Transportation programs : challenges facing the Department of Transportation and Congress : testimony before the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies; Committee on Appropriations; House of Representatives

" The nation's transportation system-including highways, airways, pipelines, and rail systems that move both people and freight-is critical to the economy and affects the daily lives of most Americans. However, this system is under growing strain, and estimates of the cost to repair and upgrade the system to meet current and future demands are in the hundreds of billions of dollars. At the same time, traditional funding sources-in particular motor fuel and truck-related taxes-are eroding and the federal government faces long-term fiscal challenges. Addressing these challenges will require looking across federal activities and reexamining all types of federal spending and tax expenditures. DOT is the principal agency responsible for implementing national transportation policy and administering most federal transportation programs. This statement discusses four key management challenges facing DOT: (1) leveraging surface transportation investments to further national interests, (2) improving surface and aviation transportation safety, (3) effectively implementing the Next Generation Air Transportation System and (4) improving information security. This statement is based on GAO's previous reports and testimonies, which are listed at the end of the statement. GAO has made a number of recommendations to DOT to more effectively leverage the departments' investments and enhance the safety of the traveling public, among other"