Heritage Foundation's
Project 2025

Chapter 19 - Department of Transportation

• Refocus DOT on providing a policy framework rather than selecting and funding specific projects.
• Return to the Trump Administration's "rule on rules" approach to regulations.
• Maintain strict underwriting discipline for the Build America Bureau's loans.
• Increase use of public-private partnerships (P3s) for infrastructure projects.
• Adopt a tech-neutral approach to emerging transportation technologies.
• Remove regulatory barriers for automated vehicles.
• Clarify regulations to allow for the safe removal of drivers from commercial motor vehicles.
• Reverse the Biden Administration's approach to data collection for automated vehicles.
• Advocate for transportation's fair share of radio frequency spectrum.
• Reset fuel economy standards to lower, "reasonable" levels.
• Ensure DOT exercises priority in setting fuel economy standards over EPA.
• Revoke California's special waiver to set its own fuel economy standards.
• Refocus the Federal Highway Administration on maintaining and improving the highway system.
• Remove or reform rules that hamper state governments in highway decisions.
• Reduce federal involvement in local infrastructure decisions.
• Support joint-venture efforts by smaller air carriers to compete with larger ones.
• Review and potentially change foreign ownership limitations for airlines.
• Establish a New Entry Initiative for approving new air carrier applications within 12 months.
• Initiate rulemaking to allocate airport slot-pairs based on safety, capacity, and competition.
• Reform regulations to encourage airports in lower-served areas.
• Separate the Air Traffic Organization (ATO) from the FAA.
• Shift from aviation user taxes to fees for air traffic services paid directly to the ATO.
• Allow the ATO to issue long-term revenue bonds for major projects.
• Implement user fees for unconventional airspace users.
• Set a deadline after which the ATO could not fund non-digital/remote control towers.
• Reform the Capital Investment Grants program for transit projects.
• Return to the original intent of Section 10(c) of the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964.
• Remove federal subsidies for transit spending.
• Review and potentially reverse recent FRA decisions on crew size, track inspections, and brake inspection requirements.
• Preserve the integrity of FRA's research program.
• Transfer the Maritime Administration (MARAD) from DOT to DHS or DoD.
• Repeal or substantially reform the Jones Act.
• Streamline the processing of Jones Act waiver requests.