise to the challenge for its 2010 TRB 89th Annual Meeting themed, “Investing in Our Transportation Future-Bold Ideas to Meet Big Challenges.”

TRB is also seeking general papers in addition to themed papers for its meeting, planned for Jan. 10-14, 2010, in Washington, D.C.

All papers must be submitted before midnight on Aug. 1, 2009. Click here for more information on submitting a paper for the meeting.

TRB says its theme recognizes “that a robust and efficient transportation system is necessary in order for the nation to successfully meet the economic, environmental, and security challenges that lie ahead.”

The board says that spotlight sessions and workshops are expected to explore key issues and challenges such as revamping transportation finance for the 21st century; attaining zero fatalities in transportation; achieving climate change and energy security targets by 2050; enhancing and preserving the nation’s transportation infrastructure; and eliminating congestion as we know it.