Highway Financing:
Factors Affecting Highway Funding Fluctuations and Revenue Trends
GAO-02-527T: Published: Mar 20, 2002. Publicly Released: Mar 20, 2002.
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The Highway Trust Fund "guarantees" specific annual funding levels for most highway programs on the basis of projected receipts to the fund. It also makes annual adjustments to these funding levels on the basis of actual receipts and revised projections of trust fund revenue. These adjustments are called the Revenue Aligned Budget Authority (RABA). GAO concludes that the fiscal year 2003 RABA calculation appears reasonable. Although the RABA adjustment is clearly severe, it reflects the many ways in which an economic downturn affects the calculation. In late January 2002, the administration announced that the fiscal year 2003 RABA adjustment would be a negative $4.965 billion. Within a few days of the announcement, the administration reported that an error had been made and the correct amount was a negative $4.369 billion--a $600 million difference. Treasury is taking steps to improve its internal controls in order to prevent this type of error from reoccurring. The use of ethanol blended fuel instead of gasoline reduces Highway Trust Fund revenue because it is partially exempt from the standard excise tax on gasoline and 2.5 cents of the tax received on each gallon of gasohol sold is transferred to the General Fund. Gasohol use is projected to rise and the impact of these tax provisions will grow as well. The RABA adjustment could be changed in several ways to help reduce fluctuations in highway funding. However, Congress and the administration must weigh the advantages and disadvantages of these and other ways to stabilize highway funding and increase Highway Trust Fund revenues.
Jul 30, 2018
Public Transit Partnerships:
Additional Information Needed to Clarify Data Reporting and Share Best PracticesGAO-18-539: Published: Jul 30, 2018. Publicly Released: Jul 30, 2018.
Jul 26, 2018
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Aviation Security:
Basic Training Program for Transportation Security Officers Would Benefit from Performance Goals and MeasuresGAO-18-552: Published: Jul 26, 2018. Publicly Released: Jul 26, 2018.
Jul 19, 2018
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Highway and Transit Projects:
Better Data Needed to Assess Changes in the Duration of Environmental ReviewsGAO-18-536: Published: Jul 19, 2018. Publicly Released: Jul 19, 2018.
Jul 12, 2018
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Aviation Security:
Actions Needed to Better Identify and Track U.S.-Bound Public Charter Operations from CubaGAO-18-526: Published: Jul 12, 2018. Publicly Released: Jul 12, 2018.
May 31, 2018
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Capital Investment Grants Program:
FTA Should Address Several Statutory ProvisionsGAO-18-462: Published: May 31, 2018. Publicly Released: May 31, 2018.
May 29, 2018
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Interstate Pipeline Inspections:
Additional Planning Could Help DOT Determine Appropriate Level of State ParticipationGAO-18-461: Published: May 29, 2018. Publicly Released: May 29, 2018.
May 24, 2018
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Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems:
FAA Should Improve Its Management of Safety RisksGAO-18-110: Published: May 24, 2018. Publicly Released: May 24, 2018.
Apr 9, 2018
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Rail Transit:
Federal Transit Administration Can Strengthen Safety Oversight by Improving Guidance to StatesGAO-18-310: Published: Mar 20, 2018. Publicly Released: Apr 9, 2018.
Feb 28, 2018
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Positive Train Control:
Many Commuter Railroads Still Have Significant Additional Implementation Work and Opportunities Exist to Provide Federal AssistanceGAO-18-367T: Published: Mar 1, 2018. Publicly Released: Feb 28, 2018.
Jan 30, 2018
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Highway and Transit Projects:
Evaluation Guidance Needed for States with National Environmental Policy Act AuthorityGAO-18-222: Published: Jan 30, 2018. Publicly Released: Jan 30, 2018.
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