Virginia Secretary of Transportation Signs Cooperative Agreement with Germany's Deputy Minister of Trans., Building and Urban Development

TYSONS CORNER, Va., May 10 -- The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation issued the following news release:

Virginia Secretary of Transportation Sean T. Connaughton today signed a cooperative agreement with German Deputy Minister of Transportation, Building and Urban Development Rainer Bomba that will facilitate the exchange of data, information and best practices between the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Federal Republic of Germany on a range of transit and transportation initiatives. The agreement will enable the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) to benefit from the policies and experiences of the German Federal Ministry of Transportation.

The signing of the agreement took place during a meeting sponsored by the Northern Virginia Regional Commission among Virginia state, local and business leaders and a German delegation lead by Deputy Minister Bomba. The German delegation included the head of Germany's Foreign Business Affairs and Office of Urban Development. The German delegation was given the opportunity to view the Interstate 495 high occupancy toll (HOT) and high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes project, the Dulles Corridor Metrorail project and other Virginia transportation projects.

The agreement provides for the formal exchange of information and best practices in a number of areas including the development and application of intercity passenger rail and high-speed passenger rail, transit-oriented development, environmentally friendly transportation systems, and innovative mechanisms to provide congestion relief.

Germany has long been recognized as a leader in the development of intercity passenger rail and high-speed passenger rail, as well as transit-oriented development. Virginia is recognized as a leader in the application of market-based policies to relieve highway congestion through the use of HOV lanes and congestion pricing. Both Germany and Virginia are seeking to develop environmentally friendly transportation systems.

There are strong economic ties between the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Federal Republic of Germany that are linked through common transportation interests. Germany is the second-largest export destination for Virginia's products and services. More than 140 German companies are located in Virginia, creating more than 10,000 jobs and resulting in $12 billion in investment. For any query with respect to this article or any other content requirement, please contact Editor at [email protected]

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