Transportation policy of the United States

The mission statement of the Department of Transportation is "to deliver the world’s leading transportation system, serving the American people and economy through the safe, efficient, sustainable, and equitable movement of people and goods.

"[2] Congress is also authorized to establish post roads as part of the Postal Clause.

The need for federal transportation policy arose as the United States spread westward in the 19th century.

The National Road was funded by the federal government in 1806 to connect the East Coast and the Midwest.

The Department of Homeland Security was created by the Homeland Security Act of 2002, and this department took control of the TSA, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the United States Coast Guard, among other agencies.

Foreign air carriers are required to comply with the International Civil Aviation Organization and to establish an aviation security agreement with the United States before operating in American airspace.

In 1938, the Civil Aeronautics Act replaced the Bureau of Air Commerce with the Civil Aeronautics Authority, granting the new agency regulatory powers over airline fares and routes.

The United States Merchant Marine is a fleet of civilian and federal owned ships that transports goods in American waters and serves as an auxiliary to the Navy.

The Merchant Marine Act of 1920 regulates maritime commerce and restricts cabotage.

The Shipping Board was abolished in 1934 and replaced by the United States Maritime Commission in 1936.

Rail transportation in the United States is overseen by the Federal Railroad Administration.

[6] Throughout the 19th century, railroads were privately owned, resulting in natural monopolies and price fixing, particularly among shorter routes.

Congress responded by passing the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887, the first law to create a federal regulatory body for a specific industry.

Road signs are standardized by the Federal Highway Administration in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.