The Responsibilites and Authority of the Secretary of Transportation
Dennis AuBuchon
November 18, 2009
The office of Secretary of the Department of Transportation oversees the formulation of national transportation policy and promotes intermodal transportation. Other responsibilities range from negotiation and implementation of international transportation agreements, assuring the fitness of US airlines, enforcing airline consumer protection regulations, issuance of regulations to prevent alcohol and illegal drug misuse in transportation systems and preparing transportation legislation.
The mission of the Department of Transportation is to "Serve the United States by ensuring a fast, safe, efficient, accessible and convenient transportation system that meets our vital national interests and enhances the quality of life of the American people, today and into the future." It was established by an act of Congress on October 16, 1966. The first official day of operation was April 1, 1967.
There are numerous organizations under the Department of Transportation and each has their own responsibilities but the Secretary of Transportation is responsible for all the activities within each organization. Below is a list of the organizations and some of their responsibilities under the Department of Transportation.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) - The safety mission of the FAA is first and foremost and includes the issuance and enforcement of regulations and standards related to the manufacture, operation, certification and maintenance of aircraft. The agency is responsible for the rating and certification of airmen and for certification of airports serving air carriers. It also regulates a program to protect the security of civil aviation, and enforces regulations under the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act for shipments by air. The FAA, which operates a network of airport towers, air route traffic control centers, and flight service stations, develops air traffic rules, allocates the use of airspace, and provides for the security control of air traffic to meet national defense requirements.
Federal Highway Administration - The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) coordinates highway transportation programs in cooperation with states and other partners to enhance the country's safety, economic vitality, quality of life, and the environment.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration - the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's primary mission is to prevent commercial motor vehicle-related fatalities and injuries. Administration activities contribute to ensuring safety in motor carrier operations through strong enforcement of safety regulations, targeting high-risk carriers and commercial motor vehicle drivers; improving safety information systems and commercial motor vehicle technologies; strengthening commercial motor vehicle equipment and operating standards; and increasing safety awareness.
Federal Railroad Administration - The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) promotes safe and environmentally sound rail transportation.
Federal Transit Administration - The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) assists in developing improved mass transportation systems for cities and communities nationwide. Through its grant programs, FTA helps plan, build, and operate transit systems with convenience, cost and accessibility in mind.
Maritime Administration - The Maritime Administration (MARAD) promotes development and maintenance of an adequate, well-balanced, United States merchant marine, sufficient to carry the Nation's domestic waterborne commerce and a substantial portion of its waterborne foreign commerce, and capable of serving as a naval and military auxiliary in time of war or national emergency
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration - The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is responsible for reducing deaths, injuries and economic losses resulting from motor vehicle crashes. NHTSA sets and enforces safety performance standards for motor vehicles and equipment, and through grants to state and local governments enables them to conduct effective local highway safety programs
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration - The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) oversees the safety of daily shipments of hazardous materials in the United States and 64 percent of the nation's energy that is transported by pipelines
Research and Innovative Technology Administration - The Research & Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) is an agency whose mission is to identify and facilitate solutions to the challenges and opportunities facing America's transportation system.
St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation - The Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (SLSDC) operates and maintains a safe, reliable and efficient waterway for commercial and noncommercial vessels between the Great Lakes and the Atlantic Ocean.
Surface Transportation Board - The Surface Transportation Board (STB) is an independent, bipartisan, adjudicatory body organizationally housed within the DOT. It is responsible for the economic regulation of interstate surface transportation, primarily railroads, within the United States.
As identified above the Department of Transportation has a broad list of responsibilities all of which are important to society and citizens. This department like others I have researched surprised me as to the involvement within their area of responsibility. The agencies under this department had some surprises for me not because they are not appropriate but because they are not widely recognized or known. One such agency is the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation. This agency has the responsibility as mentioned above has the responsibility to maintain a safe, reliable waterway for commercial and non-commercial vessels between the Great Lakes and the Atlantic Ocean.
Another area which surprised me is the research and Innovative Technology Administration is responsible for addressing challenges and opportunities facing America´s transportation system. This is important. Our transportation system always seems to be evolving and will continue to do so in the future. This agency along with the Federal Transit Administration is a vital part of this department.
The responsibilities of this department touch the lives of all citizens in one way or another. One is the through the regulations it issues. Some of the topics addressed are noted below:
Federal Trucking/Motor Carrier Regulations
Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy
Company names and DOT numbers on Commercial Trucks
Hazardous Materials Regulations & Contacts
Physical standards for truck and bus drivers
Vehicle safety standards
Vehicle Titles, Registration, and Driver Licensing (DMV)
Possession of firearms in commercial motor vehicles
As can be seen in the list above this department truly touches the lives of all citizens either directly or indirectly. The responsibilities and duties listed above along with the agencies within this department are important to the fabric and safety of society. It is important that these responsibilities be taken seriously as well as other cabinet departments and governmental agencies. Many individuals do not like government intrusion into their lives but the duties of this department are important in establishing some commonality in critical aspects of society. The transportation system is vital and it must be maintained and improved where necessary for the continued efficient and safe flow of traffic.
The mission of the Department of Transportation is to "Serve the United States by ensuring a fast, safe, efficient, accessible and convenient transportation system that meets our vital national interests and enhances the quality of life of the American people, today and into the future." It was established by an act of Congress on October 16, 1966. The first official day of operation was April 1, 1967.
There are numerous organizations under the Department of Transportation and each has their own responsibilities but the Secretary of Transportation is responsible for all the activities within each organization. Below is a list of the organizations and some of their responsibilities under the Department of Transportation.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) - The safety mission of the FAA is first and foremost and includes the issuance and enforcement of regulations and standards related to the manufacture, operation, certification and maintenance of aircraft. The agency is responsible for the rating and certification of airmen and for certification of airports serving air carriers. It also regulates a program to protect the security of civil aviation, and enforces regulations under the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act for shipments by air. The FAA, which operates a network of airport towers, air route traffic control centers, and flight service stations, develops air traffic rules, allocates the use of airspace, and provides for the security control of air traffic to meet national defense requirements.
Federal Highway Administration - The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) coordinates highway transportation programs in cooperation with states and other partners to enhance the country's safety, economic vitality, quality of life, and the environment.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration - the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's primary mission is to prevent commercial motor vehicle-related fatalities and injuries. Administration activities contribute to ensuring safety in motor carrier operations through strong enforcement of safety regulations, targeting high-risk carriers and commercial motor vehicle drivers; improving safety information systems and commercial motor vehicle technologies; strengthening commercial motor vehicle equipment and operating standards; and increasing safety awareness.
Federal Railroad Administration - The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) promotes safe and environmentally sound rail transportation.
Federal Transit Administration - The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) assists in developing improved mass transportation systems for cities and communities nationwide. Through its grant programs, FTA helps plan, build, and operate transit systems with convenience, cost and accessibility in mind.
Maritime Administration - The Maritime Administration (MARAD) promotes development and maintenance of an adequate, well-balanced, United States merchant marine, sufficient to carry the Nation's domestic waterborne commerce and a substantial portion of its waterborne foreign commerce, and capable of serving as a naval and military auxiliary in time of war or national emergency
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration - The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is responsible for reducing deaths, injuries and economic losses resulting from motor vehicle crashes. NHTSA sets and enforces safety performance standards for motor vehicles and equipment, and through grants to state and local governments enables them to conduct effective local highway safety programs
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration - The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) oversees the safety of daily shipments of hazardous materials in the United States and 64 percent of the nation's energy that is transported by pipelines
Research and Innovative Technology Administration - The Research & Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) is an agency whose mission is to identify and facilitate solutions to the challenges and opportunities facing America's transportation system.
St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation - The Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (SLSDC) operates and maintains a safe, reliable and efficient waterway for commercial and noncommercial vessels between the Great Lakes and the Atlantic Ocean.
Surface Transportation Board - The Surface Transportation Board (STB) is an independent, bipartisan, adjudicatory body organizationally housed within the DOT. It is responsible for the economic regulation of interstate surface transportation, primarily railroads, within the United States.
As identified above the Department of Transportation has a broad list of responsibilities all of which are important to society and citizens. This department like others I have researched surprised me as to the involvement within their area of responsibility. The agencies under this department had some surprises for me not because they are not appropriate but because they are not widely recognized or known. One such agency is the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation. This agency has the responsibility as mentioned above has the responsibility to maintain a safe, reliable waterway for commercial and non-commercial vessels between the Great Lakes and the Atlantic Ocean.
Another area which surprised me is the research and Innovative Technology Administration is responsible for addressing challenges and opportunities facing America´s transportation system. This is important. Our transportation system always seems to be evolving and will continue to do so in the future. This agency along with the Federal Transit Administration is a vital part of this department.
The responsibilities of this department touch the lives of all citizens in one way or another. One is the through the regulations it issues. Some of the topics addressed are noted below:
Federal Trucking/Motor Carrier Regulations
Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy
Company names and DOT numbers on Commercial Trucks
Hazardous Materials Regulations & Contacts
Physical standards for truck and bus drivers
Vehicle safety standards
Vehicle Titles, Registration, and Driver Licensing (DMV)
Possession of firearms in commercial motor vehicles
As can be seen in the list above this department truly touches the lives of all citizens either directly or indirectly. The responsibilities and duties listed above along with the agencies within this department are important to the fabric and safety of society. It is important that these responsibilities be taken seriously as well as other cabinet departments and governmental agencies. Many individuals do not like government intrusion into their lives but the duties of this department are important in establishing some commonality in critical aspects of society. The transportation system is vital and it must be maintained and improved where necessary for the continued efficient and safe flow of traffic.
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