Transportation Vision for 2030

In January 2008, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) released Transportation Vision for 2030, in accord with the Department’s strategic plan and objectives. The Vision is designed to guide the Department’s research, technology, and investment decisions, in order to improve safety and system performance and find 21st-century solutions to the challenges facing the Nation’s intermodal transportation system. The RITA Strategic Plan aligns with Transportation Vision for 2030 and the U.S. DOT’s strategic goals: safety; reduced congestion; environmental stewardship; global connectivity; security, preparedness and response; and organizational excellence.

Transportation Vision for 2030 details challenges in passenger and freight transportation, such as record-level gridlock at our Nation’s airports, seaports, and on our highways. It also points out flaws in the current system of transportation financing and the need to improve the use of technology. Transportation Vision for 2030 outlines USDOT’s "pathway" to addressing these challenges, such as safety-oriented technology programs, congestion reducing technologies and pricing models, increased energy efficiency and alternative fuels, and publicprivate partnerships. (See Figure 1, RITA's Goals Aligned with U.S. DOT's Strategic Goals and "Transportation for 2030" Goals)

Passenger Transportation

The Nation’s passenger transportation system and infrastructure is world class, but we will improve its safety, security, effi ciency, and reliability. We will waste less time and fuel while stalled in traffic jams, and less time and money will be wasted as a result of airline delays. There will be less transportation-generated pollution and noise in our communities. We will have increasing access to high-quality public transportation during peak travel periods. Our vehicles will accommodate alternative fuels and new energy-saving technologies. America, as a result, will be significantly less dependent on foreign oil. Our transportation system will minimize greenhouse gas emissions and be prepared for the impacts of climate change. Technological innovation will improve the way that people and goods move around the country and the world.

Freight Transportation

Transportation system financing will include a clear link between costs and revenues. The system will be flexible as costs change and nimble when making adjustments required by its customers.

Financing and Partnerships

Transportation system financing will include a clear link between costs and revenues. The system will be flexible as costs change and nimble when making adjustments required by its customers.

Technology and Innovation

The U.S. transportation system will be innovative and incorporate effi cient, integrated, costeffective, sustainable, and intermodal transportation solutions. Continued introduction of new concepts and new technology will lead to dramatic improvements in our Nation’s world-class transportation system and will involve the transformation of knowledge into new products, processes, and services to serve the public more effectively.

The Vision for 2030

The transportation system in 2030 will be:

• Safe, Less Congested
  Free all of us to make daily decisions, confident that people and goods will reach their destinations safely and on time.

• Economically Competitive
  Strengthen America 's leadership role in the global economy and spur economic growth and job creation.

• Energy Independent
  Guarantee our energy independence by reducing our Nation's dependence on foreign oil.

• Environmentally Sustainable
  Ensure environmentally sustainable communities and curb greenhouse gas emissions. Provide security for national and international passenger, freight, and hazardous materials movement.

• Secure
  Provide security for national and international passenger, freight, and hazardous materials movement.

• Resilient
  Prepare for, and respond to and be resilient to, man-made and natural disruptions.