SAFETY
Roadway Safety
The Nation has made progress in reducing overall transportation- related fatalities and injuries over the past two decades, even as the U.S. population and travel rates have increased significantly. However, over the past 10 calendar years (CY 2010 to CY 2019), the number of fatalities on the Nation's roadways has increased by 9.4 percent, from 32,999 to 36,095.
In early estimates for CY 2021, NHTSA estimates that 8,730 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes in the first three months of CY 2021, a 10.5 percent increase from the 7,900 fatalities the agency projected for the first quarter of CY 2020. This increase comes even as driving declined; preliminary data reported by FHWA show that vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in the first three months of CY 2021 decreased by 2.1 percent, or about 14.9 billion miles. The fatality rates per 100 million VMT for the first quarter of CY 2021 increased to 1.26 fatalities per 100 million VMT, up from the projected rate of 1.12 fatalities in the same time last year.
Performance Summary and Highlights (cont.)
These early estimates suggest the driving patterns and behaviors the agency reported in CY 2020, which changed significantly from previous years, continue to prevail and that drivers who remained on the roads engaged in more risky behavior, including speeding, failing to wear seat belts, and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Air Safety
In FY 2021, FAA continued to work with the General Aviation Joint Steering Committee (GAJSC) on improving general aviation safety. The GAJSC, formed by FAA and industry partners, uses a non-regulatory, proactive, and data-driven strategy to improve aviation safety. The GAJSC has developed 46 safety enhancements aimed at addressing the top causes of fatal accidents. Of this total, 30 have been completed to date, with one safety enhancement completed in FY 2021. The remaining 16 are in progress and will be completed or fully implemented after FY 2021. FAA has also supported global pandemic risk mitigation through its work with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council Aviation Recovery Task Force (CART) by developing and publishing guidance documents that serve as global benchmarks for testing protocols, as well as vaccine and testing certificates, that reflect policies and recommendations championed by FAA. Runway incursion rates have also continued to trend well below target, even relative to reduced operations as a result of COVID-19 restrictions.
Rail Safety
FRA issued the State Action Plans final rule. The Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (RSIA) required the 10 States with the most grade crossing collisions to develop action plans. The Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act requires those 10 States to report on implementation of RSIA-mandated plans and to submit updated plans for FRA approval. The FAST Act also established a one-time requirement for other States and the District of Columbia to submit plans for FRA approval. The final rule implements these requirements. FRA developed guidance materials and provided technical assistance to help States comply with the rule. During FY 2021, FRA also had several test programs underway to evaluate new autonomous track geometry measurement systems, including combinations of visual and automated inspections at differing frequencies. FRA is analyzing data from these programs and will report the results in FY 2022. FRA is also overseeing field testing of second- generation positive train control systems.
Transit Safety
As with roadway fatalities, transit-related fatalities increased in FY 2021. FTA is currently investigating likely causal factors for the increase. With respect to the Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP) Rule, all transit agencies and States certified that they met the rule's requirements prior to the July 20, 2021 deadline. To further improve the safety culture of public transit agencies, FTA completed training and issued 515 certifications to transit safety professionals enrolled in the Public Transportation Safety Certification Training Program. FTA also completed development of a new State Safety Oversight Reporting system to collect all 2020 State Safety Oversight Agency Annual Reports. FTA's cross- functional Safety Assessment Team and Executive Safety Review Board continued to evaluate safety topics and published Safety Bulletins and a Request for Information on four key safety risks: inward- and outward-facing cameras in rail transit operating compartments, end-of-railcar door signage, roadway worker protection (RWP), and signal system safety.
Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety
Through continuous assessments, inspections, enforcements, and working with State partners and operators, PHMSA expects to achieve a significant reduction in gross barrels spilled, meeting the target in FY 2021 for both gross and net volume spilled measures.
Fatalities related to the transport of hazardous materials by highway continue to decrease. Some decreases may be temporary due to a reduction in VMT during COVID-19, but some are likely permanent and attributable to improved safety practices and vehicle equipment.
INFRASTRUCTURE
To stimulate growth and retain economic competitiveness, DOT guides strategic investments that enable more efficient movement of people and goods. To achieve the Infrastructure goal, DOT provided guidance, technical assistance, and research to leverage Federal funding, accelerate project delivery, reduce project lifecycle costs, optimize the operation and performance of existing facilities, and provide multimodal travel options for people of all ages and abilities.
Runway Condition
COVID-19 may have had a positive impact on runway pavement condition, as air travel reductions allowed some airports to have extended closures of normally busy runways to perform major maintenance or rehabilitation activities that had long been deferred due to difficulties in scheduling closures around operational needs. However, COVID-19- related revenue losses may force airports to defer maintenance activities, which could lead to challenges in improving pavement condition. These deferred maintenance activities could lead to higher maintenance or rehabilitation costs in future years and could lead to increases in "poor" or "failed" condition runways throughout the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS).
In FY 2021, there was a 5 percent increase in runways reported in "excellent" condition and a 10 percent reduction in runways reported in "poor" condition. This indicates maintenance and rehabilitation activities focusing on runways in deteriorated condition.
National Highway and Bridge Condition
FHWA is implementing the Competitive Highway Bridge Program (CHBP) and the Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Program (BRRP) which provide additional funds to States to replace or rehabilitate bridges. The CHBP awarded a total of $225 million to 20 projects in 18 States in FY 2019 and the BRRP provided $2.7 billion to the States from FY 2019 to FY 2021. FHWA is monitoring the CHBP awardees to ensure all funding is obligated before it expires at the end of FY 2021. FHWA initiated the Demonstration to Advance New Pavement Technologies Pooled Fund Study to partner with State DOTs and implement pavement techniques and tools that improve pavement performance. To date, 13 State DOTs have joined the study.
Transit System Condition
FTA selected six projects through the Real-Time Transit Infrastructure and Rolling Stock Condition Assessment Research and Demonstration Program to receive $1.37 million to enhance asset management of infrastructure and safety by deploying innovative technologies that can provide real-time condition assessment of transit capital and facilities.
FTA also continued implementation of the Transit Asset Management Rule, focusing on the first Transit Asset Management Plan updates due in FY 2022. FTA published state of good repair performance targets for the industry for the second time. The performance target reporting process is an integral part of FTA's innovative strategy for encouraging the transit industry to raise the bar for state of good repair, even in the absence of significant additional funding.
INNOVATION
The transportation sector is rapidly evolving to become one of the most innovative and dynamic areas of the Nation's economy. Significant developments and convergence of robotics, artificial intelligence, sensors, mapping, data, and communications are driving innovation in the transportation space. Emerging technologies such as Automated Driving Systems (ADS), Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), Internet of Things (IoT), Mobility on Demand (MOD), automated rail technologies, autonomous ships, automated ports, and others represent examples of where these technologies are aiming to transform the future use, operation, adaptability, and development of the transportation system.
Transportation Research, Development, and Technology
Development of the Performance Management Data System (PMDS) has helped DOT establish standardized processes to collect, process, and transfer modal research data, which has improved the Department's ability to make more research publicly available. DOT is also improving internal processes to automate data collection, which has streamlined the data gathering process.
Airspace Innovations
FAA successfully met its FY 2021 Major System Investment goal. Ten out of eleven (90.9 percent) programs are within a -10 percent variance of their cost, schedule, and performance baseline, and one program reported a cost and schedule variance greater than -10 percent. However, due to the work restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, program schedules and costs are still at risk of being impacted. FAA continues to track work and progress based on the evolving effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Automated Vehicle Innovations
In FY 2021, NHTSA announced the expansion of the Automated Vehicle Transparency and Engagement for Safe Testing (AV TEST) Initiative from a pilot to a full program. The information provided through AV TEST will help keep the public informed of the progress, advancement, and safety implications regarding the automated vehicles that participate in the program. The portal and interactive tool are available and will be updated as new information is submitted.
ACCOUNTABILITY
To achieve the Accountability goal, DOT seeks to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability of the Department through the reducing low-value, obsolete, or duplicative regulations and other requirements to streamline and improve coordination of business processes. DOT has also built a Departmental workforce that meets the challenges of today and tomorrow by improving employee engagement, recruiting talent from all segments of American society, investing in workforce development and training, and enhancing the tools and technologies its employees rely on to meet the Department's mission.
AGENCY PRIORITY GOALS
Agency Priority Goals (APGs) provide agencies with mechanisms to focus leadership priorities, set outcomes, and measure results. APGs include goals that can be achieved within about 24 months and depend predominantly on agency implementation. The Department had four APGs that spanned FY 2020 through FY 2021:
1. Reduce Surface Transportation-Related Fatalities; 2. Reduce Aviation-Related Fatalities;
3. Improve America's Transportation-Related
Infrastructure; and
4. Enhance Commercial Space Innovation.
APG 1 – Reduce Surface Transportation-Related Fatalities
Goal Statement: By September 30, 2021, the Department will reduce the rate of motor vehicle fatalities to 1.01 per 100 million VMT.
The following measures are used to track progress with this APG.
APG 2 – Reduce Aviation-Related Fatalities
Goal Statement: By September 30, 2021, FAA's range of programs will contribute to the commercial air carrier fatality rate remaining below the target of 5.4 fatalities per 100 million persons on board and contribute to reducing general aviation fatal accidents to no more than 0.96 fatal accidents per 100,000 flight hours.
FAA leads DOT in achieving a safe airspace. Aviation safety is measured across two dimensions – United States commercial aviation safety and general aviation safety.
APG 3 – Improve America's Transportation-Related Infrastructure
Goal Statement: By September 30, 2021, the percentage of interstate pavement in "good" or "fair" condition will be maintained at 95 percent. The percentage of deck area on National Highway System (NHS) bridges in "good" or "fair" condition will be maintained at or above 95 percent. The percent decrease in the reliability of interstate person-miles traveled will be no more than 0.7 percent from the FY 2018 baseline. The percent of paved runways in the NPIAS in "excellent," "good," or "fair" condition will be maintained at 93 percent. The following measures are used to track progress on this APG.
APG 4 – Enhance Commercial Space Innovation
Goal Statement: This APG centers on the development and implementation of Time-Based Launch/Reentry Procedures (TBLP)
and Dynamic Launch/Reentry Windows (DLRW) for integrating Cape Canaveral Air Force Station/Kennedy Space Center (CCAFS/KSC) complex commercial spaces launches and reentry operations into
the National Airspace System (NAS).
During FY 2021, FAA began data collection on the actual use of TBLP/ DLRW in the operational environment.
Results over the past 12 months:
• Saved 7,761 minutes, or 129 hours, of airspace closure through the use of DLRW at Cape Canaveral, FL (SpaceX); Boca Chica, TX (SpaceX); and Van Horn, TX (Blue Origin).