Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

FAA’s primary mission is to oversee safety of civil aviation. FAA’s major responsibilities include:

• Issuance and enforcement of regulations and standards related to the manufacture, operation, certification and maintenance of aircraft.
• Rating and certification of airmen and airports serving air carriers.
• Regulating a program to protect the security of civil aviation, and enforce regulations under the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act for shipments by air.
• Operate a network of airport towers, air route traffic control centers, and flight service stations.
• Develop air traffic rules, allocate the use of airspace, and provide for the security control of air traffic to meet national defense requirements.
• Construction or installation of visual and electronic aids to air navigation and promotion of aviation safety internationally.
• License commercial space launch facilities and private sector launches.

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)

FHWA’s primary mission is to coordinate highway transportation programs in cooperation with states and other partners to enhance the country’s safety, economic vitality, quality of life, and the environment.  FHWA’s major responsibilities include:

• Provide federal financial assistance to the states to construct and improve the National Highway System, urban and rural roads, and bridges through the Federal-Aid Highway Program. This program provides funds for general improvements and development of safe highways and roads.
• Provide access to and within national forests, national parks, Indian reservations and other public lands by preparing plans and contracts, supervising construction facilities, and conducting bridge inspections and surveys through the Federal Lands Division.
• Provide program stewardship and transportation engineering services through the Federal Lands Highway Program for planning, design, construction, and rehabilitation of the highways and bridges that provide access to and through federally owned lands.
• Provide financial resources and technical assistance for a coordinated program of public roads that service the transportation needs of federal and Indian lands.
• Provide transportation engineering and relates services in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.
• Manage a comprehensive research, development, and technology program.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)

FMCSA’s primary mission is to prevent fatalities and injuries from commercial motor vehicles.  FMCSA’s major responsibilities include:

• Ensure safety in motor carrier operations through strong enforcement of safety regulations, targeting high-risk carriers and commercial motor vehicle drivers.
• Improve safety information systems and commercial motor vehicle technologies.
• Strengthen commercial motor vehicle equipment and operating standards and increase safety awareness.
• Work with federal, state, and local enforcement agencies, the motor carrier industry, labor safety interest groups, and others.

Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)

FRA’s primary mission is to promote safe and environmentally sound rail transportation.  FRA major responsibilities include:

• Monitor railroad compliance with federally mandated safety standards including track maintenance, inspection standards, and operating practices.
• Conduct research and development tests to evaluate projects in support of its safety mission and to enhance the railroad system as a national transportation resource.
• Administer public education campaigns on highway-rail grade crossing safety and the danger of trespassing on rail property.

Federal Transit Administration (FTA)

FTA’s primary mission is to assist cities and communities nationwide in improving mass transportation systems through grant programs and financial, technical, and planning assistance. FTA’s major responsibilities include:

• Help plan, build, and operate transit systems with convenience, cost, and accessibility in mind.  While buses and rail vehicles are the most common type of public transportation, other modes include commuter ferryboats, trolleys, inclined railways, subways, and people movers.
• Provide leadership and resources for safe and technologically advanced local transit systems while assisting in the development of local and regional traffic reduction.
• Maintain the National Transit Library (NTL), a repository of reports, documents, and data generated by professionals and others from around the country. The NTL is designed to facilitate document sharing among people interested in transit and transit related topics.

Maritime Administration (MARAD)

MARAD’s primary mission is to promote development and maintenance of an adequate, well-balanced, United States merchant marine. MARAD’s primary responsibilities are to:

• Ensure that the US merchant marine is sufficient to: 1) carry the nation's domestic waterborne commerce and a substantial portion of its waterborne foreign commerce; and, 2) serve as a naval and military auxiliary in time of war or national emergency.
• Ensure that the United States enjoys adequate shipbuilding and repair service, efficient ports, effective intermodal water and land transportation systems, and reserve shipping capacity in time of national emergency.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

NHTSA’s primary mission is to reduce deaths, injuries, and economic losses resulting from motor vehicle crashes.  NHTSA’s major responsibilities include:

• Set and enforce safety performance standards for motor vehicles and equipment.
• Provide grants to state and local governments enabling them to conduct effective local highway safety programs.
• Investigate safety defects in motor vehicles.
• Set and enforce fuel economy standards.
• Help states and local communities reduce the threat of drunk drivers and promote the use of safety belts, child safety seats, and air bags.
• Investigate odometer fraud.
• Establish and enforce vehicle anti-theft regulations and provide consumer information on motor vehicle safety topics.
• Conduct research on driver behavior and traffic safety to develop the most efficient and effective means of bringing about safety improvements.
• Operate a toll-free Auto Safety Hotline, 1-888-DASH-2-DOT, that provides consumers with a wide range of auto safety information.  Callers also can help identify safety problems in motor vehicles, tires, and other automotive equipment, such as child safety seats.

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)

PHMSA’s primary mission is to oversee 1) the safety of more than $1 million of daily shipments of hazardous materials by all modes of transportation and 2) the nation's pipeline infrastructure, which accounts for 64 percent of the energy commodities consumed in the United States.  PHMSA’s major responsibilities include:

• Administer a comprehensive nationwide program designed to protect the United States from the risks to life, health, property, and the environment inherent in the commercial transportation of hazardous materials.
• Assess and manage safety related risks (especially those risks that change over time) by applying a system-based approach to analyze data, make the best decisions, and deploy attention and resources against those risks deemed to be the greatest.
• Work with state and industry partners to collectively address safety problems.

Research & Innovative Technology Administration (RITA)

RITA’s primary mission is to identify and facilitate solutions to the challenges and opportunities facing America's transportation system. RITA’s major responsibilities include:

• Promote transportation research that will foster the use of innovative technology.
• Operate the Volpe National Transportation Center, an organization dedicated to enhancing the effectiveness, efficiency, and responsiveness of other federal organizations with critical transportation-related functions and missions.
• Partner with national and international organizations and universities for research and technology sharing

Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (SLSDC)

SLSDC's mission is to serve the marine transportation industries by providing a safe, secure, reliable, efficient, and competitive deep draft international waterway, in cooperation with the Canadian St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation.  SLSDC’s major responsibilities include:

• Construct and maintain navigational structures and aids to navigation.
• Enforce construction standards and safety regulations.
• Operate marine communication and vessel traffic systems.
• Reduce the threat of pollution and ensure an environmentally sound waterway system.