This week, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) issued a new Strategic Plan for fiscal year (FY) 2018-2022 establishing DOT’s strategic goals and objectives for FY 2018 through FY 2022. It reflects DOT’s priorities for achieving DOT’s mission through four strategic goals:
• Safety: Reduce Transportation-Related Fatalities and Serious Injuries Across the Transportation System.
• Infrastructure: Invest in Infrastructure to Ensure Mobility and Accessibility and to Stimulate Economic Growth, Productivity and Competitiveness for American Workers and Businesses.
• Innovation: Lead in the Development and Deployment of Innovative Practices and Technologies that Improve the Safety and Performance of the Nation's Transportation System.
• Accountability: Serve the Nation with Reduced Regulatory Burden and Greater Efficiency, Effectiveness and Accountability.
While the document is heavily weighted toward traditional forms of transportation like highway, rail and aviation, the report highlights the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’ s(PHMSA) support for 811 damage prevention programs and integrity management approach to regulation. The plan mentions safety management systems (SMS), but only in the context of aviation where SMS is required by regulation. SMS for pipeline operators remains voluntary at this time.
A copy of the plan can be found at
https://www.transportation.gov/dot-strategic-plan
For questions on this article, please contact John Erickson of APGA staff by phone at 202-464-0834 or by email at
jerickson@apga.org.