United States Department of Transportation facts for kids
Seal of the USDOT
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Flag of the USDOT
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 Headquarters of the U.S. Department of Transportation |
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| Department overview | |
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| Formed | April 1, 1967 |
| Jurisdiction | U.S. federal government |
| Headquarters | 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, D.C. 38°52′32.92″N 77°0′10.26″W / 38.8758111°N 77.0028500°W |
| Employees | 58,622 |
| Annual budget | US$87.6 billion (FY2021, enacted) |
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| Child agencies |
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| Key document |
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The United States Department of Transportation (USDOT or DOT) is a big part of the U.S. federal government. It is one of the main groups that helps run the country. The person in charge is called the Secretary of Transportation. This person works closely with the president of the United States and is part of the president's main team, called the Cabinet.
The main goal of the USDOT is to make sure America has the best transportation system in the world. This means helping people and goods move around safely, easily, and in ways that are good for the environment. They want to make sure everyone can get where they need to go.
Contents
History of the USDOT
The idea for the Department of Transportation started in 1965. A man named Najeeb Halaby, who was in charge of the Federal Aviation Agency (which deals with airplanes), thought it was a great idea. He told President Lyndon Johnson that the government needed one main group to handle all transportation.
Before the USDOT, different parts of the government handled different types of travel. For example, one group dealt with planes, and another with trains. But there wasn't one place to make sure they all worked together. Halaby felt it was hard to have a clear plan for transportation in the country.
President Johnson agreed that better coordination was needed. He worked with Congress to create the new department. The Department of Transportation officially started on April 1, 1967. Its job was to make sure government money was used well to support all kinds of transportation across the country. President Johnson said that transportation was a huge part of American life. He believed improving it would make life better for everyone.
What the USDOT Does
The USDOT works to make sure travel in the United States is safe, efficient, and fair for everyone. They manage many different types of transportation, including:
- Roads and highways
- Air travel
- Railroads
- Public transportation (like buses and subways)
- Shipping by sea
They set rules, provide money for projects, and work to improve how people and goods move around the country.
Agencies of the USDOT
The USDOT is made up of many smaller groups, called agencies. Each agency focuses on a different part of transportation. Here are some of the main ones:
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA): This agency makes sure air travel is safe. They control air traffic and set rules for planes and airports.
- Federal Highway Administration (FHWA): This group helps build and maintain highways and roads across the country.
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA): They work to prevent crashes involving large trucks and buses. They set safety rules for commercial drivers.
- Federal Railroad Administration (FRA): This agency focuses on railroad safety. They also help improve train services.
- Federal Transit Administration (FTA): This group supports public transportation systems, like city buses, subways, and light rail.
- Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (GLS): They manage the part of the Saint Lawrence Seaway that is in the U.S. This seaway helps ships travel between the Great Lakes and the Atlantic Ocean.
- Maritime Administration (MARAD): This agency deals with water transportation and shipping. They support the U.S. merchant marine (ships that carry goods).
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): This group works to prevent car crashes and save lives on the road. They set safety standards for vehicles and promote safe driving.
- Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA): They make sure pipelines and the transport of dangerous materials are safe.
Former Agencies
Some agencies that used to be part of the USDOT have moved to other government departments. For example:
- The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which handles airport security, moved to the Department of Homeland Security in 2003.
- The United States Coast Guard, which protects U.S. waters, also moved to the Department of Homeland Security in 2003.
How the USDOT Gets Money (Budget)
The USDOT gets money from the government to pay for its work and for transportation projects. This money is called its budget. They use these funds to improve transportation across the country.
For example, in 2012, the USDOT gave over $742 million to 11 different public transportation projects. These projects included new light rail lines, extensions for commuter trains, and new subway lines in places like New York City. They also helped fund bus systems.
In 2021, a very important law called the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act was signed. This law set aside over $660 billion for transportation projects over five years. This huge amount of money helps build and fix roads, bridges, public transit, and other important transportation systems.
See also
- American Highway Users Alliance
- National Highway System (United States)
- National Transportation Safety Board
- Passenger vehicles in the United States
- Port Authority
- Title 23 of the Code of Federal Regulations
- Transportation in the United States
- Transportation policy of the United States
- Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center
- United States Federal Maritime Commission
- United States Secretary of Transportation
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