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Posted by The U.S. Department of Transportation
America is in a historic period of transportation innovation, with a number of new technologies that can be used in many different transportation systems. To engage with these innovative technologies, Secretary Chao created the Non-Traditional and Emerging Transportation Technology (NETT) Council to identify and resolve...
Continue Reading NETT Council Establishes Two New Working Groups
Posted by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao
On November 15, 2020, four astronauts were launched aboard a U.S.-built rocket to dock with the International Space Station. This mission included several “firsts.” It was the first fully operational flight of the Space-X Dragon capsule. A test mission took place in May. This flight carried four astronauts, including Michael Hopkins, Shannon Walker, Soichi Noguchi, of Japan’s space agency, and Victor Glover- the first African- American to become a full-time crewmember on the ISS.
This launch demonstrated the maturation of commercial space industry. So...
Posted by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao
Halloween may be a little different this year, but for all those who may be trick-or-treating, or driving during trick-or-treating hours, it is no less important to be safe and do your part to prevent pedestrian injuries or fatalities. Halloween also falls the day before daylight savings time ends, which can be an especially challenging time for pedestrians.
On Halloween 2018, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were as many as 41 million trick-or-treaters. Though these numbers may be significantly lower this year, it is still a good reminder to drivers that there will...
Posted by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao
This year’s theme for National Hispanic Heritage Month is: “Hispanics: Be Proud of your Past and Embrace the Future”. We join with our Hispanic American colleagues in celebrating the accomplishments and contributions of Hispanic Americans to our country. As one of the fastest growing minority populations in the country, Hispanic Americans’ rich history and cultural diversity enhances American culture and society. Their origins span many countries across multiple continents, all with unique cultures and customs. Through an emphasis on family, hard work and...
Posted by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao
I began writing this last Friday, on Interstate 70 en route back to Washington, after attending the 9/11/01 commemoration at the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. That morning, I flew there with the President and First Lady. Stephen Clark, Superintendent of the Flight 93 National Memorial, emceed the ceremony. The 170-mile drive back to D.C. provided quiet time to reflect on the event, Flight 93’s heroes and the loved ones they left behind, only some of whom were able to be present for the very poignant ceremony. [This year’s ceremony, due to...
Posted by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao
Air Traffic Control Day gives a grateful nation an opportunity to thank the men and women who do so much to keep America’s busy skies safe. Before COVID-19 began affecting air travel, America’s air traffic controllers handled more than 16,100,000 flights year. More than 14,000 air traffic controllers manage up to 5,000 planes in the air at one time, in 5.3 million square miles of airspace over land, and an additional 24 million square miles over water.
This is a tough, critical, and high-pressure job under normal conditions, but it was made even harder when COVID-...
Posted by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao
America’s vibrant commercial space industry demonstrated impressive new capabilities with two important launches in a period of just 5 days. On May 30, two American astronauts were launched from Kennedy Space Center, Florida into orbit aboard an American-built spacecraft for the first time since the Space Shuttle was retired in 2011. NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken rode aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station. The reusable Falcon 9 rocket landed safely onboard SpaceX’s autonomous ship in the Atlantic Ocean. This marked the first...
Posted by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao
Truckers received well-deserved public recognition at the White House this week. I joined President Trump to thank them for working long hours to deliver the medical supplies, food and other goods needed by Americans during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
America’s 3.5 million truck drivers are helping support Americans and the economy with their dedication and skill. They are true heroes.
The US Department of Transportation has listened to the trucking industry’s concerns, provided Federal regulatory relief, and helped ensure that truck stops...
Continue Reading Supporting Truckers Today and Helping America Recover from COVID-19 More Quickly
Posted by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao
Each year at the Department of Transportation, we make a special effort to recognize and celebrate the important contributions that women are making to transportation, and to our country. During the current national emergency, it is especially appropriate to recognize and celebrate the contributions of senior women leaders right here at the Department—as well as other women leaders in government- responding to the coronavirus national emergency. I want to give a special shout out to the tremendous women leaders on the White House Coronavirus Task Force—especially Dr. Deborah Birx,...
Posted by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao
Transportation systems are always important for communities and our country, and never more so than during a crisis. That’s why so many at the U.S. Department of Transportation are working overtime to respond to the ongoing COVID-19 (coronavirus) situation affecting the U.S. and the world.
The Department’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA), for example, is working closely with local transit authorities to free up resources to help them deal with COVID-19. Every year, Americans use mass transit to take more than 10 billion trips. FTA is taking...
Continue Reading Making Public Transit Safer During COVID-19 Outbreak