Department of Transportation (USA)
An executive department of the U.S. federal government responsible for the nation's transportation system.
Official U.S. Department of Transportation websiteEstablished in 1966, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is tasked with ensuring a fast, safe, efficient, accessible, and convenient transportation system to meet national interests and enhance the quality of life for American citizens. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the department employs approximately 58,622 people and had annual outlays of approximately $121 billion in fiscal year 2024.
The DOT oversees several modal agencies known as Operating Administrations, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), among others. These agencies manage diverse areas ranging from air traffic rules and airspace allocation to highway transportation programs and pipeline safety.
Led by the Secretary of Transportation, who serves as a member of the President's Cabinet, the department focuses on infrastructure investments, efficiency, safety, and the speedy delivery of projects. Innovations in this space are relevant to the DOT's mission of maintaining and improving the country's surface and air transportation systems.