[Budget of the United States Government]
[III. Creating a Better Government]
[9. Transportation]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]
9. TRANSPORTATION
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Table 9-1. Federal Resources in Support of Transportation
(In millions of dollars)
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Estimate
Function 400 2000 -----------------------------------------------------------
Actual 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
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Spending:
Discretionary Budget Authority.......... 15,172 18,912 16,836 17,790 18,190 18,558 18,970
Mandatory Outlays:
Existing law.......................... 2,107 2,219 1,796 2,046 1,982 1,913 1,890
Credit Activity:
Direct loan disbursements............... 323 403 709 1,109 1,542 1,993 2,221
Guaranteed loans........................ 886 634 418 218 218 218 218
Tax Expenditures:
Existing law............................ 2,090 2,220 2,370 2,520 2,670 2,840 3,010
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Discretionary Budgetary Resources ........ 49,668 57,261 57,736 60,099 61,449 62,790 64,195
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The security, economic prosperity, and social well being of the Nation
are dependent on the efficient movement of people and commerce.
America's transportation system is an indispensable component in moving
people and goods. Our transportation system must enable the Nation to
sustain its economic growth and enhance the quality of life for all
Americans. In 2002, the Federal Government will invest over $57 billion
on transportation to continue to improve the Nation's transportation
system, build and maintain the transportation infrastructure, and ensure
safety for the traveling public.
Significant investments have been made in Federal transportation
infrastructure in recent years. The challenge the Administration and the
Department of Transportation (DOT) now face is how to maximize the
effectiveness of new investments and ensure vigilant management and
oversight of taxpayer resources. DOT plans to target its efforts on a
number of unresolved critical transportation problems over the next year
in the areas of tire and truck safety, aviation system modernization,
Coast Guard fleet replacement, and highway grant oversight and
accountability. (See Chart 9-1.)
Transportation Safety
Ensuring transportation safety is one of the highest priorities of the
Federal Government. This budget continues Federal efforts to work with
State and local governments and private groups to minimize the safety
risks inherent in transportation. DOT leads efforts to regulate motor
vehicle design and operation; inspect commercial vehicles; design,
build, and operate safer roadways; educate the public regarding safety;
direct air and waterway traffic; rescue mariners in danger; monitor
railroad safety; and conduct safety research. The budget recommends $7.3
billion for safety programs to meet this challenge.
A range of Federal programs and activities has helped to reduce the
number of deaths and injuries from highway crashes. Federal programs
reach out to State and local partners, industry, and health care
professionals to identify the causes of crashes and develop new
strategies to reduce deaths, injuries, and the resulting medical costs.
These partnerships yield results. For example, the partnership against
drunk driving helped the Nation hold alcohol related highway fatalities
to an estimated 38 percent of all highway deaths in 2000. And, efforts
continue to
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reduce the roughly 41,000 deaths and three million injuries that occur
each year on the Nation's roadways.
Highway and Truck Safety: The budget includes $196 million for the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Operations and
Research program. Along with coordinating national traffic safety
efforts such as increasing seat belt use, NHTSA regulates the design of
motor vehicles, researches design improvements for crash worthiness, and
investigates reported safety defects. In 2002, safety defect
investigations will continue to focus on improved defect testing,
database modernization, and enhanced consumer complaint processing.
NHTSA will also concentrate its efforts on updating the tire safety
standard and increasing crash data collection to capture information
regarding tire failure. In 2002, NHTSA will distribute $223 million in
highway traffic safety grants that target increased seat belt use,
decreased alcohol-related fatalities, and efforts to improve State
safety data. Additional programs are designed to reduce drunk and
drugged driving, and focus on reducing injuries and fatalities among
minorities and youth, and in rural communities.
In partnership with the highway community and NHTSA, the Federal
Highway Administration (FHWA) works to identify top roadway and vehicle
safety issues and countermeasures. In 2002, safety construction programs
will contribute an estimated $765 million to correct unsafe roadway
design, remove roadway hazards, and fund other safety construction
programs.
Highway safety programs are targeted to reduce the rate of highway-
related fatalities and injuries per 100 million vehicle miles traveled
(VMT). In 2000, NHTSA estimated that there were 1.6 fatalities per 100
million VMT, and 119 highway-related injuries per 100 million VMT. The
Department's 2002 goal is to:
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Reduce the rate to 1.4 highway-related fatalities per 100
million VMT and 111 highway-related injuries per 100 million
VMT.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) prescribes
motor carrier safety regulations and conducts interstate enforcement
efforts to enhance motor carrier safety. FMCSA also collects motor
carrier safety data and reviews safety operations. States will continue
to receive dedicated funding to heighten oversight of commercial (e.g.,
large truck and bus) license, vehicle, and driver inspection at roadside
locations in an effort to keep unsafe vehicles and drivers off our
Nation's highways. The budget includes $183 million for grants to States
to enforce Federal and State standards for commercial motor vehicle
safety inspections, traffic enforcement, and compliance reviews.
To ensure that trade between the United States and Mexico, under the
North American Free Trade Agreement, is accomplished safely, the budget
includes $88 million for additional inspectors and $56 million for State
funding for construction and operation of border safety inspection
facilities. An additional $17 million is included for information
systems and strategic initiatives aimed at improving motor carrier
safety and $5 million is provided to continue a comprehensive study on
commercial motor vehicle crash causation initiated in 2001. One of the
prime highway safety goals of FMCSA is to:
Reduce the number of motor carrier fatalities to no more than
4,710 in 2002.
Aviation Safety: Perhaps the Federal Government's most visible
transportation safety function involves air traffic control and air
navigational systems. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) provides
air traffic service to over two flights per second, moving 1.8 million
passengers safely each day. In 2002, the FAA will perform nearly 325,000
safety-related inspections. The budget includes $6.9 billion for FAA
operations and $2.9 billion for capital modernization. In total, a 6.7-
percent increase over 2001. FAA seeks to:
Achieve an 80-percent reduction in the fatal accident rate
for U.S. commercial air carriers by 2007. The 2002 target is
.038 accidents per 100,000 departures. While FAA's annual
targets may fluctuate due to the limited number of accidents,
they generally follow a downward slope to the 2007 80-percent
reduction goal.
Reduce the number of runway incursions with a target for 2002
of 236 incursions. In 2000, there were 403 incursions, up from
330 in 1999. To counter the increase in runway incursions, the
FAA has identified and established strategies under its Runway
Incursion Program 2000 Blueprint.
Coastal Waterway Safety: The Federal Government plays a key safety
role on our waterways. On average, Coast Guard efforts result in the
rescue of one life every two hours. The Coast Guard works to improve
maritime safety by preventing incidents and mitigating the effect of
accidents. In 2000, the Coast Guard saved 93 percent of all mariners
reported in imminent danger. To accomplish this, the Coast Guard
operates radio distress systems, guides vessels through busy ports, and
operates reliable and safe navigation systems. It also regulates vessel
design and operation, enforces United States and international safety
standards, provides boating safety grants to States, and supports a
35,000-member voluntary auxiliary that provides safety education and
assistance to regular Coast Guard units. The budget includes more than
$4 billion for Coast Guard operations and capital, a 12-percent increase
compared with 2001. With this funding, the Coast Guard seeks to:
Limit the number of recreational boating fatalities to less
than 742 in 2002. In 2000 there were 742 recreational boating
fatalities in our coastal regions and inland waterways.
Rail Safety: The budget includes $154 million in 2002 for Federal
railroad safety programs that work in partnership with the rail
industry. The Safety Assurance and Compliance program brings together
rail labor, management, and the Federal Government to determine causes
of safety problems. This partnership has produced results: record low
levels in the number and rate of overall rail-related fatalities and
injuries. In 2000, the fatality level was the lowest level since 1981.
The Federal Railroad Administration seeks to:
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Reduce the rate of rail-related fatalities to 1.20 fatalities
per million train miles or less in 2002. In 2000, the rate was
estimated to be 1.29 fatalities per million train miles.
Reduce the grade crossing accident rate in 2002 by 0.35
percent compared with 2000.
Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety: Similarly, the Federal
Government has implemented several important initiatives in its pipeline
safety program to reduce the risk of pipeline failures. These include
oversight and enforcement of recently strengthened Federal pipeline
safety standards, assistance to communities in protecting their citizens
from pipeline failures, expanded partnership with States, and research
and development efforts. The budget includes $54 million for pipeline
safety programs, a 15-percent increase above 2001. The Research and
Special Programs Administration, through its Office of Pipeline Safety,
seeks to:
Reduce the number of natural gas transmission pipeline
failures by almost four percent since 1999 to no more than
4,301 failures in 2002.
Reduce the spillage rate of hazardous liquid materials
shipped by pipelines (in tons) per million ton-miles to 0.0142
in 2002. In 2000, the spillage rate was 0.0131.
The Federal Government also develops regulations and standards to
ensure the safe transportation of hazardous materials, and enforces
those standards for every mode of transportation. The budget includes
$113 million for hazardous materials safety programs, an eight-percent
increase over 2001. The Federal Government seeks to:
Reduce the number of serious hazardous materials incidents in
transportation to 391 or fewer in 2002. In 2000, there were an
estimated 396 serious hazardous material incidents.
Infrastructure and Efficiency Investment
Mobility as much as any other factor defines us as a Nation. It
connects people with work, school, community services, health care,
markets, religious facilities, and other people. The U.S. transportation
system carries over 4.6 trillion passenger miles of travel and 3.9
trillion ton miles of freight every year--generated by more than 276
million travelers and six million businesses. The Federal Government
helped develop large parts of the system, with funding supported by user
fees and transportation taxes. Investment is targeted to maintaining and
improving the existing system while at the same time advancing safety,
quality, efficiency, accessibility, and the intermodal character of
transportation infrastructure. This investment ensures the Nation will
meet commerce needs and enhance its efficiency. The budget includes
$42.3 billion in mobility funding to meet this challenge.
Highways and Bridges: More than 958,000 miles of roads and bridges are
eligible for Federal support, including the National Highway System
(NHS) and Federal lands roads. For 2002, the Transportation Equity Act
for the 21st Century (TEA-21) provides $31.6 billion for the Federal-aid
highway program. About 90 percent of these funds are distributed to the
States by formula, primarily for highway-related projects, including the
preservation and expansion of eligible roads and bridges. This funding
comes from Federal motor fuel and truck taxes, mainly the gasoline tax,
which is currently 18.4 cents per gallon, of which 15.44 cents goes into
the Highway Trust Fund's Highway account to finance grants to States and
local governments for highway related repair and improvement.
In aggregate, State and local governments provide 63 percent of
highway and bridge infrastructure spending, most of which they generate
through their own fuel and vehicle taxes. The average State gasoline tax
was approximately 20 cents per gallon in 2000. State and local
governments accelerate their infrastructure projects through debt
financing, such as bonds and revolving loan funds. FHWA will work with
State and local governments in 2002 to:
Maintain 95 percent or more of NHS miles in a condition that
meets pavement performance standards for acceptable ride
quality. The NHS carries one trillion, or 43 percent, of all
vehicle miles traveled.
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The condition of the system affects public safety, wear-and-
tear on vehicles, fuel consumption, travel time, congestion,
and comfort. In 2000, the estimated percentage was 94 percent.
Hold the growth in average annual hours of extra travel time
due to delays over 30 minutes to a total of 34 hours in 2002.
In 1999, the individual urban traveler experienced an average
32 hours of extra travel time due to delays. Without projects
that improve traffic flow, this would grow to 35 hours of
extra travel time. Clearly, traffic congestion is a problem
which DOT will need to devote increasing attention.
Reduce the percentage of bridges on the NHS that are
deficient--from 21.5 percent in 2000 to 21 percent in 2002.
Transit: As with highways, the Federal Government assists State and
local governments to improve mass transit. Of the Federal motor fuels
tax, 2.86 cents per gallon goes to fund mass transit improvements.
Federal capital grants comprise about half of the total spent each year
to maintain and expand the Nation's 6,000 bus, rail, trolley, van, and
ferry systems. Together, States and localities invest over $3.5 billion
a year on transit infrastructure and equipment.
Federal funding growth has been substantial. In 2002, TEA-21 provides
$6.6 billion for transit infrastructure. The Federal role is especially
important in financing new urban bus and rail transit systems, as well
as rural bus and van networks. Millions of Americans use transit for
their daily commute, easing roadway congestion and reducing air
pollution. Many riders depend on public transportation to access
employment, schools, healthcare, and social services. Transit can also
provide economic opportunity. For example, the Job Access and Reverse
Commute program helps provide transportation services in urban,
suburban, and rural areas to assist welfare recipients and low-income
individuals reach employment opportunities. The Administration proposes
to target transit funding to communities with the greatest need. To
ensure that local governments play a major role in funding transit ``New
Starts,'' the budget recommends a cap on Federal participation at 50
percent starting in 2004. The Federal Transit Administration seeks to:
Increase transit ridership to 47.5 billion passenger-miles
traveled in 2002. In 2000, transit rider ship was 45.3 billion
passenger-miles traveled.
Innovative Financing: There are a number of financing innovations
designed to streamline procedures, improve existing programs, and
implement new ideas for improving the Nation's transportation
infrastructure. In total, these initiatives are helping advance over 200
projects, representing a total capital investment of more than $20
billion. For example, there is the Transportation Infrastructure Finance
and Innovation Act (TIFIA) program, authorized by TEA-21. TIFIA provides
Federal credit assistance to major transportation investments of
critical national importance, such as: intermodal facilities, border
crossing infrastructure, highway trade corridors, and transit and
passenger rail facilities with regional and national benefits. In 2000,
$37 million of TIFIA budget authority supported $637 million in credit
assistance. In 2002, an estimated funding level of $108 million should
provide for as much as $2.4 billion in credit assistance.
Passenger Rail: The budget includes $521 million in 2002 to support
Amtrak capital improvements and equipment maintenance. The Federal
Railroad Administration seeks to:
Increase Amtrak's intercity ridership to 26.7 million
passengers in 2002. In 2000, 22.5 million passengers rode
Amtrak. Amtrak ridership in 2000 was an all-time annual
record, reflecting a 4.7-percent increase over 1999.
Amtrak's financial condition will demand continued oversight by DOT.
Aviation and Airports: The Federal Government seeks to ensure that the
aviation system is safe, reliable, accessible, well integrated, and
flexible. In 2002, the Administration will continue aggressive
modernization of FAA air traffic control equipment, including the
development of new technologies and instituting improvements to existing
systems to decrease air traffic delays. The Free Flight Phase I program
is implementing air traffic automation aids that allow controllers to
use airspace and runway capacity more efficiently.
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In addition, FAA is developing controller pilot data link and Global
Positioning System technologies to improve efficiency in handling
aircraft. Ongoing replacement of airport surveillance and beacon radar
systems will improve the reliability of equipment used for air traffic
control.
About 3,300 airports throughout the country are eligible recipients of
Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funding provided in the Aviation
Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century, which reauthorized this
program. AIP helps enhance airport capacity, safety, security, and noise
mitigation. These funds augment other airport funding sources, such as
bond proceeds, State and local grants, and passenger facility charges
that airports are permitted to establish. With 98 percent of the
population living within 20 miles of a public airport, most people have
excellent access to air transportation. The budget includes $6.9 billion
for FAA operations and $2.9 billion for modernizing air traffic control
capital assets--in total $619 million, or seven percent, more than 2001.
To ensure the most ``bang-for-the-buck,'' the Administration is
proposing to modify the Essential Air Service (EAS) program. EAS, which
provides subsidies to air carriers serving small airports, would be
targeted only to communities with limited transportation alternatives
and which face great distances to air carriers. The Federal Government
seeks to:
Reduce the rate of air travel delays to 171 delays per
100,000 activities in 2002. In 2000, the rate of air delays
was 250 delays per 100,000 activities.
While the FAA is funded at historically high levels, the
Administration recognizes that substantial reform is necessary to make
the aviation system more efficient. Current levels of aviation delay are
unacceptable. The Administration supports efforts to institute improved
business practices, organizational changes, and market-oriented
techniques to strengthen FAA's operations and reduce system delays,
recognizing the role of airlines and airports. As part of this effort,
over the next year the Administration will work with the aviation
community and Congress to develop a plan of action for improving the
Nation's aviation record. In particular, the Administration will examine
the success that various nations, including Canada, have experienced
with individual air traffic control systems owned and operated by
private companies.
Marine Transportation and Law Enforcement: For our Nation's commercial
shipping infrastructure, the Coast Guard establishes and operates
electronic and visual aids-to-navigation infrastructure that enables the
safe movement of shipping. This includes ensuring that winter shipments
such as fuel oil arrive without delay. The Maritime Administration and
the Coast Guard are co-leading a joint cooperative effort with other
Federal, State, and local government agencies and the private sector to
review the Nation's Marine Transportation System (MTS). The MTS is faced
with growing levels of demand, shifting and competing user requirements,
and safety and information system improvements. The Federal Government
seeks to:
Limit the number of days that critical waterways are closed
due to ice to no more than two days in an average winter. In
2000, there were no waterway closures due to ice conditions.
As a military service with civil law enforcement missions, the Coast
Guard plays an important role in maritime security, through enforcement
of a wide range of Federal laws on the Nation's waters. The budget
provides new funding for the Coast Guard to continue implementation of
the Western Hemisphere Drug Elimination Act and to recapitalize its
fleet of aircraft and ships under an initiative entitled Deepwater. The
Coast Guard's deepwater acquisition plan will be an Administration
management and procurement initiative over the coming year. This
procurement will be monitored carefully to ensure that Federal funds are
efficiently and productively spent. These efforts will enhance drug
interdiction efforts and improve the Coast Guard's capability to:
Reduce the rate at which illegal drugs successfully enter the
United States from the transit and arrival zones by 10 percent
as compared to the 1996 base year.
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Hold the flow of undocumented illegal migrants entering the
United States via maritime routes to no more than 13 percent
of estimated entry attempts.
Research and Development
The Federal Government has a role in developing transportation
technology. Federal research helps build stronger roads and bridges,
design safer cars, reduce human error in operations, lower barriers to
people with disabilities, and improve the efficiency of existing
infrastructure.
Smart Roads: The Department's Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)
program is developing and deploying technologies to help States and
localities improve traffic flow and safety on streets and highways. ITS
provides cost-effective ways to improve the management of our
infrastructure, boosting efficiency and capacity. The Federal Government
seeks to:
Increase the number of metropolitan areas with integrated ITS
infrastructure from 52 in 2000 to 61 in 2002.
Aviation Research: The FAA's research, engineering, and development
programs help improve safety, security, capacity, and efficiency in the
National Airspace System. For example, the development of improved
weather forecasting and modeling tools will help reduce delays and
prevent accidents and injuries caused by aircraft icing and turbulence.
In 2002, the budget includes work on the impact of fatigue on
performance and determining the causes of human error that lead to
accidents. Work will continue on aircraft safety and fire protection
methods that explore new ways to reduce the risk of aircraft fires and
new inspection techniques to detect flaws in aging aircraft. Security
and explosive detection systems research will develop machines that
process baggage more rapidly and provide new technology for passenger
and cargo screening. Research will continue on reducing aircraft noise
and emissions.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) coordinates
closely with FAA to develop new technologies that address challenges to
growth in the Nation's air-aviation system in the areas such as air
system safety, aircraft noise and emissions, and airport system
congestion. For example, NASA will be undertaking a Virtual Airspace
Modeling project to produce an advanced computer-model of the Nation's
air traffic aviation system. This model will help the FAA and NASA
develop new operational concepts and better understand where the
benefits of new technologies will have the greatest leverage in reducing
airport crowding and delays, while improving aviation safety.
DOT, NASA, the Department of Defense, and private industry
will work together on research to achieve an 80-percent
reduction in the fatal aviation accident rate for commercial
air carriers by 2007 (from a 1994-1996 baseline of 0.051
accidents per 100,000 departures). Research will focus on
preventing equipment malfunctions, reducing human error, and
ensuring the separation between aircraft and potential
hazards.
Regulation of Transportation
Federal rules greatly influence transportation and constitute one of
the key ways the Federal Government achieves desired transportation
safety, mobility, accessibility, equity, and efficiency outcomes. In the
past two decades, economic deregulation of the railroad, airline, and
interstate and intrastate trucking industries has reduced costs for
consumers and shippers, while improving service.
The Federal Government also issues regulations that promote safer,
cleaner transportation. The regulations--of cars, trucks, ships, trains,
and airplanes--have substantially cut the number of transportation-
related deaths and injuries, improved the safe handling of hazardous
materials shipments, and helped reduce the number of oil spills.
Where regulations are used to meet our transportation safety,
security, equity, and environmental goals, the Government aims for
rulemakings that are timely, cost-effective, and make common sense.