Administration Releases 2016 U.S. DOT Budget Proposal

The Obama administration has proposed a 2016 U.S. Department of Transportation Budget that increases highway funds by 29 percent to $317 billion. These funds would go toward repairs and road improvements, with particular attention paid to investments in “rural and tribal areas.” The plan also calls for $908 million, up from $830 million, to support the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

“The President’s budget request proposes this increased level to address emerging traffic and vehicle safety issues, promote new technologies and address safety defects that present a risk to the driving public,” according to the proposal.

Over the next six years, the plan includes giving nearly $6 billion to NHTSA to increase its capability.

“NHTSA also recognizes the enormous role technology can play in vehicle safety. The President’s budget request will support NHTSA’s plans to expand the agency’s focus on technology, especially on crash avoidance technologies and distracted driving issues,” according the budget proposal.

To help advance future technologies, the proposal recommends investing $935 million over six years to advance such technologies as vehicle automation and vehicle-to-vehicle communication.

In 2012, vehicle crashes killed 33,561 Americans and injured more than 2.3 million, according to the report.

The budget proposes $7.35 billion be spent on rural roads, noting that 40 percent of traffic fatalities occur on non-state owned roadways.

To view highlights of the budget proposal, click here.