U.S. Department of Transportation
U.S. Government: Agencies/Departments/Divisions | Cabinet-Level Federal Department
Recent News About U.S. Department of Transportation
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The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has introduced a "Support Our Troops" dashboard aimed at facilitating travel benefits for U.S. military service members and their immediate families. This tool, accessible via flightrights.gov/military, displays the commitments of the ten largest U.S. airlines in their Customer Service Plans. Benefits include free carry-on and checked bags and fee-free refunds when flight plans change due to military orders.
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The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced a new round of funding for 90 airport-related infrastructure grants across 34 states, totaling nearly $187 million. These projects are part of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Airport Infrastructure Grants (AIG) program, which includes $25 billion for airport improvements such as terminal expansions, baggage system upgrades, and runway safety enhancements.
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The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced that eight transit systems across eight states will receive a total of $343 million in federal funding to retrofit some of the nation's oldest and busiest rail transit systems. This initiative aims to improve accessibility for Americans, including those with disabilities and mobility concerns, making it easier for them to access jobs, schools, healthcare, and other essential destinations.
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The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has announced the availability of nearly $10.5 million in competitive grant funds for agencies to plan transit-adjacent development. The FTA's Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning aims to support local planning and investment near transit hubs, focusing on projects that plan for affordable housing.
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The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Advanced Research Projects Agency - Infrastructure (ARPA-I) is seeking input on the potential applications of artificial intelligence (AI) across all modes of transportation, as well as emerging challenges and opportunities in creating and deploying AI technologies.
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The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has announced two final rules that will necessitate railroads to establish certification and training programs for train dispatchers and signal employees. Prior to this, there were no federal regulations enforcing specific training requirements, safety checks, and verification of safety records for these positions. These final rules are intended to bridge this gap in rail safety, ensuring that certified dispatchers and signal employees are qualified and fit for duty.
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The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has launched Operation Protect Your Move, a nationwide initiative aimed at cracking down on fraudulent interstate household goods (HHG) movers and brokers. The enforcement initiative will address complaints about HHG moving company and broker compliance with federal safety and consumer protection regulations and statutes.
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On National Bike to Work Day, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced that over $63 million in grants from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will be allocated for the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program. This funding is set to benefit 99 local, regional, and tribal communities by enhancing road safety and reducing fatalities and serious injuries, with a particular focus on bicyclist safety.
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The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is celebrating the historic progress of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and its significant impact on America's transportation systems. As part of this celebration, the USDOT has released a new fact sheet and video featuring Secretary Pete Buttigieg, which marks the continuation of the country's Infrastructure Decade.
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The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has imposed a fine of $300,000 on Volaris Airlines for violating federal statutes and the Department’s rule prohibiting tarmac delays of four hours or more on international flights without providing passengers an opportunity to deplane. The airline has also been ordered to cease and desist from future similar violations.
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The Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (GLS) celebrated its 70th anniversary with the grand opening of a new visitor center at the U.S. Eisenhower Lock in Massena, N.Y., on May 13, 2024. Top officials from the U.S. Department of Transportation were present at the event.
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The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) that makes available over $2 billion in Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Program funding for projects located on the Northeast Corridor (Fed State-NEC). The corridor supports 800,000 passengers per day and billions of dollars in annual economic activity. Modernizing this critical infrastructure to provide safer, faster and more reliable passenger rail service is a key part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda.
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The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has declared a $1.7 million research funding allocation for the establishment of a Climate Change and Transportation Research Center at the University of California, Davis. The newly formed Center for Emissions Reduction, Resiliency, and Climate Equity in Transportation will function in cooperation with DOT to support the DOT Climate Change Center and various other related departmental climate and research programs.
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The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced today that it is accepting applications for the third year of its Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grants Program. The SMART Grants Program was made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, signed by President Biden on November 15, 2021. As part of the President’s Investing in America agenda, the program will fund up to $500 million in grants over five years to conduct demonstration projects focused on advanced smart community technologies and systems that improve transportation...
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On May 13, 2024, during Infrastructure Week and Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the U.S. Department of Transportation unveiled the second episode of its "Investing in America" video series. This installment focuses on the Chinatown Stitch project in Philadelphia, a historic community initiative that received $159 million from the Biden-Harris Administration.
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The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has released its Air Travel Consumer Report (ATCR) on airline operational data for February 2024, which includes information on on-time performance, mishandled baggage, and mishandled wheelchairs and scooters. The ATCR aims to provide consumers with insights into the quality of services offered by airlines.
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U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg recently embarked on a tour of Western Montana as part of the Biden-Harris Administration's ongoing Investing in America Tour. The purpose of his visit was to observe the progress made on transportation and infrastructure projects, which have been funded by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
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The Brent Spence Bridge project, connecting Cincinnati, Ohio, and Covington, Kentucky, has achieved a significant milestone. The U.S. Department of Transportation announced that the project's sponsors have successfully completed the comprehensive environmental review. This development paves the way for groundbreaking activities in the upcoming months.
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The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has made $3 million in Emergency Relief (ER) funds available for the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) to repair damages caused by a recent truck fire on I-95 in Norwalk, Connecticut.U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of I-95 by stating, “I-95 is a critical highway—for both the people of Connecticut and our nation’s transportation network—and the Biden-Harris Administration focused immediately on helping Governor Lamont quickly restore travel.”...
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In a recent development, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has finalized a new Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard that will mandate automatic emergency braking (AEB) as a standard feature on all passenger cars, SUVs, and light trucks by September 2029. This move is expected to have a significant impact on road safety, with projections indicating that it could save hundreds of lives annually and prevent thousands of injuries while also saving billions of dollars in property damages.Various safety advocates and...