Department of Transportation

www.dot.gov

Overview 

As the population expands and the fight against climate change intensifies, the Department of Transportation and its 12 agencies will have plenty of potential stories for regional reporters.

This includes funding directed by members of Congress for projects back home, the latest transportation technology, the health of the airline industry (and its impact on local airports), and loads of statistics on everything from fatalities to average airfare prices. It also is a major source of economic stimulus funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

The Department of Transportation employs nearly 60,000 people nationwide overseeing the way people move through the air, land and seas.

Location

Secretary's office

Ray LaHood, a former congressman from Illinois, is one of two Republicans in President Obama’s Cabinet. (The other is Defense Secretary Robert Gates.) Soon after his confirmation, LaHood, the 16th transportation secretary, began his own blog — fastlane.dot.gov — which he personally updates. He also is an Arab American, born to a Jordanian mother and a Lebanese father.

Press office

The press office is rather large. Jill Zuckman is the deputy director for public affairs. Another spokesman is Bill Adams. You can register on the website for DOT emails or an RSS feed. 202-366-4570

Federal Aviation Administration (www.faa.gov)  

The FAA is responsible for the safety of civil aviation, including the development of air traffic control systems, the regulation of commercial space transportation and programs to control environmental effects. The FAA no longer is responsible for airport security. That function is now handled by the Transportation Security Administration, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security. The FAA website has a very detailed press information section, complete with contacts for nine regional offices and after-hours listings. The main press operation is in Washington: 202-267-3883 and after hours at 202-267-3333.

Other aviation contacts:

Air Transport Association (trade group representing major airlines), www.airlines.org. The group has three spokespeople and their phone number, cell number and email are available on the web site.

American Association of Airport Executives (represents airports across the country - airport runway expansion is one of their big issues), www.aaae.org, Press: 703-824-0500 Ext. 126 (Sean Broderick)

Air Travelers Association (advocates for passengers), www.airtravelersassociation.com, 301-980-8888 (David Stempler)

National Air Traffic Controllers Association, www.natca.org, 202-220-9802 or cell 301-346-8245 (Doug Church), also available at dchurch@natcadc.org.

Federal Highway Administration (www.fhwa.dot.gov) 

This bureau is responsible for making sure the nation's roads and highways are safe and technologically up-to-date. Using fuel and motor vehicle excise taxes, it sends money to states and local governments, which own most roadways. It also manages the roads owned by the federal government generally in national parks and in some Indian land. The main office is in D.C. but there is a field office in every state. As of this writing, no administration had been confirmed. The public affairs number is 202-366-0660.

With recent deadly bridge collapses, one potentially newsworthy item is the annual Status of the Nation’s Highways Bridges and Transit report. It can be found on the administration’s web site under the publication and statistics page

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (www.fmcsa.dot.gov) 

This bureau was created in 2000 to promulgate new rules with the goal of reducing fatalities, injuries and crashes involving trucks and buses. The Web site includes information on types of accidents, safety ratings on commercial vehicles and interstate transport of hazardous materials. Press inquiries can be sent to fmcsa.publicaffairs@dot.gov. Reporters can also call 202-366-9999.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (www.nhtsa.dot.gov)  NHTSA is responsible for reducing deaths, injuries and economic losses resulting from car crashes. It also investigates safety defects in vehicles and sets and enforces fuel economy standards. Press officer is Rae Tyson at 202-366-9550.

Other highway contacts:

American Highway Users Alliance (comprising state transportation departments, AAA, trucking companies, etc. They're very knowledgeable about highway policy and funding issues), www.highways.org . Press contact: Daisy Singh (202-857-1200 or daisysingh@highways.org)

Texas Transportation Institute (division of Texas A&M that annually tracks and reports on traffic congestion in the US): Rick Davenport 979-862-3763 or r-davenport@tamu.edu )

American Road & Transportation Builders (represents highway contractors), spokesman Jeff Solsby (202-289-4434 or jsolsby@artba.org)

American Trucking Association (represents major trucking firms), www.truckline.com , spokesman Clayton Boyce, 703-838-7902 or 703-408-3716.

American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) (represents state DOTs), www.transportation.org, spokesman Tony Dorsey 202-624-369 (cell), email at tdorsey@aashto.org

AAA (formerly American Automobile Association) (represents typical motorists and travelers; keenly aware of policy fights on the Hill), www.aaa.com . National spokeswoman Yolanda Cade.

Does this agency's information need updating? programs@nationalpress.org