This chapter is about roads, trains and cars. It says states should decide how to spend transport money, not Washington. It wants the rules on how far cars must go per gallon loosened. It also wants clearer rules for self-driving cars.
The document says “should”Who acts: Congress, DOTHow: legislationp. 621 in the PDF
What the document says
“DOT’s discretionary grant-making processes should be abolished, and funding should be focused on formulaic distributions to the states”
The chapter argues that federal money removes the incentive for state and local officials to check whether an investment is worthwhile, because it becomes what it calls someone else's money. It says states know their own needs and are the ones incentivized to weigh long-term maintenance costs, and that at a bare minimum the number of grant programs should be consolidated.
What the document actually says
“DOT’s discretionary grant-making processes should be abolished, and funding should be focused on formulaic distributions to the states”
That sentence, in plain words
End the grants the department hands out by choice. Send money to states by formula instead.
What this is about
Washington picks which transport projects get money. The book says states should decide instead. Money would go out by a set formula.
The document says “would be more efficient”Who acts: CongressHow: legislationp. 621 in the PDF
What the document says
“it would be more efficient for the U.S. Congress to send transportation grants to each of the 50 states and allow each state to purchase the transportation services that it thinks are best.”
The chapter frames this as conditional on funding remaining federal at all, and says the approach would let states prioritize different kinds of transportation, giving states that rely more on cars as its example.
What the document actually says
“it would be more efficient for the U.S. Congress to send transportation grants to each of the 50 states and allow each state to purchase the transportation services that it thinks are best.”
That sentence, in plain words
It would work better to send the money to each state. Each state could then buy what it needs.
What this is about
Some states need roads most. Others need buses or trains. The book says each state should choose. Washington would just send the money.
The document says “must”Who acts: DOT, NHTSAHow: regulationp. 628 in the PDF
What the document says
“The next Administration must return the federal fuel economy program to the limits established by Congress.”
The chapter states that the 1975 statute directs the department to set the maximum feasible mileage requirements achievable with combustion technology, and not so high as to stop automakers profitably meeting demand. It says standards must be reset at levels technologically feasible for combustion vehicles and consistent with increased domestic production, and suggests considering a return to the model year 2020 levels aimed at a fleet-wide average of 35 miles per gallon.
What the document actually says
“The next Administration must return the federal fuel economy program to the limits established by Congress.”
That sentence, in plain words
Put the fuel rules back inside the limits Congress set.
What this is about
Cars must average a set number of miles per gallon. The book says the target went too high. It says it should go back to what the law allows.
The document says “must”Who acts: DOT, EPAHow: regulationp. 628 in the PDF
What the document says
“Any EPA limits on carbon dioxide emissions, even if authorized under the Clean Air Act, must support and work in harmony with DOT standards”
The chapter says environmental limits must not override or usurp the transportation department's role under the 1975 energy statute, and offers as an example that the environmental agency could regulate air conditioning systems and leave engine standards to transportation.
What the document actually says
“Any EPA limits on carbon dioxide emissions, even if authorized under the Clean Air Act, must support and work in harmony with DOT standards”
That sentence, in plain words
Any carbon limits must fit with the transport rules. They must not override them.
What this is about
Two agencies both affect car rules. One covers mileage, one covers pollution. The book says the mileage agency should lead.
The document says “should”Who acts: DOT, NHTSAHow: regulationp. 625 in the PDF
What the document says
“NHTSA should work to remove regulatory barriers by focusing on updating vehicle standards as well as publishing performance-based rules for the operations of automated vehicles”
The chapter asks for a technology-neutral approach with safety as the first priority, and separately that the motor carrier agency clarify its rules so that drivers can be safely removed from the operation of a commercial vehicle. It says these technologies can save lives and expand mobility for people with disabilities, aging populations and communities where car ownership is impractical.
What the document actually says
“NHTSA should work to remove regulatory barriers by focusing on updating vehicle standards as well as publishing performance-based rules for the operations of automated vehicles”
That sentence, in plain words
The safety agency should clear the rules out of the way. It should set rules based on how well a car performs.
What this is about
Cars that drive themselves face old rules written for human drivers. The book says those rules should be updated. New rules would judge how well the car performs.
The document says “should”Who acts: DOTHow: internal managementp. 625 in the PDF
What the document says
“It is the role of the private sector, not the government, to pick winners and losers in technology development.”
The chapter adds that if a technology underperforms the private sector should bear the liability rather than the government, and that the department's role is to oversee testing and deployment so that communities and individuals can choose what fits them.
What the document actually says
“It is the role of the private sector, not the government, to pick winners and losers in technology development.”
That sentence, in plain words
Firms should pick which one wins. That is not a job for government.
What this is about
New transport technology is being tested. The book says government should not choose which kind wins. Firms should take that risk.
Recommendations on how transportation funding is distributed, the infrastructure loan program, public-private partnerships, automated vehicles and fuel economy standards.
The chapter's treatment of aviation, rail and transit programs in detail, and its technical discussion of loan underwriting terms.
Several proposals here are about process rather than policy, such as how loans should be structured. Those are summarized rather than indexed one by one.
