The Secretary of Transportation, under the direction of the President, exercises leadership in transportation matters. Section 101 of Title 49 United States Code describes the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) purpose as follows:
"(a) The national objectives of general welfare, economic growth and stability, and security of the United States require the development of transportation policies and programs that contribute to providing fast, safe, efficient, and convenient transportation at the lowest cost consistent with those and other national objectives, including the efficient use and conservation of the resources of the United States.
(b) A Department of Transportation is necessary in the public interest and to –
(1) ensure the coordinated and effective administration of the transportation programs of the United States Government;
(2) make easier the development and improvement of coordinated transportation service to be provided by private enterprise to the greatest extent feasible;
(3) encourage cooperation of Federal, State and local governments, carriers, labor and other interested persons to achieve transportation objectives;
(4) stimulate technological advances in transportation, through research and development or otherwise;
(5) provide general leadership in identifying and solving transportation problems; and
(6) develop and recommend to the President and Congress transportation policies and programs to achieve transportation objectives considering the needs of the public, users, carriers, industry, labor and national defense."
Office of the Secretary (OST)
- Oversees formulation of national transportation policy and promotes intermodal transportation.
- Negotiates and implements international trade and aviation economic agreements as part of U.S. Delegations chaired by the U.S. Trade Representative and the Department of State.
- Provides oversight, coordination, and policy guidance on a variety of cross-cutting subject areas, such as global position satellite systems, transportation industry drug and alcohol testing, small and disadvantaged business enterprises, and access to transportation services for Americans with disabilities.
- Investigates and decides whether an air carrier, foreign air carrier, or ticket agent has been or is engaged in an unfair or deceptive practice or unfair method of competition.
- Implements aviation economic regulatory requirements, including the prohibition on air carriers, foreign air carriers, or ticket agents from engaging in unfair or deceptive practices or unfair methods of competition.
- Administers the Essential Air Services program, which subsidizes air carriers providing service to small communities that otherwise would lose commercial air services and the Small Community Air Service Development Program, which gives grants to small communities to enhance their air service.
- Issues licenses to U.S. air carriers and to foreign air carriers, which are required for their operations under the applicable transportation statutes.
- Participates as a member of the AMTRAK Reform Board.
- Oversees and coordinates intelligence, security matters, and emergency preparedness and response relating to transportation matters, including national or regional emergencies.
- Participates and cooperates in international activities to enhance its statutory mission.
- Participates in intergovernmental efforts concerning transportation security and drug control matters.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
- The Administrator is appointed by the President for a five-year term and reports directly to the Secretary.
- The FAA promotes safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing standards for the operation, maintenance, design, material, construction, and performance of aircraft, aircraft engines, and propellers.
- The FAA issues airman certificates, type certificates, production certificates, airworthiness certificates, air carrier operating certificates, airport operating certificates, air agency certificates, and air navigation facility certificates.
- The FAA helps develop and maintain a safe and efficient nationwide system of public-use airports that meets the present and future needs of civil aeronautics.
- The FAA licenses commercial space launches of launch vehicles and the operation of non-Federal launch sites within the United States and by U.S. citizens abroad.
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
- The Administrator is appointed by the President and reports directly to the Secretary.
- The Federal-aid Highway Program provides Federal financial resources and technical assistance to States and local governments for constructing, preserving, and improving the National Highway System (NHS). The program also provides resources for urban and rural roads that are not the NHS, but are eligible for Federal-aid based on the function they serve, and for safety improvements to all public roads.
- The Federal Lands Highway Program provides funding for public roads and highways within Federally owned lands and tribal lands that are not a State or local government responsibility. Through the Federal Lands Highway Program, the FHWA works with other Federal agencies to plan and construct public lands highways, park roads and parkways, wildlife refuge roads and Indian reservation roads.
Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)
- The Administrator is appointed by the President and reports directly to the Secretary.
- FRA oversees our Nation’s railroads, funds the rehabilitation of rail lines, and carries out the Federal railroad safety laws and regulations.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
- The Administrator is appointed by the President and reports directly to the Secretary.
- NHTSA establishes and enforces automobile safety regulations, including crash avoidance and crashworthiness standards, and consumer protection standards, including fuel efficiency standards, bumper standards, and regulations relating to odometer tampering and domestic content labeling.
- NHTSA investigates safety defects.
- NHTSA carries out the duties and the powers of DOT to provide for aspects of highway safety, such as driver performance, other than highway safety design.
Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
- The Administrator is appointed by the President and reports directly to the Secretary.
- FTA assists in the development, improvement and funding of public transportation systems, equipment, facilities, techniques, and methods with the cooperation of public and private mass transportation entities.
Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (SLSDC)
- The Administrator is appointed by the President for a seven year term and reports directly to the Secretary.
- SLSDC is authorized to operate and maintain the St. Lawrence Seaway in coordination with the St. Lawrence Management Corporation of Canada.
Maritime Administration (MARAD)
- The Administrator is appointed by the President and reports directly to the Secretary.
- MARAD carries forth the congressional finding that it is necessary for the national defense and development of its foreign and domestic commerce that the United States shall have a merchant marine sufficient to carry its domestic water-borne commerce and a substantial portion of the waterborne export and import foreign commerce of the United States and to provide shipping service essential for maintaining the flow of such domestic and foreign waterborne commerce at all times, and capable of serving as a naval and military auxiliary in time of war or national emergency.
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)
- The Administrator is appointed by the President and reports directly to the Secretary.
- PHMSA regulates and enforces the safe and secure transportation of hazardous materials.
- PHMSA regulates and enforces the safety and environmental protection of pipeline transportation.
Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA)
- The Administrator is appointed by the President and reports directly to the Secretary.
- RITA coordinates, facilitates, and reviews the Department’s research and development programs and activities, and advises the Secretary on scientific and technological matters.
- RITA conducts comprehensive transportation statistics research, analysis, and reporting through the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
- The Administrator is appointed by the President, and reports directly to the Secretary.
- FMCSA carries out duties and powers of DOT to provide for motor carrier safety.
- FMCSA manages program and regulatory activities, including administering laws and promulgating and enforcing regulations relating to motor carrier safety.
- FMCSA carries out motor carrier registration and has limited authority to regulate household goods transportation.
- FMCSA inspects records and equipment of commercial motor carriers, investigates accidents and reports violations of motor carrier safety regulations.
- FMCSA carries out research, development and technology transfer activities to promote safety of operation and equipment of motor vehicles for the motor carrier transportation program.
- FMCSA provides grants to States that agree to adopt and enforce commercial motor vehicle safety laws and regulations compatible with the Federal regulations.
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