USDOT Announces Progress Delivering Results for America

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) recently released a report updating the public on the Biden-Harris Administration efforts to improve America’s transportation infrastructure. The report includes updates on DOT’s key priorities, including rail safety, strengthening consumer protections for air  travelers, and the implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), among others.

“We are delivering for the American people with the resources now available because President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law reversed decades of underinvestment in our transportation systems,” said Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “The public placed great trust in DOT, and we are honoring that trust by making improvements to transportation that get people and goods to where they need to be more safely, affordably, and sustainably while creating good-paying jobs.”

You can view the DOT 2021-2023 Progress Report here. Improvements on key priorities are highlighted below. 

Making Roads and Vehicles Safer for All 

Published the comprehensive National Roadway Safety Strategy

Improved roadway safety planning for over 70% of the U.S. population

Funded safety improvements for 4,515 intersections

Secured commitments from over 120 partners in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors who responded to DOT’s National Roadway Safety Strategy call to action

Advanced rules on automatic emergency braking in cars and trucks that would save over 500 lives a year 

Improving Rail Safety 

Conducted more than 7,500 rail safety inspections on hazardous material routes

Funded projects to eliminate or improve more than 400 at-grade crossings

Over 87% of Class I rail workers now have paid sick leave

Funded 70 rail safety projects through the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements program

Making Generational Investments to Rebuild America 

Awarded over $200 billion to over 40,000 projects nationwide, supporting tens of thousands of jobs

Upgrading rail service on the Northeast Corridor, reducing Amtrak and commuter rail delays for over 200 million trips annually

Funded repairs to 7,800 bridges and improving 135,000 miles of roads 

Strengthening Consumer Protections for Air Travelers 

Investigated more than 20 airlines for failing to provide timely refunds

Helped ensure airlines returned over $3 billion to hundreds of thousands of passengers

Secured commitments from major airlines guaranteeing consumers’ rights such as free rebooking, hotels, and meal vouchers when airlines cause a delay or cancellation

Published the first-ever Airline Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights

Reduced airline cancellations to under 1.2%, the lowest rate in at least a decade

Proposed new rules requiring airlines to disclose hidden fees for extra bags, changes, and cancellations

Advancing Equity 

Funding $3.3 billion to improve mobility and access through the Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods program

Awarded over $2 billion in direct procurement to small, disadvantaged businesses in FY23

Established project labor agreements for 319 FHWA projects totaling $9.9 billion, including $3.2 billion with local hire preferences

Awarded $686 million to improve accessibility at transit stations 

Achieving Net-Zero Carbon Emissions 

Released the U.S. National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050

Providing nearly $9 billion in funding for climate resilience projects to protect infrastructure from extreme weather

Funding sustainable aviation fuel and technology to reach carbon neutral aviation by 2050

Funded over 2,900 zero-emission and low-emission buses

Raised fuel economy standards to save consumers money at the pump and reduce carbon emissions by 2.5 billion tons

Building a Nationwide Electric Vehicle Charging Network 

Set new national standards for EV charging to ensure everyone can use the network no matter what you drive or which state you are in

Expanded alternative fuel corridors to 79,000 miles of highways in all 50 states

Provided more than $2.2 billion in funding to states and communities to build a nationwide EV charging network

Set the nation on the path to meet President Biden’s vision of building 500,000 chargers by 2030 

Driving Innovation 

Accelerated the deployment of uncrewed aviation systems and electric aircraft

Funded 59 smart community technology demonstration projects for the use of technologies such as connected and automated vehicles, advanced traffic signals, and uncrewed aircraft systems

Launched the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Infrastructure (ARPA-I) to spur the development of game-changing transportation technologies

Awarded $450 million to 34 university consortia to develop the next generation of transportation technology and professionals

Launched the Intersection Safety Challenge seeking ideas to transform intersection safety