What Is The U.S. Department of Transportation?

In the United States, the federal government uses grants and regulations to promote safe and efficient transportation.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is the agency that oversees all federal transportation policies and regulations. The DOT’s goals are to:

Keep the traveling public safe
Increase national mobility
Support the national economy

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) provides financial assistance to develop new transit systems and improve, maintain, and operate existing systems.

The FTA oversees thousands of grants provided to states, tribes, and local public agencies to support public transportation.

In 2020, the Federal Government spent $41.8 billion directly on transportation. This amount does not include federal transfers to states.

Here are some other transportation policies:
State, regional, and local governments: Help fund, plan, construct, operate, and maintain transportation infrastructure.

Public transportation: Provides a variety of public goods, such as reducing congestion and pollution.

Public transportation systems: Include buses, trains, trams, trolleybuses, ferries, or rapid transit.