U.S. Government Resources: Transportation

Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS)
http://www.bts.gov/

As part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, the BTS is responsible for the collection, analysis, and reporting of transportation data. The web site provides information on data, programs, laws and regulations, and more.

Department of Transportation
http://www.dot.gov/

The U.S. Department of Transportation, created by act of October 15, 1966, establishes the nation's overall transportation policy. Under its umbrella there are 11 administrations whose jurisdictions include highway planning, development, and construction; motor carrier safety; urban mass transit; railroads; aviation; and the safety of waterways, ports, highways, and oil and gas pipelines. Decisions made by the Department in conjunction with the appropriate state and local officials strongly affect other programs such as land planning, energy conservation, scarce resource utilization, and technological change.

Department of Transportation Inspector General
http://www.oig.dot.gov/

The 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, which is done through audits and investigations. OIG also consults with the Congress about programs in progress and proposed new laws and regulations. The web site includes information on audits, testimonies/statements, investigations, semiannual reports,
and more.

Department of Transportation Online FOIA Form
http://www.oig.dot.gov/FOIA

The Office of Inspector General provides this FOIA request form for information about the Department of Transportation.

DisabilityInfo.gov
http://www.disabilityinfo.gov/digov-public/public/DisplayPage.do?parentFolderId=500

As one of President George W. Bush's Initiatives, which direct federal agencies to work together to build a one-stop interagency web portal, DisailityInfo.gov is a comprehensive online resource specifically designed to provide people with disabilities with the information they need to know quickly. The portal provides access to disability-related information and programs available across the government on numerous subjects, including civil rights, education, employment, housing, health, income support, technology, transportation, and community life. To obtain transportaion information, click on the tab at the top of the page.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
http://www.faa.gov/

The FAA, created by the Federal Aviation Act of 1958, is responsible for regulating civil aviation through the development of safety regulations, air traffic control systems, and programs to control aircraft noise and other environmental effects of civil aviation.

Federal Highway Administration
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/index.html

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, is charged with the broad responsibility of ensuring that America’s roads and highways continue to be the safest and most technologically up-to-date. Although State, local, and tribal governments own most of the Nation’s highways, FHWA provides financial and technical support to them for constructing, improving, and preserving America’s highway system. Information is included about programs, laws and regulations, and more.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/

Established as part of the Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act of 1999, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) works to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities involving large trucks and buses. The FMCSA meets its safety mandate by developing and enforcing safety regulations and by educating carriers, commercial drivers, and the public.

Federal Railroad Administration
http://www.fra.dot.gov/

The Federal Railroad Administration promulgates and enforces rail safety regulations, administers railroad assistance programs, and conducts research in order to improve railroad safety.

Federal Transit Administration
http://www.fta.dot.gov/

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) oversees thousands of federal grants to state and local transit providers. These grants provide financial assistance to develop new transit systems and improve, maintain, and operate existing systems.

Government Transportation Financial Statistics
http://www.bts.gov/government_transportation_financial_statistics/index.html

This site provides Federal government revenues and expenditures data, state and local government data, as well as information on grants to state and local governments.

Highway Statistics
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/policy/ohpi/hss/index.htm

These annual reports, compiled by information submitted by the states and available from the Federal Highway Administration, contain analyzed statistical data on motor fuel, motor vehicles, driver licensing, highway-user taxation, highway finances, and related highway statistics.

House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
http://www.house.gov/transportation/

This House Committee oversees issues relating to the nation's transportation and infrastructure needs. Subcommittees include Aviation; Economic Development, Public Buildings, & Emergency Management; Railroads; Coast Guard & Maritime Transportation; Highways, Transit & Pipelines; and Water Resources & Environment. Information about membership, schedules, and hot issues in Congress can be found on this web site.

Maritime Administration
http://www.marad.dot.gov/

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) seeks to promote the development and maintenance of an adequate maritime transportation system. MARAD ensures that the United States maintains adequate shipbuilding and repair services, efficient ports, effective intermodal water and land transportation systems, and reserve shipping capacity for use in time of national emergency.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration was established under the Highway Safety Act of 1970 to create and enforce safety programs under the Motor Vehicle Safety Code.

National Mediation Board
http://www.nmb.gov

The National Mediation Board (NMB) provides an integrated dispute resolution process, which facilitates harmonious labor-management relations and minimizes work stoppages in the airline and railroad industries.

National Transportation Library
http://ntl.bts.gov/

The National Transportation Library provides timely access to information relating to transportation policy, research, operations, and technology transfer activities.

National Transportation Safety Board
http://www.ntsb.gov/

The National Transportation Safety Board is an independent Federal agency charged by Congress with investigating every civil aviation accident in the United States and significant accidents in the other modes of transportation -- railroad, highway, marine and pipeline -- and issuing safety recommendations aimed at preventing future accidents.

National Transportation Safety Board Legal Matters
http://www.ntsb.gov/alj/legal.htm

The NTSB's Legal Matters web site includes access to the Office of Administrative Law Judges and Office of General Counsel web sites, opinions and orders, regulations,
and more.

Office of Defects Investigation
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/home.cfm

Search and retrieve information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's database. Consumers can search for complaints, safety recalls, defect investigations, technical service bulletins, and foreign campaigns.

Office of Hazardous Materials Safety (Hazmat)
http://hazmat.dot.gov/

The Office of Hazardous Materials Safety is responsible for coordinating a national safety program for the transportation of hazardous material by air, rail, highway, and water. The website provides information on rules and regulations, spills, and hazardous material enforcement.

Online Publications
http://isddc.dot.gov/

The Department of Transportation offers a searchable database to retrieve online documents from their Publications Library.

Railroad Retirement Board
http://www.rrb.gov/default.asp

The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) is an independent agency in the executive branch of the Federal Government. The RRB's primary function is to administer comprehensive retirement-survivor and unemployment-sickness benefit programs for the nation's railroad workers and their families, under the Railroad Retirement and Railroad Unemployment Insurance Acts.

Railroad Retirement Board Legal Opinions
http://www.rrb.gov/blaw/digestcards.asp

Legal opinions are available through the RRB's Electronic Reading Room.

Recalls.gov
http://www.recalls.gov/

Recalls.gov was created by six government agencies such as the FDA, USDA, EPA, and several others. The site is a "one stop shop" for information on U.S. Government recalls of unsafe, hazardous, or defective products. Information is arranged by categories such as consumer products, motor vehicles, boats, food, medicine, cosmetics, and environmental products. Features include the ability to receive newsletters from the various agencies.

Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA)
http://www.dot.gov/affairs/rspaind.htm

Established by the Secretary of Transportation in 1977, RSPA provides vital services to our nation's transportation system through a variety of safety and research programs.

Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation
http://commerce.senate.gov/

The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation has evolved from major reorganizations in the past. It studies and reviews all matters relating to science and technology, oceans policy, transportation, communications, and consumer affairs. The web site offers committee information, legislation, and more.

Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works
http://epw.senate.gov/

The Committee is assigned the jurisdiction over endangered species, fish and wildlife refuges and programs, regulation of nonmilitary nuclear power, restoration and protection of land and water resources, and the Superfund program. Its public works jurisdiction has grown from oversight of new Federal building construction, additions to the U.S. Capitol building and grounds, and the White House and its grounds, to legislative responsibility for the development of the Nation's interstate highway system, flood control and navigation
projects.

Surface Transportation Board
http://www.stb.dot.gov/

The Surface Transportation Board (STB), the successor agency to the Interstate Commerce Commission, is responsible for resolving railroad rate and service disputes and reviewing proposed railroad mergers.

Transportation Security Administration
http://www.tsa.gov/

Formerly under the Department of Transportation, the TSA now is part of the Department of Homeland Security. Its mission is to protect the nation's transportation systems to ensure freedom of movement for people and commerce.

TranStats
http://www.transtats.bts.gov/homepage.asp

TranStats is a web site aimed at providing "one stop shopping" for transportation data. It provides a searchable index of over 100 transportation-related databases covering every mode of transportation. Data can be found by mode of transportation, subject, or agency.