Open Government Initiative
Transparency • Participation • Collaboration
At the Department of Transportation we are working hard to become more participatory, collaborative and transparent.
DOT
Open Government Plan v2.0
In its first Open Government
Plan, the Department of Transportation (DOT) recognized that
the Open Government initiative is about more than adopting new
tools and emerging technologies—it is about effecting real policy
and internal culture change to ensure that our Department truly
becomes even more transparent, participatory, and collaborative,
both internally and externally. Building on that strong foundation,
our second Open Government Plan looks at the public engagement
impact of, and public value generated by, enhancing DOT’s openness.
DOT is pursuing a number of Open Government initiatives in the
next two years. Check out version 2.0 of our plan! [PDF]
DOT Open Government
Plan v1.0
DOT leadership and employees from across the Department worked together to help create an Open Government Plan to meet the requirements of Open Government Directive. A PDF version and a Web version are both available. This plan is a living document. As we continue towards increased transparency, participation, collaboration, and innovation, we will be refining and enhancing our strategic efforts. We welcome public comments regarding the content of this plan on our Citizen Engagement Tool and at open@dot.gov.
DOT’s Approach to Open Government
The DOT began preparing for the OMB Open Government Directive by designing an Open Government framework to guide the development of our Open Government Plan. This framework enabled us to quickly identify planning steps; analyze and address the relevant technology, policy, and cultural issues that would impact Open Government activities; and get the best-suited people involved in Open Government efforts from the very beginning. Read more about this framework and our approach to Open Government here.
Evaluate our Progress
To help you navigate our Open Government Plan, DOT has created a table that links each requirement of the Open Government Directive to the relevant section of our plan. Also, the White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy maintains an Open Government Dashboard. On that website, you can find the self assessment of our progress towards meeting the Open Government Directive requirements.
Data Sets
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has rated more than 4,200 lines of tires using a grading system known as the Uniform Tire Quality Grading System (UTQGS).
Rate the utility of this dataset and download the raw data at: UTQGS Data Set on data.gov
The New Car Assessment Program encourages vehicle manufacturers to make safety improvements through its 5-star safety ratings. The ratings are a matter of commercial pride for manufacturers that utilize them in promotional marketing efforts.
Rate the utility of this dataset and download the raw data at: NCAP Data Set on data.gov
The Child Passenger Safety (CPS) Ease of Use program provides ratings that reflect the ease of using child restraint features. Manufacturers strive to meet the standards set by the program, materially promoting the health and well being of every child occupying a safety seat. Rate the utility of this dataset and download the raw data at: CPS Data Set on data.gov
The Department of Transportation is participating in the law community on data.gov. Click here for our law-related data sets on data.gov.
The President issued a Memorandum on "Regulatory Compliance" that asked DOT to develop a plan to make our compliance and enforcement data publicly accessible, downloadable, and searchable online. You can review our draft preliminary plan.
The Department of Transportation has published numerous datasets on data.gov. For more information and to rate the utility of those datasets please visit Data.gov. To suggest transportation related datasets for release, please visit Suggest Datasets. To view a list of all our data sets, please visit our inventory.
Information Dissemination Practices
- FOIA Request
- Congressional Request
- Records Management
- Declassification
- OIG Reports
- Employee Directories
- Retrospective Review
of Rules - Customer Service
& Web Improvement
Information about the Department of Transportation’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request programs can be found at www.dot.gov/foia. In regards to the Open Government initiative, go to FOIA Related Open Government.
Information about DOT’s governmental affairs programs can be found at http://www.dot.gov/ost/govaffairs/. At this website, you will find testimony and legislation, congressional links, information about how DOT processes Congressional requests, and a staff directory.
Information about DOT’s record management can be found at http://www.dot.gov/records. This includes records management policies and guidance; laws and statutes; records control/retention schedules; and awareness and training.
Information about declassification of classified national security information at DOT can be found on the declassification webpage. There you will find a basic explanation as to how information is declassified at DOT, how DOT implements the declassification requirements of Executive Order 13526, Classified National Security Information, and how to obtain additional information.
The DOT Office of Inspector General works within the Department of Transportation to promote effectiveness and head off, or stop, waste, fraud and abuse in departmental programs. We do this through audits and investigations. OIG also consults with the Congress about programs in progress and proposed new laws and regulations.
If you know the name of an FAA employee you wish to contact, please visit the FAA telephone directory. For all other inquiries, please visit the DOT contact page
In response to Executive Order 13563 on “Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review,” DOT has developed a preliminary plan for retrospective review of existing rules. You may review our plan, and check out our May 2012 progress report. You may also review our January 2012 progress report.
In response to Executive Order 13571 “Streamlining Service Delivery and Improving Customer Service” and OMB’s implementing guidance DOT has developed a Web Improvement Plan. On October 24, we also released our Customer Service Plan. You are invited review our plans and provide feedback to open@dot.gov
Timeline
Open Government Strategy Milestones and Related Initiatives
TRANSPARENCY
Phase One Objective:
Increase agency transparency and accountability by (1) presenting in a clear manner DOT information about programs and objectives; and (2) continuing to release DOT data in a timely manner by proactively making it available online in consistent, open formats, while assuring accuracy and protecting privacy, security, and confidentiality.
PARTICIPATION
Phase One Objective:
Maintain commitment to collecting and responding to public input on DOT policies and programs using innovative ways.
COLLABORATION
Phase One Objective:
Enhance collaboration with other Federal agencies, the private sector, and other non-government organizations in providing mission-related services.
CULTURE CHANGE
Phase One Objective:
Institutionalize an Open DOT culture by (1) encouraging commitment to Open Government principles at all levels; and (2) encouraging a cross-modal, interdisciplinary, collaborative, and engaged workforce through enhanced communication, governance, and guidance regarding Open Government tools and programs.
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Specific initiatives/pilots related to Open Government with existing owners
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Foundational activities that support Open Government strategies
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Specific initiatives/pilots related to Open Government with existing owners
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Foundational activities that support Open Government strategies
--John D. Porcari, Deputy Secretary
Read the Deputy Secretary’s introductory letter to v2.0 of our plan.
Senior Accountable Officials
Open Government: Kristen Baldwin, Resource Management Director
Financial Quality: Chris Bertram, Assistant Secretary for Budget and Programs/CFO
Plain Writing: Carol Darr, Director – Executive Secretariat
Email: open@dot.gov
