"This report assesses the conditions and trends in the markets served by transportation, identifies the external factors that affect transportation, and sets out key issues for discussion and negotiation," stated Samuel K. Skinner, Secretary of Transportation. The report also highlights the nation's growth trends and current investment priorities in transportation. The report identifies the following nine areas as major concerns among transportation officials across the nation: infrastructure, safety, national security, international trade, growth in demand, equity and access, the environment, dependence on foreign oil, and budgetary constraints.