In order to educate and discuss public-private partnerships, the FHWA has periodically held workshops to bring all partners-Federal, State, local, and private-together. Not only have these workshops helped to focus attention on public-private partnerships, they also have presented an opportunity to discuss lessons-learned and to explore improvements that can be made to assist the formation and success of public-private partnerships.
In November 1991, about one month prior to the enactment of the first post-Interstate highway act, the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA), the FHWA convened a policy workshop about public-private partnerships. The purpose of the workshop was to focus attention on the broad range of issues and tradeoffs that may be associated with changes in public and private roles in the provision of transportation facilities and services.
The FHWA's dialogue on public-private partnerships explored a very broad array of opportunities and challenges, with discussion ranging from "how-to" issues, such as the public sector's role in overseeing subcontracts, to visionary possibilities of the private sector building and operating most projects and the public sector taking a subordinate role. Perspectives of a diverse group of workshop participants were shared with others in the FHWA's 1992 report, "Exploring Key Issues in Public-Private Partnerships for Highway Development."[25]
In November and December 2003, the FHWA sponsored three "Partnerships in Transportation Workshops" in Washington State, Minnesota, and Texas. A final report was issued on March 17, 2004, summarizing workshop discussions and conclusions.[26] Workshop participants included State and local elected officials, State and local transportation officials, and private sector representatives who have been involved in public private-partnerships. At the workshops, State transportation departments indicated the need for Federal leadership to forge and implement successful public-private partnerships. Despite significant experience with public-private partnerships since the 1991 workshop, some State transportation agency staff remained uncertain about public-private partnership basics, including how to select and define candidate projects, develop project solicitation documents, and negotiate with private entities. While some participants saw great revenue potential, others perceived public-private partnerships as the public sector abdicating its infrastructure responsibilities to private companies.
Given the complexities that can emerge with public-private partnerships, many felt that States should start with less complex projects involving simpler partnership and financing arrangements. Other conclusions and recommendations from workshop participants included holding additional educational workshops and training, creating a series of case studies on successful public-private partnerships, and developing model State enabling legislation for public-private partnerships.
Annually, the FHWA co-sponsors with the American Road and Transportation Builders Association the annual Public-Private Ventures in Transportation Conference. The conference includes presentations of interest to public-private partnerships, and, as part of the conference, FHWA conducts a transportation finance workshop.
The FHWA also periodically sponsors a comprehensive Transportation Finance Conference with the Transportation Research Board. To date, three conferences have been held in 1997, 2000, and 2002. The objectives of these conferences are: (1) to educate Federal, State and local officials in new transportation infrastructure and operations financing mechanisms, their structure, and the benefits and costs of implementing such techniques; and (2) to explore the development of additional new funding mechanisms and sources. As part of these conferences, the FHWA holds pre-conference workshops on the state of the practice of transportation finance. Additionally, each year the FHWA conducts a transportation finance workshop during the annual meeting of the Transportation Research Board.