USDOT Seeks Input On Drafting A Five Year DOT Strategic Framework
The U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) is seeking public input on the draft five-year DOT Strategic Framework.
U.S. DOT announced a request for comments (RFC) this week will give the public an opportunity to help shape the department’s goals and focus for the nation’s transportation system, making it safer, more accessible, more reliable, and multi-modal, in order to increase the nations economic strength, improve climate and equity outcomes, and build global competitiveness.
“In particular, the recently-enacted Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides a historic opportunity to invest in our country and in our people by creating good-paying union jobs, tackling the climate crisis, and growing the economy sustainably and equitably for decades to come,” the department said in a press release. “DOT seeks to accomplish the Biden-Harris Administration’s goals by updating our Strategic Framework with the help of our stakeholders, including the American public. This Strategic Framework will help to guide all of DOT’s work, including its implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law over its five-year timeline.”
Strategic Framework Goals
The U.S. DOT says that the draft of the DOT Strategic Framework for the Fiscal Years of 2022-2026 reflect the Transportation Secretary’s priorities for achieving the department’s mission through six strategic goals:
- Safety: Make the transportation system safer for all people. Work toward a future where transportation-related serious injuries and fatalities are eliminated.
- Economic Strength & Global Competitiveness: Grow an inclusive and sustainable economy. Invest in the transportation system to provide American workers and businesses reliable and efficient access to good-paying jobs, resources, and markets.
- Equity: Reduce inequities. Support and engage people and communities to promote safe, affordable, accessible, and multimodal access to opportunities and services while reducing transportation-related disparities, adverse community impacts, and health effects.
- Climate & Sustainability: Tackle the climate crisis by ensuring that transportation plays a central role in the solution. Substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transportation-related pollution and build more resilient and sustainable transportation systems to benefit and protect communities.
- Transformation: Design for the future. Invest in purpose-driven research and innovation to meet the challenge of the present and modernize a transportation system of the future that serves everyone today and in the decades to come.
- Organizational Excellence: Advance the Department’s mission by establishing policies, processes, and an inclusive and innovative culture to effectively serve communities and responsibly steward the public’s resources.
What is an RFC and What Can They Do For Me??
A Request for Comments (RFC) is a formal document from the Internet Engineering Task Force ( IETF ) that is the result of committee drafting and subsequent review by interested parties. Some RFCs are informational in nature. Of those that are intended to become Internet standards, the final version of the RFC becomes the standard and no further comments or changes are permitted. Change can occur, however, through subsequent RFCs that supersede or elaborate on all or parts of previous RFCs.
The RFC from the USDOT allows the public to review and comment on the draft DOT Strategic Framework – specifically the draft strategic goals and strategic objectives – and respond to the following questions:
- What strategies or priorities should DOT adopt to achieve the Department’s strategic goals and objectives?
- How should DOT measure progress towards those priorities?
- What emerging challenges or opportunities in transportation warrant additional DOT activities or investments?
- How can DOT best coordinate its activities with Federal, State, local, Tribal, labor, private sector, academic, non-profit, international and other partners?
- How can DOT best utilize additional programs and authorities in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to accomplish the goals laid out in the strategic plan?
The public comment period closes on December 17, 2021. Please see the Federal Register Notice for more information.
Where Can I Submit My Comments?
Written comments may be submitted electronically or via U.S. mail. Respondents are encouraged to submit comments electronically to ensure timely receipt. Please include your name, title, organization, postal address, telephone number, and email address.
- Electronic Submission: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Search by using the docket number (provided above). Follow the instructions for submitting comments on the electronic docket site.
- Email: [email protected]. Please include the full body of your comments in the text of the electronic message and as an attachment.
- Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Room PL-401, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
- Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name and docket numbers.
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