On Thursday, business and transportation industry leaders joined Transportation for America for a briefing on Capitol Hill to underscore the potential of a reformed, multi-year transportation bill to boost the economy and create lasting jobs across the country.

Business leaders from Siemens, IBM and the Silicon Valley Leadership Group highlighted the power of new and innovative policies to revolutionize the transportation sector, make the U.S. more economically competitive and provide working Americans the options they need to get to their jobs.

The panelists highlighted the need for major reform to the U.S. national transportation system and investments in smart technologies that will make our country a leader in innovation. Whether in reducing congestion, improving road safety or increasing service and efficiency in public transportation networks, these investments can help communities solve problems and create jobs, according to the group.

"We have an unprecedented opportunity to build for the future and create communities that will thrive for generations to come," said James Corless, director of Transportation for America. "We must embrace the power of innovation in our transportation program and seize this chance to grow our economy, create jobs and wean our nation off dangerous sources of oil. Only a truly reformed long-term transportation program will allow us to seize this moment. We cannot allow it to slip away."

Transportation for America said it will continue to work with business leaders around the country as the transportation authorization bill makes its way through Congress.