Whether it is on ground or by air the official website for the Department of Transportation says “safety remains DOT’s top priority’ (Dot. Gob). A current Issue they are facing Is drinking or testing while driving, and Is why the DOT is generating strategies for “combating distracted driving and other dangerous behaviors” (Dot. Gob). The DOT would like to protect the interest of consumers. After airline deregulation in 1978, pricing was no longer controlled and the remaining regulations were given to the DOT. To this day the air carriers are free to charge what they want for their services.
Pricing freedom Is Instrumental In generating a nominative market, and a competitive market Is good for the consumer. Just one example of how the DOT protects buyers’ interest by keeping prices down. Research is being conducted to find more efficient ways to transport goods. Planning for the future the DOT wants to see reduced greenhouse gas emissions. The website says “the transportation sector is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for 33 percent of total U. S. GOGH emissions in 2009” (Dot. Gob).
Planning for the future the DOT would Like to reduce those numbers by encouraging freight to use ore fuel efficient vehicles. Roads and routes that are predictable making travel times less volatile can also reduce the GOGH emissions. Different cities and states have different transportation needs, and the DOT is willing to help them meet those needs. In Seattle there is a tunnel being built to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct, and the DOT is paying for part of it. The DOT wants the infrastructure to work as a whole so it Is very willing to help In spots.
Advancements of efficiency and performance are the types of things the DOT encourages to reduce the cost of alienating Infrastructure. “We will enhance the economic and social well-being of all Americans by creating and maintaining a reliable, integrated, and accessible transportation network” (Dot. Gob). Safe, affordable, and reliable are characteristics the DOT wants the transportation network to possess, such characteristics help meet all four of the DOT’s goals. The current Secretary of Transportation is Anthony Fox and was appointed by President Obama on July 2, 2013.
He Is the seventeenth Secretary and the agency currently has over 55,000 employees and a $70 billion dollar budget. His main goals are “to ensure that America maintains the safest, most efficient transportation system in the world” (Secretary). Fox had been the Mayor of Charlotte prior to his current position where he invested city money into transportation in efforts to help their economy and create Jobs. Fox’s goals as a politician revolved around transportation because he realizes how vital transportation Is to any economy.
As Secretary of Transportation It Is his Job to carry Transportation Policy “agenda revolves around six key themes” (Kane) that fulfill both short- and long term needs. 1 . Maintain and expand the Nation’s transportation system: “We cannot afford inadequate, inefficient transportation” (Kane) so the government seeks to maintain infrastructure. The government is providing incentives to “renew the capacity and performance of the transportation system” (Kane), and keeping facilities and assets in sound condition is an “immediate task. 2. Foster a sound financial base for transportation: Ensuring money is there to support the transportation systems needs means charging the users of transportation. Stimulating investments in transportation by state governments and riveter businesses will help create a foundation of capital and assets the system will need to grow. 3. Keep the transportation industry strong and competitive: In order to compete with the world the industry must be efficient and very competitive.
Over regulation of trucking and railroads is being regarded as unnecessary and a primary burden that makes it harder for these industries to compete with other modes. As long as the industry is competitive it will foster the need to be efficient. 4. Ensure that the transportation system supports public safety and national security: Through al modes of transportation, public safety and security is the top priority. We have the civilian transportation system and military sealant requirements that can assist in wartime to for national security. The U.
S Coast guard and DOT work together to ensure the safe shipments of hazardous materials. 5. Protect the environment and quality of life: Supporting national efforts to protect the environment means big oil spills must be prevented. Large amounts of emissions must be controlled and reduced. Transportation needs to be available for all including elderly who have greater needs to protect quality of life. . Advance U. S. Transportation technology expertise: Breakthroughs in technology will help keep the U. S. Leading the world and meet the needs of the nation.
Researching human factors in transportation can lead to such breakthroughs in efficiency and safety. Technology offers opportunities for innovation. Innovation relies on information and results of research so information on technological advances is being made more available. #2. According to Logos. Com the two main goals of the FAA are to promote the airline industry and insure the safety of American aviation. Nurturing the industry is a goal f the administration, and they guide the progress of aviation by developing policies that generate efficient results.
Rules that make for efficient use of airspace are one way the FAA encourages the economic growth of the industry. The FAA also provides funds for research to improve airports and their systems. The other main goal of safety is vital to the first goal. If the airline industry is not viewed in the public eye as safe, then that will act against the goal of promoting the industry. The current FAA Administrator, Michael P. Heart, has held his position since being sworn in January 9, 2013. After he was selected by president Obama the U. S. Senate unanimously confirmed his nomination for the five year term.
His Job as administrator is to “direct and control the operation of the FAA and act as principal to position he was considered to be “an experienced transportation official” (FAA. Gob). Similar to Fox his work history revolved around transportation. From 1993-1998 Heart held senior positions in the U. S. Department of Transportation. “Directed by an Administrator (Heart), the FAA has as its primary function the fostering of the development and safety of American aviation” (Kane). Safety is constantly in focus wrought the industry.
Pilots and operators are encouraged to practice safe activities through training and retraining provided by the FAA for such things as runway incursion avoidance. Aviation safety is controlled and regulated by the FAA through issuance of safety certificates. The six certificates are listed below. Airman certificates are issued to those who are “engaged as airmen in connection with the aircraft” (Kane) such as pilots, mechanics, and air traffic controllers. Good moral character is one thing required of an airline pilot. Aircraft certificates include type, production, and airworthiness.
Certificates must be issued to aircraft indicating they are safe before they are legal to fly. There are type certificates that are required of aircraft and parts before they can be sold to the public. Production certificates are required of aircraft and parts manufacturers to produce and sell the parts. Airworthiness certificates will be awarded to aircraft that are considered to be in “safe condition”, and the document is valid for twelve months. Air carrier operating certificates are issued to companies who transport the public. FAA requires certification of the company, the routes they use, and their equipment.
Airplanes with thirty of more seats are required to get the Part 121 certification. If air carriers ever get new aircraft or expand the routes they choose that would require amendment of their air carrier operating certificate. Air navigation facility certificates are given to facilities found adequate for safety. Lights, radio-directional apparatus’, landing areas, and equipment used in the navigation of aircraft are all facilities of navigation. The FAA will “inspect, classify, and rate” the navigation facility. Air agency rating certificates are issued to flight and ground schools, as well as aircraft repair acclivities.
