Federal Transportation Agencies

U.S. department of transportation (USDOT)

USDOT was established by Congress in 1966 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 in the future. Several agencies within the USDOT are relevant to the bicycle and pedestrian field.

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)

FHWA 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. FHWA provides financial and technical support for constructing, improving, and preserving America's highway system. The Bicycle and Pedestrian Program of FHWA's Office of Human and Natural Environment promotes bicycle and pedestrian transportation accessibility, use, and safety. The FHWA Bicycle and Pedestrian Program issues guidance and is responsible for overseeing that requirements in legislation are understood and met by the States and other implementing agencies.

The FHWA Turner Fairbank Highway Research Center sponsors a Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Research web site that provides information on issues and research related to improving pedestrian and bicyclist safety. The purpose of the web site is to foster public awareness of pedestrian and bicycle safety matters, and to provide resources for use at the national, State and local levels.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

NHTSA's mission is to save lives, prevent injuries, and reduce economic costs due to road traffic crashes through education, research, safety standards, and enforcement activity. The agency collects and publishes state and national crash data, including data on pedestrian and bicycle crashes. NHTSA administers funding to support programs developed and implemented by state traffic safety offices. They also distribute to the general public free educational information and publications focused on many areas of traffic safety, including bicycling, walking, and driving. NHTSA usually communicates through the traffic safety offices rather than directly with citizens.

Federal Transit Administration (FTA)

FTA administers federal funding to support a variety of locally planned, constructed, and operated public transportation systems throughout the U.S., including buses, subways, light rail, commuter rail, streetcars, monorail, passenger ferry boats, incline railways, and people movers.

Department of Justice (DOJ)

DOJ enforces U.S. laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which requires equal access to pedestrian facilities for people with disabilities. Their web site provides links to additional ADA information and a complaint form.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

The mission of the EPA is to protect human health and the environment. Their transportation-related interests include the built environment, air and water quality, global warming, and land use. Their web site, www.epa.gov, includes downloaded resources such as:

The EPA also administers the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which requires federal agencies to integrate environment values in their decision making process. This act requires agencies using federal funds to solicit and consider public input.